Project Description: The University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California's four large Investor-Owned Utilities (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE and SoCalGas) created the UC/CSU/Utility Partnership (the Partnership) to provide a sustainable and comprehensive energy management program for the 33 UC and CSU campuses. The Partnership was the first of its kind, fostering statewide utility collaboration, and set the framework for future energy efficiency programs. The program generated energy savings through the identification and implementation of energy efficiency projects, supported by utility financial incentives and project assistance. Throughout the Partnership’s 19-year lifespan, UC and CSU campuses completed more than 1,770 energy efficiency projects, earning over $143 million of incentives, and reducing demand by approximately 69 MW. These projects are saving over 503 million kWh and 27 million therms annually, and reduce campus utility costs by over $67 million/year. The Partnership has materially contributed to utility, university and State of California energy efficiency goals.​ ARC Alternatives served as the statewide program manager from 2015 to program conclusion in 2022. 

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Project Description:  ARC Alternatives worked with Madera Unified School District (MUSD) to develop and implement 6 MW of solar at 28  school and administrative sites. ARC’s scope included performing a feasibility study, developing specifications and RFP documents, providing procurement support, and assisting with contract negotiations with the selected vendor. ARC Alternatives also provided project management support and technical oversight during the design and construction phases of the solar program. We continue to support MUSD with their energy program by managing the registration and reporting of their solar systems for the production and sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

Project Description:  ARC Alternatives identified and quantified deep energy efficiency retrofits and cogeneration improvements for the University of California campuses statewide. ARC developed and applied a definition of Deep Energy Efficiency which includes: (1) a comprehensive, integrated retrofit approach at a building level targeting multiple energy end-uses, and (2) saves 50% or more from current building energy or, reduces building (site) EUI to below 50% of the UC Building-Specific Benchmark (a benchmark EUI based on the UC 1999 Building Benchmarks customized to the specific space type mix of a particular building). Results of the study were used to develop a funding program and to prioritize projects for implementation.

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Project Description:  ARC Alternatives was the energy efficiency, renewable generation, and battery energy storage lead on a project to create an integrated climate and energy strategy for the campus. The scope of work included developing and implementing a comprehensive energy efficiency audit with a focus on therm savings, deep energy efficiency opportunities, and carbon emission reduction for approximately 2.5M SF. We also prepared a renewable energy feasibility study, with a focus on solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, and battery energy storage.  Finally, we preformed a technical/economic analysis to identify the most cost-effective, attainable strategies (projects, policy updates, procurement, etc.) to address campus climate and energy goals, integrating faculty and students into the overall strategy. The process resulted in over 1050 energy efficiency and 12 renewable generation projects identified, with a cost-effective plan for the campus to exit Cap and Trade and reach carbon neutrality by 2025.