how HANDBID ELEVATES energy auctions
control where it counts
Handbid supports energy consultants, utilities, and procurement teams running complex auctions for power, capacity, and energy assets.
why generic platforms fall short for energy auctions
That mismatch creates risk. Open access models, limited bidder controls, and fragile systems can undermine confidence and expose teams to operational or reputational consequences.
Handbid takes a different approach. It prioritizes access control, structured competition, and execution certainty, making it suitable for auctions
where accuracy and trust matter more than volume.
how HANDBID works for YOU
Handbid gives energy auction teams the tools they need without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Controlled Access
Invite, verify, and manage participants to ensure only approved bidders can engage.
Operational Reliability
Run auctions with confidence that the system will perform under load and time pressure.
Clear Oversight
Maintain visibility into bids, timelines, and participation throughout the event.
Audit-Ready Execution
Ensure actions and outcomes can be reviewed and defended when needed.
featured use case
Polar Energy Consulting facilitates complex energy procurement events for utilities and large energy buyers through its Polaris RFx Platform.
what WE DID
for POLARIS
Mobile Bidding
Real-time outbid notifications keep guests engaged and bidding from anywhere in the venue. With 16,500+ bids placed across Derby Day events, mobile bidding transformed a 130-item silent auction from a walk-around-and-scribble experience into a competitive, revenue-driving machine — doubling auction revenue in its very first year.
Tap-to-Pay Check-in
What once required paper forms, manual card entry, and a small army of volunteers now takes seconds. Guests tap their card or phone at a Stripe terminal, their payment method is stored, and they're ready to bid. At checkout, there's no line — invoices go straight to their phone, and guests leave on their own time.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
When COVID shut down in-person events in 2020, PWSA Colorado launched its first peer-to-peer campaign on Handbid — Race for a Cure. Supporters recruited their own networks, raised funds online, and proved that giving doesn't require a ballroom. Across four P2P campaigns, Derby supporters have raised over $127,000 beyond auction night.
Theme Manager
Derby Day's landing page isn't a generic template — it's a fully branded experience that matches the look and feel of Denver's classiest event. Handbid's Theme Manager gives organizers complete control over colors, logos, imagery, and layout, so guests feel the event's identity from the moment they land on the page.
Live Bid Charting
Managers watch bids populate in real time on live charts powered by WebSocket connections. As participants submit and update offers, the dashboard visualizes market activity as it unfolds — giving Polar’s team instant visibility into bidding momentum, competitive positioning, and pricing trends across every active auction.
Customized Offer Status
Every bidder sees exactly where they stand. The platform tracks each participant’s current offer and displays whether they’re losing, tied, or best bid — updated after each submission. No guesswork, no calling the auctioneer. In wholesale energy markets where millions are on the line, transparency drives competitive participation.
Control Access to Auctions
Not every bidder belongs in every auction. Polar’s managers control access to each RFX through a Request/Approve mechanism — participants apply, managers vet and grant entry. In regulated energy markets where qualified participation matters, this isn’t a feature. It’s a compliance requirement.
Forward & Reverse Auctions
Selling energy assets? Price goes up. Procuring them? Price goes down. Polar needed both directions and Handbid delivered a single interface that handles forward and reverse auctions, configured per transaction. Built and deployed in 36 days from contract to live client events.
their
RESULTS
What began as a requirement for absolute control became confidence in the platform’s ability to support repeatable, high-stakes auctions.
Audit-Ready Confidence
Bids were captured and managed in a structured environment designed for traceability, oversight, and defensible outcomes.
Controlled Participation
Only approved bidders gained access, helping Polaris protect market integrity and maintain discretion throughout the process.
Reliable Execution Under Pressure
Time-bound bidding events ran as intended, supporting fast, precise transactions without technical disruption when stakes were highest.
BEFORE
Define participation, structure competition, and prepare for secure execution.
AFTER
Review outcomes, document results, and support post-event analysis.
DURING
Monitor bids, enforce rules, and maintain confidence in the process.
why ENERGY AUCTION TEAMS
trust handbid
Stability over novelty
Control over convenience
Execution over exposure
what this MEANS FOR YOU
With Handbid, you can run energy auctions that meet the demands of regulated, high-value environments.
FAQs highlights
Is the platform suitable for regulated or audited processes?
Handbid supports structured bidding environments with clear oversight and traceability.
Can this scale to large procurement events?
Yes. The platform is designed to handle complex, high-value transactions.
Can the platform be adapted to different auction formats?
Yes. Handbid is flexible enough to support a wide range of competitive procurement models.
run energy auctions
with confidence.
