Regional

Challenges

Looking to Clean Tech for a Stronger Economy and Cleaner Environment
AC·NET

Each year, we assess the attractiveness of Business Plan Competition contestants by their ability to address southern California's energy and water resource problems. By solving these problems, Anaheim will be able to secure the natural resources necessary for future prosperity.

 

Here are just a few of the regional challenges we are looking to clean technology to help us solve...

Methods to deliver drought-proof supplies to the region

In light of growing water demand and dwindling supplies, Anaheim needs to develop drought-proof water supplies for potable and non-potable usage to sustain future growth.  Anaheim looks to clean technology to provide solutions for improving water use efficiency, water resuse such as gray water recycling, and developing new supplies such as rainwater harvesting and seawater desalination.

Alternative Technologies to Recharge Groundwater to the Region

Much of Anaheim's water comes from the underground aquifer that underlies most of Orange County.  Therefore, one way to increase water supply availability is to find clean technology solutions that can improve rainfall capture and reduce urban runoff to increase the amount of water available to recharge the aquifer.  In addition, we seek new methods to improve the infiltration rate of water into the aquifer, such as systems to remove silt from water.

Energy Efficiency and Demand Reduction Technologies

Saving energy keeps more dollars in the pockets of everyone. Consumers have more money to spend on other goods and services. Businesses can increase their profit margins and use them to grow, expand, and hire. And, its also good for an electric utility like Anaheim Public Utilities. For, while we may collect less revenue from power sales, we also save by avoiding the need to build more power plants, purchase more energy to meet peak demand, and expanding the electric system to carry more energy to our customers.  Regulators have also long focused on energy efficiency, with mandates on utilities to spend a portion of their revenue on customer energy efficiency and setting customer energy efficiency targets. Therefore, we look to clean technology for solutions to help customers become more energy efficient and reduce their electric demands during peak periods, such as the hot summer months.

Green House Gas Emissions

With stricter air quality regulations looming, Anaheim Public Utilities must find ways to reduce its Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.  However, this is no easy task as Anaheim Public Utilities generates much of its electricity from fossil fuels. Therefore, to meet these future mandates, we will look to clean technology to provide solutions to reduce emissions and generate more energy from renewable resources.