Today's buzzword for energy nerds, green builders, and environmentalists is "electrification." You might know some other buzzwords like "renewable energy portfolios," "net zero energy use buildings," and "Passive House." These all refer to the same basic idea: we must closely watch where our energy comes from and how much we use. Using natural gas to create electricity at power plants instead of coal reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is a step forward. Using renewable energy sources instead of natural gas or coal to produce electricity dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions. When done on a regional, national, and global basis it can slow and even reverse global warming. Efficient energy use at home, in other buildings, and in transportation is essential, but so is considering the energy source. Using solar, hydro, or wind power at the power plant and only electric energy at home instead of natural gas—in other words, "electrification"—eliminates greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and at home.
For home electrification, the Electrification Fair (Sept 14, hosted by MCE & 350 Contra Costa, at Calicraft in Walnut Creek) will be a fun way to learn about reducing your carbon footprint through electrification.
Consider the Source
We can control the energy use of our cars, homes, and commercial buildings, but we can't always control where our electricity comes from. The effects of climate change are becoming evident in more giant storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. People are already moving from place to place worldwide to find arable land with access to adequate water for farming and drinking. Parts of our planet that used to be hospitable for humans and growing food are becoming permanently unsuited to anything but desert. Sacramento set a record this summer with a temperature of 1130F on Jul 6. About two years ago, the high temperature hit 1160F.
Under this pressure from climate change, momentum has been built to use all electric energy at home and eliminate the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels to create electricity in power plants. In the Bay Area, groups such as MCE Community Choice Energy allow their clients to use renewable energy sources for power at home. Cities like Berkeley have experimented with outlawing natural gas use in new buildings without success so far.
Fuel Switching Across the USA
Earlier this month, the New York Times reported on the switch from coal and fuel oil to less polluting and non-polluting sources of electric power nationally from 2003 until 2023. Renewable energy from solar, wind, and hydro sources steadily grew nationally, from about 6% in 2003 to 22% in 2003. Coal and nuclear energy still comprise about 30% of our national fuel mixture. Natural gas passed coal to become the number one fuel used in power plants in the United States in 2016. Now, about 42 percent of our electricity comes from natural gas.
In Nevada, coal use has gone from 52% to 5% of the fuel mix during that period. Natural gas fuels about half of Nevada's electric energy, and solar energy is about one-quarter of Nevada's total. Wind power makes up almost 60% of the energy mix in Iowa. Coal is still king in Wyoming, at 71% of the fuel mix, and West Virginia uses 86% coal.
Wind, solar, and hydro make up about half of California's fuel for electricity production.
Do This at Home
Getting a heat pump space conditioning system (which does heating and cooling), heat pump water heater, electric clothes dryer and an induction cooktop is a rewarding way to go all-electric at home. The states and the federal government offer monetary support in equipment rebates and tax credits. Companies like Hassler Heating and Air are offering discounts of $2,500 for your old equipment when you replace your gas furnace, air conditioner, and gas water heaters with heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. Check the Building Decarbonization Coalition's "The Switch is On" website for comprenhensive resources.
If you want to shift your energy use toward electricity and renewables, you can find even more help nearby and have fun doing it. The Electrification Fair (Sept 14, hosted by MCE & 350 Contra Costa, at Calicraft in Walnut Creek) will be a fun way to learn about reducing your carbon footprint through electrification and maybe enjoy some local brews.
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