Beneficial Electrification
“Beneficial electrification” refers to the electrification of heating/cooling sources in buildings or all types and the electrification of vehicles. When integrated into the home energy systems and the wider electrical grid, this electrification can provide benefits to both systems.
ACTT’s current work in electrification includes supporting building owners in considering heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters and understanding rebates and other available incentives, supporting local towns in considering electrification of vehicle fleets, and more!
Electrified Heating & Cooling
Electrifying the heating of your home by installing heat pumps (which also provide cooling when needed) and the heating of water with a heat pump hot water heater are both important steps in transitioning your home off fossil fuels. Heat pump technology is highly efficient and capable of handing cold Maine winters. ACTT is happy to support building owners as they begin to consider electrification of heating & cooling sources by connecting folks to helpful resources, answering preliminary questions, and helping folks navigate rebates and other available incentives. Please note, heat pumps are often best installed after ensuring that your home is properly insulated and air sealed.
Contact us at gus@aclimatetothrive.org for more information.
Resources:
Efficient, Comfortable Homes (opening presentation from ACTT’s 2023 Comprehensive Building Solutions Fair)
Electric Vehicles and EV Charging
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Maine. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are an essential step, particularly for rural communities, in addressing climate change and reducing air pollution. ACTT is committed to helping Mainers learn more about EVs and to helping install the infrastructure needed to support the transition to electric vehicles.
Our work in electric transportation has focused on EV charging infrastructure, installed through our Downeast and Hancock County & Blue Hill EV Charging Programs, education for all drivers, and supporting municipalities and schools in transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles. We are also exploring and preparing for pilots in vehicle-to-grid technology integration (opportunities to utilize the batteries in electric vehicles to store renewable electricity and help balance load and demand in the local grid).
Resources:
ACTT EV Charging Programs
The Eastern and Northern Maine EV Charging Program
ACTT has implemented public Electric Vehicle charging stations in a variety of locations throughout Downeast Maine. All stations consist of two Level 2 chargers, serving two EV parking spaces. Contact Gordon for more information.
The Hancock County and Greater Blue Hill Program
The Hancock County and Greater Blue Hill EV Program provides up to $5,000 towards the installation of a public station to municipalities, non-profits, and other organizations and businesses through a simplified application process. Full information on this grant program can be found here
Why support EVs? We all want cleaner air and less reliance on fossil fuels. Instead of using gas or diesel, EVs use Maine’s clean electricity. All-electric EVs produce no greenhouse gas emissions. The more public EV charging stations we have in the region, the more we encourage EV use by Mainers as well as visitors from out of State, and the more we are doing to lessen the impact of climate change.