ForeFront Power Launches Centrana to Unify Building Operations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 29, 2026 – Renewable energy leader ForeFront Power has made a significant move into the operational technology sector with the launch of Centrana, a new software platform designed to unify the complex world of multi-site facility, energy, and sustainability management. The platform, described as a first-of-its-kind solution, aims to break down the data silos that have long plagued large organizations by integrating disparate systems, vendors, and operational data into a single, coherent interface.

For years, facilities, energy, and sustainability teams have operated in parallel, often using different software and processes, leading to fragmented data and missed opportunities for efficiency. Centrana seeks to solve this by creating a centralized hub for all corrective and scheduled work, providing a clear view across vast portfolios of buildings. The platform also features a managed marketplace for sourcing service vendors and a mobile application for frontline technicians.

“With Centrana, we set out to solve one of the biggest challenges facing operations and energy leaders today: fragmented systems that limit their ability to see the full picture,” said Dan Taylor, Chief Innovation Officer at ForeFront Power, in the official announcement. “Centrana brings all of that critical activity and data together into a single platform—turning everyday work into actionable insights so teams can operate confidently, adapt quickly, and stay ahead of what’s next.”

A Strategic Leap into Operational Technology

The launch of Centrana marks a pivotal evolution for ForeFront Power. With over 15 years of experience and more than 1.6 gigawatts of developed renewable energy projects, the company has established itself as a major force in the commercial and industrial solar and battery storage markets. This new venture propels the company beyond its traditional role as an energy developer and asset manager into the competitive software-as-a-service (SaaS) landscape.

This strategic diversification appears to be a direct response to the evolving needs of its core customers—businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions—who are increasingly seeking holistic solutions that not only provide clean energy but also optimize its use within their broader operational footprint. By offering a tool that manages the entire facility ecosystem, ForeFront Power is positioning itself as an indispensable, long-term partner rather than just a project developer.

“Centrana represents an important step forward in ForeFront Power’s mission to provide smarter, cleaner, and more resilient solutions for our customers,” stated Dr. Ruben R. Fontes, the company's CEO. “With Centrana, we’re extending that commitment into the operational core of their facilities—giving teams the tools they need to make faster decisions, optimize performance, and chart a more sustainable future.” This move is bolstered by the financial strength of its parent company, Mitsui & Co. Ltd., a global investment leader, providing the stability needed to challenge established players in the operational technology market.

Unifying a Fragmented Digital Landscape

At its core, Centrana is engineered to function as a central "operating system" for multi-site enterprises. It addresses the common pain point of managers juggling multiple software platforms for work orders, energy monitoring, vendor management, and sustainability reporting. By integrating these functions, the platform promises to deliver a unified source of truth, enabling data-driven decision-making that was previously difficult or impossible.

The platform was developed with what the company calls "direct input from facilities managers, energy strategists, and sustainability leaders" to ensure its design reflects real-world workflows. This user-centric approach aims to create a more intuitive experience that bridges the gap between high-level strategic goals and day-to-day operational tasks. The system combines live inputs from fieldwork with enriched historical data and industry benchmarks, allowing managers to identify performance trends, predict maintenance needs, and pinpoint new opportunities for cost savings or efficiency gains.

This fusion of facility and energy data is a key aspect of the platform's value proposition. For an organization with ambitious decarbonization goals, understanding how HVAC maintenance schedules impact energy consumption across a hundred retail locations, for example, becomes a manageable query rather than a massive data reconciliation project. This integrated view is designed to help leaders determine where their time and resources will deliver the most significant impact on both their budget and their sustainability targets.

Empowering the Frontline with a Modern Toolkit

Beyond high-level analytics, Centrana delivers practical tools designed to streamline the work of those on the ground. A central feature is its managed service provider network, an integrated marketplace that connects organizations with a vetted network of vendors across a vast range of specialties, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, solar, EV charging, and janitorial services. This curated approach aims to provide a more reliable alternative to traditional vendor directories, focusing on partners with a track record of accountability and performance.

This marketplace is seamlessly integrated with the platform’s workflow management, simplifying the entire process from sourcing a vendor to scheduling the job and processing payment. For field technicians, whether in-house staff or third-party vendors, Centrana offers a dedicated mobile application. This app allows them to view assignments, receive work orders, check in and out of job sites, and upload critical information like notes and photos directly from the field.

This real-time data capture is crucial for maintaining data accuracy and providing managers with an up-to-the-minute view of operations. It eliminates delays associated with manual data entry and reduces the risk of information getting lost between the job site and the back office. By empowering frontline workers with modern, easy-to-use tools, the platform aims to not only improve operational effectiveness but also enhance job satisfaction for the teams responsible for keeping complex facilities running smoothly.

Navigating a Crowded Market and Adoption Hurdles

While Centrana's integrated approach is compelling, ForeFront Power is entering a mature and competitive market. The facility and energy management software space is populated by established giants like Siemens, Schneider Electric with its EcoStruxure platform, and comprehensive workplace management systems like IBM Tririga and Planon. These incumbents have deep roots in building automation and enterprise software, presenting a formidable challenge for any newcomer.

Centrana's success will likely hinge on its ability to clearly demonstrate its unique differentiators: the deep integration of a managed service marketplace and its specialized focus on unifying energy data with traditional facility operations. The company is betting that this combination provides a more complete and actionable solution than what is currently available from competitors, who may offer similar capabilities through separate modules or third-party partnerships.

However, the path to widespread adoption is fraught with potential obstacles. Large organizations are often saddled with legacy systems, and the complexity and cost of integrating or replacing them can be a significant deterrent. Gaining customer trust on data security and privacy will be paramount, especially for a platform that centralizes so much sensitive operational information. Furthermore, driving adoption will require a significant change management effort within client organizations, training staff and re-engineering long-standing workflows to take full advantage of the new platform. Centrana is now available with onboarding and demo options, and its ability to prove a clear and rapid return on investment will be critical to overcoming these hurdles and capturing market share.