What Is Electrification And How Will It Reduce Emissions?
If there is one thing that powers our modern world, it’s electricity. Without it, the majority of our everyday activities would cease, but the way it is generated can lead to higher emissions. Yet, multiple studies conclude that electrification will reduce emissions.
For example, there is a difference if your electricity comes from fossil fuel sources versus renewable energy.
Let’s explore what electrification is and how it can help reduce emissions.
What Is Electrification?
Electrification is the process of powering something with electricity or switching from one energy source to electricity.
A great example of this would be electric vehicles. Traditional cars use gasoline as the fuel source, while electric vehicles use electricity. This is electrification in its purest form, switching from gasoline to electricity as the power source.
Another example would be residential heating systems. These can range from oil, gas, fireplaces, and more. Replacing a multitude of power sources with one has a ton of advantages. So let’s get into those.
The Two Main Advantages of Electrification
The first and most obvious is the environmental impact. When you think of emissions, one of the first things that should come to mind is transportation. As we just discussed, electric vehicles are the purest form of electrification.
Electrifying our car fleet would eliminate the biggest portion of emissions. Not to mention all of the other pollutants that come from an exhaust pipe. Some other examples include:
- Electric Water Heating
- Electric Heating
- Cooking Instraments (Ovens, Grills, etc.)
The second main advantage is availability. You don’t need to order more fuel for your heating system in the winter, locate a propane tank for your grill, chop firewood, get gas, and much more.
Instead, everything you need is available from an outlet in your home. It simplifies everyday life for both businesses and residents.
The Problem
However, there is one critical part that can make electrification problematic. And that is where the energy comes from.
If we suddenly double or triple the demand for electricity, that creates a huge problem for our electrical grid, especially ones that are not properly developed.
Not only do we need electricity, but we also need it to be reliable.
It might also increase our reliance on fossil fuel sources, which would undermine the environmental benefits to a certain extent. Yet, with the outlook of our electrical grid in mind, renewable energy is expanding at an impressive rate.
Just this year, the United States approved its first offshore wind project, billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are building a nuclear power plant, and much more.
Electrification Is Already Here
In reality, electrification is already happening on a global level.
New houses are constructed with electric systems in place, electric cars are gaining ground, and about a hundred other things. Research has highlighted all of the benefits this process will have on our society and the world is running with it.
The only problem is figuring out how to generate enough electricity to power the future. Luckily, renewable energy is evolving every day.
Robert has been following and writing about environmental stories for years at GreenGeeks. He believes that highlighting environmentally friendly practices can help promote change in every household.