How can we influence the larger energy market when we, as consumers, have no say over where our electricity comes from? Most communities in the United States draw their energy from large regional utilities; 70% of electricity comes from investor-owned suppliers.
In Switzerland, in contrast, many utilities are locally or regionally owned, giving local authorities the ability to manage and develop energy supplies. Local governments are taking advantage of the situation to increase the amount of renewable energy available to energy consumers.
A while ago, I attended an energy workshop in an alpine community of approximately 3000 residents. Participants included municipal board members and planning officers, as well as local business leaders, farmers, property owners, engineers and residents. The town was drafting a strategic 20-year energy plan. An energy consultant and specialists provided by the cantonal government were on hand to explain the objectives of energy planning and offer guidance. Conversation was informed and lively. Questions and skepticisms were addressed in an open forum before working groups split off to discuss topics such as new energy sources, expansion of district heating and engaging local business. The working groups presented innovative suggestions for new renewable energy sources such as solar, water treatment heat-recovery and biomass from farming, forestry and restaurant waste.
As part of its obligation to ensure a stable, economic and ecological national energy supply, the Swiss government has, since the 1990s, embraced both reduction in fossil-fuel use and an increase in renewable energy use. Switzerland depends on its communities to carry out energy planning as part of its national Energy Strategy 2050. Through an impressive array of programs, most notably “SwissEnergy” (in German: “EnergieSchweiz”), the Swiss Federal Office of Energy supports activities not just at the national level, but at regional, municipal and even neighborhood levels, to meet federal goals.
It is, however, the cantons that play a key role in implementing national energy policy. The Canton of Bern has long taken a lead in developing effective energy policy, launching its own Energy Strategy in 2006 to reduce total heating energy by 20% and increase renewal energy from 10% to 70% by 2035 as an important step on the road to a 2000-Watt Society by 2050. The Canton supports the theory that cities and municipalities themselves have the best understanding of needs and resources within their borders. It provides administrative and technical support to aid community energy committees in drawing up “Richtpläne Energie”, strategic energy plans, in order to attain cantonal targets. These plans follow the standard four step sustainable planning cycle of assessment, goal setting, implementation and monitoring. Sixty ‘energy relevant communities’ are required to develop these strategic plans by 2021. Many communities have completed or are on the way to completing energy plans.
In the initial assessment phase, current energy-use and sources for all sectors (residential, commercial, industry, service and infrastructure) together with historic growth patterns are analyzed so as to create the best possible platform for decision-making. Energy-use forecasts are overlaid on existing and potential renewable sources, with the aim of optimizing renewable energy as much as possible. Potential new sources, shortages and surpluses are evaluated by energy professionals. Measures for reducing total energy-use, such as expanding public and “low-speed” (bikes and pedestrians) transportation, and improving building insulation through subsidies and information campaigns are also investigated. The selected measures are integrated into an energy-zoning plan, including detailed steps for executing the proposed initiatives. The result is then presented to and voted on by the community.
After approval, it is uploaded to the publicly available Cantonal database. Most interesting is the actual cartographic data documenting the energy zoning. A typical result can be seen in Riggisberg, a community of about 3000 residents in the foothills of the Alps.
Hatched areas designate expanded district heating (orange = geothermal, green = wood-fired, pink = heat-recovery from industry). Blue and orange zones are optimal for groundwater or geothermal heat pumps. The circular symbols denote biomass and wood-fired heat production plants, and a hydropower plant at the eastern edge of town.
As I witnessed, fostering a public dialogue between key actors with local knowledge allows new ideas and synergies to emerge, while differences, reservations and misunderstandings can be hashed out under the guidance of planning professionals. In the Canton of Bern, regional strategic energy plans make further use of local data to find synergies in neighboring communities. Together, these plans ensure stable energy supplies into the future.
community energy planning in the US
I am still learning about options for communities in the US. Certainly if the political will is there, attitudes towards energy planning within communities and in citizens themselves can be changed. Comparing the scope of responsibilities which the US Department of Energy takes on with those of their Swiss counterpart does not make sense, but there are platforms available at the national level. The US Green Power Network posts information on Community Choice Aggregation, which connects communities so they can pool renewable energy procurement clout. Many promising programs can be found at state and regional levels. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center coordinates renewable energy programs for communities, industry and individuals. The California Energy Commission was an early advocate of renewable energy and is actively promoting renewable sources in the State. An overview of energy programs across the US can be found at DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for renewables and Efficiency), run by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center since 1995.
It seems the US is dotted with successful community energy initiatives. Everyone benefits from a healthy exchange and a lively debate of best practices. I look forward to learning more about these programs, and I hope you are too, so we can reach our energy goals even more quickly!
Sources for US data:
- American Public Power Assoc, 2015-2016 Annual Directory & Statistical Report
Sources for Swiss data:
- EnergieSchweiz Detailkonzept 2015-2020, BFE 2015, www.bfe.dmin.ch
- “Kantone leisten wichtigen Beitragen an die Ziele der Energie + Klima Politik”, Schweizerische Bundeskanzlei 2015, www.news.admin.ch
- Kanton Bern Energiestrategie 2006, Bau-, Verkehrs- und Energiedirektion des Kantons Bern Amt für Umweltkoordination und Energie
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