RLW's history began in 1970 with the founding of Roger L. Wright and Associates. At the time, Roger had completed a Ph.D. in mathematical statistics and was on the faculty of the Department of Statistics and Management Science at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Business Administration. Roger's first consulting assignments in load research were with Consumers Power Company (CPCo) in 1973. This led both to Roger's early work in model-based statistical sampling (Analyze-IT) and to his collaboration with Curt Puckett, who was in CPCo's load research group.

Roger and Curt worked together on a series of projects for CPCo and helped start the Midwest Load Research Association. In the early 80's, Roger published several academic papers and an EPRI monograph on Analyze-IT, and Curt and Roger collaborated on sample designs for an ambitious end-use metering project for Sierra Pacific Power Company. This led to other end-use studies for Wisconsin Electric, the City of Austin, and Consolidated Edison. These studies were designed to provide firm data for the energy conservation programs that were being planned.

In 1989, Roger and Curt left their regular jobs to start RLW Analytics. At the time, Roger was a Full Professor and chairman of his department at the University of Michigan, and Curt was the head of CPCo's load research group. The opportunity that led to their move was the chance to help Northeast Utilities launch an innovative impact evaluation program for its ambitious conservation programs. The cornerstone of NU's evaluation program was Analyze-IT and short-term end use metering. The challenge was to provide results that were sound and reliable both in statistical and engineering terms.

Most of the work of the firm continues to be in energy efficiency, load management, load research, and evaluation. At present, the firm has four offices (Connecticut, California, Michigan and New York), and its clients include more than fifty of the clients leading utilities and state agencies.