Electric Power Research Institute releases its National Electrification Assessment

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) released its U.S. National Electrification Assessment (USNEA) Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The report evaluates how advances in electric technologies could impact consumers’ energy purchases as well as energy efficiency, the environment, and the electric grid. It uses economic modeling in the context of a regional energy model to evaluate customer choices.

USNEA concluded that increased use of electric vehicles, increased customer choice, and a growing array of electricity-powered technologies will improve U.S. energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and support economic growth over the next three decades.

“Electric technologies today provide affordable, efficient and cleaner alternatives for many energy uses and further improvement is imminent with fundamental technology advances occurring every day in the end-use, delivery and supply of electricity,” Michael W. Howard, president and CEO of EPRI, said. “This report is intended to stimulate a discussion of how we can achieve the maximum possible benefits from these technology advances – a process we call efficient electrification.”

EPRI examined four scenarios involving different assumptions about technological innovation and environmental policies in considering opportunities, drivers, and challenges for efficient electrification.

Under each scenario, the study found, electrification and technology improvements led to reduced energy consumption and emissions driven by electrification and efficiency gains.

In all four scenarios, natural gas use increased. Carbon capture and storage played an essential role in the scenarios that assumed a future carbon price.

The study emphasized potential shifts in electricity loads caused primarily by additions of “grid interactive” electric technologies such as electric vehicles, heat pump water heaters, and other connected devices.

“The key observations from this study provide insights into the achievability of a cleaner and more cost-effective future, but EPRI must also focus on advancing the technology and electric system understanding to enable the results of this study to become a reality,” Howard said. “EPRI is conducting more detailed analyses of efficient electrification at state and regional levels along with expanding our research collaborations on this topic. We are also working with stakeholders around the world to assess how electrification can lead to a more efficient integrated energy network.”