Stimulating innovation on behalf of Canada's electricity and natural gas consumers /

COM STIMULATING INNOVATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 The Need for Increased Utility Innovation 2 The Innovation Process 4 Customer and Societal Benefits from Utility Innovation 7 Obstacles to Utility Innovation 8 The Rationale for Customer Funding for Innovation 11 The Current Status of Utility Innovation Efforts in Canada 12 Recommended Utility Innovation Funding Model 14 Rationale fo [...] While many of the innovation, the goal is to reduce the inherent jurisdictions surveyed provide higher levels of risks to shareholders to be more in line with funding for electricity than for natural gas the overall level of risk of the utility business utility innovation programs, natural gas plays a model. [...] An innovation model refers to the the degree of coordination and collaboration, source of funding and the method of program and the level of utility involvement. [...] The Iowa programs, technology and demonstration Energy Center has an Advisory Council that grants, and research and development grants provides input on planning and budgeting administered by the Delaware Energy issues; the council consists of members from Office.142,143,144 the research and education, public, and utility sectors, including a member of the Iowa The Green Energy Program and Fund pr [...] This Act Project which was provided $130,000 to intended to make the Green Energy speed up research the conversion of “waste the application and approval process, improve hydrocarbons into useful transportation 154 the clarity of program requirements, and allow fuels.” for adaptation to changes in the industry.146 New York Technology and Market Each of the three sub-programs provide Development (“