California and Jalisco Sign Agreement for Promise of a Brighter Future
California and the Mexican state of Jalisco have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate and reaffirm a commitment to share knowledge on clean energy efforts to combat climate change.
The MOU, which was signed March 9, builds on years of collaboration between California and Jalisco State and the Mexican federal government on energy efficiency. The partnership has led to the recent opening of a lighting efficiency center in Jalisco. The center is modeled on the California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California, Davis.
Jalisco, like California, is at the forefront in researching and deploying clean energy technology. The 15,000-square-foot lighting center was created to accelerate the development and adoption of energy-efficient lighting and daylighting technologies. Such efforts can help Mexico meet its long-term energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
Commissioner J. Andrew McAllister of the California Energy Commission (CEC) attended the opening ceremony for the Centro de TecnologÃa en Iluminación (CTI) at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.
“The CTI is an example of how we will find solutions that apply here, there and far beyond—through collaboration. These actions are going to change Mexico and the world,” McAllister said at the December ceremony.
The center, which highlights the university’s futuristic lighting technology, has 11 laboratories that can simulate a range of environments such as retail, classroom, and health care. With space for research, demonstrations, and benchmark testing, the facility will help support technological innovations. The plan is to build talent and human capital for Mexico’s lighting industry by offering on-site training and certification.
The center’s roots can be traced to a 2016 MOU signed by CEC Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller and Jalisco Governor Aristóteles Sandoval at the Climate Summit of the Americas in Guadalajara, Mexico. The MOU supported cooperation on clean energy policies and programs involving energy efficiency, renewable energy development and grid integration, and low- and zero-emission vehicles.
In 2017, the Mexican Ministry of Energy and the Mexican Council for Science and Technology awarded funds to the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara to partner with UC Davis to establish the center. The facility provides the vehicle to translate energy-efficient research into action and train professionals with the information to implement it.
Vice Chair Janea A. Scott Departs CEC and Joins Interior Department
This marks a return for her since she worked as the deputy counselor for renewable energy for the Interior Department Secretary.
At the January 25 business meeting, Chair David Hochschild presented Scott with a resolution recognizing her contributions to the CEC.
California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot acknowledged she made great impact during her tenure.
“As I reflect on Janea’s work at the Energy Commission, I can honestly say that very few people in California have been as consequential to the state’s energy vision over the last decade,” Crowfoot said. “Your vision, your intelligence, your organizational acumen, your example of leadership that you’ve been able to provide have just been huge, positive... consistently ambitious on behalf of the state.”
Scott helped the CEC develop key policies and programs that are helping to lead California to a 100 percent clean energy future. As the lead commissioner for the Fuels and Transportation Division, she shaped the Clean Transportation Program, which investment more than $750 million in projects statewide.
As the lead commissioner for the Energy Research and Development Division, she helped shepherd the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Program. EPIC has been renewed until 2030 through a $1.5 billion investment in clean energy research.
Commissioners recognized her for her achievements and the passion and character she brought to her work.
“What stood out when I started working with you is that you are both a consummate professional and you are so nice to work with,” said Commissioner Patty Monahan. “Now, we have a partner in the Biden administration in terms of advancing clean energy for all and you are going to be such a key leader in that.”
Commissioner Karen Douglas wrote a song about Scott to the tune of “Hey There Delilah” and played it on her ukulele.
Former California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols said she hopes Scott’s new role will help to strengthen the partnership between the state and federal government.
“If there’s one message that I want to send back to her and with her is California is definitely part of the West,” Nichols said. “We are not an island unto ourselves and our relationship with the federal government through all the many agencies that touch on us is extremely important.”
Scott expressed appreciation for time with the CEC.
“It has been such an honor and a privilege to get to work on behalf of the people in California,” she said.
In addition to the formal program, a number of CEC staff provided remarks and offered their gratitude to Scott, particularly noting for her enthusiasm and detailed attention to the work.
Watch a video recording of the presentation on YouTube.
Symposium Showcases How California’s Premier Clean Energy Research and Development Program Drives Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The sixth annual Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Symposium wrapped up recently after bringing together nearly 1,000 cleantech innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to discuss emerging technologies, share best practices, and connect about future partnership opportunities.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) hosted the three-day virtual event in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and the San Diego Gas & Electric Company. It featured panel discussions, video presentations and a virtual exhibit hall where EPIC awardees shared information about their clean energy innovations.
The symposium, which was held October 19 to October 21, kicked off with comments from CEC Vice Chair Janea A. Scott. In a keynote address, Governor Gavin Newsom explained how the EPIC program has driven $2.2 billion in private investment, created jobs, and advanced equity by deploying clean technologies in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
Earlier this year, the CPUC renewed the program for 10 years with nearly $1.5 billion in total funding.
The symposium drew more than 90 leaders from industry, government and state agencies including State Senators Nancy Skinner and Bob Wieckowski, Assemblymembers Autumn Burke and Cristina Garcia, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, CEC Chair David Hochschild, CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister, and CPUC Commissioners Martha Guzman Aceves and Genevieve Shiroma.
Among the topics discussed during the event were flexible zero-emission resources for a 100 percent clean electricity system; holistic approaches to transportation electrification; pathways to decarbonize the building, transportation, and energy sectors; ways that new technologies are supporting rural communities; and the role of technology in drought-proofing California’s food and agriculture sector.
During the symposium, the inaugural California Energy Visionary Awards highlighted some of the state’s most promising clean energy entrepreneurs.
A panel of judges selected San Diego-based Aquacycl for the "Best in Low Carbon Generation" award. Aquacycl is a wastewater technology company whose technology helps food and beverage companies save up to 90 percent in wastewater treatment costs.
Judges awarded Ivy Energy of San Diego the "California Energy Visionary of the Year" award. The company’s software platform enables multi-unit building owners to install a shared solar system that equitably rewards residents for using energy when it is cheap or when provided by the solar system.
Attendees named Polaris Energy Services the winner of the “Best in Dynamic Buildings and Grid Award.” The San Luis Obispo-based agricultural energy management company specializes in irrigation load control to lower peak energy demand and costs. Its technology systems enhance the ability of agriculture and water users to respond in real-time to the latest energy pricing and incentives.
Nuvve Corporation was selected by attendees for the “Storage and Mobility” and the "Biggest Impact for Energy Equity" awards. The San Diego company’s vehicle-to-grid technology platform enables electric vehicle batteries to store and resell unused energy back to the local electric grid.
Vehicle-to-grid technology can lower the cost of owning an electrical vehicle by sharing savings and energy market revenues with vehicle owners, helping to make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible. Such technology also reduced the net purchase cost for electric school buses. Those savings may help school districts decide whether to buy buses, which improve local air quality.
Learn more about CEC’s research and development initiatives at www.EnergizeInnovation.Fund
