Big tech companies are tired of watching the electrical grid sit around half-empty. Google, Tesla, and a handful of other companies just launched a new coalition called Utilize to convince politicians and regulators that we’re managing our power infrastructure all wrong, and they might actually have a point.

Here’s the thing: the electrical grid was designed back when power demand looked like a dramatic spike during peak hours, with tons of unused capacity sitting idle the rest of the time. That made sense when power generation was centralized around massive fossil fuel plants, but the energy landscape has completely transformed. Battery storage, solar panels, smart HVAC systems, and virtual power plants have become way more common over the past decade, yet most regulators are still clinging to the old playbook.

The Utilize coalition, which launched this week, brings together an interesting mix of players. On one side, you’ve got companies selling new tech: Tesla (batteries and solar), Span (smart electrical panels), and Carrier (heat pumps). On the other side, you’ve got massive power consumers like Google and data center developer Verrus that desperately need reliable energy to keep their servers running. There are also companies building distributed energy resources like Sparkfund and Renew Home.

What they all agree on is that the grid is seriously underutilized. Demand response programs, battery storage, and virtual power plants already exist and can smooth out power demand throughout the day, but they’re not being used to their full potential. Just look at Texas, the state’s grid has become more resilient during recent winter storms specifically because of increased battery storage capacity.

The problem? Regulators and politicians remain skeptical of these newer technologies. It’s easier to stick with what you know, even if it’s less efficient. That’s where Utilize comes in. The coalition is pushing for policy changes that would encourage broader adoption of these solutions. They’re already claiming a win: some coalition members backed a Virginia bill that would require utilities to publicly disclose how the grid is being used.

It’s worth noting that while Utilize calls itself a “coalition,” the organization seems to be walking a careful line between advocacy and direct lobbying. The group hasn’t officially confirmed its lobbying status, and the fact that they’re describing legislative wins through careful language like “some members of Utilize” suggests they’re being strategic about how they operate.

Changing how the grid is regulated and managed isn’t going to happen overnight. These kinds of infrastructure transformations take years of political work. But if companies and advocates don’t start pushing for change now, we’ll miss the opportunity to modernize our energy system when it actually matters.