1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Small, off-grid energy sources in rural and
other unconnected areas are not
particularly new, but people are beginning
to take advantage of the green economy by
turning their lack of government-provided
energy into an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Local communities can generate new sources
of vitality, resilience, and independence by
leveraging lightweight clean energy and water
solutions and fostering individual enterprise
based on these goals.
3
7 | Peer-to-Peer energy Sales | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
When taken on their own, many of the individual ideas from the game
represent a tiny potential fix to a systemic issue: access to energy and
water. But when gathered together they paint a powerful picture of a future in
which each community or household can draw from a plethora of solutions in order
to maintain its own energy needs and build up local economies. Some player ideas
pushed the limits of this innovation to provide income sources for nomadic
homeless communities or revenue for schools.
4
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.*
Mexico**
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability
**Player location was self selected

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Imagine this off grid
technology provides both
renewable energy and wifi?
Power and data! The next
revolution
Nigeria
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create energy from human
waste sewers by turning them
into Modified bacteria energy
plants
USA
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA
Imagine this off grid
technology provides both
renewable energy and wifi?
Power and data! The next
revolution
Nigeria

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Wow I already see cities in the
deserts of the Sahara with no
wires or electricity poles fully
connected to electricity and
the Internet
Nigeria
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA
Imagine this off grid
technology provides both
renewable energy and wifi?
Power and data! The next
revolution
Nigeria
Create energy from human
waste sewers by turning them
into Modified bacteria energy
plants
USA

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 13
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Selco solar is a good model of
service design for local user
needs, instead of product
focus:
http://nexus.som.yale.edu/desi
gn-selco/
USA
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA
Imagine this off grid
technology provides both
renewable energy and wifi?
Power and data! The next
revolution
Nigeria
Create energy from human
waste sewers by turning them
into Modified bacteria energy
plants
USA
Wow I already see cities in
the deserts of the Sahara with
no wires or electricity poles
fully connected to electricity
and the Internet
Nigeria

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Micro-forecasts from the Game
All schools with wind power
generators and solar panels.
Then the school can use the
energy and sell it to maintain
and improve equipment.
Mexico
Off grid solar power works just
as well. Example solar water
pumps and street lights.
India
Fit the homeless with portable
solar panels and kinetic
energy capturing devices.
They can become mobile
energy stations. #urban
USA
“Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
A device in the works: uses
the energy from dung and
provides clean water to a
family and produces some
energy for family use.
USA
Imagine this off grid
technology provides both
renewable energy and wifi?
Power and data! The next
revolution
Nigeria
Create energy from human
waste sewers by turning them
into Modified bacteria energy
plants
USA
Wow I already see cities in
the deserts of the Sahara with
no wires or electricity poles
fully connected to electricity
and the Internet
Nigeria
Selco solar is a good model of
service design for local user
needs, instead of product
focus:
http://nexus.som.yale.edu/des
ign-selco/
USA

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
15
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 16
Solar Sisters combines the
breakthrough potential of solar
technology with a deliberately
woman-centered direct sales
network to bring both light and
income to even the most remote
communities in rural Africa.
Homeless Wireless Hotspots
Mirroring the potential of peer-to-
peer energy sales, during the 2012
SXSW festival, a marketing firm
teamed up with a homeless shelter
to transform homeless individuals
into 4G wireless hotspots. The
project has also created much
controversy.
7 | Peer-to-Peer Energy Sales | Signals from the Present
Solar Sisters
Image Source: http://instagram.com/p/IArj17NxFM/
Image Source: www.solarsister.org
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation

17. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org