EcoBlock Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Therese Peffer shares insights on implementing neighborhood-scale electrification in a recent feature on KALW Public Media.
Therese highlights the complex coordination required between the city, contractors, and utility to retrofit the Oakland EcoBlock neighborhood with energy-efficient upgrades. She also notes the importance of building trust with the participating residents and hopes EcoBlock can serve as a model for other neighbors to band together and learn together.
“If you don’t know anyone with a heat pump or if you don’t know anyone who’s ever had solar, you can’t ask them,” says Therese. “And so the idea about going into a neighborhood, you’re starting to get those conversations happening.”