Skip to content

Pathways for Innovation

The Role of Pilots and Demonstrations in Reinventing the Utility Business Model

By Leia Guccione, Mike Henchen, Anthony D. Teixeira, and Courtney Fairbrother

Jump to Section

Figure 1: Pilots and Demos Focus on Different Topic Areas

This report explores challenges to effective innovation at U.S. electric utilities, with a focus on pilot and demonstration projects. We offer recommendations for utilities, regulators, and DER technology providers to support more effective and meaningful electricity innovation.

 

Figure 2: Pathways to innovation can improve across five themes

 

Authors

Leia Guccione

Leia Guccione

Chief Program Officer, Sectors and Systems
Mike Henchen

Mike Henchen

Principal
Anthony D. Teixeira

Anthony D. Teixeira

Courtney Fairbrother

Courtney Fairbrother

Help build the clean energy future. Donate today.

Independent research. Real-world solutions. Supported by donors.

RMI can pursue the highest-impact climate and energy solutions because we’re supported by people who believe change is possible. Every gift helps advance the work needed to make clean energy the default choice worldwide.

And right now, your impact goes twice as far. Thanks to generous donors and our special match, every $1 you give becomes $2, up to $150,000, through December 31, 2026.