What about redesigning buildings to use natural cooling/heating? The ground underneath a building is cooler than the sun heated roof, so use the differential to pull cool air into the building. I open my attic access door in the summer and let the hotter attic gather hot air off the ceiling of the living area. Then I installed a gable fan to evacuate it. A similar opening in the floor pulls cool air into the living area.
Are there missing parameters here? Load could grow substantially with decarbonization, although the range of that multiple varies widely from study to study - less than double to 5x. What seems missing in all of these are two factors: optimization of existing T&D, eliminated inefficiencies in operation with real time grid control and new technology; and eliminating the inefficiencies in transmission interconnections with a national policy that seeks to create a super grid in North America.
Hi Duncan! Awesome article. I'm trying to better understand the concept of "virtual wires" you introduce, how they're not a natural monopoly, and the business models for the companies providing such services.
Would I be correct in understanding that virtual wires == things like microgrids, DERMS, VPPs, etc.? And they're not a natural monopoly because their whole point is that they don't require nor benefit from regional coordination?
Since you touched upon this at the end, do you have further resources you'd recommend on this topic?
Thank you for this excellent summation of a real problem. The rush to “beneficial electrification” seems focused on technology and incentives, bypassing the lack of anywhere near enough clean electricity capacity, and the monopoly of delivery by distribution companies whose main mission is shareholder return.
Thanks for this timely and well written summary. The rush to beneficial electrification seems focused on technology and incentives rather than the more intractable problems of too little clean power on the grid and the grid being owned by monopolists whose primary mission is shareholder return. This is a problem requiring a paradigm shift...
great post!
nit: you say we’re “begging” to see [load migration], but i think you meant to say we’re “beginning” to see it?
What about redesigning buildings to use natural cooling/heating? The ground underneath a building is cooler than the sun heated roof, so use the differential to pull cool air into the building. I open my attic access door in the summer and let the hotter attic gather hot air off the ceiling of the living area. Then I installed a gable fan to evacuate it. A similar opening in the floor pulls cool air into the living area.
Are there missing parameters here? Load could grow substantially with decarbonization, although the range of that multiple varies widely from study to study - less than double to 5x. What seems missing in all of these are two factors: optimization of existing T&D, eliminated inefficiencies in operation with real time grid control and new technology; and eliminating the inefficiencies in transmission interconnections with a national policy that seeks to create a super grid in North America.
Was there meant to be a link to explain Virtual Wires?
This is a great essay!
Would you mind explaining what virtual wires are?
Hi Duncan! Awesome article. I'm trying to better understand the concept of "virtual wires" you introduce, how they're not a natural monopoly, and the business models for the companies providing such services.
Would I be correct in understanding that virtual wires == things like microgrids, DERMS, VPPs, etc.? And they're not a natural monopoly because their whole point is that they don't require nor benefit from regional coordination?
Since you touched upon this at the end, do you have further resources you'd recommend on this topic?
great post, Duncan.
Thank you for this excellent summation of a real problem. The rush to “beneficial electrification” seems focused on technology and incentives, bypassing the lack of anywhere near enough clean electricity capacity, and the monopoly of delivery by distribution companies whose main mission is shareholder return.
Thanks for this timely and well written summary. The rush to beneficial electrification seems focused on technology and incentives rather than the more intractable problems of too little clean power on the grid and the grid being owned by monopolists whose primary mission is shareholder return. This is a problem requiring a paradigm shift...
Great piece. Appreciate!