A functional approach to decentralization in the electricity sector: learning from community choice aggregation in California

Decentralization of the electricity sector has mainly been studied in relation to its infrastructural aspect, particularly location and size generation units, only recently more attention paid governance aspects. This article examines power (de)centralization operationalized along three functional dimensions: political, administrative economic. We apply this framework empirically assess changes California’s market, which saw emergence institutional innovation form community choice aggregation (CCA). Unpacking Californian case illustrates how decision-making moved from central state government regulators municipal level uneven ways without decentralized keeping pace. also explore impacts multidimensional diversified decentralization on ultimate goals energy transition: decarbonization security. Our empirical findings challenge conventional view problematize widespread assumptions positive influence climate mitigation grid stability.