Key Takeaways
- 661 all-electric projects were reported in 2021, an increase of 120% from 2020.
- All-electric projects reported in 2021 totaled 76,729,668 gross square feet.
- 1,056 projects were reported with energy modeled by fuel sources in reporting year 2021, an increase of 57.8% from 2020. This represents 8.2% of all whole buildings reported in 2021 and 13.8% of whole buildings that were energy modeled.
- 167,008,729 gross square feet were reported with energy modeling by fuel sources in 2021, representing 5.3% of all whole building gross square footage reported and an increase of 80% from 2020.
Move beyond fossil fuels through building electrification
The 2030 Commitment originally focused exclusively on energy performance without regard for where the energy came from. But it’s become increasingly clear that, although we may reach net zero energy while still using fossil fuels in our buildings, we will not reach net zero carbon.
That’s why in 2020 the DDx began offering the option to report energy models by fuel source, meaning users can indicate how much energy comes from fossil fuels and how much from electricity. In 2021, the number of projects reporting pEUI by fuel source increased 57.8%, totaling 1,056 projects. This represents 167 million total gross square feet, an 80% increase from 2020.
The option to report energy modeling by fuel source is helping project teams blaze a trail toward universal building electrification—a wholesale switch from fossil-fuel-powered equipment to electricity-powered equipment. In 2021, 2030 Commitment signatories reported 505 all-electric buildings, up 67% from 2020.
Why electrify? In many regions, it’s already the case that all-electric buildings have lower carbon emissions than those using fossil fuels. And with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in place, the U.S. is investing $20 billion in grid upgrades that include greater resilience and cleaner energy. So, preparing for electrified infrastructure now means lower carbon emissions in the future.
