How We're Planning to Meet the Growth of an Electric World

But in New York, energy production makes up roughly 17% of the carbon dioxide emitted in this state. The vast majority of emissions comes from gas- and diesel-fueled vehicles (46%) and building heat (32%). In order to fully realize the environmental benefit of growing a carbon-free grid, New Yorkers will need to increase their investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and electric heating systems.

We are preparing for the increased energy demand that “electrification” would create on the electric grid.

The above chart shows the projected increases in summer and winter energy peaks. EV technology continues to improve and cost less, and more charging stations continue to be installed around the state. While the impact of EVs on the grid is negligible today, as the number of EVs increases in the next two decades, we’re projecting an increase of up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) during summertime usage and as much as 3,000 MW during winter.

Currently, New York sees its largest energy demands in the summertime, typically in the late afternoon after several hot days, when people get home from work and crank up their home air conditioning systems.

With electrification, New York could see its largest energy demand come in the wintertime, when electric home heating systems combine with EV charging and other energy demands. We continue to study the impacts of electrification on future electric system demands.

For more on electrification, see Power Trends 2020.