Lesson 5.0.1
Introduction to Building Electrification
Lesson 5.0.1 Introduction to Building Electrification
This lesson will introduce you to the burgeoning topic of building electrification and the ambitious goal of decarbonizing buildings through the switch from the use of fossil fuels, typically natural gas, for building heating and cooling, domestic hot water production and cooking.
Effort to switch to all-electric buildings with electricity generated from renewable resources is not without challenges and controversy given the relative costs of the conversion, the distribution of energy sources and the various climates and demand for electricity.
As with other goals of sustainable use of our resources, the burden often falls disproportionately on poorer cultures and countries, many of whom are just beginning to benefit from technologies (in community and individual health, nutrition and access to economic development) that are increasingly energy dependent.
The costs and burdens of climate change are also borne by cultures least able to carry them.
The costs associated with changing to more expensive but greener energy sources will also be disproportionately distributed as the growing wealth gap accelerates.
This brief introduction cannot do justice to the depth and importance of these broader issues related to our energy policies of production and consumption.
The goal is to provide some initial insight into how electricity…the production, distribution and consumption of it….is rapidly becoming a more important subject for both consumers, but also for designers.
Some important links below:
Africa’s Cold Rush and the Promise of Refrigeration: New Yorker article discussed in the lesson.
The University of Michigan Seeks 25 megawatts of additional solar generated electrical production.
Follow this link to the Canvas learning check. (Due 4/9 @ 11:59 pm ET)