Building Electrification
Mitigating the Impacts of Power Shutoffs through Building–Grid Integration
During the California wildfire season this past year, utility companies had to shut off power to tens of thousands of residents in an attempt to prevent wildfires. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) help keep communities safe but can be very disruptive to everyday life. Utilities are not always able…
Heat Pumps: A Practical Solution for Cold Climates
It’s almost winter in the Northern Hemisphere; time for people to snuggle up with their families (including the four-legged members), cultivate the now-international practice of hygge, and find other ways to deal with the relative lack of sun. The cold is coming, and with it comes the question of…
Washington Can’t Wait to Electrify
In the midst of 2020 election limbo, the Washington State Department of Commerce quietly released a draft of its Washington State 2021 Energy Strategy. And it’s clear that Washington is not on track to reach its 2030 commitment target or its deeper decarbonization emissions target of being carbon neutral…
Building Electrification: A Key to a Safe Climate Future
This post explores why building electrification—as opposed to renewable natural gas—is the least-cost and most flexible path to decarbonization.
All-Electric New Homes: A Win for the Climate and the Economy
Buildings are quickly becoming a cornerstone of ambitious climate policy, as policymakers recognize they can’t achieve the necessary science-based emissions reductions without tackling this stubborn sector. This means states and cities across the country won’t meet their climate goals if new buildings in their jurisdiction include fossil fuel systems that…