Students for Sustainable Enterprise (SSE), a student-led organisation based in California, has developed an energy-planning system to help small businesses reduce energy costs, improve resource efficiency and access sustainability-related funding.

Co-founded by Roshan Saxena and Shreyas Chatterjee, the organisation supports businesses across Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Saratoga and the wider South Bay region. Its system analyses utility data, building conditions, operating patterns and project costs to identify practical energy and water efficiency improvements.

According to SSE, its work across 17 businesses has identified more than $105,000 in potential savings, approximately 600,000 kWh in energy-reduction opportunities and potential emissions reductions exceeding 120 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The platform also helps businesses identify relevant grants, utility incentives, tax benefits and public funding programmes. By connecting energy assessments with financial support opportunities, SSE aims to make sustainable upgrades more affordable and accessible for small businesses.