In February, the TEC team headed to the California Endowment in Oakland for the Advanced Energy Communities (AEC) Symposium. It was a day filled with “hope in action,” where leaders from across the state gathered to discuss how we can move beyond theoretical models and pilot projects to scale community-driven local power and decarbonization statewide.
As a featured presenter, TEC shared the stage to discuss our work on the Bassett-Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC) project. As one of California’s most ambitious AEC pilots, BAAEC was about proving that a clean energy future can be affordable, accessible, and community-led.
As we wrap up the BAAEC project and reflect on what we learned, we’re sharing three of our top insights from the front lines of building an advanced energy community.
1. Trust is Everything
You can have the most advanced technology in the world, but it won’t succeed without the trust of the people using it. In the San Gabriel Valley, we’ve learned that “engagement” isn’t a one-time town hall; it’s a sustained relationship. By partnering with local leaders and focusing on environmental justice communities that have been historically overlooked, we ensure that the transition to clean energy is something that happens with and by the community, not to it.
TEC is focused on community-led initiatives that strengthen and empower communities as a core infrastructure for local energy and decarbonization.
2. Affordability and Resiliency is the Goal
Preparing for the clean energy future shouldn’t come with a premium price tag. And it should be for everyone. Our work on Community Solar (which offers renters 100% clean electricity at a 20% discount) and Advanced Homes (which provides single-family homeowners with rooftop solar, batteries, and electrification) showed that it’s possible to bring clean energy to every household, regardless of zip code.
3. Community First
While the energy industry often focuses on “market transformation” as the key to the energy transition, a truly fair and democratic future requires community transformation. This means looking beyond just market barriers to solve the systemic challenges that have historically left people out—like high home repair costs due to deferred maintenance and limited access to financing.
By putting the community first, we address these hurdles head-on. It may take more time at the start to build this foundation, but a holistic community focus creates the trust and shared infrastructure needed for clean energy adoption. Solutions driven by markets alone risk alienating those most in need. Community-driven change ensures that no one is left behind.
Looking Ahead
The AEC Symposium was a reminder that while the path to a low-carbon economy is challenging, the groundwork is already being laid. TEC’s BAAEC project, and others like it that were showcased at the symposium, serve as a living lab for the rest of California. We aren’t just dreaming of a brighter energy future; together, we’re building it one community at a time.
Want to learn more about BAAEC or how we’re scaling these lessons to other regions? Click here to explore our project portfolio or follow us on LinkedIn for more updates from the field!
