Energy Transitions Playbook

A proven, play-by-play approach to guide community-driven transitions to clean, resilient energy.

Resilience

The ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions, and to withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptive events.

How do I use the Energy Transitions Playbook?

Transitioning to a clean, resilient energy future is an iterative process, and there are many possible pathways to success. The Playbook provides a flexible framework that includes:

  • Overviews of the seven basic phases of an energy transition—highlighting recommended actions, experiential insights, and links to relevant resources for each.
  • Downloadable PDFs detailing the recommended actions of each phase.
  • Worksheets, templates, and instructive case studies—to assist communities with planning and implementing any phase.
An example of three different communities starting at different phases in the Playbook.

Enter the Playbook at any point in the process and chart a course that addresses your community's unique energy resilience needs and advances your vision and goals.

Convene Decision Makers and Commit to an Energy Transition

Phase 0
Phase 0 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 0.1 Compile a list of energy-related risks and resilience opportunities.
  • 0.2 Identify key decision makers and resources.
  • 0.3 Convene decision makers for initial discussions.
  • 0.4 Identify a community energy champion.
  • 0.5 Document your commitment to an energy transition.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Stakeholder Matrix
Identify key stakeholders

Worksheet

Risk and Opportunity Assessment Table
Map risks to opportunities

Worksheet

Memorandum of Understanding
Establish an agreement to formalize partnership terms

Template
This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 0 actions:
  • 0.1 Compile a list of energy-related risks and resilience opportunities.
  • 0.2 Identify key decision makers and resources.
  • 0.3 Convene decision makers for initial discussions.
  • 0.4 Identify a community energy champion.
  • 0.5 Document your commitment to an energy transition.
U.S. Virgin Islands Signs Memorandum of Understanding To Launch Energy Transition Pilot

What was the challenge or need?

To launch a successful energy transition, a group of community leaders must come together and formally express their commitment to the project or initiative. Because energy sector stakeholders range from providers to government to end users and represent a wide range of interests, many parties needed to have roles and be represented to support a more resilient sector.

What was the solution?

In 2010, the U.S. Virgin Islands' (USVI's) governor chartered and convened key decision makers and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing a partnership committed to the territory's energy transition goal.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Establish a diverse leadership team that shares a common commitment.
  • Identify a community energy champion who can garner community buy-in.
  • Form a public-private partnership to achieve aspirational goals.
  • Commit to an energy transition in writing.

Learn more about how the USVI convened community leaders to commit to an energy transition.

Group photo of government and business leaders in a conference room with a large projection screen and a wind turbine display in the background.

More than 25 USVI government leaders, energy office officials, and utility company executives convened for an MOU signing committing the territory to an energy transition in 2010. Photo by Adam Warren, NREL

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 0:

Compile a List of Energy-Related Risks and Resilience Opportunities

Climate Extremes Communications Guidebook
A resource developed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives to help local governments communicate about weather and climate extremes in the context of climate change.

Country Risk Assessment
A guide to assessing risks to the power sector by linking and scoring vulnerabilities and threats.

Developing Vulnerability Statements and Assigning Vulnerability Severity Scores
A step-by-step guide to identifying vulnerabilities the power sector may face from possible threats, forming vulnerability statements, and assigning severity scores.

Guide to Resilience Solutions
Part of a larger Power Sector Planning Guidebook to help policy makers, system operators, and other energy-sector stakeholders complete key steps of a power sector resilience planning process, this section describes numerous resilience solutions that combine technological diversity, redundancy, decentralization, transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and foresight considerations.

Identify Resilience Solutions
A step-by-step guide to identifying potential solutions for enhancing power sector resilience based on identified threats, vulnerabilities, and risks.

Island Energy Snapshots
The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Transitions Initiative fact sheets designed to capture the energy landscape of islands in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and surrounding areas at a glance, featuring key data on each island's electricity sector, clean energy policy environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and resource potential, and opportunities for clean energy transformation.

Mini-Grids and Climate Resilience
An overview of socioeconomic, environmental, and resilience benefits mini-grid systems can provide for remote communities, as well as climate risks posed to mini-grids and measures to increase their resilience.

Renewable Energy to Support Energy Security
A fact sheet from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Resilient Energy Platform describes some of the key sectors where energy security is vital, provides an overview of some example categories of energy security threats, and explores opportunities for renewable energy to support energy security.

Strengths/Assets and Vulnerabilities
A guide for identifying institutional strengths and vulnerabilities in the context of climate change. Geared toward campuses, the process is applicable and scalable to jurisdictions of various sizes.

Understanding Power System Threats and Impacts
A "quick read" from NREL and USAID's Resilient Energy Platform describing how natural, technological, and human-caused threats can impact the power sector, and how power sector vulnerability assessments can be used to understand potential impacts to various sectors and develop climate resilience action plans.

Valuing Resilience in Electricity Systems
An NREL report outlining the steps involved in quantifying, valuing, and monetizing energy resilience to give utilities and system operators methods to consider resilience benefits of different system designs.

Engage Stakeholders and Establish an Energy Vision

Phase 1
Phase 1 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 1.1 Develop a governing framework.
  • 1.2 Draft a vision statement.
  • 1.3 Set a transition timeline.
  • 1.4 Engage community stakeholders.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Stakeholder Influence Map
Categorize engagement by interests and impact

Worksheet

Transition Timeline
Set time frames for Phases 1–3

Template
This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 1 actions:
  • 1.1 Develop governing framework.
  • 1.2 Draft a vision statement.
  • 1.3 Set a transition timeline.
  • 1.4 Engage community stakeholders.
Hawaii Develops Framework for Achieving Bold Clean Energy Vision

What was the challenge or need?

Launched in 2008, the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) needed to establish an inclusive, multisectoral governing body to map out a strategy for achieving 70% clean energy by 2030.

What was the solution?

The HCEI leadership team engaged a diverse set of stakeholders to establish a steering committee and four working groups charged with assessing pathways to 70% clean energy in four energy sectors.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Engage a variety of stakeholders from federal and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, trade associations, and academic institutions.
  • Identify key sectors of the energy economy and engage stakeholders in each sector.
  • Organize stakeholders into working groups representing the various sectors and diverse perspectives.
  • Task working groups with developing strategic pathways to sector goals.
  • Form a steering committee to coordinate interactions among the working groups.

Learn more about how HCEI engaged stakeholders in focused working groups.

A silhouette of two crew teams paddling in canoes on the ocean.

One boat, many paddles—More than 100 community members and national experts formed working groups that pulled together in pursuit of Hawaii's visionary clean energy goal. Photo from iStock 4695470003


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 1 actions:
  • 1.1 Develop governing framework.
  • 1.2 Draft a vision statement.
  • 1.3 Set a transition timeline.
  • 1.4 Engage community stakeholders.
U.S. Virgin Islands Prioritizes Inclusiveness To Ensure Community Ownership of Clean Energy Vision

What was the challenge or need?

With inclusiveness and transparency as guiding principles, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) sought to engage a diverse yet balanced and effective group of community stakeholders in an inaugural workshop to establish working groups and a consensus-based vision.

What was the solution?

Steering committee members invited 100 public and private stakeholders to attend the workshop, participate in a vision-setting exercise, and form working groups focused on five strategic areas.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Engage a diverse set of stakeholders—including potential opponents.
  • Tap steering committee member communications staffs to help get the right people in the room.
  • Rely on the community energy champion to rally support and participation.
  • Close the workshop to the media to foster open discussion, but hold a press conference afterward.
  • Embrace inclusivity and transparency from the outset to security critical community buy-in.

Learn more about the USVI's inclusive approach to securing community buy-in and participation.

Photo of small groups engaging in breakout discussions in a conference room.

More than 60 USVI stakeholders participated in establishing the territory's vision and formed working groups to advance it Photo from Aldeth Lewin, Virgin Islands Daily News

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 1:

Draft a Vision Statement

Dialogue and Deliberation Resource Center
Collections of articles, guides, techniques, and infographics on organizing ongoing conversations to facilitate a shared understanding of change.

Guide to Community Energy Strategic Planning
A step-by-step approach to developing a Community Energy Strategic Plan. Step 3 offers valuable tools, tips, and examples for developing a focused energy vision; Steps 1 and 2 are also highly applicable to Phase 1.

Engage Community Stakeholders

Climate Extremes Communications Guidebook
Guidance for local governments on communicating about weather and climate extremes in the context of climate change.

Energy Literacy: Essential Principles for Energy Education
An interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning about energy, focusing on areas of energy understanding that are essential for all citizens "K-Gray."

Engaging Stakeholders
Guidance on engaging internal and external stakeholders in energy resilience planning. Geared toward institutions, the process and strategies are applicable and scalable to jurisdictions of various sizes.

Low-Emission Development Strategies: Technical, Institutional and Policy Lessons
An Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development and International Energy Association guide examining the technical, institutional, and policy challenges associated with preparing national climate change strategies; Step 4.2 offers institutional insights and lessons related to Phase 1.

Assess Opportunities and Develop a Road Map

Phase 2
Phase 2 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 2.1 Detail the current energy landscape.
  • 2.2 Compare current landscape with the vision statement to reveal pathways.
  • 2.3 Develop action plans.
  • 2.4 Identify policy, market, societal, and operational barriers and opportunities.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats Matrix
Evaluate the relative merits of pathways based on factors that impact success

Worksheet

Integrated Resource and Resilience Plan Objectives
Identify integrated resource and resilience plan objectives and their impacts

Template
This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 2 actions:
  • 2.1 Detail the current energy landscape.
  • 2.2 Compare current landscape with the vision statement to reveal pathways.
  • 2.3 Develop action plans.
  • 2.4 Identify policy, market, societal, and operational barriers and opportunities.
Saint Lucia's Inclusive Integrated Resource Planning Process Fosters Stakeholder Buy-In

What was the challenge or need?

The Government of Saint Lucia sought to give all key stakeholders a voice in making strategic decisions about practical pathways to realizing the country's energy vision.

What was the solution?

Ministerial and utility executives jointly led an integrated resource planning (IRP) process as part of developing a National Energy Transition Strategy (NETS). This core NETS team solicited stakeholder input throughout, starting with a public consultation.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Engage both the government and the utility throughout to ensure their respective priorities and concerns are integrated into the IRP analysis.
  • Obtain public stakeholder input early and often to aid the NETS team in designing and shaping the process to appropriately address the priorities of community members.
  • Maintain a degree of confidentiality while the core NETS team gathers relevant information to both build trust within the team and protect sensitive information and conclusions until the appropriate time in the process.
  • Invite input from the wider group of stakeholders only when the core team is confident the data they have gathered—and the conclusions drawn from it—are accurate and understood.
  • Consider a wide array of opportunities as part of the NETS process, but focus the completed IRP on specific projects that can be completed in the near term to ensure a smooth transition from planning to project implementation.

Learn more about how Saint Lucia engaged stakeholders in the IRP process.

Photo of three men sitting at a conference table. One is speaking into a microphone and the other two are sitting behind open laptops.

Government, utility, and other stakeholders discuss opportunity pathways to help Saint Lucia realize its energy vision. Photo from RMI


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 2 actions:
  • 2.1 Detail the current energy landscape.
  • 2.2 Compare current landscape with the vision statement to reveal pathways.
  • 2.3 Develop action plans.
  • 2.4 Identify policy, market, societal, and operational barriers and opportunities.
Tailored Approach Boosts Accuracy of Electricity Demand Forecasting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

What was the challenge or need?

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) needed to conduct an accurate electricity demand forecast that accounted for anticipated growth stemming from a new airport and the diverse demand profiles of five islands.

What was the solution?

SVG adopted a hybrid demand forecasting methodology that combined top-down and bottom-up analysis. The hybrid approach enabled SVG to create a baseline demand forecast along with low and high forecasts to account for uncertainties in both GDP/population trends and tourism-driven growth.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Apply an iterative demand forecast process that incorporates both historical trends and the potential impacts of near-term commercial projects to increase accuracy.
  • Tailor demand forecasting methodology to your community's unique circumstances to boost accuracy, increase stakeholder confidence, strengthen strategic planning, and clear the way for project implementation.

Learn more about how SVG tailored demand forecasting to account for anticipated growth.

Photo of a small plane on airport runway with buildings and mountains in the background.

SVG anticipated increased tourism with the completion of its new airport would significantly impact electricity demand growth. Photo from Fidel Neverson


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 2 actions:
  • 2.1 Detail the current energy landscape.
  • 2.2 Compare current landscape with the vision statement to reveal pathways.
  • 2.3 Develop action plans.
  • 2.4 Identify policy, market, societal, and operational barriers and opportunities.
Inclusive Energy Planning Process in the Turks and Caicos Islands Brings Resilience to the Forefront

What was the challenge or need?

After hurricanes caused widespread grid outages in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the utility and the government needed to identify energy planning priorities and design analysis to reveal optimal pathways to resilience.

What was the solution?

FortisTCI and the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands completed a Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy, which builds upon the common practice of integrated resource planning to include more stakeholders and focus on resilience. Rigorous analysis of modeled scenarios helped inform their decisions about which of two pathways to pursue.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Consider resilience from the very start of an energy planning process.
  • Recognize the value of having multiple stakeholders work together on energy planning.
  • Use modeling and analysis to identify options for increasing resilience while also addressing other priorities.
  • Take the opportunity to explore not just different generation types, but also different ways of operating the electricity system.

Learn more about the Turks and Caicos Islands' Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy.

A dozen businesspeople gather at a large conference table; three men seated at the table have documents in front of them; nine people are standing behind them. Behind the group are a government seal and a flag.

Government and utility stakeholders kick off Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy development for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Photo from FortisTCI

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 2:

Detail the Current Energy Landscape

Energy Resilience Assessment Methodology
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) replicable methodology for assessing energy risks and developing prioritized solutions to increase site resilience begins with assessing baseline resilience.

EPA Energy Resources for State and Local Governments: State, Local, and Tribal Inventory Tools
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tools for completing emissions inventories.

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Toolkit
Tools for completing an emissions inventory.

Resilience Assessment & Data Explorer (RADE)
A scenario modeling tool to assess site risks associated with potential resilience-related shortcomings of energy, water, transportation, and communication systems.

Strengths/Assets and Vulnerabilities
A guide for identifying institutional strengths and vulnerabilities in the context of climate change. Geared toward campuses, the process is applicable and scalable jurisdictions of various sizes.

Compare the Current Energy Landscape with the Vision Statement To Reveal Project Pathways

Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool (CREST)
An economic cash flow model designed to assess project economics under various policy support structures.

The Energy Justice Workbook
A scorecard-based approach to advancing equity-centered energy policy, including guideposts for incorporating energy justice into their emerging energy policy frameworks.

Engage Energy Modeling Tool
A no-cost, publicly available capacity expansion and economic dispatch modeling tool for cross-sectoral energy system planning and simulation.

Guide Brief: Resilience Gaps–Identifying and Prioritizing Closure of Resilience Gaps
National Institute of Standards and Technology guidance to assist planning teams in identifying resilience gaps and prioritizing actions based on performance goals.

NREL Transportation & Mobility Research Center Data and Tools
NREL's arsenal of integrated modeling and analysis tools are designed to overcome technical barriers and accelerate the development of advanced transportation technologies and systems.

Renewable Energy Data Explorer
A user-friendly geospatial analysis tool for visualizing and analyzing renewable energy potential; can be customized for different scenarios to support decision-making.

ReOPT: Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization
NREL's techno-economic decision support platform for identifying the optimal mix of renewable energy, conventional generation, and energy storage technologies to meet cost savings, resilience, and energy performance goals.

Resilience Solution Prioritization
A step-by-step guide to prioritizing power sector resilience solutions by impact and effectiveness.

RETScreen website
Decision support tools for evaluating distributed energy project feasibility and performance.

Technical Resilience Navigator
Federal Energy Management Program tool for identifying energy and water resilience gaps and developing and prioritizing solutions that reduce risk.

Develop Action Plans

Best Practices Guide: Integrated Resource Planning for Electricity
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) analytical framework and methods for executing integrated resource planning in different economic, political, and geographic settings.

Bridging Climate Change Resilience and Mitigation in the Electricity Sector Through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency and renewable energy technical solutions described in this paper can bridge action across climate change mitigation and resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting electric power sector adaptation to increasing climate risk.

Clean Energy Strategies
A collection of NREL resources to support state, local, and tribal governments seeking background information, implementation considerations, and best practices for developing policy strategies and clean energy action plans to advance clean energy goals.

Developing the Saint Lucia Energy Road Map
A Rocky Mountain Institute report describing the process for and results of a collaborative effort between the Government of Saint Lucia and the national electric utility to develop a comprehensive long-term plan for renewable energy investment, setting the stage for the National Energy Transition Strategy.

Guide to Community Energy Strategic Planning
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's step-by-step approach to developing a Community Energy Strategic Plan.

Integrated Resource and Resilience Plans
Collaborative effort between Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and CARICOM Member States to review and recommend available resources for development, including conventional power plants as well as renewable energy sources.

Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard Guidebook
A method for addressing inconsistencies across various planning documents, such as transportation, hazard mitigation, comprehensive land use, and economic development, by spatially evaluating existing plan documents and vulnerabilities to inform more integrated resilience planning approaches.

Power Sector Resilience: Flexible Adaptation Pathways
An approach for optimizing planning in the face of uncertainty by creating resilience plans that allow decision makers to monitor and adjust to changing conditions.

State and Local Planning for Energy Platform
A DOE-developed tool that integrates dozens of distinct sources of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation data and analyses into an easy-to-access online platform designed to enable more data-driven state and local energy planning.

State and Local Solution Center: Develop Plans and Programs
Tools, tips, and resources for crafting a robust strategic energy plan using the Energy Efficiency Leadership Framework, which synthesizes stakeholder feedback and public-sector leadership best practices.

Identify Policy, Market, Societal, and Operational Barriers and Opportunities

Critical Facilities: Where Government and Utility Services Redefine Resilience
Article from October 2019 CEIndustry Journal, a publication of the Caribbean Electricity Services Corporation.

Evaluating Policies in Support of the Deployment of Renewable Power
Policy brief summarizing common criteria and indicators policy makers can use to evaluate renewable energy deployment policies, focusing on five commonly assessed criteria.

Guide to Risk Assessments
A section of NREL and USAID's Resilient Energy Platform describing the steps involved in assessing, scoring, and evaluating risks as well as identifying levels of risk acceptance.

Select Projects with Input from Stakeholders

Phase 3
Phase 3 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Responsible-Accountable-Consulted-Informed Matrix
Manage expectations and define roles of project participants

Worksheet

Risk Register Matrix
Plot the severity of impact and likelihood of identified project risks

Worksheet

Sponsor Coordination Matrix
Organize projects and funding sources

Worksheet

Request for Proposals (RFP) Template
Develop an RFP for a grid-tied renewable energy system


Commercial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Template
Develop a PPA for a grid-tied solar PV system

This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 3 actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Ten Microgrids at Puerto Rico Schools Provide Resilience Following an Aggregated Project Preparation Process

What was the challenge or need?

Like all energy infrastructure projects, microgrid projects must be prepared and de-risked prior to installation. Aggregating projects offers economy of scale but also presents challenges associated with preparing individual projects at multiple sites.

What was the solution?

A request for proposals (RFP) was prepared seeking an engineering, procurement, and construction firm to install the solar and battery systems and provide long-term operations and maintenance (with pre-established funding). Including structural information on the buildings, desired capacity, and other location-specific technical specifications identified through the project preparation process in the RFP enabled bidders to respond with certainty and competitive pricing.

What are the key takeaways?

Thorough project preparation was pivotal to various positive outcomes that impacted the overall success of the project:

  • Including allocations in the project budget for infrastructure improvements enabled the inclusion of roof waterproofing and energy efficiency retrofits such as LED lighting.
  • Prioritizing stakeholder engagement was key to successful operation of the microgrids and incorporation of climate change and renewable energy education into classroom curricula; the project team delivered training for teachers and administrators on system installation as well curriculum support for teachers.
  • Installing sufficient battery and solar capacity to power the critical loads of the school libraries, administrative offices, kitchens, refrigerators, and water pumps indefinitely in the event of an outage enabled the schools to directly support community resilience.

Learn more about how project preparation de-risked Puerto Rico's multi-school microgrid project.

Photo of solar panels on a flat rooftop. In the background are cars in a parking lot and multiple school buildings.

Solar panels on the roof of one of 10 Puerto Rico schools where solar and storage microgrids were installed to power critical loads. Photo from RMI

Four elementary school students in uniforms study a colorful infographic banner about microgrids.

Teacher training delivered by the project team created an opportunity for students to learn about their school's microgrid system as part of their classroom curriculum. Photo from RMI


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 3 actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Maine Islands Achieve Quick Win through Vendor Coordination, Community Engagement

What was the challenge or need?

Several Maine coastal islands faced barriers to executing a "quick win" energy efficiency project, including limited supply chain, high transportation costs, and skewed public perceptions of the costs and benefits of energy efficiency retrofits.

What was the solution?

Working collaboratively with the Island Institute, several islands decided to launch a collective purchasing project called "Weatherization Weeks." The Island Institute led coordination within and among the communities through outreach to vendors and consumers, as well as community engagement.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Focus on executing a quick-win project to build momentum for island energy transitions by increasing local interest and engagement in clean energy solutions.
  • Hold initial informational meetings to help community members understand project benefits while enabling project leaders to identify barriers to success.
  • Engage stakeholders early to help pave the way for developing and executing locally relevant outreach strategies deployed by local volunteers.
  • Combine energy audits and initial retrofit work to lower costs and increase efficiency.
  • Pursue bulk purchasing to create efficiencies of scale that reduce the delivered cost of energy retrofit materials.

Learn more about how Maine islands secured community buy-in with a quick-win project.

A map highlighting 14 islands off the coast of Maine with the Island Institute logo in the upper left and a zoom view of one island on the lower right.

Between 2012 and 2017, more than 380 island homes on 14 Maine islands participated in Weatherization Weeks, saving $126,400 annually.


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 3 actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Focused, Streamlined Team Effort Lays Groundwork for a Quick Win in Turks and Caicos

What was the challenge or need?

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) utility needed to identify and implement a project that made economic and technical sense, was good for its customers, and ensured the company was on track to deliver against its renewable energy goals for 2025.

What was the solution?

To keep pace with its aggressive timeline, FortisTCI adopted a collaborative approach to project preparation that fostered swift and decisive in-parallel actions aimed at compressing some of the most important early steps in the process.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Streamline project preparation through focused, synchronous teamwork.
  • Prioritize assembling a dedicated and diverse project team to accelerate all aspects of project preparation.
  • Work in parallel to evaluate project sites, verify renewable energy generation capacity, issue requests for proposals, and complete other key tasks.

Learn more about TCI's streamlined solar energy project procurement process.

Photo of a group comprising four women and five men gathered at a conference table; four people have documents in front of them at the table and two are signing documents

FortisTCI and RMI sign a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop and commercialize the first utility-scale solar project across five islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Photo from FortisTCI


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 3 actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Creative Financing Options Pave Way for Solar Water Heating in Barbados

What was the challenge or need?

Barbados faced barriers to deploying a promising solar water heating program, including lack of access to start-up capital and low consumer awareness and confidence in solar technology exacerbated by high up-front costs and historically inconsistent financial incentives.

What was the solution?

In lieu of bank financing, the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity provided a loan. To incentivize public participation in the program, credit unions and distributors allowed consumers to spread unit costs over 3 years.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Developing an effective product and ensuring that the size of the solar water heater was appropriate for each household were crucial for maintaining sufficient water temperature.
  • Local finance partners can establish channels of funding for pioneering companies that are struggling to access credit.
  • Financial incentives, such as tax credits, can spur adoption of new technology.
  • A stable regulatory framework can provide confidence for investors and consumers.
  • Consumer credit schemes from manufacturers, distributors, or installers can lower up-front costs to consumers.

Learn more about overcoming solar water heating barriers in Barbados.

Photo of a solar water heating system installed on a tile roof, with palm trees in the background.

A rooftop solar water heating program in Barbados met with success thanks to effective financial incentives and government support. Photo from iStock 6923507


This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 3 actions:
  • 3.1 Involve stakeholders in policy and operational reform efforts.
  • 3.2 Identify the human, technical, and financial resources needed to complete near-term projects.
  • 3.3 Set a budget and analyze risks.
  • 3.4 Identify financing options for near-term projects.
  • 3.5 Develop performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
Greensburg Implements High-Efficiency Building Codes to Achieve Long-Term Energy Savings

What was the challenge or need?

In an effort to rebuild sustainably after a massive tornado, Greensburg, Kansas, sought to formalize green building codes but faced concerns about how residents, business owners, and builders would respond to perceived higher building costs for green buildings and how the city staff would learn the new energy codes or program requirements.

What was the solution?

City leaders relied on credible, objective technical experts to analyze and summarize the rapidly changing field of green building codes and green building programs for city leaders and present several options for consideration.

What are the key takeaways?

  • Determine gaps and opportunities by comparing current local codes with the latest international standards.
  • Educate key stakeholders, including city and business leaders and residents, about the benefits of the proposed changes and why updated codes should be used to meet the community's goals.
  • Explore partnerships with reputable building organizations to leverage their expertise and resources.
  • Demonstrate success with highly visible public buildings that can serve as living laboratories for incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy into building designs.

Learn more about high performance buildings in Greensburg.

Photo of a school building with low-water landscaping in the foreground

Greensburg rebuilt its K-12 school to LEED Platinum standards. Photo from Joah Bussert, Greensburg GreenTown, NREL 19952

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 3:

Involve Stakeholders in Policy and Operational Reform Efforts

Climate Information for Electric Utilities
Interactive National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website focused on identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to increase power system resilience to events that can cause large-area, long-duration outages by helping utilities recognize their potential exposure to climate-related hazards.

Community Resilience Planning Guide for Buildings and Infrastructure Systems: A Playbook
National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST's) six-step process for resilience planning, from team formation through plan development, implementation, and maintenance.

Guide Brief: Forming a Collaborative Planning Team and Engaging the Community
Information communities can use to accomplish the first step of the NIST Community Resilience Planning Guide, with best practices and lessons learned from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Building Resilience with Diverse Communities Program. Also includes resources to assist community leaders in forming collaborative planning teams and engaging the community at large.

Promoting Resilience in the Energy Sector
An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) report about a three-day capacity-building workshop on the methodology for evaluating and addressing climate change risks to the power sector in the APEC region.

Identify the Human, Technical, and Financial Resources Needed To Complete Near-Term Projects

Key Principles for Effective Strategic Workforce Planning
A U.S. General Accounting Office report describing the key principles of strategic workforce planning, including illustrative examples.

Template: Forming a Collaborative Planning Team
Template tables from NIST providing examples of planning team members and their roles from local government, business and service professionals, and volunteer organizations. Examples of planning team members and their roles from local government, business and service professionals, and volunteer organizations.

Set a Budget and Analyze Risks

Building Blocks to Support Cybersecurity in the Power Sector
A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recorded webinar presenting a cybersecurity framework and building blocks focused on technical, policy, planning, and regulatory considerations across advanced power system technologies.

Guidelines for Climate Proofing Investment in the Energy Sector
An Asian Development Bank report providing guidance for project teams as they integrate climate change adaptation and risk management into each step of project processing, design, and implementation.

Integrating Variable Renewable Energy into the Grid: Key Issues and Emerging Solutions
A recorded webinar from the Clean Energy Solutions Center addressing challenges of integrating significant quantities of variable renewable energy into the grid and highlighting emerging solutions policy makers and grid operators have implemented to integrate wind and solar.

Microgrid-Ready Solar PV: Planning for Resiliency
A fact sheet on microgrids and up-front considerations that can be added to solar project procurement or requests for proposals to help ensure photovoltaic (PV) systems are built for future microgrid connection.

Solar Under Storm Part One (ground-mount focus) and Part Two (rooftop focus)
An RMI report discussing the root causes of ground-mounted PV system failures from hurricanes and providing recommendations for building more resilient solar PV power plants.

Identify Financing Options for Near-Term Projects

Climate and Disaster Resilience Financing in Small Island Developing States
A report highlighting the latest trends in concessional financing available for climate and disaster resilient development in small island developing states.

Financing Energy Improvements on Utility Bills: Market Updates and Key Program Design Considerations for Policymakers and Administrators
A U.S. Department of Energy guide to on-bill energy efficiency financing programs offering actionable insights about key program design considerations.

Funding & Financing for Energy Projects
Information about energy project funding and financing opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments.

Green Banks
An NREL resource for state, local, and tribal governments seeking low-cost capital for clean energy projects at favorable rates and terms.

State-Based Financing Tools to Support Distributed and Community Wind Projects
A guide to specific financing assistance and tools states can provide to support smaller-scale wind projects in the future. Many of the tools are applicable to a broad range of renewable energy technologies.

Develop Performance, Measurement, and Reporting Plans

Developing Renewable Energy Projects Larger Than 10 MWs at Federal Facilities
A Federal Energy Management Program guide containing project development checklists relevant to U.S. utility-scale projects that could provide a basis for tailored project development checklists in other jurisdictions.

The Energy Data Management Guide
A step-by-step approach to establishing a robust and sustainable energy data management program.

Measurement and Verification Operational Guide: Renewable and Cogeneration Applications
A guide to the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, including practical tips, tools, and scenario examples to assist with decision making, planning, measuring, analyzing, and reporting outcomes of energy projects.

M&V Guidelines: Measurement and Verification for Performance-Based Contracts
Procedures and guidelines for quantifying the savings resulting from energy-efficient equipment, water conservation, improved operation and maintenance, renewable energy, and cogeneration projects installed under performance-based contracts.

Execute Projects and Ensure Quality Control

Phase 4
Phase 4 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 4.1 Implement schedules, performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
  • 4.2 Mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts.
  • 4.3 Maintain transparency in project and vendor selection processes.
  • 4.4 Develop a project closeout process; implement when appropriate.
  • 4.5 Engage stakeholders to keep project successes visible.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Gantt Chart
Set a schedule for completing major project milestones

Template

Periodic Report
Document project expenditures, milestones, and scope changes

Template
This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 4 actions:
  • 4.1 Implement schedules, performance, measurement, and reporting plans.
  • 4.2 Mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts.
  • 4.3 Maintain transparency in project and vendor selection processes.
  • 4.4 Develop a project closeout process; implement when appropriate.
  • 4.5 Engage stakeholders to keep progress visible.
U.S. Virgin Islands Paves the Way for Its First Distributed Solar Energy Project

What was the challenge or need?

To secure financing and attract quality developers, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) needed to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of integrating 10 MW of distributed solar into the grid and mitigate project risks.

What was the solution?

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority tapped into the analysis and project development expertise of its federal partners for project development and decision support on resource assessment, optimal siting, policy changes, and grid integration.

What are the key takeaways?

To de-risk renewable energy projects, leverage the technical and analytic support of objective, credible experts to:

  • Identify optimal sites for siting new renewable energy generation.
  • Ensure the accuracy of resource assessments in gauging the potential impact of various resources on the energy system.
  • Identify and implement policy and regulatory changes that can address project barriers.
  • Model the impacts of increased variable renewable energy generation on the grid.

Learn more about how the USVI paved the way for its first distributed solar project.

A colorfully painted kiosk with a sign above reading Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Power Station and Renewable Energy Outdoor classroom. To the right of the sign is a yellow one-story building with two windows and solar panels on the roof.

The USVI prioritized stakeholder outreach and education to amplify the success of its energy transition and build community support. Photo from Don Buchanan, Virgin Islands Energy Office, NREL

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 4:

Implement Schedules, Performance, Measurement, and Reporting Plans

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines Website
Current versions of the World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines. Applicable to all sectors, the guidelines contain performance levels and measures that are normally acceptable to the World Bank Group and are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities at reasonable costs by existing technology.

GAO Schedule Assessment Guide
A consistent methodology for developing, managing, and evaluating capital program cost estimates that includes the concept of scheduling the necessary work to a timeline.

Life Cycle Asset Management: Quality Assurance
A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guide to developing and implementing quality assurance programs for energy projects.

Quality Assurance Framework for Mini-Grids
A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) technical report that describes a quality assurance framework comprising defined quality assurance measures that can be applied to the mini-grid market sector.

Quality Assurance Framework Implementation Guide for Isolated Community Power Systems
An NREL technical report that defines a range of service levels that ensure safe, quality, and affordable delivery of basic grid-parity service; provides an accountability framework that can be used to determine whether an agreed-upon service level is delivered.

Quality Assurance Guide for Project Management
Information to assist DOE federal project directors and their integrated project teams to plan, develop, and implement a project-specific quality assurance program that satisfies quality assurance requirements throughout the critical decision process.

Mitigate Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts

Environmental Impacts of Renewable Electricity Generation Technologies: A Life Cycle Perspective
An NREL presentation that covers sustainability analysis, life cycle assessment, and environmental impact studies on topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land use.

A Guidebook on Equitable Clean Energy Program Design for Local Governments and Partners
A guide to resources local governments and partners can use to advance social equity in clean energy program design and implementation in their communities, including an inventory of best practice programs and four in-depth case studies.

Life Cycle Assessment Harmonization
Results from NREL's review, analysis, and harmonization of published life cycle assessment estimates for multiple energy generation technologies, including wind, solar, biopower, geothermal, hydropower, and ocean energy.

Fostering Equity in Local Clean Energy Policy
Lessons from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's 2019 City Clean Energy Scorecard, which uses five dimensions to evaluate how cities and local utilities are creating, promoting, and supporting socially equitable clean energy strategies.

Greenlining: Energy Equity
Resources to help ensure that energy policies that build a clean energy future center and prioritize communities of color, opening doors for historically redlined communities.

Sudden Influxes of Resource Wealth to the Economy: Avoiding 'Dutch Disease'
A World Bank policy brief that takes a systematic look at "Dutch Disease" (a macroeconomic phenomenon in which a sudden increase of resource wealth from an extractive sector undermines other areas of the economy) and summarizes policies aimed at preventing or mitigating its harmful long-term economic effects.

Maintain Transparency in Project and Vendor Selection Processes

Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation Government Procurement Experts Group Non-Binding Principles on Government Procurement: Accountability and Due Process
A set of elements established to promote transparency in government procurement, including illustrative examples.

OECD Principles for Integrity in Public Procurement
A set of principles that serve as a policy instrument for enhancing transparency and integrity throughout the public procurement cycle.

Standard Contracts and Securitization Resources
An NREL collection of real-world renewable energy contracts, including requests for proposals.

Vietnam Solar Competitive Bidding Strategy and Framework
World Bank strategy document developed to support the Government of Vietnam's goal to scale up solar generation sustainably and affordably by shifting from feed-in tariffs to a competitive bidding mechanism.

Develop a Project Closeout Process; Implement When Appropriate

Best Practices in Project Management Closeout
The DOE's Office of Science project closeout process overview.

Capital Construction Project Closeout Checklist
A real-world example of the various components of a large project closeout from the National Science Foundation.

Project Closeout: Guidance for Final Evaluation of Building America Communities
An NREL technical report that presents Building America Communities project closeout guidelines, which are applicable to most energy projects.

Engage Stakeholders to Keep Project Successes Visible

NIST Guide Brief 12: Short-Term Implementation Tasks (Special Publication 1190GB-12)
Suggestions from the National Institute of Standards and Technology on short-term activities and solutions to support continued engagement in community resilience planning until longer-term solutions are implemented.

Operate and Maintain Energy Systems, Assets, and Programs

Phase 5
Phase 5 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 5.1 Monitor and verify system and program performance.
  • 5.2 Conduct end-of-warranty assessments.
  • 5.3 Monitor equipment condition and perform predictive maintenance.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

This case study offers insights related to the following Phase 5 actions:
  • 5.1 Monitor and verify system and program performance.
  • 5.2 Conduct end-of-warranty assessments.
  • 5.3 Monitor equipment condition and perform predictive maintenance.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Bermuda's First Battery Highlights Savings and Informs Next Energy Transition Steps

What was the challenge or need?

Bermuda's utility, BELCO, needed to both ensure its first battery energy storage system performed optimally and demonstrate the value of the project by monitoring and verifying cost savings and emissions reductions.

What was the solution?

BELCO dedicated resources to monitoring the performance of its battery system, not only to ensure it was operating as expected but also to document its impacts on the electricity system and inform future projects and steps in Bermuda's energy transition.

What are the key takeaways?

Documenting the battery's operation has highlighted significant benefits for BELCO and Bermuda, including:

  • Realizing approximately $2.7 million in energy cost savings.
  • Offsetting 15,000 barrels of fossil fuel use.
  • Avoiding more than 5,500 tonnes of CO2e emissions.

Operating the battery as a spinning reserve asset enables BELCO to avoid turning on additional diesel generators to provide system reserves while keeping the units that are running near their optimal performance settings.

Learn more about how performance monitoring highlights battery system benefits in Bermuda.

Aerial photo of a large industrial complex with a large battery energy storage system that includes four large batteries.

Ongoing monitoring of battery energy storage system performance helps Bermuda chart its course to a clean, resilient energy future. Photo from BELCO

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 5:

Monitor and Verify System and Program Performance

Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide
A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guide to common terminology, structures, and approaches used for determining energy and demand savings, avoided emissions, and other nonenergy benefits of energy efficiency programs.

Reviewing Measurement & Verification Plans for Federal ESPC Projects
A DOE framework for implementing uniform and consistent reviews of measurement and verification (M&V) plans for federal energy savings performance contracting (ESPC) projects.

Monitor Equipment Condition and Perform Predictive Maintenance

Building Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency
DOE operations and maintenance (O&M) guidance for energy managers, including information and suggested actions for achieving savings and benefits from building energy system upgrades.

Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Offshore Wind Energy
A National Renewable Energy Laboratory technical report that provides a basis for evaluating cost-saving installation, operation, and maintenance strategies and technologies.

The Maryland System Development Lifecycle
Maryland Department of Information Technology framework for reducing project failure, including an example of how to develop an O&M policy for an organization.

Planning and Reporting for Operations & Maintenance in Federal Energy Saving Performance Contracts
ESPC project development guidelines for allocating O&M and repair and replacement (R&R) responsibilities and establishing O&M reporting requirements. The goal is to minimize disagreements over O&M and R&R, and to help ensure savings persist during performance period.

PV System Operations and Maintenance Fundamentals
Practical guidelines for solar photovoltaics (PV) system maintenance and options for inspection practices for grounded PV systems.

Improve Processes, Reassess Opportunities, and Repeat Phases

Phase 6
Phase 6 of an energy transition typically includes these key actions:
  • 6.1 Conduct closeout interviews with project partners and stakeholders.
  • 6.2 Collect lessons learned and identify skills development opportunities.
  • 6.3 Report results of review to management, project partners, and the public.
  • 6.4 Accelerate the energy transition.
Download Phase

Downloads

Worksheets and Templates

Project Skills Register
Collect lessons learned and identify skills development opportunities

Worksheet

Project Closeout Form
Use this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention form as a guide to close out energy projects

Template
The following case study offers insights related to these Phase 6 actions:
  • 6.1 Conduct closeout interviews with project partners and stakeholders.
  • 6.2 Collect lessons learned and identify skills development opportunities.
  • 6.3 Report results of review to management, project partners, and the public.
  • 6.4 Accelerate the energy transition.
Integrated Distribution Planning Helps Hawaii Chart the Course for Ongoing Growth in Distributed Generation

What was the challenge or need?

Market mechanisms (net metering, standard interconnection agreements, feed-in tariffs) designed to encourage distributed generation growth in Hawaii outpaced initial expectations. As a result, friction arose between customers eager to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and utilities concerned about reliable electricity delivery and profitability.

What was the solution?

To plan for distributed energy resource (DER) growth and anticipate future limitations of its six islanded grids, Hawaii adopted a two-pronged approach informed by modeling and analysis.

What are the key takeaways?

  • In rapidly changing energy markets, analysis and planning are key to striking the delicate balance required to address the competing priorities of various stakeholders in advance of deployment decisions.
  • By anticipating functional requirements of the energy system caused by increasing amounts of DERs, utility investments in planning, operations, and markets can be staged and phased economically.
  • Hawaii's next growth phase of DER systems will require a more systematic transition to "Smart DER" systems because each island is nearing limitations to add more rooftop PV without advanced capabilities during peak solar hours.

Learn more about how Hawaii overcame grid integration hurdles with modeling and analysis.

Photo of solar panels on the rooftop of a home with a carport and a white fence. In the background are the mountains of Hawaii.

A home in Oahu's Kaupuni Village, the first net-zero community in Hawaii. Photo by Adam Warren, NREL

Communities transitioning to clean, resilient energy may find these resources useful in Phase 6:

Conduct Closeout Interviews with Project Partners and Stakeholders

Cornell University Project Manager's Desk Guide
A guidebook developed for project managers at Cornell that provides helpful project management templates, including a project closeout checklist.

Project Closeout: Guidance for Final Evaluation of Building America Communities
National Renewable Energy Laboratory guide to the project closeout process based on a real-world example of a comprehensive closeout review of a large project.

Collect Lessons Learned and Identify Skills Development Opportunities

City of Nashua Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2019
An overview of the planning process and public participation efforts conducted as part of Nashua, New Hampshire's, five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan review that serves as a model for involving community stakeholders and neighboring communities in monitoring plan implementation and collecting lessons learned.

Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Toolkit
U.S. General Services Administration toolkit comprising five basic steps for planning, designing, and carrying out a crowdsourcing or citizen science project to engage the public in research and data collection and collaboratively access information that might otherwise be out of reach.

Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments
A detailed, easy-to-understand process to help local, regional, and state government decision-makers prepare for climate change with climate risk assessment, resilience and adaptation planning, and project implementation and management. Chapter 12 offers guidance on regularly measuring progress, reviewing, and updating plans, and sharing lessons learned.

Solar Under Storm: Select Best Practices for Resilient Ground-Mount PV Systems with Hurricane Exposure
Summary of recent field observations and expert analysis of solar PV system failures in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean, including actionable recommendations for increasing resilience of PV installations with hurricane exposure.

Report Results of Review to Management, Project Partners, and the Public

Boulder County Collaborative: CDBG Disaster Recovery
An information hub formed in response to devastating floods to coordinate regional project and program implementation throughout the disaster recovery process; offers one example of continuous reporting on program updates, public hearings, resources, and successes.

Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange
A platform for increasing awareness of adaptation opportunities and engaging the broader community to develop the field of adaptation, including climate change adaptation case studies, tools, and resources along with a calendar of conferences and trainings, job and funding opportunities, and a directory of field practitioners and organizations.

Accelerate the Energy Transition

The CARILEC Renewable Energy Community
A community of energy professionals and utility engineers implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on islands for a more sustainable future (login required).