
The City of Pasadena and the California Institute of Technology are about to formalize a partnership aimed at decarbonizing and modernizing the city’s electricity infrastructure. A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two entities outlines plans for collaboration on sustainable, carbon-free energy initiatives.
David M. Reyes, Interim General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), will report on the details of the proposed agreement before the Municipal Services Committee which meets on Tuesday, July 23. In a memorandum to the committee, he said the MOU would establish a framework for PWP and Caltech to work together on shared interests and development goals.
“PWP and Caltech recognize the benefits of a joint vision to help identify new opportunities, programs, studies, and projects that can achieve mutual objectives,” he said.
He added the partnership would explore various concepts, including the procurement of carbon-free electricity and options for local base load generation and distribution infrastructure. Other areas of focus include the deployment of distributed energy resources and microgrids, as well as research on climate action and emerging technologies.
Additional collaboration areas encompass energy efficiency, demand response, load-shifting, and building and transportation electrification.
“The MOU does not create any legally binding obligations, nor a commitment of funds,” Reyes explained. “Rather, it is a formal understanding that both parties will identify, share, and collaboratively pursue actions and funding options that support a clean, resilient, and modern power system and would be executed by the City Manager.”
The agreement is expected to be formalized this fall, Reyes said.