How the grid was won: three scenarios for the distributed grid in 2030

Report summary

You probably don’t remember this, but 15 years ago people still debated whether the growth of distributed energy would fundamentally transform the U.S. electricity system. Sure, there were a million operating solar projects. Google had purchased a smart home thermostat supplier for $3.2 billion. And Elon Musk had grand visions of turning his electric vehicle company into the world’s largest stationary battery provider and distributed solar company. But most Americans had no idea that the grid’s makeover had begun and would soon upend a century-old industry. Why not? Because 15 years ago the major players in the electricity industry had not yet firmed their own approaches to the growing wave of distributed energy. And as a result, multiple potential futures lay ahead. ------- Following Wood Mackenzie's recent acquisition of Greentech Media, we wanted to share a recent article from Shayle Kann, their head of Research, exploring the future of the distributed grid.