what we do :: Communities
The Energy Center of Wisconsin recognizes the unique role communities can play in creating a sustainable energy future, from increasing efficiency and incorporating renewable energy into municipal facilities to working toward public-private partnerships that can result in new, green jobs.
The challenges of climate change are met locally, and communities need the tools and the encouragement to take action. The Energy Center continues to break new ground developing projects that support a comprehensive, community approach to efficient energy use.
Highlights
 Energy Efficiency Guidebook for Public Power Communities |
- The Energy Efficiency Guidebook for Public Power Communities assists utilities in designing and implementing programs for their customers. It serves as a roadmap for energy efficiency program planning and provides step-by-step recommendations for program design, implementation, tracking and evaluation.
- The Midwest Efficiency Cities project, developed with funding from the Joyce Foundation, brought together four Midwest cities, each with their own unique energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, to exchange ideas and experience. Using web conferencing and an interactive web site, the project created a regional conversation and network. This project will sponsor the Community Energy Leadership webinar series beginning in April 2010.
- Working with the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, the Energy Center offers audits and advice to several Wisconsin communities participating in the state's Energy Independent Communities program.
- After providing a comprehensive energy audit and recommendations to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus, the Energy Center was invited by the River Falls Municipal Utility to perform a similar study of the city itself in support of their POWERful Choices community energy campaign. The project is in its third phase, with the Energy Center assisting in the design of a comprehensive, long-term energy plan for the city.
Energy Center resources and other links
- Achieving 25x'25 Goals for Energy Independent Communities: Results from the 2009 Pilot Program
Ten Wisconsin communities have completed plans for meeting 25 percent of their energy usage from renewable sources by 2025 ... - Community Energy Leadership Webinar Series
This series presents four webinars designed for community leaders who want to incorporate clean energy strategies and opportunities into their sustainable community planning efforts ... - Least-Cost Paths to Energy Independence at a Midwestern University
This paper identifies and analyzes several approaches and combinations of technologies to determine the best path for achieving energy independence at a Midwestern college ... - Achieving Energy Independence at UW River Falls
This Energy Center newsletter article highlights an analysis that points the way to reducing UW River Falls' dependence on fossil fuels ... - Integrated Energy Communities: Making a Plan
At a forum at Northland College, Ingrid Kelley discussed the idea of integrated energy communities ... - Midwest Efficiency Cities
This regional project will demonstrate the unique and essential role of cities in achieving significant improvements in energy efficiency ... - Organizational Background and Integrated Energy Communities
At a forum at Northland College, Joe Kramer discussed the idea of integrated energy communities ...
Staff
- Ingrid Kelley, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager
- Joe Kramer, Senior Project Manager
- Sean Weitner, Project Manager