Sunderland City Council, GB evaluates conversion of closed coal mine into a clean energy source
A one-year pilot will determine the viability of geothermal energy use by homes and businesses near the Stadium of Light. The test area includes the Wearmouth Colliery mine closed in 1993. Two boreholes drilled into the mine provide access to naturally heated water for potential use in heating and cooling networks. Sunderland City Council received $2.2 million from the Green Heat Networks Fund Transition Scheme in its continued efforts at carbon-neutral operations.
Sunderland City Council, GB
United Kingdom
Austin, TX makes sustainable transportation more affordable with its Electric Ride Rebate program
Customers of city-owned Austin Energy qualify for rebates on e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds. The minimum purchase price for a rebate is $500 with rebates ranging from $200 to $600 based on price range. Participants in the utility's Customer Assistance Program can apply for rebates of up to $1,300. Rebates are funded by portions of community benefit charges on utility accounts. The program requires applications within six months of purchase from one of the 26 approved vendors.
Austin, TX
United States
Vancouver, BC kicks off clean energy kiosk program for low-emission film and television productions
Vancouver's Public Realm Electrification Program advances public charging for uses like food trucks and electric vehicles. A trio of kiosks at Northeast False Creek expands the program's reach to film sets. Clean energy kiosks allow production teams to recharge batteries with hydroelectricity rather than rely on diesel generators. Local officials plan a network of kiosks across the city with the goal of a 10-minute drive from set to kiosk anywhere in Vancouver.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
Burnaby, BC approves District Energy Utility for renewable energy in high-growth neighborhoods
Burnaby's District Energy Utility will connect Metro Vancouver's Waste-to-Energy center to addresses in Metrotown and Edmonds by 2026. Underground pipes carry clean thermal energy from the facility to homes and businesses, thus reducing their reliance on natural gas. This system lowers energy costs for consumers and provides flexibility for additional fuel sources in the future. City officials anticipate an annual carbon emissions reduction of 22,400 tons.
Burnaby, BC
Canada
London Borough of Barnet, GB introduces BarNET ZERO campaign for a net-zero borough by 2042
BarNET ZERO began with a five-week advertising campaign about co-design opportunities. An online portal, a Citizens' Assembly on climate change, and a newsletter continue community engagement on sustainability. Borough officials advanced Europe's largest air-source heat pump project for 6,700 new homes at the Brent Cross Town development. A £9 million Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, 510 new EV chargers, and council building improvements contribute to BarNET ZERO's goals.
London Borough of Barnet, GB
United Kingdom
Oxford City Council, GB evaluates benefits of neighborhood heat pumps with Clean Heat Streets pilot
A public-private consortium received a government grant for the Rose Hill heat pump project. Oxford will develop a network of local installers and provide £5,000 subsidies for each pump installation. Clean Heat Streets will connect 150 air-source heat pumps to two electrical substations in the neighborhood. Street-level engagement efforts involving six neighborhood Champions highlight the project's economic and environmental benefits.
Oxford City Council, GB
United Kingdom
Oxfordshire County Council, GB
United Kingdom
Ann Arbor, MI advances plans for a Sustainable Energy Utility following positive survey results
The proposed SEU creates a network of neighborhood microgrids based on solar energy. This utility would use on-bill financing, weatherization programs, and home energy waste reduction efforts for increased participation. A two-month survey found that 68% of the 1,867 respondents were interested in participation if SEU rates were at least equal to current utility rates. Ann Arbor submitted a U.S. Department of Energy grant application in February 2023 to fund microgrids in three neighborhoods.
Ann Arbor, MI
United States
Sacramento, CA empowers renters and single-family home owners with XeroHome energy estimator
Sacramento residents begin their XeroHome experience by entering their addresses. The first screen shows square footage, year built, and utility rates with an edit button in case of outdated information. XeroHome users are asked about their heating, cooling, and water heating methods. The estimated carbon footprint is divided into emission sources and compared to similarly sized homes. This tool projects carbon emissions and cost savings from available upgrades or retrofits.
Sacramento, CA
United States
London Royal Borough of Greenwich, GB trials smart energy technology in council homes
DG Cities and the borough recruited 40 council home tenants for the five-month pilot. Each council home is outfitted with a Sense Home Energy Monitor connected to the Sense mobile app. Participants monitor real-time appliance use and analyze monthly trends in electrical usage. Sense also projects future utility bills based on past usage. The pilot includes customized home energy recommendations and an online group for tenants to share their experiences.
London Royal Borough of Greenwich, GB
United Kingdom
Concord, MA aims for increased adoption of residential heat pumps with coaching pilot
Town-owned Concord Municipal Light Plan recruited and trained four coaches for community outreach. Each coach had prior experience with installing heat pumps in their homes. The pilot offered free initial consultations and follow-up communications for households interested in heat pump installation. Coaches walked their neighbors through the benefits of heat pumps along with installation requirements and financing options.
Concord, MA
United States
Cohoes, NY generates clean energy for city operations with its floating solar array project
Cohoes sought a way to reduce its $660,000 annual electrical bill and meet green energy goals. The solar array will cover a 10-acre reservoir at the Cohoes Water Filtration Plant. Estimated annual output of 4.1 million megawatts will supply all of the energy needed by city departments. Local officials anticipate surplus energy usage by the school district and the public library. The city funded the project with a U.S. Department of Energy grant and savings from streetlight upgrades.
Cohoes, NY
United States
Upper Hutt City Council, NZ addresses home energy concerns with free Healthy Homes program
Healthy Homes consists of the council's Eco Design Advisor (EDA) Service and Home Energy Audit Toolkits. Each two-hour EDA appointment results in recommendations based on an inventory of heating, insulation, and ventilation. Residents also find out about subsidy programs like the EECA Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme. Upper Hutt's Central Library lends toolkits containing infrared thermometers, hygrometers, and wood moisture meters for self-guided evaluations.
Upper Hutt City Council, NZ
New Zealand