By Doyle Hazen
As you peruse through your daily reading, specifically reading that concerns the use of electricity in our society, you will see more and more mentioned about beneficial electrification (BE). Well, that sounds like a benign term that may even be “beneficial.” Beneficial electrification as defined by the organization called the Beneficial Electrification League (BEL), is as follows:
“Beneficial Electrification includes the application of electricity to end-users where doing so satisfies at least one of the following conditions, without adversely affecting the others:
• Saves consumers money over time;
• Benefits the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
• Improves product quality or consumer quality of life;
• Fosters a more robust and resilient grid” (1)
All of the points of this definition, at face value, seems very straight forward. If these are followed, I am in agreement with making changes to the way we conduct business and in our personal lives to accommodate switching from a carbon based to an electrified way of doing any given task. I think that the BEL is honestly trying to promote the electrification of many tasks and processes in our daily lives. However, as with any good thing, we must be vigilant that all points are followed and are not ignored.
As a consumer, it is your responsibility to advocate for what is good for you and your family. This good intention, that beneficial electrification brings, can be manipulated and used as cover for the promotion of seemingly “beneficial” projects. Some projects may not tick all of the boxes that are required for any given project to be considered beneficial electrification. It is not to say all of the conditions have to be met for all projects, it says at least one condition should be met while not conflicting with the other conditions.
The heavy subsidization and legislative policies that accelerate the implementation of electric vehicles (EV) is an example of an electrification of transportation. I do not think EVs are bad, but perhaps it is not for all people in all places. Remember all of the criteria that beneficial electrification must meet:
• Save consumers money over time. Nope, not currently or in the life of any of the vehicles on the road today at least not on a per mile basis. Although many studies show a savings, I have not seen numbers that include the replacement of the battery in the life of the vehicle. They will often bring up the replacement, but not put it in their calculations. I have not seen examples with an overall per mile cost.
• Benefits the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Maybe, over the life of the vehicle. Quick fact: The manufacture of one EV battery requires the removal of 500,000 pounds of earth to produce the needed rare earth minerals to produce ONE battery.
• Improves product quality or consumer quality of life. Yes, reduces overall maintenance costs, but currently service for these types of vehicles is limited.
• Fosters a more robust and resilient grid. It could, if the storage capacity is used in outages or in times of short supply. On the other hand, the increased need for electricity to charge EVs is adding to demand on an already taxed electrical system.
You see I am not trying to cause friction to the momentum of the betterment of the planet. By using our resources wisely and taking advantage of technology, we can improve our position in climate change. However, we must temper our decisions so that we meet criteria that will truly be beneficial.
Doyle Hazen is the General Manager of North Central Public Power District, headquartered in Creighton, Neb. The views in this editorial are not necessarily the views of North Central PPD or the Nebraska Rural Electric Association.
(1) Beneficial Electrification League. (n.d.) Home Page. Beneficial Electrification League. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from Promoting Beneficial Electrification - Beneficial Electrification League (be-league.org)