6.3 Buildings
Water and space heating have the greatest
potential for increased electrification, although
they face cost barriers.
Lighting and appliances: There are no technical limits to electrification; both are already
electrified in developed economies.
Air conditioning: There are few barriers to electrification; 75% of air conditioning in developed
countries is electrified. Electricity demand is expected to increase with rising demand for air conditioning as incomes increase in hot, humid areas.
Cooking: Electric options exist with moderate
barriers to further electrification. In rural areas
biomass dominates cooking energy use; in
non-rural areas electrification rates depend on the
presence of competing gas networks.
Water heating: Key electrification technologies are electric water boilers and heat pumps,
though high capital costs and competing gas
networks keep uptake rates low.
Space heating: Electric options exist with
high barriers to increased electrification. Technologies such as heat pumps are limited by latitude, existing consumer attitudes, available
Fig. 55 Income effect on electrification. Source Vivid Economics
Fig. 56 China’s electrification rate could increase from 23 to 32% by 2050. Source Vivid Economics
Special Report 2: Research on China’s Energy Demand Revolution
281
Water and space heating have the greatest
potential for increased electrification, although
they face cost barriers.
Lighting and appliances: There are no technical limits to electrification; both are already
electrified in developed economies.
Air conditioning: There are few barriers to electrification; 75% of air conditioning in developed
countries is electrified. Electricity demand is expected to increase with rising demand for air conditioning as incomes increase in hot, humid areas.
Cooking: Electric options exist with moderate
barriers to further electrification. In rural areas
biomass dominates cooking energy use; in
non-rural areas electrification rates depend on the
presence of competing gas networks.
Water heating: Key electrification technologies are electric water boilers and heat pumps,
though high capital costs and competing gas
networks keep uptake rates low.
Space heating: Electric options exist with
high barriers to increased electrification. Technologies such as heat pumps are limited by latitude, existing consumer attitudes, available
Fig. 55 Income effect on electrification. Source Vivid Economics
Fig. 56 China’s electrification rate could increase from 23 to 32% by 2050. Source Vivid Economics
Special Report 2: Research on China’s Energy Demand Revolution
281