Why?
Electricity is the connective tissue of the information age—almost every transaction in our daily lives is now supported, in real time, by electronic information. Yet as critical and as ubiquitous as it has already become, electricity is poised for a profound leap in importance due to its inherent versatility. Electricity is an energy carrier that can be produced from virtually any primary source at any distance for any product or service. These unique characteristics are driving shifts in major infrastructure systems, including communications, buildings, industry, and transportation, to electricity as an energy supplier of choice.
Yet, today, over 70 percent of U.S. electricity is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, contributing to pollution, climate change, and public health threats. Additionally, while the information economy speeds along, creating new value by innovating to meet diverse consumer preferences, the electricity system remains slow to respond and resistant to adapt. Bottom line: Business as usual is no longer a viable option.
To meet society’s demands for affordable, reliable, secure, feasible, and environmentally sustainable electricity services, RMI is working to accelerate the transformation to an electricity system that is:
- Efficient. Keeping overall electricity demand flat or declining, reducing costs to consumers and suppliers, even as electric–vehicle adoption increases
- Renewable. Using renewable energy to meet 80 percent or more of our electricity demand, reducing environmental and climate impacts
- Distributed. Incorporating a much larger share of locally sited resources like solar photovoltaic systems, creating a more secure and resilient system
- Customer-centric. Focusing on what the customer wants and empowering customers with information and choices
What are we doing?
Overcoming the technical, economic, and institutional challenges to transform the electricity system will require innovation and new types of engagement and collaboration. RMI’s approach to our work starts with our vision of the future of the U.S. electricity system, as described in Reinventing Fire. Then we identify the key barriers slowing progress, and finally, the channels of engagement that we believe will help accelerate transformation.
Our work in electricity is driven through RMI’s Next Generation Electricity Initiative, which focuses on the integrated path forward.
RMI’s unique contributions to accelerating transformation in the U.S. electricity sector include:
- Analytical approach and technical rigor
- Whole-system view and focus on integration
- Independent and non-advocacy approach
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