Contributors: Bob Yardley, Forrest Small, Marisa Ihara, and Julie Lieberman

The United States and Europe have made great progress in decarbonizing electric generation. However, to achieve the 2050 decarbonization goals set by many states and local communities, it will be necessary to decarbonize transportation and building heating and cooling as well as energy production.

There are several alternative pathways to decarbonize an economy, including:

• Pathways that rely almost exclusively on electrification of transportation and buildings;
• Pathways that maintain a significant role for natural gas, including renewable natural gas; and
• Pathways that require reconfiguration of natural gas infrastructure to deliver hydrogen to clusters of industrial process users or homes and businesses.

Case Study: Heat Pump Implementation Plan

As part of a statewide heat pump program for a consortium of New York investor-owned electric utilities, Concentric provided collaborative leadership and facilitation services to a group that included New York’s investor-owned utilities, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and New York Department of Public Service Staff.

Case Study: Grid Modernization Plan

Concentric partnered with a technology firm to develop a Grid Modernization Plan for Fitchburg Gas & Electric (FG&E), the Massachusetts subsidiary of Unitil Corporation.  Massachusetts was the first state in the country to mandate the filing of grid modernization plans.