Smart City Open Urban Platform - Energy Tracking and Control

In 2017 the City of San Diego received a grant from the California Energy Commission and the Local Government Commission to launch the Smart City Open Urban Platform (SCOUP) to enable remote, automated control and tracking of energy systems at City facilities. Under the pilot, energy use data and EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager benchmarking data for all 3,500 municipal energy meters were integrated into SCOUP databases and displayed through public-facing energy dashboards. Additionally, three municipal libraries were integrated into a central Building Automation System (BAS) equipped with fault detection and diagnostics. With this system in place, the City expects to more efficiently operate the libraries and experience both energy and GHG reductions. The project wrapped up in March 2022. 

Notably, implementation of the project resulted in a significant outcome that would not have otherwise been realized – collaboration and recognition among key internal stakeholder departments regarding the significant value and work associated with establishing a citywide, enterprise BAS. 

SCOUP will help our City be better prepared to weather climate-change-driven disruptions. The SCOUP dashboards will provide better transparency into demand shifting opportunities that will not only decrease costs, but also allow the City to play its part in times of grid stress, thereby reducing risks of outages and wildfires, and increasing safety and resiliency across our communities. Remote accessibility to energy system controls increases response times of facilities’ staff and ensures building energy systems can be managed more easily in times of disruption. 

City of San Diego Energy Dashboard: