Energy Usage in 100% Renewable Scenario

Having calculated the town’s current energy usage, we next estimate how much energy we would need under the 100% renewable energy scenario. This scenario requires us to move beyond fossil fuels and move to “strategic” or “beneficial” electrification. In this model, we will have electrified heating and cooling (i.e., with heat pumps) as well as transportation (i.e., with electric vehicles).

The Excel spreadsheet referenced below performs calculations of the new energy load based on a range of high-level assumptions (e.g., heat pump energy loads, electric vehicle consumption in KWH per mile). As with the current energy calculations, PACE is ready to assist your town in using and interpreting this Excel template.

Renewables Siting Survey

In a world of 100% renewable energy, each town will procure its electricity from a range of sources, including some located in the town and many others located elsewhere (e.g., offshore wind, utility-scale solar arrays.)  While not essential at the start of the project, it is instructive for a town to conduct a survey of how much renewable energy could be generated in town. For most towns and cities, the sole or predominant renewable source will be solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays on rooftops, carports and land areas.

PACE has experience in conducting solar siting surveys using high-level estimates for residences and approximate calculations using solar estimation software (i.e., Helioscope) for businesses, carports and land areas. We are ready to assist in carrying out illustrative calculations for your town.

Building and Transportation Review

The aggregate numbers produced by the PACE benchmarking process are only part of the benchmarking process.  They serve to estimate the potential for demand reduction and the amount of renewable energy that must be procured.

In addition to these aggregate numbers, a community will want to assess its building stock and transportation fleet with qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

Qualitative analysis assesses the character of the town and factors such as whether the town is willing to permit ground mount solar, solar on historic homes, the charging infrastructure, the existence (or not) of public transport options.  This qualitative assessment should also examine the nature of the town’s governance with respect to building and transportation efficiency. Finally, it is important to understand the relative contributions of municipal, residential, and business consumers.

Quantitative analysis of the building and transport fleet is also important. Some examples of features to be assessed:

• Age and style of buildings
• Number of homes, condos, and apartments
• Multi-family homes
• Owner occupied vs. rental analysis
• Number of automobiles
• Age and use of vehicles
• Number of electric and PHEV vehicles