DPU AND PEEC To Hold Home Energy Management In-Person & Live-Streamed Talk Monday – Los Alamos Daily Post

Report on a Community Initiative for Sustainable Energy Management

Introduction and Strategic Alignment with Global Goals

A collaborative initiative has been launched by the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) to advance community education on sustainable energy practices. The program, centered around a public presentation, is designed to equip residents with practical knowledge and tools for home energy management. This initiative directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering a local response to global sustainability challenges.

Event Details

• Date: Monday, December 1
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Location: Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road

Program Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The session’s core objective is to provide actionable strategies for monitoring and managing household energy consumption, thereby promoting resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. The topics covered are intrinsically linked to key SDGs:

1. Empowering Responsible Consumption (SDG 12): The presentation will introduce simple tools, including energy monitoring applications like Sense and smart plugs. By enabling residents to track their energy usage in real-time, the program fosters informed decision-making and promotes patterns of responsible consumption.
2. Advancing Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): The discussion will cover device scheduling and advanced automation using platforms such as Home Assistant. These technologies optimize energy use, reduce waste, and lower utility costs, making energy more affordable. A live demonstration of an off-grid solar system will showcase a tangible application of clean energy technology at the residential level.
3. Building Sustainable Communities and Taking Climate Action (SDG 11 & SDG 13): By educating the community on energy conservation and renewable energy solutions, the initiative contributes to the development of more sustainable local infrastructure (SDG 11). These individual actions collectively reduce the community’s carbon footprint, representing a crucial step in local climate action efforts (SDG 13).

Presenter Profile: Expertise in Sustainable Systems

The session will be led by Gary Goddard, the Los Alamos County Airport Manager, whose career is distinguished by a focus on design, technology, and sustainability. His professional background provides a comprehensive perspective on the subject matter.

• Professional Expertise: Mr. Goddard possesses extensive experience in architecture, building automation at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the development of high-performance buildings. His specialization in energy conservation and the optimization of control systems aligns directly with the goals of sustainable infrastructure.
• Personal Commitment to Sustainability: His expertise is complemented by a personal commitment to sustainable living, demonstrated by his experience living off-grid. This combination of professional knowledge and practical application provides a credible and holistic approach to the topic.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Addressed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on managing home energy use, energy conservation, and mentions an off-grid solar system. These topics are central to promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, which are key components of SDG 7.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The event is a community-focused initiative organized by the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC). By educating residents on how to make their homes more energy-efficient through “high-performance buildings” concepts and “energy conservation,” the initiative contributes to creating more sustainable and resilient communities.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The core theme of the talk is to provide citizens with “simple tools to track and manage home energy use.” This directly encourages more responsible consumption patterns by making consumers aware of their energy usage and empowering them to reduce it, aligning with the goal of sustainable consumption.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Energy conservation and the use of clean energy like solar power are fundamental strategies for climate change mitigation. The educational program described in the article aims to raise awareness and build the capacity of individuals to take practical action (reducing energy consumption) to combat climate change at a local level.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • The article directly supports this target by promoting a talk on “energy conservation” and tools like “energy monitoring apps,” “smart plugs,” and “device scheduling,” all of which are designed to improve energy efficiency within homes.
2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
   • By teaching community members how to reduce their home energy use, the initiative helps lower the overall energy consumption of the county, thereby reducing the per capita environmental footprint associated with energy generation and consumption.
3. Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
   • The event is a direct implementation of this target. It is a “practical talk” designed to provide the community with information and tools for “sustainable living” and energy management, raising awareness and promoting sustainable lifestyles.
4. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation.
   • The collaboration between a government department (DPU) and an educational center (PEEC) to host a public talk on energy conservation is a clear example of building human and institutional capacity. The event serves to educate and raise awareness among the public about practical actions for climate change mitigation.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Adoption of energy monitoring and management technologies
   • The article explicitly mentions tools like “energy monitoring apps like Sense,” “smart plugs,” and “Home Assistant.” The adoption rate of these technologies by households in the community could serve as an indicator of progress in improving energy efficiency.
2. Number of participants in educational programs on sustainability
   • The article announces a public event to which “the community is invited.” The number of people who attend this talk can be used as a direct indicator to measure the reach and success of awareness-raising efforts related to sustainable living and energy conservation.
3. Implementation of public-private or public-nonprofit partnerships for sustainability education
   • The article highlights a “collaboration between DPU and PEEC.” The existence and number of such partnerships focused on educating the public about sustainability can be an indicator of institutional capacity and commitment to climate and sustainability goals.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ladailypost.com