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This report by RMI examines regulatory reform efforts across 10 US states, emphasizing that the design of the process used to implement utility business model updates is as critical to success as the technical and economic details of the reforms themselves.

The document introduces 'Navigating Utility Business Model Reform: A Practical Guide to Regulatory Design', a collaborative guide produced by the Rocky Mountain Institute, America’s Power Plan, and Advanced Energy Economy Institute to assist industry actors in implementing utility business model reforms tailored to local contexts.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) explores how electric utilities can move beyond traditional bill assistance to collaborate with low-and moderate-income (LMI) customers. It identifies new business models leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) to reduce energy burdens, improve health and environmental outcomes, and create grid value.

This statement by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) defends its 2014 research on 'grid defection'—the economic viability of customers disconnecting from utilities in favor of on-site solar and battery systems—against interpretations of a subsequent study by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). RMI argues that while full grid defection may currently only be economical in Hawaii, the downward trajectory of distributed energy resource (DER) costs creates a systemic risk of stranded utility assets and empowers customers to influence the pace of decarbonization and grid investment.

This briefing from RMI outlines eight priority areas for electricity innovation in 2017, based on a survey of the Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab) network. The document focuses on the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), the evolution of utility business models, and the need for improved customer engagement to transform the U.S. electricity system.

This case study analyzes the $6.8 billion merger between Exelon and Pepco Holdings, which created the largest utility in the United States. The document uses the contentious approval process in the District of Columbia to identify five broader trends in the U.S. power sector: increased utility consolidation to hedge against volatile wholesale markets, disputes over microgrid ownership, the criticality of rate design equity, the rise of mobilized customer constituencies, and the proliferation of state-level power sector transformation proceedings.

This executive summary by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and HOMER Energy analyzes the economic transition of residential and commercial customers from grid-only electricity to grid-connected solar-plus-battery systems. The report argues that while total grid defection is possible, the more likely scenario is a gradual shift where customers use the grid as a backup, potentially leading to significant revenue loss for utilities and stranded assets for central generation owners unless new regulatory and pricing models are adopted.

This research paper by RMI explores the transition of the U.S. electricity sector from a traditional value chain to a 'value constellation' at the distribution edge. It examines how the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) challenges existing utility business models and proposes new regulatory and economic frameworks to better integrate these resources for improved system efficiency, resilience, and reliability.

The Electricity Distribution Grid Evaluator (EDGE) is a MATLAB-based simulation tool developed by RMI to assess the technical and economic implications of integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) into electricity systems. The model evaluates how DERs affect grid operations and stakeholder value across different regulatory environments and utility business models.

This report, produced by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) for PG&E, examines the impact of distributed energy resources (DERs) and Zero Net Energy (ZNE) buildings on California's electricity system. It identifies misalignments between current utility business models and the shift toward decentralized generation, proposing a transition toward new pricing structures and regulatory frameworks to ensure grid stability and cost equity.

This report examines the need for U.S. electric utility business models and regulatory frameworks to evolve to support a high-penetration renewable energy future. It proposes a spectrum of utility roles—ranging from minimal involvement to becoming comprehensive energy services providers—and suggests shifting from traditional cost-of-service regulation toward performance-based models like the UK's RIIO to align utility incentives with societal climate and efficiency goals.

This research paper by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and PG&E examines the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of zero net energy (ZNE) buildings and distributed energy resources (DERs). It argues that traditional utility business models and volumetric rate structures are poorly adapted to a bidirectional power system, potentially leading to economic inefficiencies and equity issues. The authors propose a framework for solutions based on rigorous impact measurement, the use of price signals to align incentives, and the evolution of utility business models toward either incentive-based regulation or a network utility model.