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The document argues that traditional bundled, volumetric electricity pricing is outdated and fails to incentivize the efficient deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs). It proposes a transition toward more sophisticated pricing based on attribute unbundling, temporal granularity, and locational granularity. Six evolutionary pricing options are suggested, ranging from Time-of-Use pricing to Distribution Locational Marginal Pricing, noting that technology can manage the resulting complexity for the end customer.

The report details the outcomes of the General Services Administration's (GSA) National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) program and a subsequent stakeholder workshop held in April 2014. It compares the energy savings of GSA's deep retrofits against other federal agencies and identifies systemic barriers and best practices in the Energy Saving Performance Contract (ESPC) process, focusing on project delivery, team dynamics, integrative design, operations and maintenance (O&M), and project economics.

This briefing describes the concepts presented in the book 'Resource Revolution' by Stefan Heck and Matt Rogers, which argues that companies can spark a new industrial revolution by dramatically improving resource productivity through five specific strategic approaches.

This executive summary introduces a guide by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) designed to help owner-occupants identify, quantify, and capture the business value of deep energy retrofits. It argues that deep retrofits—which can reduce building energy consumption by 50% or more—provide significant non-energy benefits that are often overlooked in traditional financial analysis, such as improved employee productivity, health, and property value.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) proposes a transformative energy strategy for China termed "Reinventing Fire." The authors argue that China can decouple economic growth from fossil fuel dependence by focusing on three "gamechangers": oil-free mobility, integrative design for radical efficiency in buildings and industry, and a redefined, more distributed electric grid.

An unpublished letter from RMI to The Economist argues that European electric utilities' financial losses are the result of failed investment strategies and a failure to adapt to disruptive renewable technologies, rather than the fault of renewables themselves. The author contends that renewables provide significant macroeconomic benefits and that grid stability is manageable at high penetration levels, as demonstrated in several European countries.

An open letter from RMI to hard goods retailers arguing that promoting and procuring energy-efficient electronics and appliances can unlock significant financial savings for consumers and reduce overall energy consumption.

This report, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in September 2013, reviews 16 benefit and cost studies of distributed photovoltaics (DPV) conducted between 2005 and 2013. It aims to establish a foundation for valuing distributed energy resources (DERs) by identifying methodological best practices and gaps in how the electricity sector quantifies the costs and benefits of DPV.

This report details the findings and recommendations from a two-day workshop conducted by the Electricity Innovation Lab (e-Lab) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC Southwest) in April 2013. The document examines the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges of implementing microgrids on U.S. Navy bases to improve energy security and integrate renewable energy.

This guide by RMI provides building owners and managers with a framework for specifying and procuring building energy modeling (BEM) services for new construction, renovations, and operational improvements. It details the benefits of BEM, the different purposes for modeling (comparison, compliance, and prediction), the role of the modeler, and the contracting process, including a sample Request for Proposal (RFP).

King Island, Tasmania, is implementing the King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP) to transition from diesel-based power to a high-renewables system. By integrating wind, solar, a large-scale UltraBattery, and D-UPS generators, the island has achieved periods of 100-percent-renewable power and significantly reduced diesel consumption. Additionally, the proposed TasWind project aims to export large-scale wind energy to mainland Australia.

This briefing is a transcript of an address by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) delivered on July 17, 2013, at Appalachian State University. Lovins advocates for the adoption of 'integrative design' and 'natural capitalism' within university campuses to eliminate energy and material waste. He argues that universities should serve as living laboratories where students use a 'beginner's mind' to redesign buildings, food systems, and infrastructure, while simultaneously breaking down academic silos to foster transdisciplinary learning.

The Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad Kickoff Meeting, hosted by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Munro & Associates on June 27, 2013, aimed to create a commercialization plan for high-volume carbon fiber (CF) composite automotive parts, specifically focusing on the door inner. The initiative seeks to assemble a manufacturing team to produce a part for a 2018 model year vehicle at a volume of 50,000 units or more, addressing barriers such as high costs and inadequate manufacturing scale.

This report details the outcomes of a March 2013 charrette convened by the General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). The event focused on improving Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to achieve 'deep energy retrofits'—defined as projects achieving over 50% reduction in energy use—within the GSA building portfolio.

This report summarizes a two-day charrette held in November 2012 to address challenges in planning, investment, and execution of energy efficiency and renewable energy for Fort Collins Utilities and the FortZED net zero energy district project.

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.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines the economic and environmental costs of heating oil in the Northeast United States and proposes heat pumps as a viable, low-cost alternative to both oil and natural gas expansion.

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 by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines a strategic framework to increase the adoption of carbon fiber composites in mainstream passenger vehicles to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. Based on a November 2012 workshop with approximately 40 experts, the report proposes a 'parts-based approach' to avoid the risks of whole-vehicle redesign while scaling the supply chain. It identifies high-value parts for near-term adoption, analyzes the business case for these components, and recommends the creation of an Innovation Hub and a coordinated effort to develop lower-cost precursors to overcome material cost barriers.

This briefing document outlines the 'Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad,' an RMI-led initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of carbon fiber composites in the automotive industry. The strategy focuses on a 'parts approach,' targeting the commercialization of specific, high-value components for mainstream vehicles by model year 2018, rather than attempting whole-vehicle transformation immediately. The document emphasizes the need for a collaborative 'A-Team' across the supply chain—including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and material producers—to overcome technical barriers and share the significant upfront costs associated with design and tooling.