July 2023
Member Spotlight
Throughout 2023, SECC will recognize one member every month, providing an organizational profile and highlighting the member's accomplishments in the smart energy space.
About Sonoma Clean Power
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is the public power provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties in California. SCP was formed in response to the community’s desire for local control over its electricity supply. As a Community Choice Aggregator, SCP now manages the purchasing, rate setting and sourcing of electricity for residents, businesses and municipalities in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
SCP ensures local electricity needs are supplied by more renewable and low-carbon energy sources, and provides this cleaner power to local homes, businesses and city facilities.
Renewable Energy
Since 2014, SCP’s power purchase agreements have directly supported the development of more than 195 megawatts (MW) of brand-new renewable energy and storage facilities in California, including 6 MW of solar projects in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
SCP offers two options for electricity. Its default service is 50 percent renewable and 91 percent carbon-free. Its premium service, EverGreen, is 100 percent renewable and locally generated 24/7. EverGreen is the only service of its kind offered in California.
SCP is also leading an effort to explore the development of new ultra-efficient and low-water geothermal power in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. SCP is working with three private partners to pilot Geothermal Opportunity Zone projects in its service territory with the ultimate goal of creating 500-600 MW of local geothermal capacity.
As a renewable “baseload” resource (sources that generate energy 24/7), geothermal has the potential to help the state and nation improve power reliability while moving entirely off natural gas.
Advanced Energy Center
SCP opened the doors to its Advanced Energy Center in downtown Santa Rosa in June 2021. With the help of a $9.8M EPIC grant from the California Energy Commission, SCP created the Advanced Energy Center to empower customers to adopt feasible and practical ways to power more of their daily lives with renewable energy. It is a first-of-its-kind facility where the public can learn about energy-efficient home appliances, available rebates and ways to save energy and lower their electricity bills.
With electrification becoming the single most impactful way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the climate crisis, the Advanced Energy Center makes it easy to discover how to electrify your home, business and vehicle. The technologies featured there include heating and air conditioning systems, induction stovetops, heat pump water heaters, electric vehicle chargers, battery storage and more. SCP also offers a variety of virtual, in-person and hybrid classes for the public on the technologies featured in the Advanced Energy Center.
Since its opening, over 7,500 people have visited the Advanced Energy Center, and more than $1,550,000 in rebates have been paid out on 691 residential projects.
Demand Response
SCP recently launched a new portion of its award-winning demand response program, GridSavvy. SCP customers can now earn cash rewards for taking part in energy-saving events through GridSavvy Rewards Alerts, with no smart devices required.
Similar to California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued Flex Alerts, SCP calls GridSavvy energy-saving events when needed. By incentivizing customers to lower their usage, these events help reduce strain on the electric grid and prevent rolling blackouts.
An energy-saving event can last one to four hours, typically between 4 and 9 p.m., and may occur a few times per month. Customers will receive a notification up to 24 hours in advance via text or email when there is an opportunity to save energy and earn rewards.
GridSavvy Rewards Alerts participants will earn $2 for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) saved during each energy-saving event. Rewards can either be redeemed as cash through a mailed check or donated directly to one of SCP’s local community partners.
