Building the decarbonized energy system of the future

Background image: Campus aerial view

Berkeley Clean Energy Campus

With target dates of 2028 for phase one and 2030 for phase two, Berkeley has a plan to replace their natural gas powered cogeneration plant with a new clean and green resilient energy system. This forward-thinking initiative will phase out fossil fuel use for powering, heating, and cooling campus. The new reproducible, scalable Berkeley Clean Energy Campus system will demonstrate state-of-the-art technologies and exemplify creative financing such that other campuses and public institutions can replicate Berkeley’s model. For decades, Berkeley has led the world in climate solution technology and policy research. Now, the campus will begin transitioning to an energy system that sets the standard in sustainable, resilient infrastructure.

Berkeley's Climate Leadership 

Berkeley is leading the way to a clean electrified campus energy system by

  • Making future-focused investments in our aging infrastructure.

  • Achieving University, State and Federal energy and carbon goals.

  • Demonstrating a replicable and scalable clean microgrid model for public institutions.

  • Leveraging Berkeley’s brain-trust and providing unique living lab partnerships within the university and by building collaborative relationships with government and industry.

Progress 

The Berkeley Clean Energy Campus initiative has received a capital investment of $249 million from the State of California. Engineering and design studies are nearing completion, and the University of California Board of Regents has approved moving into pre-construction designs. The campus is on track to begin construction on the initial phase of the BCEC capital project by 2025.