Tag: — North America

San Diego, California, USA

San Diego, California, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable energy on the city-wide electrical grid by 2035.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Renewable electricity purchasing.
  • Implementation: In 2015, the City of San Diego, California set the target of cutting GHG emissions in half and achieving 100% RE by 2035. The target was part of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan launched by Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer. The plan was to also increase water and energy efficiency in buildings, intensify public transport, grow the number of electric vehicles, promote walking and cycling routes, zero-waste strategies and climate adaptation measures. The city would achieve the energy target through a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programme, which will enable it to purchase the electricity directly from various energy producers (gas, wind, solar, etc.) and sell it to residents and businesses. The power will be delivered to the consumers by the local utility SDG&E, which manages the power infrastructure, regulates the grid, and provides customer service, etc. The CCA programme differs from the past in that it allows the City of San Diego and its citizens to actively decide where their energy comes from. Previously, the utility had total control of the city’s energy supply, and conducted all the purchasing and selling of energy to consumers. Unlike the private utility model, the CCA programme is not for profit, and is run by the local government. Part of the revenue from energy sales that would normally flow into the private utility shares would now remain within the community budget. This available income can be used to fund local energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The CCA will also give consumers greater choice by allowing them to optionally take part in the programme and to decide whether they would like to purchase their electricity from renewable energy sources or not.
  • Population: 1,307,402 (city), 3,317,749 (metro)(2010)
  • Area: 372.39 sq mi (964.50 km2)
  • Link: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/planning/genplan/cap/pdf/CAP%20Adoption%20Draft%202015.pdf
San Diego, California, USA

San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco, California, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity supply community wide by 2030.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar power and biogas cogeneration.
  • Implementation: San Francisco is a renowned city and county on the central coast of California. In December 2010, a $250,000 grant was awarded to the city from the Sidney Frank Foundation to develop an implementation plan over 12 months to generate 100% of San Francisco’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 in support of the City’s carbon neutrality goal. By January 2011, the Mayor’s Renewable Energy Task Force was established  to develop recommendations to help meet this goal within 10 years. It was headed by the San Francisco Environment Department and comprised of local renewable energy leaders, key stakeholders and other City departments. In 2011, the electricity mix in the city was made up of 16% non-large hydropower renewables, 30% large hydro, 36% fossil fuels, and 18% nuclear.
    The Task Force report suggested six strategies to get to 100% renewable power by 2020. First was to increase energy efficiency by promoting energy audits and retrofits through local and state programs; integrating green building and energy labelling; tightening building code energy requirements; and. strengthening retrofit on resale rules. Second was to encourage local renewable energy by streamlining solar permitting and provide online permitting; funding  GoSolarSF (the local rooftop solar) incentive program; supporting net metering; developing  feed-in tariff for local renewables; integrate renewables on aging downtown distribution grid; and addressing solar system shading. Fourth was to encourage green leases and support community renewable energy legislation on the state level. Fifth was to encourage private sector investment in renewable energy through various measures. And sixth was to expand access to local renewable energy.
    Fundamental among these recommendations was the Community Choice Aggregation program (CCA) that allows communities to aggregate the bulk buying power of its citizens to purchase power on the wholesale market and directly from power generators. CCAs give communities the ability to opt out and stay with the local investor owned utility as a provider if they want to. In California, communities have been adopting CCAs to increase their renewable power portfolios and keep more value in the community. San Francisco's CCA program developed CleanPowerSF which today offers a basic plan of 35% renewable power for .25% less than the investor owned utility rates, or a "Super Green" plan for 100% renewable power. As of mid-2013, more than 18.5 MW of in-City renewables had been installed, with 15 MW of solar PV (more than 2,000 systems) citywide and 3.5 MW of biogas cogeneration at the City’s wastewater treatment plants. All public transportation in San Francisco was running on electricity or biodiesel.
  • Population: 884,363 (2017)
  • Area: 231.89 sq mi (600.59 km2)
  • Link: San Francisco Climate Action Plan
San Francisco, California, USA

San Jose, California, USA

San Jose, California, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity by 2022
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar energy
  • Implementation: San Jose is California’s third largest city by population. In October 2007 the city launched its Green Vision, with plans to shift towards clean renewable energy. This 15-year-plan focuses on the creation of jobs, the improvement of the city life, and the preservation of the environment. It set the target that all sectors of the city are to be powered exclusively with renewable energy by 2022, and that per capita energy consumption should also be reduced by 50%. The city aims to achieve this by envisioning itself as a solar-powered community. Due to its location, the city possesses enough sunshine for solar and is already home to several solar technology companies. To finance this plan, the city is looking at ways to support the financing of solar projects by the creation of incentives and through the provision of regulatory strategies, such as abolishing building permits required for rooftop solar panels in residential areas. To carry out activities, the city adopts a participatory approach that engages the City Departments, and external stakeholders, such as the California Solar Energy Association. The city has plans to install solar panels on city buildings and to support and incentivise homeowners and businesses to do the same. In addition, it is supporting investments in solar power technology innovation. Aside from solar power, the city is evaluating the potential of other renewable energy sources, such as wind, water, hydro power and biomass.
  • Population: 1,035,317 (2017)
  • Area: 180.52 sq mi (467.55 km2)city, 2,694.61 sq mi (6,979 km2)metro
  • Link: CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
San Jose, California, USA

Santa Barbara, California, USA

Santa Barbara, California, USA

  • Target: Free of fossil fuels by 2033.
  • Status: In progress -  To date, about 30% of the City's electricity comes from renewable sources.
  • RES: Wind and solar power.
  • Implementation: The City of Santa Barbara has committed to a plan to make the city free of fossil fuels by 2033. Milestones so far include a city ordinance requiring new and remodeled buildings to be carbon neutral, and the construction of a 100 MW wind farm. In Point Arguello, it has commissioned PG&E to conduct a study into the feasibility of wave power. The city found that the earmarking of land for specific developments, an aging grid infrastructure, and high real estate values, have posed technical and permitting challenges for the implementation of larger renewable energy projects. However, the distributed energy option through rooftop solar has made implementation easier. Incentives created by the city with regards to small rooftop systems have attracted more residents and thus increase renewable energy uptake. Other residents have adopted a solar purchasing program, launched by the Community Environmental Council (CEC), a local educational and advocacy group, which has resulted in over 300 MW of solar power being generated.
  • Population: 92,101 (2017)
  • Area: 41.99 sq mi (108.75 km2)
  • Link:
Santa Barbara, California, USA

Santa Monica, California, USA

Santa Monica Pier, California, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar energy
  • Implementation: Santa Monica is a beach city in California USA. The city is taking action to achieve carbon neutrality by using electricity through renewable electricity sources. They are achieving this by giving residents and businesses the option to switch to renewable electricity though the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) of Southern California, a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program. 100 percent renewable energy will be the default product for all residential electricity customers in Santa Monica beginning in February 2019. This program will allow Santa Monicans to know where their power is coming from and be able to choose from multiple renewable options. This choice was not possible previously.  The new rates are expected to be on average between $56 and $72 more annually. Low-income qualified customers will receive the same discount on their rates and experience no net increase in cost compared to Southern California Edison (SCE) rates. Santa Monica City Council approved a '100 percent renewable energy tier' law whereby 100 percent renewable energy will be applied to all Santa Monica residents who do not choose to opt out. 50 percent and 36 percent renewable options will be available for residents who do opt out. The CPA is a Joint Power Authority consists of 31 public agencies across the region, who are working together to bring clean, renewable power choices to customers. The 100% Renewable Energy initiative is part of 'Santa Monica Green' program, which also includes other sustainability actions including public transportation and micro mobility, water conservation, compostable good waste collection, plastic ban, and organic food. (Via THRIVEGLOBAL)
  • Population: 89,736 (2010)
  • Area: 8.42 sq mi (21.80 km2)
  • Link: https://smspoke.org/2018/10/24/santa-monica-leads-again-with-clean-renewable-energy/
Santa Monica Pier, California, USA

Scituate, Massachusetts, USA

Scituate, Massachusetts, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable power for the municipality by end of 2013.
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: One wind turbine and a 3 MW solar array.
  • Implementation: Scituate is a coastal town located between Boston and Plymouth in Massachusetts, USA. It achieve its target of 100% renewable electricity through local wind power and a 3 MW solar array, both constructed in 2012. The wind turbine was installed on town land through a joint venture between Palmer Capital and Solaya Energy. The town signed a 15-year contract to rent out the land and buy the electricity produced by the wind turbine.  In June 2013, the wind turbine was hit by lightening, causing it to go offline and then run partially during repairs. Until that time, the wind turbine had produced 22,000 kWh of power. When the solar array was constructed in 2012 over the town's capped landfill, it provided the additional backup energy. The 30 solar PV systems provided a total capacity of 115.2 kilowatts. Today, the town has 3 electric hybrid municipal vehicles and has installed a charging station at its Town Hall. The wind and solar projects are projected to bring the town US$500,000 per year in revenue, and to provide Scituate with the ability to offset debt service for new construction.
  • Population: 18,133 (2010)
  • Area: 31.8 sq mi (82.4 km2)
  • Link: https://www.scituatema.gov/community-profile-vision/pages/renewable-energy-plan-and-projects
Scituate, Massachusetts, USA

Steinfurt District, Germany

Steinfurt District, Germany

  • Target: 100% climate protection and 100% renewable energy by 2050.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Wind power, solar power and biomass energy.
  • Implementation: The county of Steinfurt in Germany has implemented a 100% Climate Protection masterplan or  “Masterplan 100% Klimaschutz” with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas-emission by 95% until 2050 by reducing the regional power demand by 50% and covering the remaining demand by renewable energy (reference year 1990). To achieve this target, Steinfurt is cooperating with many local and regional actors including: climate activists from the 24 municipalities in the district of Steinfurt, local citizens, regional politicians, regional power companies, companies from the regional business network “Unternehmernetzwerk energieland2050”, experts from the University of Applied Sciences in Münster, external experts for  climate protection, regional tourist promotion offices and other associations. The first phase of the masterplan has concluded, with an analysis of the actual energy data and future energy scenarios. There it was shown that wind power stations, solar or biomass power systems can produce sufficient renewable energy by 2050. Furthermore, the potential of power production will be higher than the predicted power demand in 2050. To achieve sustainable mobility however will require alternative vehicle options like e-mobility, hybrid- or hydrogen-drive.
  • Population: 444,409 (2016)
  • Area: 1,792.097 km2(691.933 sq mi)
  • Link: Amt für Klimaschutz und Nachhaltigkeit
Steinfurt District, Germany

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Renewable energy mix, and energy efficiency measures.
  • Implementation: Vancouver is the most densely populated city in Canada, and the largest city in the Province of British Columbia. It is also part of the third largest Canadian metropolitan area, Metro Vancouver. The city is often recognized as one of world’s most livable city thanks to its compact urban fabric and mixed-use development. It is an active economic centre due to its location on the Pacific Rim.  Vancouver sea-port, Port Metro Vancouver is the third largest port in tonnage in North America. In December 2015, the city decided to commit to a 100% renewable energy target by 2050. To achieve this, it laid out the "Renewable City Strategy 2015-2050", which would not only be in line with Vancouver’s compliance with the UN Covenant of Mayors in October 2015, but also the Greenest City 2020 action plan. Based on thorough research and analysis of current energy consumption data, international best practices and civil society consultation and expertise, the city's Strategy draws clear guidelines on buildings and transport, which account for 90% of the city energy consumption. To reach the 100% RE goal, the city will involve private and public stakeholders such as businesses, citizens and all levels of government (local, regional, provincial, and federal). By expanding distributed energy systems and improving existing city infrastructure, Vancouver also aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 2007 levels before 2050, and decrease its energy use from 53.3 million GJ in 2014 to 38.3 million GJ by 2050.
  • Population: 631,486 (city), 2,463,431 (metro)(2016)
  • Area: 114.97 km2 (44.39 sq mi)(city), 2,878.52 km2(1,111.40 sq mi)(metro)
  • Link: City of Vancouver: Renewable City Strategy 2015-2050
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Mix of RE technologies, electrical cars, district energy system, and Passive House standard in all new construction.
  • Implementation: The city of Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city and is situated at the southern point of Vancouver Island, directly north of the American border. In December 2016, the Victoria City Council released detailed plans for the city to become 100% RE by the year 2050, following a vote by the city council in August 2016. Victoria is the third city in Canada to announce plans for a 100% renewable energy future, where all energy needs will be provided by renewable means, including heating, cooling and transport. The measure was accompanied by a motion to reduce Victoria’s GHG footprint by 80%. The Victoria City Council has developed a detailed plan, including benchmarking and deadlines for the reduction of GHGs and increases of the city’s renewable energy mix until 2050. Areas of emphasis include increasing the proportion of electrical cars in the city’s fleet, continued development of the city’s district energy system, and adoption of Passive House standards to all new construction.
  • Population: 85,792 (2016)
  • Area: Capital city: 19.47 km2 (7.52 sq mi), Metro: 696.15 km2(268.79 sq mi)
  • Link: City of Victoria: Climate Leadership Plan
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Yolo County, California, USA

Yolo County, California, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar energy.
  • Implementation: Yolo County is located about 90 miles north-east of San Francisco. The city of Davis, Yolo’s largest, was the first city in the USA to formally legislate the creation of bicycle lanes throughout city streets. Yolo was also ahead when it created its 1982 Energy Plan. One result of the Plan was the construction of a gas-to-energy facility in 1985. Located at the Yolo Co. landfill, the plant generates 20,000 kWh/year of electricity while capturing 90% of methane emissions. Continuing to set trends in sustainable development and planning, Yolo Co. became one of the 12 charter members of the 2007 Cool Counties Initiative (CCI), a nation-wide pledge to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. It adopted the ‘2030 General Plan’, containing more than 350 specific policies benchmarking exactly how Yolo Co. residents and businesses can reduce GHG emissions and energy usage. Yolo County is now America’s first grid-positive PV solar producing county.

    Beginning in the early 2000s, a plan to bolster the financial security in Yolo Co. was put in place. Utilizing a combination of state/federal subsidies and other innovative financing tools, Yolo Co. was able to procure US$23 million in financing and constructed three utility scale photovoltaic (PV) sites with no upfront capital expenditure. Yolo Co. now produces 152% of its electricity needs via 6.8 MW of PV electrical production, creating a long-term revenue stream for Yolo Co.’s once shrinking county budget. Starting with a US$1.4 million per year electric bill, Yolo Co. is now estimated to generate an annual income of over US$500,000 from the sale of electricity to Pacific Gas & Electric, CA’s largest electrical generator. Over the next 35 years, Yolo Co.’s projected revenue for the three PV sites is over US$60 million.

    Yolo Co. Office of Education has also established a sustainability academy, Project SOLAR or Sustaining Our Local Alternative Energy Resources. This program helps to educate K-12 students on the impacts of sustainability on the individual and the community. Project SOLAR offers several sustainability based educational programs; operating a summer energy academy for high school students at a local community college, integrating courses about energy and sustainability into existing educational curriculums and training courses for educators to help spread sustainability based curriculums throughout California.
  • Population: 215,802 (2016)
  • Area: 1,015 sq mi (2,630 km2)(land)
  • Link: https://valleycleanenergy.org
Yolo County, California, USA