Unlocking equitable and sustainable energy access
Carlos Aguiar, City Energy Manager, City of Phoenix
Problems
Energy poverty describes the lack of reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy. The lack of affordable energy contributes to heat exposure and energy burden for people living in the Phoenix metro area.
Energy burden is the percentage of household income that goes toward energy costs. Two variables affect energy burden, income, and energy consumption; the less money or more energy you need, the greater the energy burden..
Methods and Approach
This research would include the assessment, target setting, and action planning using different indicators.
Some of these indicators include:
- Average yearly energy consumption per capita.
- Average number of electric supply interruptions in a typical year.
- Installed capacity of renewable energy sources and total energy generated from renewable energy sources.
- Number of local renewable energy programs.
- Percentage of households within the city boundary that spend up to 10% of income on energy service.
- Percentage of clean energy investment at the local level going to low-income households.
Carlos Aguiar
City Energy Manager,
City of Phoenix
Academic Fellow, 2023
Carlos Aguiar is a highly accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Sustainable Energy from Arizona State University, specializing in sustainable energy innovation systems, including wind, solar, and green hydrogen technologies. As the City Energy Manager in Phoenix's Office of Sustainability, he spearheads energy management initiatives, renewable energy projects, and policy development aligned with sustainability goals. His background includes analyzing electricity demand impacts from COVID-19 and extreme heat, driving renewable energy projects in Sonora, Mexico, and engaging in academic and volunteer roles promoting sustainable energy solutions. Recognized for his dedication, he has been awarded for his contributions to the field and is fluent in English and Spanish, excelling in cross-cultural communication and complex concept explanation.