Download - The Little City that Could: Burlington's Quest to Be a Net Zero Energy City, RCE Greater Burlington
The Little City that Could: Burlington’s Quest to be a Net Zero Energy City
Anne Bijur, Greater Burlington RCE - Vermont, USA
Burlington, Vermont, USA - population 42,000
Greater Burlington Sustainability Education Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Global Action Plan
#5 Accelerating Solutions at a Local Level
Burlington’s Energy History
• 1970s - 30MW coal plant, VT Yankee
• 1978 - Biomass plant bond
• 1984 - McNeil plant operational at 50MW
• 1989 - Energy conservation bond, purchase renewable generation
• 2004 - 25% electricity from renewable sources
• 2014 - 100% electricity from renewable sources
• 90% generated locally, 10% Renewable Energy Credits
• 2026 - Net Zero Goal
• including electric, thermal, and transportation sectors
Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan
Goal:
Provide for 90% of Vermont’s total energy needs from renewable sources by 2050
The Good Stuff Video
How did Burlington engage multiple stakeholders?
•City Council and Mayor’s office•Burlington Electric Commission
• Energy Engage• Smart Grid program - 95% of customers have Smart Meters
• Tips on cutting costs, efficiency, and reducing environmental impact
• Plus information on each customer’s individual electricity usage and related carbon emissions
Impacts of 100% Electricity from Renewables
•Combat climate change • Increase market for renewable energy• Financial stability and energy security
•Help businesses meet sustainability goals• Seventh Generation and Burton Snowboards
• Improve public morale
• Educational opportunities for ESD
Related Education Programs
• Sustainability Academy - Charter Elementary School• Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Kids• Education for Sustainability Institute• Burlington Geographic• Vermont Youth Climate Summit• New Masters Program in Education for Sustainability• Sustainability General Education Requirement
What’s Next? Scaling Up to Net Zero
10-year vision:• By 2026, transition Burlington to a net zero energy city across
electric, thermal, and transportation sectors
How?• Customer care to reduce demand - “whole-home efficiency”
• Strengthen grid and generation assets
• Build microgrids
• “Grow Local Energy” program
• Smart City network
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than
unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will
not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence
and determination alone are omnipotent.
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933),Vermonter and 30th President of the United States
Thank You, Gracias, Obrigado