Host: The Energy Coalition
Region: Southern California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Transportation / Mobility, Climate Mitigation, Renewable Energy
Skills Needed: Project Management, Data Analysis, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

This project will be guided by the Los Angeles County’s Chief Sustainability Office and will focus on the implementation of the Bassett and Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC), which is a California Energy Commission EPIC grant led by The Energy Coalition (TEC). The County developed the Our County Sustainability Plan and the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) to support regional and countywide climate leadership and “guide a range of climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and community resiliency efforts” [CVA]. This project will build on the County’s analysis and planning efforts and inform best practices to support the scale-up of resiliency and mobility solutions.

BAAEC is demonstrating how distributed energy resources can support a resilient, equitable and affordable energy transition. The project will focus on transportation electrification and mobility options as well as community resilience.

The goals of the project are to leverage the BAAEC project-level experience to accelerate the implementation of microgrids as community climate resilience centers and to develop alternatives to single-vehicle transportation that are designed with the community needs in mind. By supporting the implementation of a microgrid as well as the vanpool and microtransit projects, the Fellow will work through the design and implementation of demonstration projects and develop best practices for scalable models.

Project Description

The Fellow will directly support the BAAEC implementation team through the following roles and responsibilities:

• Literature review and industry research on key topics affecting the design and implementation of the project. Making connections with groups/stakeholders and facilitating discussions to advance the collective vision of the projects.
• Information and data synthesis leading to project recommendations and towards documenting best practices; including updates to project development and implementation process and creation of project data tools and templates.
• Deliver on BAAEC grant team ad-hoc assignments related to the successful implementation of BAAEC demonstration projects

The Fellow will support the BAAEC team with the below, project-specific research questions. It will be the Fellow’s responsibility to develop a more comprehensive and strategic plan for scalable solutions while supporting and gathering insights as the BAAEC project is implemented.

Project desired outcomes include checklists, tools and templates that can be used by others in the development of similar projects.

• Project #1: Climate Resilience Center Microgrid Demonstration Project.

Agency served: Los Angeles County

Scope research questions that the Fellow would help with include: How do LA County efforts (Sustainability Plan, Vulnerability Assessment, Climate Action and Adaptation Planning) support grassroot and community driven project siting and identification? What is the screening checklist to qualify a suitable microgrid site? What are the funding and financing models to make the project a reality? How are community organizations and the community at large part of the planning, design and implementation of a community resilience center and how are projects developed to address equity and environmental justice?

This work will increase capacity by supporting the County, local governments, and stakeholders in meeting OurCounty Sustainability Plan Goal 7: A fossil fuel-free LA County. The project will specifically support Actions #86 (…identif[y] opportunities for deploying distributed energy resources and microgrids in order to improve energy resiliency in disadvantaged communities) and #88 (Maximize the installation of solar and energy storage systems on County property whenever cost-effective).

• Project #2: Zero-Emissions Vanpool and Microtransit Demonstration Projects.

Agency served: Los Angeles County

Scope research questions that the Fellow would help with include: How are shared mobility options best adopted by communities? What EV infrastructure is required and how is siting of EV Chargers and developing a route for microtransit shuttle services designed to increase community adoption? What are the funding and financing models to make the project a reality? What are appropriate pricing rates to the community? How are community organizations and the community at large part of the planning, design and implementation of smart mobility options and how are projects developed to address equity and environmental justice?

This work will increase capacity by supporting the County and OurCounty Sustainability Plan with Strategy 7B:Create a zero-emission transportation system and Strategy 8A: Reduce vehicle miles traveled by prioritizing alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. Through toolkit and best practices sharing, the work will also support local governments throughout the County.

The project will specifically help the County with Action #92 (Install EV chargers at County facilities and properties for public, employee, and fleet use, prioritizing locations in disadvantaged communities) and Action #102 (develop a transportation technology strategy to proactively address how evolving tech-enabled mobility options can support public transit and advance OurCounty goals).

Desired Skills

– Industry or academic exposure: an ideal Fellow would have internship experience or coursework with exposure to renewable energy and electric vehicles.
– Independent: a fellow that is a self-starter and takes initiative and one that enjoys problem-solving will be a great fit.
– Mission-driven: Those with an expressed interest in environmental justice may be more aligned with the project goals and objectives.
– Confident and self-aware: the Fellow will interact with seasoned professionals while tackling difficult topics. Being comfortable with managing up and asking questions will be essential.
– Analytical skills: the project requires critical thinking, data analysis, and some research. Staying focused on the goals of the project means being able to interpret and discern key information and building practical solutions to complex issues.
– Organized and attention to detail: the Fellow will primarily work with a small team on a highly visible project. There are lots of moving parts and lots of stakeholders involved. Organized and detailed oriented Fellows will be most successful on these projects.

Organization & Community Highlights

TEC enjoys a collaborative, mission-driven and results-oriented culture with a sense of work-life balance. We look to be inclusive and cultivate a team-oriented environment with a culture of learning. We invest in TEC Teaches, a staff-led ongoing webinar, and luncheons on various topics that bring staff together for professional development, keeping staff connected and engaged. Within TEC Teaches, an Environmental Justice Working Group supports a culture of constant learning around issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and helps build internal capacity for engaging with the community and delivering programs and services.

The proposed projects for the Fellow will provide tangible experience on resiliency, renewable energy, EV infrastructure and smart mobility projects while developing awareness of Countywide efforts. In addition to being exposed to project, planning, and policy level work, the Fellow will help design and create tools and resources for scaling up solutions. This experience represents a significant professional development experience for a Fellow.

Remote or On-Site Placement

TEC is following all CDC and County guidance for safety protocols. As a general rule, at this time TEC does not require that employees return to in-person office work full time. A Fellow will have the same flexibility to choose to work remotely or come into the office for group meetings.