As an expert in the field of clean energy, I am constantly amazed by the advancements and innovations being made in this industry. One particular company that stands out is Austin Energy, a utility company that has been leading the way in integrating solar energy, energy storage, smart inverters, forecasting tools, market signals, advanced communications, and a software optimization platform. Established in 1895, Austin Energy is a department of the city of Austin and returns its profits to the city's general fund to finance other municipal services. But what sets this company apart is its commitment to sustainability and its role as a renowned center for technological innovation. Austin Energy's total generation capacity is more than 3,000 megawatts (MW), provided by a combination of wind energy, solar energy, biomass, natural gas, nuclear energy, and coal.
This diverse mix of resources allows for a reliable and sustainable energy supply for the city of Austin. And with the city being home to the Texas Electrical Reliability Council (ERCOT), which operates the state's independent power grid and manages the deregulated market for 75 percent of Texas, Austin Energy has access to a vast network of resources and expertise. But it's not just about generating clean energy for Austin Energy. The company also has a strong focus on promoting clean energy initiatives and supporting the adoption of electric vehicles. In fact, Austin Energy led a regional effort in 10 counties to develop a community plan for electric vehicle adoption and successfully implemented the first-of-its-kind domestic electric vehicle charging demand response program. One of the most impressive aspects of Austin Energy's technological innovations is its partnership with various entities to install distributed storage, smart solar inverters, and other enabling technologies using customer and utility company locations.
This project will result in more than 3 megawatts of clean energy being generated, further solidifying Austin's reputation as the world's clean energy capital. But what makes Austin the ideal location for clean energy initiatives? As the capital of Texas, Austin offers unparalleled access to energy players in the global energy industry. This allows for collaboration and knowledge sharing, leading to even more advancements in clean energy technology. In addition to its technological innovations, Austin Energy also operates an energy efficiency program to help customers identify ways to reduce their energy consumption and save on utility bills. This not only benefits the environment but also helps customers save money in the long run. It's no surprise that Austin has been consistently ranked by the NREL as one of the top green public energy companies in the country for its GreenChoice renewable energy program. And it's not just the NREL that recognizes Austin's commitment to clean energy.
CleanEdge, CICE, SustainLane, Forbes, TIME, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and many others have also ranked Austin as the country's leading cleantech innovation hub.
