Google 24/7 Hourly Electricity Emissions Analysis

Status

Start: June 2023
End: Sept. 2024
Client or funder: Des Moines, IA; South Lake Tahoe, CA

Context

The project aimed to develop a new approach for accounting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in local community inventories. This method would consider how electricity generation sources on the grid fluctuate throughout the day and across different seasons, as well as how electricity demand varies. The goal was to provide local governments with actionable data to align policies and programs with the needs of transitioning to a zero-emissions electric grid, especially as renewable generation grows.

Project Activity

The methodology allows local governments to account for electricity emissions more accurately and dynamically, facilitating informed decisions as they work toward a zero-emissions grid. The project provides essential tools to help communities adjust their strategies as renewable energy generation increases.

Outcomes

ICLEI developed and integrated a new methodology into the US Community Protocol, which enables hourly accounting of electricity emissions and identifies key data sources.

A pilot program with four cities—Des Moines, IA; South Lake Tahoe, CA; and others—tested and refined the methodology, ensuring its practicality and effectiveness.

ICLEI conducted several webinars and in-person presentations to educate stakeholders and share insights on how to use the new methodology effectively in local climate action plans.

Those Involved

Des Moines, IA; South Lake Tahoe, CA