Electrification: definition and meaning

To slow the pace of global warming, governments and companies around the world have made a commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, cutting emissions of the harmful greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. Reaching these goals requires a massive transition to electrification. But what does electrification mean? It means the process whereby we substitute fossil-fuel sources of power - like coal, oil and gas - with electricity generated from renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. Electrification, therefore, calls for us to reimagine the way we refuel our cars, heat our homes and power our industries. Fortunately, technological progress is rendering renewable electricity increasingly cost-effective - indeed, more so, in many cases, than fossil fuels that produce the greenhouse gasses responsible for global warming. At the same time, the reduction in waste associated with increased efficiency results in lower energy consumption for the same performance. The objectives of electrification are clear: decarbonize the economy, guarantee cleaner air quality, digitalize our homes and cities and to increase the public transportation-electrification pair. It should therefore be understood as an essential tool to bring about the energy transition and give form to a model of sustainable development. But this will only happen when all our power needs are met with electricity generated from 100% renewable energy sources.

Pretty much anything that requires energy today can be made to run using electricity. The benefits are clear: Electrification would lead to drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions - as well as to major improvements in air quality, especially in urban areas - by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy wherever possible in our cities, industries and homes.

There are many examples of electrification, including:

• replacing natural gas-powered hot water and home heating;

• electrifying logistics, especially road transport and ship fleets;

• substituting renewable electric energy for fossil fuels in industrial production processes.

Home electrification makes your residence more energy efficient, which has the added advantage of lowering your electricity bills. For example: home electrification solutions such as:

• A heat pump is up to three times more efficient than a boiler and saves an average of 45% on heating bills
• A photovoltaic system for solar energy that can perch on a balcony or window to self-produce energy and cut your bill by up to 25% - forever

Industry used to be synonymous with its dirty smokestacks, but no longer. Nearly half of the fossil energy used in manufacturing (e.g. for heat treatments, drying, distillations, compressions, cooking) can be replaced with electricity using technologies already available.

There are several benefits of electrification for factories and industry:

• First of all, since electricity is more precise, controllable and flexible than combustion, it is easier to control and can result in better product quality

• Cost reduction is guaranteed thanks to greater energy efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements

• Electrification contributes to achieving sustainability targets as it reduces to zero the amount of direct polluting emissions on site

• Lastly, innovation: electrification involves adopting cutting-edge technologies, the digitization of services, and integration with advanced systems

• Photovoltaic systems on warehouse roofs to generate solar energy for the facility are increasingly common in industrial use. When solar panels are combined with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) they become even more efficient since this renewable energy can be stored and used when it is needed

• The installation of cogeneration or trigeneration plants recover the waste heat produced by electricity generation for heating and cooling

• Mobility solutions for the electrification of corporate fleets and their management is an increasingly common tool to cut emissions

• Municipal administrations can use solar panels to provide clean energy to meet part of the heating, cooling and electricity needs of electrified offices, schools and hospitals
• Electrification also makes it easier to use energy management programs that allow building managers to achieve savings on lighting and heating in public buildings
• The public transportation-electrification pairing improves air quality, reduces emissions and noise pollution, cuts costs, and provides the public with a more comfortable and more extensive service. Converting public vehicle fleets to electric buses is just the beginning. E-powered public transportation solutions include upgrading bus stops and shelters, which will become smart and multifunctional. The goal is a sustainable and integrated mobility system, monitored in real time and managed in an intelligent and flexible way, which will be the backbone of future electrified, circular and interconnected smart cities
• Electrification of cities must include a new approach to public lighting. Public administrations, with Enel X’s support, can make their smart cities more functional, efficient and sustainable by replacing obsolete public lighting infrastructure with innovative LED solutions, and with cutting-edge technologies that improve lighting service through greater security and system reliability. Adaptive lighting, i.e. the possibility of adjusting street lighting based on real traffic, weather, and brightness conditions, can optimize street lighting and lead to energy savings of 20-35% compared to LED lights. Moreover, with the same technology, innovative services can be added, like public video surveillance and traffic monitoring