We Don’t Need a New Business Model: “It Ain’t Broke and It Don’t Need Fixin”

Abstract Enhanced collaboration between regulators, utilities, and consumers would enable a participative framework wherein the existing regulatory model could be used to expand product and service offerings of utilities. The consumers win by having easier access to new technology, greatly increased choice, increased customer service, enhanced reliability, and improved power quality without suffering the complexities of a new business model. A new business model is not needed. Many, if not all, of the attributes of tomorrow’s power system can be met by the existing regulatory model. However, what remains unclear is what the cost and benefits of each model will be and how difficult the transitions may become.