Our society has rarely undertaken a re-imagining of a system quite as complex as the energy system, with as many moving parts, competing interests, and constituents. The current system was never meant to serve the innovations now emerging—innovations in structure, business models, technologies, economics, and regulatory approaches. And, no single organization has all the knowledge or resources to achieve an equitable and secure energy transition alone. This is why e-Lab focuses on collective action at the leading edge of the energy transition, looking ahead to the thorniest and most complex challenges arising, asking “Who needs to be involved to succeed?”

The innovation needed to transform the electricity sector needs robust problem solving by a cohort of diverse participants—each representing a constituent part of a systemic barrier to transition. Over time, e-Lab has assembled a network of leading thinkers and expertise from every sector of the energy ecosystem including utilities, regulators, advocates, entrepreneurs, academics, community-based organizations, and advisors. The e-Lab network enables participants to glean insights quickly from peers and experts, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives side-by-side to cocreate solution pathways.

One of the most exciting developments in the energy system is the role that beneficial electrification—using renewable energy and efficient electric technologies to heat and cool homes and businesses—is playing in supporting the transition to a cleaner energy system. A cohort of teams at RMI’s Electricity Innovation Lab (e–Lab) Accelerator—happening this week—are exploring how to integrate electrification strategies into their home regions.