Problem/ Solution Statement Clause Samples

Problem/ Solution Statement. Problem: The adoption of energy efficiency (EE) and distributed energy resources (DERs) in the existing residential building stock is happening at too slow a rate to meet California’s aggressive energy and climate goals articulated in AB 32, SB 350, SB 375, SB 1275, and Executive Orders B-30-15 and B-29-15. Several factors are hindering the adoption of these clean-energy technologies: 1) transaction costs inherent in the one-house-at-a-time deployment model, 2) lack of awareness of the benefits of these technologies, particularly in hard-to-reach market segments, and 3) limited access to capital to finance the large capital investments needed for deep energy retrofits with solar and energy storage systems. Moreover, while microgrids are seen as a viable solution to overcome some of these barriers to the deployment of DER in the commercial and industrial sectors, their application in existing residential neighborhoods is seen as infeasible because of institutional and technical barriers.

Problem/ Solution Statement. 1 Please see subtask 1.3 in Part III of the Scope of Work (General Project Tasks) for a description of Critical Project Review (CPR) Meetings. Disadvantaged communities, such as Oak View, tend to suffer disproportionally to environmental impacts of energy conversion (e.g., poor air quality). Technologies that can combat poor air quality also have the potential to, when designed properly, improve grid performance, and improve resiliency through the creation of a microgrid. Currently, no other organization is examining how to design a microgrid that improves air quality, while also improving grid reliability and resiliency. In addition, there is a dearth of design methods that simultaneously consider microgrid technologies, electrification, and building energy efficiency retrofits for improving both air quality and grid impact at a reasonable cost.

Problem/ Solution Statement. UProblem The California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2010 emission standards for heavy-duty engines establish a limit for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions of 0.2 grams per brake horsepower hour (g/bhp-hr), and constitute a 90% reduction of emissions compared to the previous standard (CARB 2007) of 2.0 g/bhp-hr. Nevertheless, it is projected that even with the entire on-road fleet of heavy-duty vehicles compliant with the 2010 standards, upcoming National Ambient Air Quality Standards requirements for ozone attainment cannot be achieved in California’s worst air basins without further significant reductions in NOx emissions from heavy-duty fleets. Analysis of natural gas vehicle technology shows a high potential for greenhouse gas reductions on a well‐to‐wheels basis in heavy-duty vehicles (11‐23%) using conventional natural gas, as well as an opportunity to substantially offset petroleum consumption. Original equipment manufacturers indicate that the near-zero emission target of 0.05 g/bhp-hr could be met or exceeded through research and development efforts. Even higher potential may exist, depending in large part on the removal of current obstacles through research development and demonstration and deployment. Collaborative research efforts between federal, state, and local funding agencies and private technology developers are expected to produce key strategic breakthroughs in a broad range of natural gas vehicle technologies.

Problem/ Solution Statement. Problem 1. Batteries are made of flammable organic electrolyte and oxygen-rich cathode materials subject to thermal runway. 2. Batteries are made from expensive materials (cobalt, nickel, and manganese). 3. With repeated charging/discharging or operated under harsh environment conditions (high or low temperature), batteries can form a short circuit which causes battery failure or explosion. 4. Batteries are hazardous to the environment due to the toxic materials used in their fabrication: copper, aluminum, cobalt, and nickel used in the batteries have high impacts on the environment.

Problem/ Solution Statement. Problem Solution