C18 -- Resilient Electrification of the Built Environment, Including Connected, Intelligent and Flexible Capabilities

The lofty goal of decarbonizing the built environment is not satisfied when fossil fuel systems and equipment are replaced by ones that consume clean electricity. Electrification alone is not enough to achieve the goals of a just transition to clean energy because fuel switching adds to the burden of the electric grid supplying the buildings. The needed transmission and distribution infrastructure improvements for just the State of New York could cost tens of billions, if not higher, and further negatively impact underserved communities.

The solution is to pair electrification with the flexibility of when to consume from the grid, such as when clean and cheap electricity is in abundance and when the transmission and distribution infrastructure to deliver cheap and clean electricity is available. When either is in jeopardy, resiliency is necessary.