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This research paper by Energy Innovation and the Paulson Institute argues that the scale and speed of urbanization in China will be a primary determinant of future global climate change. The authors propose six critical 'ingredients for success'—permeable urban form, transit-centered transportation, effective building codes, municipal finance reform, sustainability metrics for mayors, and a strengthened planning process—to prevent the proliferation of unlivable, auto-centric 'superblocks' and instead create sustainable, world-class cities.

This briefing by Energy Innovation describes two distinct applications of demand-response (DR) programs: as a capacity resource to mitigate peak demand and as a balancing tool to integrate variable renewable energy. The document argues that DR is a cost-effective alternative to building new power generation or investing in expensive grid-scale battery storage.

This briefing by Energy Innovation argues that while fuel quality standards are a critical first step in reducing air pollution in China, long-term success depends on developing sustainable, dense, and walkable cities to avoid the car-reliant model of the 20th-century United States.

This fact sheet by Energy Innovation examines the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, attributing these shifts to human-induced climate change and rising carbon dioxide levels.

This research paper proposes a flexible framework for electricity policy in a hypothetical "51st State," focusing on system optimization across affordability, reliability, and environmental performance. It outlines modernized principles for rate design and market structure that accommodate the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart-grid technologies, arguing that these innovations challenge the traditional view of utilities as natural monopolies.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation outlines a pathway for California to achieve 85 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030. Based on technical analysis by Telos Energy and GridLab, the document argues that this target is reliably achievable even under extreme stressors. It provides a set of 'no-regrets' policy recommendations focused on diversifying clean energy deployment, phasing out natural gas plants—particularly in disadvantaged communities—leveraging demand-side resources, and improving regional coordination across Western states.

This guide by Energy Innovation provides a blueprint for U.S. state policymakers to mitigate the economic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It specifically focuses on accelerating the procurement of wind and solar energy to ensure projects qualify for federal tax credits before they expire.

This fact sheet by Energy Innovation analyzes the potential impacts of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which mandates increasing sales of new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) starting in 2026 to reach 100 percent by 2035. Using the Energy Policy Simulator model, the document evaluates the benefits for the 16 '177 States' that can adopt this California-led standard under the U.S. Clean Air Act.

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 briefing presents preliminary results from the California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) regarding a scenario where California reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The analysis indicates that while such a target would require an energy and industrial transition of "unprecedented speed and scope," it is achievable without new technologies and would result in significant economic gains, job growth, and public health improvements.

Energy Innovation uses the California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to propose a "Deeper Decarbonization Scenario" for California, arguing that relying on mature technologies—such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and building electrification—is more reliable than the unproven carbon removal strategies in the state's Draft Scoping Plan. The proposed scenario aims for a 47% emissions reduction by 2030 and predicts significant co-benefits, including $28 billion in economic growth, the creation of up to 200,000 jobs by 2036, and the prevention of thousands of deaths and asthma attacks by 2050.

This fact sheet by Energy Innovation analyzes the gap between the emissions reductions projected from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the United States' 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target. Using the U.S. Energy Policy Simulator (EPS), the document identifies additional policy measures across electricity, industry, transportation, and buildings necessary to reach the NDC goal.

The 'Coal Cost Crossover 3.0' fact sheet by Energy Innovation reports that 99% of 210 analyzed U.S. coal plants are more expensive to operate than replacing their capacity with new wind or solar energy. The document highlights how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) accelerates this transition and estimates that replacing 204 coal plants with local clean energy could generate up to $589 billion in investment for energy communities.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the rising costs of coal-fired power generation in the United States between 2021 and 2024, concluding that coal is becoming increasingly uneconomic compared to alternatives like wind, solar, and natural gas.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of natural gas versus coal power plants, concluding that while natural gas can reduce emissions compared to coal over a 100-year period, it is not a sufficient solution for climate change and can be counterproductive if methane leaks are high or if it displaces renewable energy.

This fact sheet from Energy Innovation outlines how data center electricity demand can be made flexible through workload shifting, operational reductions, and the use of backup power or storage to minimize the need for new fossil fuel generation and grid infrastructure.

This case study examines the role of the U.S. government in advancing diesel internal combustion engine technology. It details how federal investments in basic combustion research, the development of simulation tools, and the establishment of public-private partnerships led to significant improvements in fuel efficiency and a dramatic reduction in harmful emissions for heavy-duty trucks between the 1970s and 2010.

This briefing from Energy Innovation provides a blueprint for U.S. state policymakers to maintain energy efficiency and electrification progress in buildings and industry following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which the author projects will negatively impact the U.S. economy.

A guide by Energy Innovation outlining the eligibility criteria for federal tax credits for new and used passenger electric vehicles, including MSRP limits, income caps, and battery sourcing requirements.

This fact sheet summarizes a study by Energy Innovation on the reliability of accelerated clean electricity portfolios in California, specifically testing an 85% clean electricity target for 2030. Using a production cost model (PLEXOS) to stress-test three portfolios against variables such as low hydro, reduced gas availability, and limited imports, the study concludes that reaching this target is feasible and reliable across most weather years and stress conditions.