nZero Case Studies Reno's Carbon Transparency Initiative: A Case Study

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	Reno's Carbon Transparency Initiative: A Case Study nZero

Reno's Carbon Transparency Initiative: A Case Study

nZero

Technology Category	Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Public Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Utilities
Applicable Functions	Facility Management
Use Cases	Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems Smart City Operations
Challenge	Reno, the largest city in Northern Nevada, is experiencing a rapid rise in temperatures, posing a significant threat to its community and natural attractions. In response, the city has prioritized sustainability, creating a robust 2019-2025 Climate Action Plan with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28% from 2008 levels by 2025. However, Reno faced challenges in implementing effective carbon reduction initiatives due to the lack of accurate data. Traditional tracking methodologies based on emissions averages did not provide the strategic and operational insights required to reach these targets. Additionally, the city was struggling to capture its entire carbon footprint, across scopes 1, 2, and 3. Read More
About Customer	Reno, known as 'The Biggest Little City in the World', is the largest city in Northern Nevada with a population of over 235,000. The city is located near Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, and world-class ski facilities, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. However, Reno's temperatures have been rising at an alarming rate since the 1970s, faster than any other city in the United States. This has posed a significant threat to the city's community and natural attractions. In response, Reno has prioritized sustainability and set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read More
Solution	In 2021, Reno partnered with nZero, a leading data and carbon management platform. nZero's platform enabled Reno to capture, sync, and automate real data about emissions across all city operations, related to all three scopes defined by the GHG Protocol. The platform connects directly to utilities, meters, and other operational data sources, providing Reno with direct access to actual, first-party carbon data. This allowed the city to confirm their carbon baseline and ensure they are on track to meet their 2025 goal. The automation of emission data through nZero's platform eliminated the need for city employees to spend countless hours gathering data from disparate sources. The city could now access up-to-date data throughout the year, enabling them to focus on implementing more effective climate action. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Public Cloud

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Use Cases

Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems

Smart City Operations

Challenge

Reno, the largest city in Northern Nevada, is experiencing a rapid rise in temperatures, posing a significant threat to its community and natural attractions. In response, the city has prioritized sustainability, creating a robust 2019-2025 Climate Action Plan with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28% from 2008 levels by 2025. However, Reno faced challenges in implementing effective carbon reduction initiatives due to the lack of accurate data. Traditional tracking methodologies based on emissions averages did not provide the strategic and operational insights required to reach these targets. Additionally, the city was struggling to capture its entire carbon footprint, across scopes 1, 2, and 3.

About Customer

Reno, known as 'The Biggest Little City in the World', is the largest city in Northern Nevada with a population of over 235,000. The city is located near Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, and world-class ski facilities, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. However, Reno's temperatures have been rising at an alarming rate since the 1970s, faster than any other city in the United States. This has posed a significant threat to the city's community and natural attractions. In response, Reno has prioritized sustainability and set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Solution

In 2021, Reno partnered with nZero, a leading data and carbon management platform. nZero's platform enabled Reno to capture, sync, and automate real data about emissions across all city operations, related to all three scopes defined by the GHG Protocol. The platform connects directly to utilities, meters, and other operational data sources, providing Reno with direct access to actual, first-party carbon data. This allowed the city to confirm their carbon baseline and ensure they are on track to meet their 2025 goal. The automation of emission data through nZero's platform eliminated the need for city employees to spend countless hours gathering data from disparate sources. The city could now access up-to-date data throughout the year, enabling them to focus on implementing more effective climate action.

Impact #1	The partnership with nZero has enabled the City of Reno to gain a comprehensive understanding of their operational emissions and identify areas for carbon efficiency. The insights provided by nZero have also allowed the city to quantify the value of its existing rooftop solar installations and identify the optimal hours for charging the city’s electric vehicle fleet to reduce carbon intensity. The city is now more effectively implementing programs and operations that ensure resources are directed to projects with the greatest impact on the city’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, nZero helped the city launch a Public Emissions Portal, providing residents and policy decision-makers with unparalleled transparency of the city’s carbon emissions. This has sparked public dialogue around sustainability initiatives and is expected to help local organizations and nonprofits secure grants for reducing community-wide emissions.

Impact #1

The partnership with nZero has enabled the City of Reno to gain a comprehensive understanding of their operational emissions and identify areas for carbon efficiency. The insights provided by nZero have also allowed the city to quantify the value of its existing rooftop solar installations and identify the optimal hours for charging the city’s electric vehicle fleet to reduce carbon intensity. The city is now more effectively implementing programs and operations that ensure resources are directed to projects with the greatest impact on the city’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, nZero helped the city launch a Public Emissions Portal, providing residents and policy decision-makers with unparalleled transparency of the city’s carbon emissions. This has sparked public dialogue around sustainability initiatives and is expected to help local organizations and nonprofits secure grants for reducing community-wide emissions.

Benefit #1	Within two months of working with nZero, the City of Reno saw a 6.34% decrease in their emissions versus the same time period a year prior.
Benefit #2	The city was able to confirm their carbon baseline and ensure they are on track to meet their 2025 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28% from 2008 levels.
Benefit #3	The automation of emission data through nZero's platform eliminated the need for city employees to spend countless hours gathering data from disparate sources.

Benefit #1

Within two months of working with nZero, the City of Reno saw a 6.34% decrease in their emissions versus the same time period a year prior.

Benefit #2

The city was able to confirm their carbon baseline and ensure they are on track to meet their 2025 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28% from 2008 levels.

Benefit #3

The automation of emission data through nZero's platform eliminated the need for city employees to spend countless hours gathering data from disparate sources.

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Overview

Reno's Carbon Transparency Initiative: A Case Study

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit