Industrial thermal energy accounts for 12.5% of US greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial electrification is an emerging priority for industrial end-users looking to decarbonize their thermal energy footprint. The viability of electrification depends heavily on access to and cost of renewable electricity, making electric utilities a key stakeholder.
Support from AVDF in the previous year allowed the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC) to develop a comprehensive strategy for an IHP campaign and conduct a foundational analysis to identify utility interventions critical for industrial electrification. This work has informed the RTC’s future utility engagement strategy.
Building on this progress, the project will advance industrial electrification by 1) raising utilities’ awareness of the emerging electricity demand from industrial customers and identifying solutions to unlock its potential, 2) facilitating discussions between industrial customers and utilities, and 3) educating Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) and state policymakers on policy options to accelerate progress. These efforts will enable the implementation of innovative utility solutions, enhancing the feasibility and scalability of industrial electrification and accelerating the decarbonization of industrial thermal energy emissions.