The Green Urban Frontier

Cities across the United States are ramping up their efforts to implement clean energy solutions and reduce their carbon footprints. From boosting renewable power to electrifying transportation, major metropolitan areas are leading the charge in fighting climate change through innovation and investment.

As we move into 2024, several key trends are poised to accelerate the clean energy transition in America’s urban centers. Here are 10 clean energy trends to watch in U.S. cities this year:

1. Expanding Renewable Power

Renewable energy adoption is surging in cities seeking to slash emissions and meet ambitious climate goals. Solar and wind power are increasingly cost-competitive options, allowing municipalities to green their electric grids while also saving money.

Major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco are working to source 80-100% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2030. Others like New York City, Chicago and Boston have community-wide 100% renewable energy targets for the coming decades.

To enable these goals, cities are signing large renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs), developing local solar installations, and advocating for greener statewide energy policies. As prices continue to fall, expect wider renewable energy proliferation in metro regions across America.

2. Community Solar Growth

Community solar is an increasingly popular model that lets households subscribe to a shared, centralized solar array and receive credits on their electricity bills. It provides renewable energy access to renters, apartment dwellers and other residents who can’t install rooftop systems.

Cities are tapping community solar to expand renewable energy participation. For example, New York City has enabled over 100 megawatts of shared solar projects. Orlando, Florida has a 20 megawatt community solar program serving 1,300 households. And Minneapolis set a goal for its municipal utility to develop enough shared solar to power 20% of the city’s homes by 2024.

More U.S. cities will unleash community solar programs to meet climate targets and energy access goals as the model gains traction.

3. Building Electrification Momentum

Efficient electric appliances

Buildings account for nearly 40% of U.S. energy consumption and related emissions. To decarbonize, cities are ramping up building electrification efforts replacing natural gas for heating, hot water, stoves and more with efficient electric appliances.

Dozens of cities have enacted policies to phase out gas hookups in new buildings, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Seattle, New York City and Denver. Existing buildings are also transitioning through municipal bans on gas in certain building types and incentives for electrification.

These efforts curb methane leaks while supporting the integration of renewable energy. Expect significantly more electrification action in 2024 as cities update building codes and implement comprehensive efficiency programs.

4. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Growth

The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is well underway in American cities. To keep it growing, cities are working to build out EV charging infrastructure and subsidize purchases. There are now over 100,000 public EV chargers in the U.S., expect major expansion in 2024.

For example, New York City aims to have 10,000 public chargers by 2030. Los Angeles has an $82 million plan to install 28,000 chargers by 2028. And Cincinnati recently approved $1 million to deploy 90 chargers, mainly in low income areas. Charging gaps in multi-unit dwellings are also being addressed.

As EV models multiply and ranges improve, convenient urban charging will be critical. Cities are positioned to help accelerate widespread EV adoption through strategic infrastructure investments.

5. Electric Municipal Fleets

Many cities are greening their enormous municipal fleets by transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). This shrinks transportation emissions while showcasing EV capabilities.

New York City is purchasing hundreds of EVs per year with a target for full electrification by 2040. Chicago plans to replace nearly 1,500 fossil fuel vehicles with EVs by 2023. And Los Angeles aims to fully electrify its fleet by 2028. Other leading cities include Charlotte, Seattle, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Watch for more electric buses, sanitation trucks, police cruisers and other municipal vehicles to hit the streets as cities lead by example on electrification.

6. Electric Transit Growth

To cut emissions and improve air quality, cities are ramping up electric buses and other clean public transit options. There are roughly 5,000 electric buses operating in U.S. transit fleets today, but hundreds more are on order.

Los Angeles Metro committed to full electrification by 2030. New York City Transit plans to buy only electric buses by 2029, with more than 500 now ordered. And Shenzhen, China currently operates the world’s largest electric bus fleet with over 16,000 vehicles.

U.S. cities are also expanding light rail and subway systems, ride sharing, bike lanes and other cleaner mobility modes. Watch for accelerated electrification and multi-modal investments in 2024.

7. Smart Street Lighting

Smart street lights with energy efficient LEDs, wireless controls and sensors are transforming city lighting infrastructure. Adaptive lighting saves energy by dimming when activity is low. Sensors provide data on traffic patterns, air quality, noise and more.

Smart lighting has been installed along streets, parks, bridges and parking lots in cities like Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Las Vegas and Seattle. New York City replaced over 250,000 streetlights with smart LEDs citywide.

Intelligent, connected lighting delivers savings and functionality. More cities will modernize their systems in 2024 to save money, boost sustainability and enable smart city tech.

8. Resilience Hubs & Microgrids

Increased climate disasters are driving cities to develop neighborhood resilience hubs offering backup solar/battery systems, emergency supplies, internet access and community amenities. They provide energy and connectivity when the main grid fails.

For example, Houston, Texas will build over 50 solar-powered resilience hubs across the city, starting in historically underserved areas. Hubs are also popping up in New Orleans, Los Angeles, New York City and beyond.

Some cities are developing full-scale community microgrids – discrete energy systems that can disconnect from the main grid and operate autonomously in extreme weather events or power outages. These resilient energy networks will accelerate in 2024.

9. Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is emerging as a crucial clean fuel resource for the renewable energy transition. It’s produced using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. When renewable energy powers this process, green hydrogen can provide zero-carbon fuel for transportation, electricity generation, manufacturing and heating applications.

Some cities see big potential for green hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industry, shipping and long-haul transport. Los Angeles aims to convert 25% of its energy supply to green hydrogen by 2045. New York City is studying how green hydrogen can help slash emissions from heavy industry and utilities. More cities will explore green H2 opportunities in 2024.

10. Climate Innovation Partnerships

Finally, cities are launching partnerships with universities, utilities, businesses and other stakeholders to foster breakthrough climate solutions. Chicago, Denver and Houston are collaborating with national labs on energy innovation hubs. Boulder, CO partners with the local federal lab and university on carbon-neutral solutions. And an MIT consortium works closely with major cities worldwide to test new decarbonization strategies.

Watch for expanded public-private partnerships driving cutting-edge clean tech development and deployment in cities across America.

From soaring renewable power adoption to electric mobility and smart grids, clean energy momentum is building in metropolitan regions nationwide. Ambitious climate action plans are becoming reality as cities deploy solutions to curb emissions and build resilience.

The 10 trends above will accelerate significantly in 2024 as urban sustainability initiatives gain traction. With strategic investment and innovation, cities large and small can continue leading the urgent transition toward a carbon-neutral economy.

While progress is occurring rapidly, all levels of government must keep pushing for bolder decarbonization policies and programs. Strong federal action would magnify cities’ impact. Hard work remains, but promising solutions abound.

Urban or rural, we all have a role to play in the clean energy evolution. As citizens, we can advocate for local renewable power options, choose efficient electric vehicles and appliances, and support forward-thinking leaders. The technology exists – with engaged communities and political will, a sustainable future is within reach.

The green transformation is underway in America’s city streets. 2024 will see cleaner and smarter urban energy systems take major strides while catalyzing national and global action. With increasingly viable solutions to choose from, cities are seizing opportunities to supercharge the clean energy transition.

Conclusion

The clean energy transition is accelerating in cities across America. As we’ve explored, urban centers are taking the lead to slash emissions and build climate resilience through ambitious programs and policies.

From Los Angeles to New York City, municipalities are setting 100% renewable electricity targets and investing in solar, wind, and other clean resources to get there. Community solar initiatives are making renewable energy access more equitable. Building electrification efforts are phasing out natural gas to reduce carbon footprints.

Cities are ramping up electric vehicle infrastructure to support mainstream EV adoption. Municipal fleets are going electric to cut emissions and demonstrate the technology. Electric buses and transit options are expanding to improve air quality. And smart street lighting upgrades are enhancing efficiency and enabling smart city applications.

Resilience is being strengthened through solar-powered hubs and microgrids that keep the lights on when climate disasters strike. And cutting-edge solutions like green hydrogen are being explored to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors. Partnerships between cities, businesses, and research institutions are also driving climate innovation.

Urban sustainability initiatives like these will accelerate noticeably in 2024. The clean energy trends outlined above will continue growing as cities implement their ambitious climate action plans. Renewables, electrification, smart grids, batteries, green mobility, and other solutions will transform urban systems at ever-faster rates.

To spur further progress, cities are urging greater support from federal and state policymakers. Stronger decarbonization mandates, infrastructure investment, and clean energy incentives from higher levels of government would magnify cities’ impacts. Citizens also have an important role to play through political engagement, consumer choices, and community action.

While daunting work remains, leading cities are proving that climate progress is possible with today’s technologies. Driven by the urgency of the climate crisis, American cities are pioneering models for sustainable, resilient, equitable energy systems nationwide. The clean energy revolution is on in our urban centers, 2024 will see it accelerate with enormous potential for cities to lead the nation and the world.