While there is no one “silver bullet” solution to decarbonizing the massive and complex economy, there is growing momentum toward electrification as a solution to reducing emissions from the North American electric grid. Electric and gas utilities—increasingly on the front lines of climate change—need better tools for more robust and comprehensive analysis.
Maintaining the reliability of energy supply and delivery systems, especially during what could be increasing weather extremes, finding alternatives to practical limitations on fuel conversions, and limiting transition costs all drive the need for balanced decarbonization strategies. In the ICF paper “Guiding principles to decarbonize energy systems”, authors Deb Harris, William Prindle, and Chris MacCracken make the case for embracing these unproven solutions that have the potential to minimize risks to the reliability, resilience, and affordability of energy services.
Download the white paper here