Interviews with industry experts reveal the opportunities and risks for residential energy consumers

Concern around climate change has moved beneficial electrification to the top of the agenda for many policymakers and electric utilities across the United States. A new study from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) explores the role that electrification can play in addressing climate change and looks at the benefits that can potentially be delivered to residential consumers through programs and policies.

The study – “Beneficial Electrification: Industry Views on Consumer Needs” – highlights risks and benefits associated with various beneficial electrification strategies, particularly around residential buildings and transportation. It was developed from a review of industry publications and in-depth interviews with 11 experts, including Jigar Shah, co-founder and president of Generate Capital; David Farnsworth, a principal with the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP); and Keith Dennis, vice president of consumer member engagement at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

This is the first of two publications from SECC that will address beneficial electrification and residential consumers. The second publication – expected to publish in June – will be a quantitative study that will offer insights from a nationally representative sample of consumers about their expectations, motivations, barriers and perceptions around beneficial electrification.

The “Beneficial Electrification: Industry Views on Consumer Needs” study can be downloaded by SECC members here and is available to members of the media on request. A two-part webinar series on the new publication will be held Thursday, April 16 at 1 p.m. (ET) and Tuesday, April 21 at 1 p.m. (ET).