Electricity Distribution Grid Evaluator (EDGE) Model

This paper describes the Electricity Distribution Evaluator (EDGE) model, a MATLAB-based simulation tool developed by RMI and designed to comprehensively assess the DER value proposition in different regulatory and utility business model environments based on a detailed assessment of the technical and operational implications. Though designed to study an individual utility or region, the model maintains the flexibility to be adapted for use with many different utilities or regions. The ability to alter the model’s parameters allows RMI to identify conditions that optimize value, and to test the effects of new, innovative business models and rate structures. The EDGE model provides an analytical basis for assessment of the costs and values created by all resources, including DERs.

 

Reinventing Fire Electricity Sector Methodology

This document provides RMI's methodology for the analysis of the electricity sector in Reinventing Fire.

 

Assessing the Electric Productivity Gap and the U.S. Efficiency Opportunity

This paper explores how effectively the United States has used electricity and compares energy efficiency implementation by state. This paper analyzes state-level electric productivity to determine which states are the most productive with their electricity.

 

Nuclear Power's Competitive Landscape

A hotly debated topic, the present and future state of nuclear power and its competitors are the subject of this presentation by Amory Lovins at RMI2009. This presentation was part of a plenary debate with Robert Rosner entitled, "Nuclear: Fix or Folly?". The accompanying video of the entire debate is available at RMI's Video page.

 

Profitable Solutions to the Business, Climate, and Nuclear Proliferation Problems

In this presentation given to the Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change, Amory Lovins explains how energy can be used in a way that saves money. He also explains negawatts, his views on nuclear power, and strategies for implementing programs to limit climate change.

 

Hypercars, Hydrogen, and the Automotive Transition

Lightweighting is the key to making vehicles superefficient and safe. In this invited technical review paper in the International Journal of Vehicle Design, Amory Lovins and David Cramer explain why, using as an example Hypercar's 2000 virtual design of the Revolution 99-mpg SUV. The paper also shows how Hypercar's Fiberforge process promises to achieve that goal at competitive cost, and how this manufacturing breakthrough can accelerate an exciting new stage in automaking and the emergence of the hydrogen economy.

 

Towering Design Flaws

In August, 2003 the American electrical grid failed and caused blackouts throughout the country. Amory Lovins wrote this article in response to that energy catastrophe. He argues that the cause of the blackouts was an overcentralized power grid and inefficient pricing policies. Lovins claims that the fastest and cheapest way to save energy dollars and pollution is to use energy efficiently. In addition to efficiency measures, electric utilities and customers can make use of demand response technology to save energy and lower the burden on the grid. Distributed (or decentralized) generation is another option that Lovins argues can reduce the likelihood of grid failures so that blackouts do not occur again.

 

Critical Issues in Domestic Energy Vulnerability

In this presentation, Amory Lovins argues that America's energy infrastructure is vulnerable to disruption, either accidentally or intentionally. This presentation argues for a more efficient, diverse, distributed, and renewable energy system.

 

California Dreaming

This commentary in American Spectator was written in response to an article by William Tucker that attributed the California energy crisis to inaccurate causes. Amory Lovins refutes many of Tuckers claims.

A similar exchange, published in The Weekly Standard, is also available.

 

Tough Lovins

This exchange between Amory Lovins and William Tucker was published in The Weekly Standard after Tucker's earlier article in the magazine. Lovins' letters refute Tucker's claims about the causes of California's electricity crisis, the reliability of renewables, and the use of hydrogen energy systems.

A similar exchange, published in American Spectator, is also available.

 

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