Public Utility Research Center
Influencing the policies and professionals who power our world
Economic success and overall quality of life directly correlate with utilities, including energy, broadband internet and water. These resources empower individuals as they open businesses, hire employees, and provide a sustainable, family-supporting source of income.
But increased activity places proportional demand on local networks. It also creates a more competitive environment that invites energy and contract alternatives. For a sense of order, regulatory bodies step in to introduce policies, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure everyone has access to safe, reliable service.
The University of Florida Warrington College of Business’ Public Utility Research Center guides and educates the professionals who uphold our world’s networks. Our efforts begin on campus, where we foster students’ inquiry while exposing them to the industry’s workings.
We then extend our reach as far as it can go. In the process, we forge partnerships with regulatory experts, encourage providers to adjust rates in relation to economic factors, and publish research intended to inform tomorrow’s policies and programs.
For more than five decades, PURC has provided clarity and data-backed direction to those navigating an often tumultuous industry. Explore our latest initiatives, learn more about our history and take advantage of our resources to enrich your organization.
PURC at a glance
We’ve influenced infrastructure policy since 1972 and now sway the industry from multiple bases, including thought leadership, events and courses attended by professionals all over the world.
4049
regulatory and utility professionals from 157 nations have completed the PURC/World Bank International Training Program on Utility Regulation and Strategy since its inception.
9
training courses providing 242 hours of in-classroom instruction were offered in 2024.
23
blog posts; 9 working papers, journal articles, and book chapters; and 4 op-eds were developed by PURC faculty in 2024.
ChatPURC: Your gateway to utility regulation insights
An AI-powered assistant that helps you find answers to your pressing questions about the regulation of utility service providers.
Utility market research and outreach
Our researchers study energy, telecommunications, and water sector conditions to determine the wider impact of incentives and reforms. Their findings, published here and used to design training programs, contribute to policies that spur economic development, expansion efforts and technology adoption.
Faculty research
Thinking beyond wattage and megabits per second, participating Warrington faculty present solutions for fortifying utility services against natural disasters, minimizing overloads, improving accessibility, creating healthy market competition and pricing services according to consumer demands.
Student research
Undergraduates to DBA candidates examine the rippling effects of regulations on business practices, brainstorm pricing strategies for alternative energy, and harness business analytics and AI to streamline how providers monitor their service areas.
Digital Markets Initiative
We increasingly live in a digital-first world — a factor that’s often dependent on electricity, the internet and their respective regulations. This collaborative effort across the Warrington College of Business community strives to understand how businesses, researchers and policymakers are uniquely affected, with the goal of preparing them for this new economy.
Project Navigate
As history has shown, regulation can both bolster and hinder new development. Through this exploratory effort, we attempt to quantify the impact of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act on competition, innovation and consumer rights.
Outreach
Believing that debates and discussions drive progress, we invite industry and government officials to talk about existing policies, potential reforms, and the optimal methods for reinforcing, expanding, and managing utility infrastructures.
Customized research
Each utility market faces distinct challenges — from how to tactically upgrade older infrastructure to policies that lead to a deregulated, potentially confusing consumer experience. Have Warrington’s researchers investigate these issues to present a ready-to-implement solution tailored to your team and region.
Training and development programs
Advance your team’s knowledge of effective utility policy, regulations, management and leadership practices. PURC’s continuing education courses offer a comprehensive update on the industry landscape to help you strategically maintain your region’s infrastructure and meet the ongoing needs of your customers.
About PURC
We emerged during a time of tremendous upheaval in the utility sector — a period that resulted in new regulations, governing organizations and competition. Over the decades, we’ve not only noticed other major changes, but we’ve also been integral to their development.
Collaborators
A globe-spanning network of utility and regulatory experts tells us about market shifts, proposed programs and other trends. These insights allow us to hold training programs and launch studies that offer relevance to all industry professionals and regions.
Annual PURC Conference
During our longstanding event, government officials, utility executives, and industry leaders exchange information on expansion strategies, technology integration, managing cybersecurity threats and other current topics.
Next Practices Lives series
This series of interviews with industry experts, executives, and professionals contributes real-time, from-the-field observations to an ever-evolving set of best practices.
Give to PURC
Power our efforts to shape the industry supplying power and connectivity to the world.
The latest news
Upcoming events
July 27
Energy & Water Pricing
Strengthen the backbone of business operations
How can a community foster a more innovative, entrepreneurial business climate? Start at the source: utilities and how everyone taps into these widely available services.
Contact PURC
Public Utility Research Center
Warrington College of Business
University of Florida
Matherly Hall 205
1405 W University Avenue