Beneficial Electrification
Beneficial electrification refers to replacing the direct use of fossil fuels with low- or zero carbon-electricity to reduce emissions. Beneficial electrification can be an effective decarbonization solution for industrial process heat, space heating and cooling, and transportation. In industrial applications, electrification options such as heat pumps and electric boilers can replace many low- and medium-temperature processes, and some electrification technologies such as electric arc furnaces can replace high-temperature processes.
What is the RTC Doing?
In January 2021, David Gardiner and Associates (an RTC co-convener) partnered with Global Efficiency Intelligence to produce Electrifying U.S. Industry: A Technology and Process-Based Approach to Decarbonization and deliver it to the RTC. This report highlighted the significant beneficial electrification potential in 13 specific industrial sectors and identified the existing market and policy barriers to scaling deployment of electrification technologies.
The RTC’s Beneficial Electrification Working group brings together RTC members and sponsors, and individuals from government, academia, and national laboratories to catalyze increased use of zero- or low-carbon electricity for thermal processes.
The working group is developing a Technology Action Plan and Partnership (TAPP) that will identify barriers to accelerated electrification of industrial processes and building heating and cooling, and develop policy and market recommendations to address those barriers, and pursue collaborative solutions and opportunities to accelerate deployment of electrification solutions. The RTC will generate and disseminate electrification best practices and lessons learned.
Selected materials and webinars
Electrification Road Map
Shifting thermal energy production away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels to clean sources such as electrification where low- or zero-carbon electricity is used presents a significant opportunity to decarbonize the industrial and commercial buildings sectors. Many in the industrial and commercial sectors are interested in pursuing thermal electrification options, but some may not know where to start.
This roadmap is designed to help thermal energy users identify, analyze, and execute electrification projects. It categorizes what companies need to consider and the questions they need to ask while exploring electrification options
Webinar: Electrifying 6,000 Buildings Using Innovative Financing: Ithaca, NY’s Plan
The City of Ithaca, NY has announced an ambitious plan to electrify 6,000 existing residential and
commercial buildings by 2030. Part of the City’s Green New Deal, Ithaca is partnering with two unique
firms – RTC sponsor Alturus and BlocPower – to fund the entire effort.
Luis Aguirre-Torres, Director of Sustainability for the City of Ithaca, and Charlie Daum, Managing irector, Alturus, discussed how they’ve structured a replicable model to deploy energy efficiency, generation and other projects across a large portfolio of aging commercial buildings, while quickly accessing significant capital that will support rapid engagement and deployment. Lynn A. Kirshbaum of David Gardiner and Associates moderated this informative webinar.
Electrifying U.S. Industry
On January 27, 2021, Global Efficiency Intelligence and David Gardiner and Associates (DGA) released Electrifying U.S. Industry: A Technology and Process-Based Approach to Decarbonization, a new report to the Renewable Thermal Collaborative. The report finds that there is a significant opportunity to decarbonize the industrial sector by shifting heat production away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels to clean sources such as electrification where low- or zero-carbon electricity is used.
The report reviews the major technical, economic, market, institutional, and policy barriers to scaled development and deployment of industrial electrification technologies, as well as proposals that could help to overcome these barriers. Categories of barriers and proposals include technology, knowledge and education, financing, costs, policy, and electric utility connection and reliability.
The report’s Action Plan describes actions and policy recommendations that can be taken by industry and others to scale up industrial electrification, given the state of the market and the institutional and policy environment described in the Technical Assessment.
Report In Brief
In our fact sheet, we provide an overview of the major technical, economic, market, institutional, and policy barriers to scaled development and deployment of industrial electrification technologies, as well as proposals that could help to overcome these barriers. The fact sheet also describes actions and policy recommendations that can be taken by industry and others to scale up industrial electrification, given the state of the market and the institutional and policy environment described in the Technical Assessment.
- Moderator: Blaine Collison, Executive Director, Renewable Thermal Collaborative
- Steve Skarda, Global Energy Sustainability Leader, Procter & Gamble
- Ali Hasanbeigi, PhD, Founder and CEO, Global Efficiency Intelligence, LLC
- Lynn A. Kirshbaum, Senior Associate, David Gardiner and Associates
Case Study - Diageo Lebanon Distillery
When constructing a new distillery in Kentucky, Diageo decided to use electric boilers powered by a mix of 100% renewable wind and solar energy sources rather than conventional thermal processes. This choice — in addition to several sustainability features — resulted in significant avoided emissions and furthers Diageo’s commitment to reach to net-zero carbon across its direct operations, as part of its ‘Society 2030:Spirit of Progress’ action plan to help build a more sustainable world.
Case Study: University of California, Davis ‘Big Shift’ Electrification Project
The University of California, Davis constructed a new hot water heating system powered by electricity to replace old, natural gas-powered steam equipment. The project, named the Big Shift, will reduce UC Davis’ overall carbon emissions by at least 40% and enable the University to achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 decarbonization by 2025.
To download the full report and understand the lessons UC Davis learned in this project, fill out the form below.
How to get involved:
The RTC develops our work streams in collaboration with our members and sponsors. To join us in driving renewable thermal technologies forward, become a member or sponsor of the RTC. Existing members and sponsors may join this workstream at any point.
Find providers offering electrification solutions:
How to get involved:
Blaine Collison, RTC: blaine@dgardiner.com