Decarbonization Showcase
BayREN’s Decarbonization Showcase uncovers the path to cleaner, more sustainable public buildings across the Bay Area. By enrolling a select group of public buildings in various climate zones, the Showcase provides tailored support to help facilities decarbonize their operations and serve as a model for others.
Showcase projects will implement recommended measures for energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, electrification, demand response, and other types of energy-related measures. These projects aim to demonstrate practical solutions for reducing or eliminating emissions from public buildings and the full impacts that can result from building decarbonization projects.
The application period closed on March 18, 2025.
To learn more about the Decarbonization Showcase, refer to our Program Handbook:
Please check this page regularly for future updates.
Showcase Goals
- Collect and share real-world data on decarbonization approaches across design, construction, and operation stages for public buildings in a variety of climate zones.
- Offer free technical and financial support to participants, with a focus on projects serving equity priority communities.
- Share findings and insights through case studies, peer network calls, and webinars, while developing metrics to communicate the full range of decarbonization impacts.
Participating Projects
The Temescal Branch Library serves a large and diverse population in a walkable neighborhood, making it an accessible and visible demonstration site for decarbonization. Opened in 1918, the historic Carnegie library houses a heavily used Tool Lending Library, which attracts patrons from across the city. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the library's HVAC system, including the addition of air cooling, to enhance its ability to serve as both a climate resilience hub and a community gathering space. The project supports Oakland's Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP), which calls for municipal building electrification and full decarbonization of existing buildings by 2040.
As a trusted community hub, the San Anselmo Library is uniquely positioned to showcase the benefits of electrification, using its educational programs, workshops, and public displays to inspire residents to adopt similar upgrades. Opened in 1915, the historic Carnegie library plays a crucial role during emergencies, serving as a cooling center in summer and power station during public safety power shutoff events. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the library's HVAC system to ensure it remains a sustainable, accessible, and resilient facility. The project supports the Town of San Anselmo's Climate Action Plan, which calls for electrification of existing building systems and equipment that use natural gas.
The Village Sunnydale Avenue is a community center located in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley, an area designated both an Equity Priority Community by the MTC and an Environmental Justice community under San Francisco’s Environmental Justice Framework. The facility plays a vital role in supporting the community, housing four programs that provide critical services: FACES SF Workforce Program, Hawkins Youth Clinic, Family Connections Center, and Calvary Street Village Pantry. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the facility’s water heating and HVAC systems to ensure it can continue to provide vital services without disruption in a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment. The project supports the City of San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for decarbonizing the City’s diverse building portfolios within the next 15 years.
The Belle Haven Child Care Development Center is located in a historically underserved neighborhood in Menlo Park, an MTC designated Equity Priority Community. The center provides licensed, subsidized early childhood education and development services for income-qualified children ages three to five years. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the center’s cooking equipment and HVAC system that will support ventilation, filtration, and air recirculation for improved daily interior air quality and enhanced resilience during fire season. The project supports the City’s Environmental Justice Element and Climate Action Plan goal to eliminate fossil fuel use in city operations by 2030.
The Roosevelt Community Center is a focal point of the Santee neighborhood in East San José, an MTC designated Equity Priority Community. The center provides important public services such as daily childcare and elder care programs and heating, cooling, and shelter relief to the City’s most vulnerable community members. With its unique combination of high priority community benefits and existing sustainable features and plans, the center is the ideal location for San José’s first Resiliency Center. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the facility’s cooking equipment and water heating and HVAC systems, as well as retrofitting the existing lighting system, to improve indoor air quality, reduce emissions, and support public health. The project supports the City of San José’s Climate Smart and Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 Plans, which calls for implementing zero net carbon buildings, green commutes, and transition to a renewable energy future.
Decarbonized Public Building Examples
Many local governments in the Bay Area are taking action to decarbonize their buildings. Browse through previous and ongoing examples to gain insights into successful approaches for implementing decarbonization projects in public buildings.
Additional Resources
Questions
Email us at publicbuildings@bayren.org