AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the
race to meet aggressive decarbonization and net-zero carbon goals
and regulations, a new study shows that utilities cannot afford to
just focus on clean energy supply investments. The report, by The
Brattle Group and Oracle Utilities, found that by 2040 actions
by utility customers can reduce nearly two times more greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions from the residential and light-duty vehicle
sectors than would result from current policies to promote
investments in clean energy supply alone. By adopting new
technologies and energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption,
residential utility customers can account for 534 metric tons of
avoided carbon dioxide by 2040, the equivalent of retiring more
than half (135) of the United
States' coal plants.
"The prevailing belief is that clean energy supply investments
need to be the primary focus of decarbonization efforts. And while
those investments are essential, this research clearly shows that
utilities can't overlook the power of their customers in delivering
needed change," said Dr. Ahmad Faruqui, a
Principal at The Brattle Group. "The aggregate impact of
individual utility customer actions on decarbonization is not
only profound – but also one of the fastest and cost-effective ways
for utilities to make progress toward their climate change goals.
Customer-side decarbonization policies will also bring with them
the benefits of enhanced customer engagement and improved customer
satisfaction with utilities."
"APS recognizes the unlimited potential in partnering with
customers. Our nationally recognized voluntary energy conservation
programs, like APS Cool Rewards, are designed with our customers in
mind and are one of the many tools we use to create a cleaner, more
reliable smart grid for Arizona,"
said Kerri Carnes, Manager of
Customer Technology at Arizona Public Service Co. (APS). "By
increasing access to the latest energy-saving technology and
designing unique incentives that benefit participating customers,
we're building on our already 50% clean energy mix, accelerating
our progress towards our bold commitment to power our state with
100% clean, carbon-free energy by 2050 and doing our part in the
global effort to protect the environment."
Conducted in early 2021, the study looked to quantify the GHG
reduction impact customers can have by adopting new technologies
and behaviors over the next 10-20 years. Brattle's analytical
models estimated the load impact of multiple customer actions,
including participating in gas and electricity efficiency programs,
buying an electric vehicle, installing behind-the-meter solar, or
electrifying their water and space heating. Results were calculated
using regional hourly grid emissions factors, and they quantify the
aggregate impact of ambitious and achievable adoption of new
GHG-reducing technologies and behaviors.
Consumer action essential to quick wins in GHG
reductions
Fighting climate change has become a significant focus of
governments, states, and cities worldwide and utilities have
stepped up to the challenge. Today, 78% of US consumers are served
by a utility with significant carbon emission reduction or
elimination goals.
While rebuilding the global energy supply infrastructure through
the deployment of renewable energy at scale will be an ongoing
priority, the role of customer actions in driving down global
emissions needs to be given an equal focus to ensure long-term
goals are achieved.
The report shows that by 2030, significant near-term emission
reductions will be led by consumer gas and electric energy
efficiency and the installation of rooftop solar. By 2040, electric
vehicle adoption and the move to more efficient electric space and
water heating will play more heavily in the mix. For electric
vehicles, the increased contribution to carbon reduction will come
in large part due to the industry expecting a 4X increase in the
total number of electric vehicles on the road from 2030 to 2040, as
well as anticipated declines in grid emissions.
"One of the most critical weapons in the fight against climate
change is eliminating carbon before it's ever released into the
environment," said Matt O'Keefe,
group vice president, Oracle Utilities Opower. "Some of the
biggest, untapped opportunities for utilities to decarbonize lie on
the demand side – namely energy efficiency, electrification, and
demand flexibility, all of which rely on influencing customer
action on a huge scale. Opower alone has helped utility customers
save more than 15.2 million metric tons of CO2, showing that – when
engaged proactively – consumers are willing and even eager to do
their part. There simply is no denying the impact of customer
action on achieving our decarbonization targets, which should
elevate the role of demand side management innovation to the top of
every utility's agenda."
About The Brattle Group
The Brattle Group answers
complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for
corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are
distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of
our experts, which include leading international academics and
industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across
four continents. For more information, please visit
brattle.com.
The study was co-authored by the Brattle Principals Sanem Sergici, Ryan
Hledik, Ahmad Faruqui;
Brattle Senior Associate Mike Hagerty and Brattle Research Analyst
Kate Peters.
About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of
applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the
Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL),
please visit us at oracle.com.
Trademarks
Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered
trademarks of Oracle Corporation. Other names may be trademarks of
their respective owners.
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SOURCE Oracle