Benner Plaza Exterior

Residents and Businesses Awarded for Local Climate Leadership with All-Electric Homes and Buildings

SV Clean Energy recognizes 19 zero emission properties

Sunnyvale, Calif. Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) selected 19 residents and businesses as recipients of the All-Electric Showcase Awards. These 19 properties utilize all-electric appliances and equipment in combination with SVCE’s carbon-free energy to create emissions-free homes and businesses. The winners received a cash prize and are offering their properties to serve as examples to other homeowners and businesses of how they too can contribute to the health and safety of the community by converting their buildings to all-electric.

For a healthier environment and to combat climate change, California and our local communities have prioritized ongoing reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – targeting reductions of 50 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. Buildings that utilize natural gas generate GHG emissions for decades – counter to local climate action goals. Given a carbon-free power supply, buildings and vehicles that run on clean electricity rather than fossil fuels reduce emissions to nearly zero, today.

LinkedIn office interiorAccording to Peggy Brannigan, Global Program Manager for Environmental Sustainability, LinkedIn has always been dedicated to protecting the planet from climate change while successfully delivering on their company’s mission to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. When LinkedIn moved into their Sunnyvale offices, they decided to design a prototype all-electric, zero net energy operation. The renovated office space is a prime example of a beautiful, functional and energy efficient building.

Additional features of the LinkedIn building include rooftop solar, smart fans, auto-controlled LED lights and a Lucid dashboard for employees to monitor energy usage and production inside and outside the building.

Banner Plaza courtyardThe newly constructed Edwina Benner Plaza is leading the way for all-electric, affordable, multifamily housing. The property features a home energy monitor for residents, all-electric appliances, is EV ready and the centralized heat pump water heater is 300-400 percent more efficient than a high-efficiency gas boiler.

“The project demonstrates the viability of centralized electric hot water in multifamily properties. We also hope to have worked some of the kinks out of constructing centralized hot water heat pump systems, so it’s easier for others to replicate what we did,” said Matt Lewis, senior project manager, MidPen Housing. “And our project is supplying data to the California Energy Commission so that future projects can be constructed at peak cost and energy efficiency.”

Mark Jacobson home rooftop solarMark Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, showcases his home in unincorporated Santa Clara County with an induction cooktop, battery storage for solar and electric vehicle charging.

“Everything’s electric, including a ductless mini-split heat pump HVAC system with a smart thermostat for each internal unit that does not let the temperature vary significantly. It’s very economical and the temperature is perfect in every room. And since I didn’t need a gas hookup, I saved over $5,000 in trenching and pipe installation costs,” said Jacobson.

“Since our energy is coming from carbon-free sources, solely using electricity to power our buildings is the healthiest and safest option for our communities and is a crucial step to meeting our climate goals and combating climate change,” said Margaret Abe-Koga, SVCE Board Chair. “It’s great to see so many residents and businesses already taking action and willing to share their stories with their neighbors and peers.”

To view additional All-Electric Showcase Award winner profiles, visit svcleanenergy.org/all-electric-award.

For homeowners, renters and building professionals seeking more info on how to make homes more sustainable and go all-electric, there are two upcoming Electrification Expos taking place on Oct. 10 and 12 in Palo Alto and San Jose. Learn more and register at bayareaexpo.org.

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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a community-owned agency serving the majority of Santa Clara County communities, acquiring clean, carbon-free electricity on behalf of more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Member jurisdictions include Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and unincorporated Santa Clara County. SVCE is guided by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of a representative from the governing body of each member community. For more information, please visit SVCleanEnergy.org.

Media Contact
Pamela Leonard
Communications Manager
O: 408-721-5301 x1004
pamela.leonard@svcleanenergy.org