Big Wires, Small Wires, and Non-Wires Solutions to “Electrify Everything”

This briefing by RMI argues that achieving economy-wide decarbonization through the electrification of everything requires a proactive, holistic approach to grid modernization. The author advocates for a combination of "big wires" (high-voltage transmission), "small wires" (distribution system upgrades), and "non-wires" solutions (virtual power plants and demand response) to accommodate growing electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing, and electric vehicle fleets.

• The United States faces a significant grid capacity shortage, with over 2 terawatts (TW) of wind, solar, and battery storage projects currently unable to connect to the grid. This exceeds the approximately 1.25 TW of electric generation capacity currently online in the country.
• To expand transmission capacity, RMI suggests using grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and advanced conductors. GETs are hardware and software solutions that increase power flow through existing lines; RMI research indicates that a $100 million investment in GETs across five states could result in $1 billion in annual savings for electricity customers by removing bottlenecks for clean energy projects. Advanced conductors can double or more the electricity flow through a circuit without the lengthy siting and permitting processes required for new lines.
• The electrification of the transportation sector requires proactive distribution system planning to handle diffuse power demand from electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in rural areas along highway corridors. EVs are noted to deliver 60-86 percent fewer emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles.
• Non-wires solutions, specifically virtual power plants (VPPs) that aggregate connected devices like smart thermostats and home batteries, can provide grid value similar to traditional power plants. According to the Department of Energy, scaled VPPs could reduce peak electricity use by 20 percent and save US utility customers $10 billion by the end of the decade.

APA

RMI (2024). Big Wires, Small Wires, and Non-Wires Solutions to “Electrify Everything”. https://rmi.org/resources/big-wires-small-wires-and-non-wires-solutions-to-electrify-everything/

Chicago

RMI. Big Wires, Small Wires, and Non-Wires Solutions to “Electrify Everything”. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/big-wires-small-wires-and-non-wires-solutions-to-electrify-everything/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Big Wires, Small Wires, and Non-Wires Solutions to “Electrify Everything” |date=2 April 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/big-wires-small-wires-and-non-wires-solutions-to-electrify-everything/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024big, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Big Wires, Small Wires, and Non-Wires Solutions to “Electrify Everything”}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/big-wires-small-wires-and-non-wires-solutions-to-electrify-everything/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }