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Since joining Boston Consulting Group in 2000, Phil Hirschhorn has worked in the firm's Sydney, London, and Frankfurt offices. He is currently a BCG Henderson Institute Fellow, researching the future of energy markets in a world of high-penetration renewable energy, and investigating how companies and households can unlock hidden flexibility in their energy usage and how energy markets need to evolve to make that possible.

In addition, Phil works for leading companies and government agencies along the energy value chain in Australia. His clients have come from industries including natural gas production; generation; pipelines and electricity networks; power, gas, and fuel retail; and federal and state government. His projects cover large-scale transformation and both corporate and business unit strategy.

Over the last decade, Phil has dedicated his time to helping large generators, power and gas retailers, and energy networks navigate—strategically and operationally—the transition necessitated by the advent of energy efficiency and distributed generation, policy and regulatory interventions, and changes to local and regional gas markets.

During his studies, Phil trained as a petroleum engineer with Woodside Energy and Santos, and as a wireline engineer with Schlumberger.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MBA, with distinction, London Business School
  • Bachelor’s degree, petroleum engineering, honors, University of New South Wales

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • University Medal, University of New South Wales

Publications and Videos

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The Five Forces Transforming Power Markets

To prepare for tomorrow’s global energy system, players need to understand how power market dynamics are evolving today.
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What CEOs Can Learn from Energy Traders

As electricity markets become more volatile, the value of using energy flexibly is increasing. Companies can take four practical actions to create advantage.
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Climate Change in New Zealand: The Future is Electric

Electricity providers can help achieve 70% of the emissions reductions required under the country's 2050 net-zero target.
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Is Electricity Pricing Running Out of Gas?

By causing gas plants to close, renewable energy could disrupt the pricing of electricity, impairing investment signals. What comes next will depend on which of three technologies emerges to support the rise of renewables.
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Why Technology Alone Is Not Enough

Human expertise has proved critical to realizing the full potential of a digital transformation at scale.
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Electrifying Your Digital Transformation

Bionic energy networks unlock the value that digital initiatives have to offer by taking four important steps.
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Will Electricity Be Free? Not When You Really Need It

As governments decarbonize their economies through renewable energy generation, volatility in electricity prices will surge. Players can use multiple levers to mitigate it—but they must act carefully to avoid damaging industrial competitiveness and increasing costs.
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Rising to the Challenges of Integrating Solar and Wind at Scale

As the share of variable renewable energy climbs, tackling four challenges will become an urgent task for system operators and designers.
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What’s in the Pipeline for Natural Gas?

Growing demand for hydrogen will impact transportation and distribution networks differently. Players must plan ahead if they are to successfully navigate the coming disruption.
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Why Your Company Needs to Be an Electricity Trader

Variable renewable energy generation will transform electricity systems and increase price volatility. To navigate these changes, companies need to be more flexible in the way they consume electricity.
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Introducing the Bionic Network of the Future

Energy networks can accelerate the adoption of digital developments by pursuing the “bionic company,” where employees are reinforced--instead of replaced--by technology.
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Going beyond the COVID-19 Crisis restrictions. Are energy networks ready?

Energy Network companies are experts in managing crises and are normally shielded from cash-flow impacts. Nevertheless, they too will have to make certain adaptations going forward.