Solutions

The Pedal Towards “Bikes-to-Bus” Programs in Boston: AEG Boston Mobility & Transportation

The Pedal Towards “Bikes-to-Bus” Programs in Boston: AEG Boston Mobility & Transportation

The majority of American commuters use their single person vehicles as their main mode of transportation to work. This presents a major barrier to reducing the amount of non-electric vehicles as their primary mode of commuter transit. In order to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, Boston is encouraging commuters to utilize public transit, carpool, bike, or walk. To decrease the amount of cars on the road and benefit the health of the community, a solution is to make public transit, walking, and biking more accessible to commuters.

Less Zoom, More Mobility: AEG Washington 21Q4 Recap

Less Zoom, More Mobility: AEG Washington 21Q4 Recap

After a year and a half of zooming through remote collaboration AEG Stakeholders gathered in-person for the AEG Washington 21Q4 Stakeholder Challenge on Mobility & Transportation. Many great obstacles were presented by our Speaker Challengers, but ultimately only one was selected as the most critical to overcome in 12 months.

Three Roadblocks and Opportunities for Fleet Electrification from the Illinois Clean Truck Fleet Forum

Three Roadblocks and Opportunities for Fleet Electrification from the Illinois Clean Truck Fleet Forum

After over nine months of research and outreach to advance trucking fleet electrification in Chicago, Advanced Energy Group’s 20Q4 Trucking Task Force hosted a successful “Fleet Forum” on September 30, 2021. Attended by over 70 stakeholders representing municipal fleets, commercial fleets, local utilities and more, the Illinois Clean Fleet Forum provided a platform to understand the major roadblocks and opportunities that exist for fleet decarbonization in Illinois.

AEG Washington 20Q4 Task Force Kickstarts Dialogue with U.S. Congress to Expedite the Electrification of Public Transit

AEG Washington 20Q4 Task Force Kickstarts Dialogue with U.S. Congress to Expedite the Electrification of Public Transit

Transportation poses as a vital and complex sector to be decarbonized as we continue to confront the climate crisis. As of 2019, transportation composed 29% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions. To kickstart a generative partnership with the federal government, the Advanced Energy Group (AEG) Washington 20Q4 Task Force has delivered a letter to the Congressional Delegation which outlines the rationale, requirements, and benefits of bus electrification.

Modernizing Boston’s Grid: Progress on Workforce Training but More To Do

Modernizing Boston’s Grid: Progress on Workforce Training but More To Do

Boston has a goal of becoming net-zero by 2050. This means electrification of buildings and transportation. Boston’s grid needs to modernize to meet this challenge.

Last year, AEG Stakeholders outlined what they believed was the biggest obstacle to meeting Boston’s net-zero target -- lack of a ready-to-go local clean energy workforce. Such a workforce would not only need to be highly skilled but also diverse. To build this workforce, the industry needs to coalesce to provide funding and raise awareness.

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Last year, Advanced Energy Group Chicago formed the 20Q4 Trucking Task Force to tackle this exact issue, charging key stakeholders with creating a clean trucking roadmap for the city. Engaging with experts from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) as well Ozinga, Martin-Brower and other local fleets, the Trucking Task Force has identified key barriers to electrification. With a stakeholder-led plan to electrify Chicago’s trucking industry, local fleets could not only benefit long term from reduced fuel costs, but electrification would also aid Chicago’s environmental and equity goals as well, especially with a focus on intra city drayage routes.

Small-Scale Distributed Energy Resources Are Upending Washington D.C.’s Power Grid As We Know It

Small-Scale Distributed Energy Resources Are Upending Washington D.C.’s Power Grid As We Know It

As climate change continues to ravage the globe, areas like the District of Columbia are committed to a shift from traditional power generation (such as coal, natural gas and nuclear) to renewable generation sources. In fact, the District’s Clean Energy DC Plan has set some of the most aggressive goals nationwide, with a plan to halve carbon emissions and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032. This comes with a host of obstacles to overcome, namely, data access and transmission interconnection barriers.

AEG has worked tirelessly to convene leaders to address these challenges. Last week, Stakeholders convened for the AEG Washington 21Q3 Stakeholder Challenge on Grid Modernization to do just that.

Modernizing NY's Grid: Progress on IoT but More To Do

Modernizing NY's Grid: Progress on IoT but More To Do

In the last two weeks alone, due to either extreme heat or volatile lightning storms, I have received five alerts from ConEdison warning me that the power may go out. New York’s grid is not ready to handle the climate challenges we are facing and the ones that are sure to come. We need to modernize New York’s grid as soon as possible.

A Glimpse into 'Watt' It Takes to Modernize Washington D.C.’s Electrical Grid

A Glimpse into 'Watt' It Takes to Modernize Washington D.C.’s Electrical Grid

While D.C. may have a unique and interesting grid, like all other grids in the country, it needs to be modernized. As our nation’s capital, it would make sense for D.C. to have not only one of the oldest microgrids in the country, representing our rich technical history, but also one of the newest microgrids in the country to represent our technical progress and innovation. Like all other grids in the country, D.C.’s grid needs to modernize to maximize resilience and efficiency in the face of increasing threats such as extreme weather events. However, as part of the PJM Interconnection, D.C. relies almost entirely on the other 13 states in the interconnection for their electrical needs. Modernizing this grid will take major efforts on the part of all stakeholders in both the district and within the wider interconnection.

New York City’s Electrification Journey: Three Major Obstacles

New York City’s Electrification Journey: Three Major Obstacles

New York City’s building stock is about to set off a journey of electrification. However, this journey comes with countless obstacles. There are countless concerns regarding the reliability, technology, grid support and cost.

With help from representatives of the New York City Housing Authority, Jaros Baum & Bolles (JB&B), BlocPower and ConEdison, here are the most critical obstacles we identified at last quarter’s AEG New York 21Q2 Stakeholder Challenge on Buildings & Construction…

2018 WAE Q4 Recap: Increasing Low-Carbon Mobility

2018 WAE Q4 Recap: Increasing Low-Carbon Mobility

On December 13, AEG convened its final Stakeholder Breakfast of 2018. This breakfast focused on Mobility & Transportation as they relate to DC’s clean energy goals. Speakers from Pepco, WMATA, the District Department of Transportation, and UPS gave presentations outlining their answer to the question, “What is the critical challenge I focus on regarding Mobility & Transportation related to Washington DC’s clean energy goals?”

CREF 2018 Resiliency Action Challenge

CREF 2018 Resiliency Action Challenge

On November 7, 2018 over a hundred island energy leaders representing 27 countries and territories, 14 island utilities, 10 island governments and notable organizations such as Clinton Climate Initiative, the World Bank, and Rocky Mountain Institute convened for the first Caribbean Island Resiliency Action Challenge, co-hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank, to vote on the most critical resiliency problem facing island communities.

Boston's Transportation Challenge - 2018 BAE Q4

Boston's Transportation Challenge - 2018 BAE Q4

Transportation & Mobility is an important component of urban carbon reduction strategy. The IPCC Special Report stresses the need for stronger climate action in the mobility field, as the transportation sector accounts for 23% of CO2 emissions. The Boston’s Q4 series is going to be especially interesting as the city has developed a clear plan for addressing these action-items through Go Boston 2030

2018 NYAE Q3 Recap: IoT, Technology, & Innovation

2018 NYAE Q3 Recap: IoT, Technology, & Innovation

New York’s Q3 IoT Series was one of the most successful AEG Stakeholder Breakfasts event. With dynamic discussion leaders and a room full of important stakeholders, the discussion around the specific problems for technology development in New York City was exciting and fruitful.

2018 BAE Q2: Healthcare Stakeholder Lunch

2018 BAE Q2: Healthcare Stakeholder Lunch

Advanced Energy Group hosted the first ever post-breakfast lunch in Boston on June 14th for a specific stakeholder group and sector: Energy Strategies in Healthcare.  This stakeholder lunch was facilitated by Navigant’s Ken Horne, Director for Smart Grid. Considering the trail-blazing nature of Boston’s healthcare facilities in regard to Smart Buildings, this lunch entailed fascinating presentations and conversations regarding the energy strategy and management of these critical facilities.

2018 BAE Q2: Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization

2018 BAE Q2: Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization

Boston’s Q2 series on Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization this past June brought together a diverse crowd of energized and engaged stakeholders to discuss the city’s future energy system. The series entailed a variety of events that provided attendees the opportunity to establish and reinforce relationships, to exchange diverse perspectives, and to take leadership roles within the local energy stakeholder community.

2018 WAE Q2: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

2018 WAE Q2: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

The Washington Advanced Energy (WAE) Q2 Stakeholder Breakfast started with a call to urgency, HG Chissell - Founder and CEO of AEG - emphasized the importance of finding grid modernization solutions that were meaningful, effective, and would truly address the challenges facing D.C.’s energy sector in the long run. The risk stakeholders face is providing a well-meaning solution that is ultimately an unhelpful, quick fix.