What Happened?
The city of Baltimore is set to receive a $52.9 million award over the next three years to support energy innovation, cost reduction and increased efficiency.
So What?
The energy program is part of a statewide $113.5 million fund established by Exelon Corp under the guidance of Maryland’s Public Service Commission. Baltimore won a large percentage of the funding after developing a strong strategy to ensure all savings have a long-term effect in various sectors of the community. Reductions in energy costs will be translated to increased funding for other agencies and departments to support other efficiency-based efforts.
Breakdown of Initiative
The Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development is working with other agencies to offer resources and programs for companies and residents to reduce energy consumption and costs. The measures include:
- Community Action Centers to help low-income residents pay energy bills
- Financial literature and information on how to reduce residential and commercial energy costs through alternative uses and best practices
- Case managers to help people apply for various assistance programs including income tax credit and weatherization
- In-home visits to provide energy-saving kits to the community
- Alternative energy plants to provide reliable sources of energy to public facilities
- Increased vegetation in buildings with historically high temperatures to reduce cooling costs
Green Steam Project
Veolia Energy recently finished a Green Steam project in Philadelphia, a multi-million dollar effort to convert the community to natural gas energy. The Green Steam project included installation of two rapid-response boilers and an extension of the company’s natural gas line to reduce energy usage and long-term costs, with particular focus on Philadelphia’s business and university city districts.
The Green Steam project aimed to:
- Increase Philadelphia’s cost competitive energy options
- Reduce the city’s carbon footprint with an estimated reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 430,000 metric tons per year
- Improve air quality by dropping nitrogen oxides by 20 percent and sulfur dioxide by 93 percent
- Support economic activity with 350 construction-related jobs added
Why Energy Efficiency Matters
A recent study from Pike Research discussed the efforts cities worldwide are making to increase efficiency in infrastructure, communications, energy, transportation, buildings and government to reduce costs while accommodating increased community demands. According to the research:
- From 2010 to 2050, population of city residents will increase to 6.3 billion from 3.6 billion
- By 2025 there will be 37 megacities with more than 10 million residents
- Trillions of dollars will be spent on urban infrastructure for upgrades, innovations and long-term sustainability including: transport management systems, smart grids, water monitoring systems, energy efficient buildings
- Information and communications technologies will be embedded in all aspects of new city developments
- Smart city technology market will reach $6.1 billion annually in 2012 and top off at $20.2 billion by 2020
Other Urban Efforts
Efficientgov is following communities worldwide testing alternative energy programs to enhance savings and efficiency. Some cities are opting for solar power solutions while others are investing in natural gas alternatives.[/dw-post-more]