BayREN’s energy roadmaps helping Bay Area plan for a more resilient future

BayREN has expanded its program offerings to help Bay Area local governments and special districts make smarter long-term energy investments through its new Energy Roadmapping service. 

The City of Cupertino and the Town of Tiburon are among the first to use the service, which provides free technical and engineering support to develop customized, actionable plans for energy improvements for public buildings and Community Resilience Centers. 

In Cupertino, the Energy Roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan for five key buildings from the library to the community center. Phase one recommends measures such as retro-commissioning the library’s HVAC system and optimizing AC schedules to reduce unnecessary operation, actions expected to lower energy use and deliver cost savings. 

Phase two focuses on transitioning to electric appliances, including heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters, to further save energy and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Roadmap also highlights opportunities to improve resilience. Two buildings already serve as heating and cooling centers, and staff hope to add solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) so they can operate as CRCs during power outages. Phase three would be to install solar and BESS after the efficiency and electrification work is complete, ensuring the system is properly sized and reducing overall project costs.

Tiburon’s Energy Roadmap focused on two neighboring community hubs — the Belvedere Tiburon Library and Tiburon Town Hall. BayREN provided guidance on how the two buildings could operate as connected CRCs through a shared microgrid using solar and battery storage. 

"The recommendations captured exactly what we were envisioning and provide a clear strategy for making it happen,” said Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis.

Across both communities, the roadmaps provide phased strategies that maximize energy improvements and long‑term cost‑effectiveness, helping staff make confident, well‑informed decisions that support both budgets and climate goals.

"The well‑considered recommended phasing and cost estimates in the roadmap will be particularly helpful as grant opportunities come up and for capital improvement and maintenance planning,” said Ursula Syrova, environmental programs and sustainability manager for Cupertino.

BayREN has now completed three Energy Roadmaps, with five more underway. By integrating energy efficiency, electrification, and resilience planning into one service, BayREN is helping Bay Area communities take meaningful steps toward a safer, more sustainable future.

Visit the Energy Roadmapping webpage to see how BayREN for more information.