Analysis
In the fall of 2023, The Building Decarbonization Alliance published Grid Implications of Electrifying Residential New Construction, a discussion paper written to address concerns about the near-term viability of all-electric new residential construction. Our objective was to capture the utility sector’s perspective on the interplay of electrifying new homes and the electricity grid, and as part of the release, we encouraged the BDA partner network to engage with our research, challenge our assumptions, and give us their points of view.
This updated memo builds on that work by incorporating the perspectives of additional key stakeholders, especially developers and builders. Based on new input from 22 residential developers, builders and electricians, we now provide our updated understanding of the challenges with broad-scale electrification of new residential construction, along with actionable recommendations for a variety of stakeholders to guide ongoing efforts to make decarbonized new residential construction the norm.
About the Authors
Aurélie Vérin
Senior Policy Analyst
Before joining the BDA, Aurélie was a Senior Consultant at Econoler. She also worked for energy and services providers focusing on demand side management and on the development of commercial strategies and service offerings related to energy efficiency. Aurélie holds a Bachelor of Science in agro-environmental engineering from ISA Lille, as well as a master’s degree in urban environmental management from Wageningen University.
Mathieu Poirier
Director of Policy
Matt prides himself on translating research findings into actionable solutions to support the clean energy transition. He brings more than a decade of experience working to decarbonize the built environment via positions in—and engagements with—governments, utilities, and industry. Before joining the Building Decarbonization Alliance, Matt held consulting roles at Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors and Deloitte, and worked in industry and non-profit organizations focusing on green building design and legal analysis. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and psychology from the University of Waterloo, and a law degree from Dalhousie University. He also earned an MBA from Saint Mary’s University. Matt also co-authored The Case for Building Electrification in Canada, our foundational position paper.
Citations
Vérin, A., Poirier, M. (2024). Grid Implications of Electrifying Residential New Construction – Update November 2024. Building Decarbonization Alliance. Version 1.