Innovation is needed to bring America, and the world, across the renewable energy finish line. How do you cultivate an environment where utilities, regulators and buyers will increase their risk appetite? Start with local solutions to the energy transition. "The first 25 to 30 percent wasn’t that hard technically," said Andrew Beebe, managing director of Obvious Ventures, speaking at a panel during VERGE Hawaii 17. "The next 70 to 80 percent of the transition is going to be exceptionally difficult as we get to the 100 percent mark."That's where innovation is key. Perspectives from American Savings Bank, GE Current, Microsoft and a sustainable building expert discuss what has to happen for organizations to take part in a test bed of technology. Once it's implemented in Hawaii, the first U.S. state to declare a renewable energy goal, it can proliferate through the country and be replicated worldwide.Said Rich Walker, president and CEO of American Savings Bank, "There’s a lot more here than meets the eye."