Sustainability and affordability of building electrification: A state-by-state holistic approach for multifamily buildings

•Analysis of multifamily electrified buildings and their state-by-state performance.•All electrified building energy models (50/50) perform well in energy use comparison.•Environmentally, BEM's performed well in 22 states; Outlook has 2026 as year for >50% electrified.•Economic sensitivity a...

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Published inSustainable cities and society Vol. 109; p. 105515
Main Authors Williams, Matthew R.T., Parker, Chris, Dillon, Amanda, Billings, Blake, Powell, Kody
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Ltd 15.08.2024
Elseiver
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Summary:•Analysis of multifamily electrified buildings and their state-by-state performance.•All electrified building energy models (50/50) perform well in energy use comparison.•Environmentally, BEM's performed well in 22 states; Outlook has 2026 as year for >50% electrified.•Economic sensitivity analysis shows potential trajectory of affordability for tenants.•Future of electrification and ongoing decarbonization plans for the electric grid. This paper explores the evolving narrative of building electrification, considering its potential to solve climate change. Previous research has predominantly focused on hybrid renewable energy portfolios and increasing home pricing premiums, overlooking the perspectives of renters burdened by housing costs. Moreover, existing studies have primarily examined the effects of electrification on single-family homes and case studies, neglecting multifamily buildings and their relationship with the grid. This comprehensive study leverages calibrated building energy models to address these gaps and evaluates sustainability through carbon dioxide emissions and affordability through economic performance. The findings demonstrate significant progress in electrification since 2017, with nearly all states showing decreased energy usage in the electrified models. Environmentally, twenty-two states perform better or comparably with the electrified models in the most recent study. Economically, challenges persist, but a sensitivity analysis demonstrates how results could improve soon. Furthermore, the study discusses the outlook of electrified multifamily buildings, considering ongoing decarbonization plans for the electric grid. In three case studies, electrification demonstrates improvements in over half of the states by 2026. Overall, the research highlights the importance of expanding analysis to include multifamily buildings and emphasizes the positive impact of electrification as a viable energy, environmental, and economic solution.
Bibliography:USDOE
AC05-00OR22725; SC0014664
ISSN:2210-6707
2210-6715
DOI:10.1016/j.scs.2024.105515