Approximately 30 kilometers from Tijuana, San Diego is emerging as a leading city in the development of strategies for the decarbonizationto become a more sustainable and resilient city against climate change. climate change.
A study of Architecture 2030 emphasizes that the buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the global CO2 emissions energy-related, and most of them will still be around 20+ years from now, but they will San Diego has taken a significant step towards the decarbonization by committing to reduce by 2035 the 90% of the natural gas used in these buildings, including existing homes.
The decarbonization of the building stock is a complex task due to the diversity in the age, condition, types and values of buildings, many of which lack thermal efficiency and up-to-date mechanical systems, notes an article by World Economic Forum.
The solutions, he adds, require reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and promote innovative financing and partnership models, while facing political and regulatory barriers.
For this reason, with the support of the WEF, the city of San Diego organized a series of workshops called City Sprint to identify scalable solutions to help achieve municipal emission reduction targets, of which four strategies stand out.
Community microgrids
One of the solutions that stands out is the use of microgridswhich allow the production, storage and local consumption of energy by means of renewable sources and battery technologies.
These micronetworks not only reinforce the energy resilience by operating autonomously during power outages, but also offer significant long-term savings due to reduced electricity costs. One example of success is the collaboration between San Diego y Shell Energywhich is installing solar microgrids in several municipal buildings, which is expected to save the city $6 million.
Building performance standards
Establishing norms and performance standards for buildings is another key strategy. These norms, which combine incentives and penalties, are designed to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions.
At United StatesThe Biden-Harris administration approved the first federal Building Performance Standard (BPS) in 2022, joining efforts with several state and municipal governments. At San DiegoIn addition, work is underway to draft a local BPS ordinance, which will be subject to a public process next year, with the goal of helping the city reach its goal of zero net emissions emissions of greenhouse gases by 2035.
Community rehabilitation
Community-based retrofitting is presented as an effective solution for the electrification and modernization of buildings. This collective approach creates synergies and economies of scale, prioritizing investments in the areas with the greatest needs and emissions.
San Diegowith the guidance of Schneider Electricis launching a pilot electrification project based on the successful model EcoBlock from Oaklandwhich improves resilience to power outages and indoor air quality, as well as empowering homeowners with control over their energy production.
Workforce development
The transition to a green economy requires a diverse and highly skilled workforce. SDG&Ethe main utility company in the country. San Diegoin collaboration with local leaders, is prioritizing investment in education and training, especially to attract underrepresented groups to careers in the energy sector and STEM disciplines.
Partnerships with schools, community colleges, unions and community-based organizations are essential to develop specialized training, apprenticeship and scholarship programs, ensuring that the energy transition be inclusive and equitable.
With these efforts, born from the collaboration and commitment of multiple sectors, San Diego not only is it charting a clear path towards the decarbonization of its housing stock, but it is also laying the groundwork for a new sustainable and equitable future for all its inhabitants.
Source: World Economic Forum