An Advanced, Zero-Net-Energy Community Plan for the City of Carson, California

New technologies in clean energy are continually emerging, yet few are being implemented on a community scale. This situation is especially true in low-income areas, which are more severely impacted by poor air quality and pollution and often unable to generate funding to initiate the installation of cleaner, cost-saving technology. To meet California’s clean energy goals, these technologies must be widely incorporated into all types of California cities.
Charge Bliss, Incorporated was awarded grant funding from the California Energy Commission to design an advanced net-zero-energy community. Charge Bliss selected Carson in the Los Angeles region. Carson is one of the most socioeconomically and ethnically diverse communities in California and has some of the poorest air quality.
The team developed a master advanced energy community plan that touches all areas of a city’s energy consumption from electric vehicle supply equipment, to building efficiency, to energy demand management and response, all while demonstrating cost savings. A case study specific to the designated community showed the effectiveness of the plan in community engagement, engineering, oversight, and finance. Charge Bliss analyzed the utility data, current electrical systems, major load items, and site operational needs for 18 municipal properties and 15 parks. The team also engaged a comprehensive array of community stakeholders to receive and incorporate input regarding project priorities, designs, and obstacles. Through this process, the Charge Bliss design team and the City of Carson were able to agree on a master advanced net-zero-energy community plan. Final systems include the installing electric vehicle chargers and improvements in solar, battery storage, lighting chiller systems, and load control architecture. Project financial modeling and serial discussions with city officials led to energy services power purchase or lease models, allowing the city and investors to each realize adequate returns while constraining risks.