The Oakland EcoBlock, Phase II: A Zero Net Energy, Low Water-Use Retrofit Neighborhood
Research project to implement a replicable block-scale electrification retrofit and microgrid of older homes, to strengthen resiliency to power outages, improve indoor air quality, and empower residents to co-own their means of energy production.
The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the Berkeley Campus
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
$1,702,983
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
In 2021, the project team conducted energy audits on 25 residences in a block in Oakland and worked with PG&E to develop a rooftop solar plus central battery microgrid.
In 2022, the block homeowners incorporated a non-profit mutual benefit Association to co-own and manage the solar assets. The project team completed in-home energy audits and developed plans for home performance (insulation and sealing), electrification of space conditioning, and water heating.
Construction activities in 2023 included air sealing and insulation as well as air source heat pump electrification in nearly half the homes and installing the solar panels on a few homes; plans continue on the stormwater mitigation bioswale at the end of the block and EV car share and curbside charging. Progress was delayed due to PG&E’s decision to upgrade the electrical service to the block.
In 2024, PG&E completed the electrical capacity upgrade on the block from a 4 kV overhead distribution line to a 12 kV three-phase line to handle the increased electrical capacity needed for the electrification. The contractor continued to air seal, insulate, and electrify the homes. The bioswale facility at the end of the block was constructed in September and planted by the community in November.
In 2025, project contractors completed the installation of air source heat pumps for space conditioning and heat pump water heaters in all but one of the 25 units; contractors installed and connected most of the main load centers. The solar contractor has installed rooftop solar on all but two properties. The community planted six trees on the block and spread 9 cubic yards of mulch in the new sidewalk strips where concrete was removed. The project is scheduled to conclude in 2026 with all remaining hardware installations, and data collection and analysis submitted as part of the project final report.
The Issue
The majority of California’s frontline communities face rising energy costs, but are unable to afford retrofits and solar energy. Many live in older poorly insulated homes in areas with high air pollution, exacerbated by indoor air pollution from natural gas–fueled space heating, water heating and cooking equipment. The Oakland EcoBlock project represents a demonstration of an energy and electrification retrofit on a block-scale to enable residents to collectively benefit from a shared, resilient, clean source of energy, rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort, and reduce the energy burden of some of our most vulnerable communities.
Project Innovation
Leveraging economies of scale, the EcoBlock advances a new model for scaling Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in existing neighborhoods through block-scale retrofitting that combines energy efficiency retrofit strategies, integrated distributed energy generation systems, and water conservation and capture systems in a low-to-middle income neighborhood in the City of Oakland. This project is the second Phase of the EPIC Challenge: Accelerating the Deployment of Advanced Energy Communities. This project will implement the master plan developed in Phase I.
Project Goals
Test the technical, social, financial, and regulatory aspects of a community-owned rooftop solar system.
Test the hypothesis that retrofitting on the block-scale can be more efficient and cost effective than individual houses.
Project Benefits
This project will result in the ratepayer benefits of greater electricity reliability, lower costs, and increased safety.
Consumer Appeal
Consumer Appeal
By aggregating the required design, permitting, financing, and construction work across a block of homes, the EcoBlock concept reduces transaction costs, overcomes information barriers, and allows access to lower-cost financing.
Consumer Appeal
Consumer Appeal
By aggregating the required design, permitting, financing, and construction work across a block of homes, the EcoBlock concept reduces transaction costs, overcomes information barriers, and allows access to lower-cost financing.
Affordability
Affordability
By aggregating the required design, permitting, financing, and construction work across a block of homes, the EcoBlock concept reduces transaction costs, leverages bulk purchases, improves labor efficiency by reducing half-day labor costs, and overcomes information barriers. Stacking energy efficiency, electrification, and solar generation leads to lower utility bills.
Key Project Members
Therese Peffer
Principal Investigator/Project Manager
CIEE/CITRIS, UC Berkeley
Subrecipients
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
City of Oakland
Build It Green
Integral Group, Inc.
Association for Energy Affordability
Sherwood Design Engineers, Ltd.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Spectrum Energy Development, Inc.
Sun Light & Power
Siegel & Strain Architects
Cathy Leonard
Page Southerland Page Inc.
Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.
Tuttle Law
Kiran Nigam
Civic Design Lab
Match Partners
City of Oakland
EMerge Alliance
Morgan, Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Spectrum Energy Development, Inc.
Spie Batignolles
ARDA Power Inc.
Rexel USA, Inc. DBA Platt Electric Supply
Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda, AFL-CIO
Stanford University - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Siegel &
Strain Architects
