How We Can Power Green Cities

Cities are notorious for generating greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM2.5) from transportation, industries and power plants, among other sectors — primary contributors to poor air quality and the ongoing climate crisis. 

Recent studies have shown that 86% of urban dwellers reside in cities with high PM2.5 concentrations, exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards. As a result, about 1.8 million people died from excessive exposure in 2019. 

More cities are proving a smooth transition to clean energy is possible, protecting public health while combating climate change. Here's how American cities are setting an example with greener power.

Powering Sustainable Cities With Clean Energy

The United States has long relied on fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas to deliver energy. However, they emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and harmful toxins, trapping them in the atmosphere.

A United Nations (UN) Habitat study highlighted that cities consume 78% of total global energy and generate 60% of greenhouse gas emissions but only cover about 2% of the Earth.

Cities have integrated renewable energy sources to reach carbon neutrality and become more sustainable.

Solar Power

Solar power generation in the U.S. has increased exponentially throughout the years. Today, nine cities produce enough solar power to exceed the total U.S. solar generation a decade ago, including Honolulu, Las Vegas, San Diego, Albuquerque and San Jose. Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, expanded tax credits and solar incentives are expected to ramp up renewable energy projects in the future.

San Francisco is a prime example of how we can power green cities with solar, ranking first in the ACEEE's 2021 City Clean Energy Scorecard. Per the San Francisco Green Building Code, all new construction must meet solar and electric vehicle (EV) standards for lower energy consumption. 

The city also provides a voluntary energy program and financing options to incentivize commercial solar projects.

Wind Power

Five states — Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois — generated 56% of total U.S. wind energy in 2021. In fact, wind power already accounts for 63% of renewable energy generation in San Antonio. 

Iowa City, Iowa, also continues to benefit from clean wind energy. The city is in partnership with MidAmerican Energy, which proposed an extra 591 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity, moving it toward its goal of net-zero CO2 emissions in 2050. If the proposal is approved, projections indicate that Iowa City's retailers will run on more than 100% wind energy in the project's first year of operation.

Meanwhile, Chicago lawmakers hope to build an offshore wind farm in Lake Michigan as the state moves away from fossil fuels. The project's first phase would include 12 to 24 windmills nearly 15 miles offshore. 

Hydroelectric Power

Hawaii is a leader in U.S. renewable energy, becoming the first state to set a deadline for renewables to account for 100% of electricity sales by 2045. Currently, Kauai's Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is partnering with AES Corp. to develop its first hydroelectric pumped-storage power plant. The project will generate 240 MW to meet one-quarter of Kauai's electricity demand, storing 12 hours' worth of daytime hydroelectricity for nighttime use. 

Seattle also heavily relies on hydroelectric power, which accounts for 86% of the city's energy generation. Residents pay the lowest energy costs in the U.S. at $0.03 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), five times less than California's rate.

Elsewhere, cities are utilizing hydroelectric energy to power their waste management fleets. Global waste has reached 2.01 billion tons annually — much of which comes from cities — with 33% managed in a way that poses an environmental risk. 

For instance, excess waste, improper disposal of toxic compounds and overflowing landfill emissions increase the likelihood of contaminating ecosystems and air quality throughout communities. 

New York City recently optimized its sanitation efforts to reduce emissions by deploying hydroelectric fuel cell fleets. In November 2020, the first of NYC's hydroelectric garbage trucks began servicing the city, with the goal of electrifying 100 of its 2,000 collection trucks between 2023 and 2024.

Moreover, the renewable-powered fleet can run for 12 hours with 50% hydroelectricity, enough for an entire snow removal operation.

Los Angeles's Southern California Gas Co. also announced its recent partnership with Ford Motor Co. to develop a hydrogen fuel cell fleet to replace 50% of its current garbage trucks by 2025. By 2035, the city hopes to achieve 100% emissions-free refuse management.

Renewables Present Green Opportunities in Cities

Running cities on green power is no longer a distant dream. Several municipalities across the country have implemented clean energy solutions within their infrastructure. More cities are likely to transition as investments in renewable projects continue to boost sustainable sources.