Running on Clean Electricity
What is Clean Electricity?
Clean electricity comes from renewable sources, such as wind or solar. Electricity use will increase as we electrify more transportation and buildings. To support the increase, the City will support adding energy resources, like rooftop solar and energy storage. The City will also support more renewable sources supplied by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE).
UNIT | A megawatt hour (Mwh) is equal to 1,000 Kilowatt hours (Kwh). It is equal to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity used continuously for one hour. It is about equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 330 homes during one hour. In the following graph, we'll be reporting on Million Megawatt Hours (Mil MWh) | MWhMegawatt Hour |
A megawatt hour (Mwh) is equal to 1,000 Kilowatt hours (Kwh). It is equal to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity used continuously for one hour. It is about equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 330 homes during one hour. In the following graph, we'll be reporting on Million Megawatt Hours (Mil MWh) | MWhMegawatt Hour |
Sunnyvale has made great progress in cutting emissions from electricity since starting SVCE in 2017. Now, 97% of homes and businesses in Sunnyvale get nearly carbon-free electricity. This has lowered GHG emissions from electricity by 76%.
A small number of residents and businesses still get their electricity from PG&E. In 2019, PG&E reported their electricity was carbon-free, making their emissions nearly zero.* This was due to a change in how utilities count their emissions. PG&E has not since reported 100% carbon-free electricity.
In the last few years, there have been emissions associated with SVCE’s electricity. As the state’s renewable energy requirements increase, competition for clean energy is heating up. This results in SVCE pulling more energy from the grid mix, instead of solely renewable sources. As SVCE brings more and more renewable energy sources online, they will not have to rely on grid energy and we will return to 100% carbon-free.
Play 1.1: Promote 100% Clean Electricity
Community Choice Aggregation
Community-wide electricity can be supplied by different providers, including investor-owned utilities (like PG&E), wholesale electricity markets (used by some businesses), and by local building-scale projects, such as rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV). Sunnyvale has made tremendous progress in reducing emissions in this key sector by launching a community choice aggregation program. Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is a community choice aggregator that provides carbon-free electricity to most of our community.
UNIT | We track renewable energy by measuring the proportion of electricity generation we as a community use that is supplied from renewable energy resources vs. fossil fuel-based sources. | % Renewable EnergyPercent of Renewable Energy |
We track renewable energy by measuring the proportion of electricity generation we as a community use that is supplied from renewable energy resources vs. fossil fuel-based sources. | % Renewable EnergyPercent of Renewable Energy |
Play 1.1: Promote 100% Clean Electricity
What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?
CCA is an alternative energy supply system that allows local governments to collectively buy energy, offering lower costs for consumers and greener energy supply opportunities. This has become a popular strategy throughout California, with 25 CCAs serving the energy needs of more than 14 million customers in more than 200+ cities as of 2023. (source)
Play 1.2: Increase Local Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar Installation
Sunnyvale is making strides in installing solar. City facilities like Sunnyvale’s City Hall, SMaRT Station®, Community Center and Corporation Yard have all installed solar. All new construction projects are required to install solar per our Building Codes. The community has ample roof space for more solar, so let's keep this trend going!
Play 1.3: Increase Distributed Electricity Storage
Our Targets
Our energy storage targets will help us meet other community goals. We will produce more locally produced clean energy to serve high-energy-demand hours.
Sunnyvale’s goal is to have 5% of our community’s energy needs stored in local batteries. We will continue to work with community partners like SVCE to track progress on this goal.
Play 1.3: Increase Distributed Electricity Storage
Why is Storage Important?
Energy storage plays a growing role in ensuring a resilient power grid. It allows individual homeowners with solar panels to store clean energy when the sun is shining. That stored energy can then displace more expensive and often dirtier power sources.
Not only does community-scale energy storage maximize local solar supply, but it also helps to support a resilient power grid.
Be Part of the Solution!
Check out these resources for maximizing clean energy!
There are so many things you can do today to make a big difference for our future. Use clean energy to power your home and car.