Briana Lewis is a community engagement & education advisor for OPTERRA Energy Services. 

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You may already know that sustainable energy programs can modernize aging facilities and save money while reducing carbon emissions. What you may not realize is that these programs can be a springboard for community projects that would otherwise be out of reach. The key is to bundle traditional energy projects with related infrastructure and community initiatives.

This can shorten the payback on some projects and capture ones that would have been otherwise unfunded or deferred. These comprehensive programs tend to receive lots of appreciation from residents — especially if they free up resources for other community-benefiting initiatives. Here are four unexpected ways a comprehensive energy performance program can benefit your city.

Create more resilient community spaces

Upgrades to neighborhood spaces often make sense as part of an energy performance program. Solar panels mounted on structures can provide shade. Public electric vehicle chargers help make EVs more viable. But these modernization efforts can also make communities more resilient.

Many cities are increasingly leveraging solar systems and battery energy storage to create microgrids for public buildings. Microgrids can maintain essential power to the buildings, making them ideal community shelters and command- and-control centers. A prime example is Milpitas’ infrastructure improvement initiative. Designed to reduce utility electricity consumption over 4.2 million kilowatt-hours annually, the program added EV chargers, microgrids, and more to the city’s community center and senior center.

Boost economies and careers

Comprehensive energy performance programs can also create contract opportunities for local service providers. This boosts the local economy in a fiscally responsible way because of the long-term cost savings.

Likewise, these programs can provide internship opportunities for students in fields ranging from engineering and construction to marketing and finance. These positions look great on students’ resumes and teach skills that can lead to lifelong careers.

Vacaville is engaging OPTERRA Energy Services to install solar systems with emergency backup generators across eight city sites to save nearly $24 million in utility costs. OPTERRA partnered with Solano Community College to offer workforce development and educational experiences, including paid internships, field trips, guest speakers, and teaching resources.

Engage younger residents

Energy performance programs can be a powerful tool for K-12 education and the community at large. Milpitas’ infrastructure improvement initiative made the city’s community center an educational destination for students and adults alike, where they can learn about microgrids and careers in sustainable energy.

Another example is an initiative currently underway in Oceanside. This program encompasses solar power generation, lighting upgrades, and other energy modernization efforts. In addition to paid internships for college students, it will provide materials designed to spark younger kids’ curiosity about reading, STEM, and energy savings. The materials will include 1,500 STEM kits that will enable Oceanside youth to experiment with and explore the power of solar energy.

Spark new initiatives

City leaders are getting creative with their energy performance programs. As part of its solar energy program, Vacaville will need to replace trees removed during construction. City managers expanded the scope of the planting to further “green” Vacaville. The program will plant 161 trees at community centers and 128 in downtown Vacaville. Additionally, the city’s parallel “treebate” project will offer large rebates to residents who plant trees on their own property in select areas.

Every city faces its own set of challenges and opportunities. The most successful solutions are ones designed with the community’s needs, goals, and priorities in mind. When cities collaborate with an energy services specialist like OPTERRA to deploy an energy performance program, they can leverage proven expertise and experience to increase city staff capacity, streamline construction, accelerate payback, and secure funding.

ENGIE Services U.S. is now OPTERRA Energy Services. OPTERRA partners with public sector stakeholders to meet the unique goals of communities nationwide. Our team customizes projects with top-tier technology to deliver lasting impact, enhancing fiscal savings and community engagement. To learn more about programs like these, visit opterraenergy.com.