This is the third live-blog of my spring 2026 DERs class.
The last post discussed what Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are: Controllable electrical devices that plug in at the edge of the power grid. The next few posts will consider why someone might want to study DERs. I think there are three main reasons: Health, money, and climate. This post will focus on health.
DERs improve health by displacing things that burn fossil fuels. Electric skateboards, bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, trains, buses, cars, and trucks displace vehicles that burn gasoline or diesel. Electric heat pumps, water heaters, clothes dryers, and induction stoves displace appliances that burn natural gas, propane, or heating oil. Solar photovoltaics displace power plants that burn natural gas or coal.
Burning fossil fuels emits air pollution that can cause a range of health problems. There are many types of air pollution, but in this context the most thoroughly studied is fine particulate matter: Tiny particles that can enter our bloodstream when we inhale them. Inhaling fine particulate matter increases risks of asthma, bronchitis, strokes, lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, heart attacks, and premature death. Health and mortality risks from fine particulate matter are higher for children and the elderly.
A 2021 study estimated that fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels caused 10.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012. That’s 18.6% of the estimated 54.8 million total human deaths in 2012.
A 2023 study estimated that fine particulate matter and ozone from burning fossil fuels caused 5.1 million avoidable deaths worldwide in 2019. That’s 8.7% of the estimated 58.4 million total human deaths in 2019.
In the United States, polluters disproportionately expose communities of color and low-income communities to fine particulate matter and other air pollutants, according to a 2021 study.
Burning fossil fuels emits air pollution that sickens and kills a lot of people. By displacing things that burn fossil fuels, DERs can avoid a lot of sickness and death.