Will future energy systems run almost entirely on solar or other renewables or aim for an optimum mix of all energy resources? Will managing energy distribution remain primarily a utility function or will the grid evolve to give customers the ability to produce, buy and sell power locally.

These are some of the questions asked and answered, in many different ways—in proposals the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has received in response to its 51st State Initiative, all of which are now publicly posted on the 51st State website. Launched last October, the initiative challenged people across the country to come up with ideas for a 21st-century energy system, built from the ground up, as if for a hypothetical 51st state with no regulations or market structures in place.

“What is exciting about these papers and their authors is that they reflect the broad and diverse range of perspectives and ideas we hoped the 51st State Initiative would attract,” said Julia Hamm, SEPA’s president and CEO. “We are in the midst of a period of enormous change in energy and utility markets, and each state will be making its own decisions about the direction it wants to take, so many different ideas and models are going to be needed.”

The organizations submitting their ideas range from utilities and industry trade groups, such as Arizona Public Service and the American Public Power Association—to a team of industry experts including Jon Wellinghoff, former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Each paper has a unique slant or perspective, but some core ideas resonate across many:

• Business models focused on consumer choice and informed decision-making.
• Rate designs that incorporate the value of energy services and targeted system outcomes.
• Dynamic grid structures offering local control. resilience, and advanced data and communication functions.

The papers are being evaluated by the 51st State’s Innovation Review Panel, composed of five top thought leaders from the energy and utility sectors. They will choose three to five papers for further discussion and exploration at a series of forums and public events in coming months.

All papers available at www.sepa51.com

Authors include:

American Public Power Association: APPA 51st State Proposal

America’s Power Plan/Energy Innovation: An Adaptive Approach to Promote System Optimization

Arizona Public Service: Education Discussion on the Future of Solar Generation

Clean Power Finance and Stoel Rives LLC: The 51st State of Welhuton: Market Structures for a Smarter, More Efficient Grid

Graceful Systems LLC: A Blueprint for Electricity/Energy Services in Fertile Ground – the 51st State

Institute for Local Self-Reliance: Energy Democracy in the 51st State

Michael Jochum and Ankit Saraf: The Decentralized Grid

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: The 51st State: A Cooperative Path to a Sustainable Future

North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center and the Pace Energy and Climate Center: The Sharing Utility: Enabling and Rewarding Utility Performance

Strategic Utility Management LLC: 2040 SEPA Fact Finding Mission to the 51st State

James A. White: The First 100% Solar Electric State

Wisconsin Energy Institute: Dynamic Distribution System