We are at the edge of a future that less than a generation ago was considered science fiction, and that future is enabled by electrification. As we move forward, local organic vegetables may soon be grown in a windowless room in the center of the city by use of highly efficient electric lighting. In a few years, self-driving, self-charging electric vehicles may communicate with other cars and trucks to enhance the efficiency and safety of transportation. Homes will be digitally programmed to automatically modulate energy use and temperature based on owner preferences.

These seemingly fictional innovations will need significant investment and advancements in broad-based electrification to come to fruition.

Further electrification could harness the benefits of a cleaner mix of electricity generation with advanced technologies to create more efficient applications for homes and businesses across key industries.

For more than 40 years, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent, not-for-profit research organization, has examined the long-term technical and reliability needs of the electric power system for the benefit of society. Last year, EPRI launched its Efficient Electrification Initiative, which will analyze the economic and societal benefits of electrification. The initiative will expand EPRI’s research and development portfolio to explore new and existing electrification technologies including indoor agriculture, electric transportation, space conditioning and manufacturing.

As part of the initiative, EPRI will host the inaugural Electrification 2018 International Conference and Exposition August 20-23, 2018 in Long Beach, CA. This event will bring together commercial and industrial markets, R&D and academic communities, state and federal policymakers and other stakeholders to explore the benefits, policy, regulatory and environmental issues of electrification.

Best practices for implementing efficient and cost-effective electrification programs and the latest electrification technologies will be showcased during this event. Participants will be able to form new partnerships and attend training sessions about the capabilities and impacts of current and future electric technologies.

In collaboration with the broader energy community, we are leveraging subject matter experts and EPRI’s deep industry expertise and thought leadership to shape the future of an integrated energy network. Electrification 2018 will be the summer’s key meeting for those looking to understand the benefits and costs associated with the adoption and use of electric technologies and solutions. There are six conference tracks that are featured in these conversations:

• Electric Transportation will focus on the merits, timing, costs, benefits and possible solutions for the electric vehicle market spanning future on- and off-road vehicles, high-power charging, smart charging, customer preferences, grid impact and challenges and lessons learned.
   
• Industrial Electrification: Technologies and Implementation will cover a range of current and emerging technologies and systems in agriculture, off-road transportation, and large and small commercial and industrial applications, highlighting the benefits and costs of electric technologies to energy stakeholders across industries for the public good.
   
• Residential and Commercial Electrification will examine the research and development of new electric technologies, such as space and water heating, which can provide great benefits, including lower costs and reduced environmental impact, to businesses and homes.
   
• Understanding the Costs and Benefits of Electrification will present the results of national studies on the potential benefits of electrification, assessments on electrification tailored to individual states and utilities and the impacts of electrification on water use and quality.
   
• The Policy and Regulatory Landscape for Electrification will focus on policy and regulatory challenges and opportunities as electrification progresses, including solving issues with the cost of electrification; the role of flexible, advanced electric loads in optimizing the power grid; how states are preparing for increased adoption of plug-in EVs and how electrification can enable the outcomes desired through advanced energy communities.
   
• Breakthrough Technologies will explore creative solutions that provide significant opportunity for every industry to improve processes including improved electric energy storage, electric vehicles, advanced nuclear generation, new models for wind and solar power generation, indoor agriculture, aerial drones and artificial intelligence.

Efficient electrification has the power to transform the electric sector and the way we deliver and use cleaner energy, providing significant environmental, efficiency and customer benefits.

You can track our progress in the overall Efficient Electrification Initiative and sign up for our monthly newsletter at https://www.epri.com/#/pages/sa/efficientelectrification. To learn more about Electrification 2018 or to register, visit www.electrification2018.com.

We invite you to join us and be part of the innovative conversations leading this evolving transformation.