CEE publishes a landmark roadmap to decarbonize all 1–4 unit homes in Minneapolis
An analysis from 能源与环境中心 (CEE) shows that weatherizing and electrifying one-to-four-unit residential buildings is a feasible pathway to meet the 明尼阿波利斯市基于科学的气候排放目标. 电气化, or the process of transitioning the equipment in buildings to electrically powered options, 由于电网的绿化，有巨大的脱碳潜力. Xcel能源公司 致力于减少碳排放 from electricity generation 80% by 2030 and is now required to be carbon free by 2040 due to the 最近通过了2040年100%清洁能源法案.
即使在今天, homeowners can ensure their electricity is carbon-free through onsite solar and renewable energy subscriptions. These developments make electricity an increasingly cleaner fuel type for homes compared to continued use of equipment powered by natural gas. By reducing the need for energy through home weatherization (insulation and air sealing), 并将设备转换为高效的电动选项, 就有可能实现伦敦金融城雄心勃勃的气候公平目标.
While there is a pathway forward, the pace of work and scale of investment is significant. Whole home weatherization and electrification projects will need to increase to thousands per year to meet the City’s goals. 如图1所示, 4,到2024年，将需要完成400个全住宅项目, 缩放到接近9,000 in 2029. 这项工作的总前期成本在2美元之间.120亿和2.在未来的20年里，将达到730亿美元, 平均每户家庭的总费用在24美元之间,000元及30元,900. This is roughly equivalent to 8% of the assessed value of the building stock.
CEE published its full analysis, stakeholder process, findings, and recommendations in a full report. 关键要点包括以下几点.
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结合, weatherization and electrified heating accounts for 75% of the decarbonization opportunity for one-to-four-unit residential buildings. A home’s carbon emissions can be significantly lowered if it is adequately weatherized and has a high efficiency electric heating system installed to offset, 或替换, 天然气供暖系统.
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Weatherization is critical to space heating electrification and to keep costs low. Due to the old housing stock in the city, there is a widespread lack of adequately weatherized homes. Addressing unmet weatherization needs will not only save energy by itself, but also make any future heating electrification significantly more affordable and effective.
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Air source heat pumps are the most feasible high efficiency electric heating system currently available. 一系列电加热系统技术, 如地源热泵和空气-水热泵, 在分析中被研究过吗. Future possibilities, such as renewable natural gas, were also considered. CEE determined that air source heat pump technology is the most cost-effective, 可快速大规模部署的商业可用选项.
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Dual fuel heating systems can control for utility bills and strain on the electric grid. A dual fuel heating system incorporates both a heat pump and a natural gas furnace or boiler. Depending on the outdoor conditions, the heat pump or the furnace can provide heat. This flexibility between electric and natural gas equipment offers residents, 尤其是那些对成本敏感的人, a valuable tool to respond to rate changes and keep energy bills low. A decarbonization strategy featuring dual fuel systems also lessens the urgency for costly electric grid infrastructure upgrades. During times when homes heated with heat pumps would require more electricity, 比如在严重的寒流中, the electric utility could switch dual fuel homes to the natural gas system to control demand.
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劳动力发展需要非常迅速地加速. Thousands of projects need to be completed each year to keep the City on track to meet its goals. 有近1000名电工, 绝缘的承包商, 机械承包商, and other trades are needed to complete the heavy volume of work required. 这种劳动力目前还不存在. In fact, the region is currently facing a general shortage of contractors. 关键贸易领域的劳动力发展至关重要.
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促进公平和减少碳排放可以协同工作. Prioritizing investment in historically underserved areas to fully fund electrification projects can save residents money on energy bills while increasing quality of life. This investment is also effective as a targeted decarbonization strategy, as areas like the Southside Green Zone have some of the oldest and least weatherized buildings in the city. 另外, workforce development efforts can be focused on marginalized communities to advance the equitable economic benefits of decarbonization.
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目前，实现电气化并保持能源账单稳定是可能的, 但要维持长期的负担能力，还需要努力. 特别公用事业费率, 比如全电动和双燃料费率, can be used today to make the increased electricity use from electrifying affordable for residents. This situation may not last as rates change and more electric infrastructure is built. Collaboration with utilities and the Public Utilities Commission to secure favorable rates and policies can help keep electrification affordable for residents in the future.
明尼阿波利斯市的脱碳目标是雄心勃勃的, but CEE’s analysis shows that they can be met with weatherization and available electrification technology. By strategically targeting investment to fund high-impact and equitable projects, 增加劳动力, 与公用事业伙伴合作, the City can achieve a first-of-its-kind win for current and future generations. You can read the full report and list of recommendations at the link below.