RCE Americas Meeting 2016 "Renewable Energy and Sustainable Education"

1. The Little City that Could:
Burlington’s Quest to be a Net Zero Energy City
Anne Bijur, Greater Burlington RCE - Vermont, USA

2. Burlington, Vermont, USA - population 42,000

3. Greater Burlington Sustainability Education Network

4. Sustainable Development Goals
Global Action Plan
#5 Accelerating Solutions at a Local Level

5. Burlington’s Energy History
• 1970s - 30MW coal plant, VT Yankee
• 1978 - Biomass plant bond
• 1984 - McNeil plant operational at 50MW
• 1989 - Energy conservation bond, purchase renewable generation
• 2004 - 25% electricity from renewable sources
• 2014 - 100% electricity from renewable sources
• 90% generated locally, 10% Renewable Energy Credits
• 2026 - Net Zero Goal

6. Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan
Goal:
Provide for 90% of
Vermont’s total energy
needs from renewable
sources by 2050

7. The Good Stuff Video

9. How did Burlington engage
multiple stakeholders?
•City Council and Mayor’s office
•Burlington Electric Commission
•Energy Engage
• Smart Grid program - 95% of customers have Smart Meters
• Tips on cutting costs, efficiency, and reducing environmental impact
• Plus information on each customer’s individual electricity usage and
related carbon emissions

10. Impacts of 100% Electricity from Renewables
•Combat climate change
•Increase market for renewable energy
•Financial stability and energy security
•Help businesses meet sustainability goals
• Seventh Generation and Burton Snowboards
•Improve public morale
•Educational opportunities for ESD

11. Related Education Programs
• Sustainability Academy - Charter Elementary School
• Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Kids
• Education for Sustainability Institute
• Burlington Geographic
• Vermont Youth Climate Summit
• New Masters Program in Education for Sustainability
• Sustainability General Education Requirement

12. What’s Next? Scaling Up to Net Zero
10-year vision:
• By 2026, transition Burlington to a net zero energy city across
electric, thermal, and transportation sectors
How?
• Customer care to reduce demand - “whole-home efficiency”
• Strengthen grid and generation assets
• Build microgrids
• “Grow Local Energy” program
• Smart City network

13. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than
unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will
not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence
and determination alone are omnipotent.
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933),
Vermonter and 30th President of the United States

14. Thank You,
Gracias, Obrigado