Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies issues report on clean energy in China and U.S.
March 5, 2014 – The success of clean energy adoption in regions of China and the U.S. and how it can be applied elsewhere is examined in a new study released today by the Silicon Valley Institute of Regional Studies.
Optony Inc. commissioned the report, “Driving Clean Energy Adoption: Regional Approaches and Success Factors in the U.S. and China,” as part of a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project, Sustainable Energy for Business Districts, or SEBIZ.
"This report represents a significant step toward understanding the economic impact from regional clean energy initiatives while identifying important opportunities to leverage common interests within the energy cooperation framework between the two countries,” said Optony senior vice president Ben Foster.
The report provides a basis for promoting the most effective models for implementing clean energy. It will be used to inform Optony’s global work across the U.S. and China, and by the U.S. Department of Energy and SEBIZ stakeholders, as well as organizations and public agencies looking to encourage clean energy adoption.
As of the end of 2013, China and the United States were the two top countries in terms of total installed renewable power capacity, as well as investments in renewable energy. Driving Clean Energy Adoption examines five leading clean energy regions in the United States and China (three in the U.S., including Silicon Valley, and two in China) based on primary and secondary research, including numerous interviews of key stakeholders.
Included in the report are information and findings broadly applicable to other regions working to further clean energy adoption. The drivers, benefits and considerations for regional success in promoting clean energy adoption are outlined, case studies are presented, and resulting key challenges and success factors are extracted and provided.
The findings suggest a handful of the most important factors for regional clean energy adoption relating to policy frameworks, utility involvement, collaboration, local leadership and innovation.
The report is available for download at Joint Venture.
About the Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies
The Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies provides research and analysis on a host of issues facing Silicon Valley’s economy and society. The Institute is housed within Joint Venture Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.siliconvalleyindicators.org.
About Optony’s SEBIZ Program
The SEBIZ program addresses China’s surging urban energy needs at the city level by deploying a proven and successful public-private partnership collaboration model. It uses a portfolio approach to clean energy technology deployment by coupling technical assistance with applied policy development at the local and national levels, using targeted business districts to build scale for distributed projects. This approach builds local capacity and demonstrates the opportunities and benefits for ongoing improvements to and investments in building-level energy infrastructure through the development of energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric vehicle charging technologies (EERE). The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and implemented by Optony Inc.
