“Climate extremes are increasing. A modern, decentralized and flexible electricity system can meet the challenge with clean energy community microgrids, the logical next step in California’s remarkable history of energy innovation.”
– Ellie Cohen CEO, The Climate Center, Sacramento Bee, August 2020
Microgrids & Distributed Energy Resources
Clean, Affordable, Reliable, Equitable, and Safe
California’s century-old electric grid is failing. It is not only sparking wildfires, but also leaving thousands of residents and businesses in the dark when extreme weather causes mass power outages. This imposes severe public health and economic burdens on communities and businesses alike.
In response, The Climate Center’s Community Energy Resilience program is working to accelerate the development of a new electricity system for California that is clean, affordable, reliable, equitable, and safe. We envision a more decentralized power system consisting of thousands of microgrids, built from the bottom up based upon local priorities, prioritizing critical facilities serving vulnerable communities.
Urge Governor Newsom to step up for solar
Join our Community Energy Resilience Mailing list to learn ways to support this work:
Background
Electricity policy in California is shaped by many actors. The legislature leads, but once enacted, policy is implemented by a variety of entities including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
The Climate Center is actively involved in legislative efforts, regulatory efforts through the CPUC Microgrid Proceeding and High DER Future Proceeding, as well as project implementation efforts to accelerate construction of clean energy resilience in California’s most vulnerable communities.
This short video highlights examples of community microgrids and the need for social equity in addressing community energy resilience:
Upcoming Events
Workshop: Energy Resilience Planning for Your Community
September 21 in San Diego, California
Recent Events
California Climate Policy Summit 2022
April 18 at Sacramento State University
Webinar: Investing in Clean Community Energy Resilience
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Recent News
- With policy changes, community resilience programs could make the most of microgrids, Microgrid Knowledge, 8/26/2022
- California urged to move faster on $200 million in microgrid incentives, Microgrid Knowledge, 8/8/2022
- How electric cars can keep California’s power on without more natural gas, San Francisco Chronicle, 7/28/2022
- Rethinking California distribution system operations and grid services markets for a high-DER future, Utility Dive, 6/7/2022
- Bill to Bolster Clean Microgrids, Another to Protect Demand Response, California Current, 3/15/2022
- California’s community energy resilience bill passes key hurdle, Microgrid Knowledge, 3/16/2022
Microgrid Equity Coalition
- Proposed Grant Program Criteria and Process: Energy Resilience and Microgrid Development in Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Communities (March 10, 2022)
- Microgrid Equity Coalition Reply Comments on Proposed Incentive Program (January 28, 2022)
- Rural counties in California push for activation of idle microgrids as power outages mount, Microgrid Knowledge (January 21, 2022)
- Microgrid Equity Coalition Comments on Proposed Microgrid Incentive Implementation Program (January 14, 2022)
The Climate Center Filings
- Center For Biological Diversity, Grid Alternatives, The Climate Center, 350 Bay Area, Vote Solar, Sierra Club and Clean Coalition Opening Comments On Draft Track 2 Outreach Plan (August 31, 2022)
- The Climate Center Comments In Response To Order Instituting Rulemaking To Advance Demand Flexibility Through Electric Rates (August 15, 2022)
- California Environmental Justice Alliance, Sierra Club, The Climate Center, Vote Solar and Microgrid Resources Coalition Comments In Response To ALJ Ruling (August 5, 2022)
