Are you familiar with the term Beneficial Electrification? Beneficial Electrification, or BE, refers to our increased adoption of technology powered by electricity — equipment, machinery, appliances and more — as we seek to lower our collective dependence on fossil fuels. It gives you the freedom to choose electricity over gas whenever possible and plug into a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative equipped to power all of your needs.
Here are four significant reasons why Beneficial Electrification impacts you as a member-owner:
1. Electricity is increasingly cost-effective
Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative has increased its capacity in recent years to more efficiently deliver cost-effective electricity to power your everyday needs — all while keeping your monthly bill in check. Furthermore, when you swap out gas-powered machinery and equipment for electric models, you'll be able to claim significant savings over time given the low cost of electricity relative to petroleum-based fuel.
2. Electricity is more environmentally-friendly
Thanks to more recent advancements in renewable generation — including wind, hydro and solar — your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative's energy portfolio consists of a larger percentage of environmentally friendly sources of electricity than ever before. In fact, we've reduced the carbon footprint of using electricity to run the same equipment by 27 percent over the past twenty years. That means powering your farm operation's grain dryers or livestock confinement fans with electricity treads far more lightly on the environment, and that's beneficial for everyone.
3. Electric equipment can improve quality of life
We've talked about the economic and environmental benefits of electrification, but let's not lose sight of the ways technological advancements powered by electricity can improve quality of life. Grain system automation, for example, typically translates to less need for use of heavy equipment and manual labor. Similarly, electric equipment and machinery often require less maintenance. These sorts of developments have the potential to give farmers more time to focus on other tasks as well as off-the-farm pursuits, and that lays the groundwork for enhanced quality of life.
4. Electrification supports a more robust, resilient power grid
This may seem counterintuitive, but increasing the use of electric-powered equipment and machinery in our everyday lives actually promotes a more robust, resilient power grid. Increased consumer demand has supported the diversification of your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative's energy portfolio as well as prompted significant infrastructure improvements to the grid, both of which help foster greater resilience. Electrification of equipment and machinery also boosts the potential for load flexibility and helps utilities more efficiently manage energy demand during peak times, weather events and more.
Learn more about Beneficial Electrification
Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative strives to serve as a resource for member-owners who are looking for ways to embrace Beneficial Electrification in their everyday lives. Contact or visit your local electric cooperative for more information.
