Decarbonization Showcase
BayREN’s Decarbonization Showcase uncovers the path to cleaner, more sustainable public buildings across the Bay Area. By enrolling public buildings in various climate zones, the Showcase provides tailored support to help facilities decarbonize their operations and serve as a model for others.
Showcase projects implement recommended measures for energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, electrification, demand response, and other types of energy-related measures. These projects aim to demonstrate practical solutions for reducing or eliminating emissions from public buildings and the full impacts that can result from building decarbonization projects.
Showcase Goals
- Collect and share real-world data on decarbonization approaches across design, construction, and operation stages for public buildings in a variety of climate zones.
- Offer free technical and financial support to participants, with a focus on projects serving equity priority communities.
- Share findings and insights through case studies, peer network calls, and webinars, while developing metrics to communicate the full range of decarbonization impacts.
For more details on the Decarbonization Showcase, refer to our Program Handbook and Program Flyer:
Cohort One Participants
Cohort One of the Decarbonization Showcase launched in 2025 with five Bay Area jurisdictions advancing real-world building decarbonization projects. Participating jurisdictions are currently moving through design, procurement, and construction. The first decarbonization project - Town of San Anselmo Library - was completed in the spring of 2026. The additional four projects will be completed later this year and in 2027. Post-installation monitoring, data collection, and case study development will continue into 2027.
The Temescal Branch Library serves a large and diverse population in a walkable neighborhood, making it an accessible and visible demonstration site for decarbonization. Opened in 1918, the historic Carnegie library houses a heavily used Tool Lending Library, which attracts patrons from across the city. The Showcase project involves electrifying the library's HVAC system, including the addition of air cooling, to enhance its ability to serve as both a climate resilience hub and a community gathering space. The project supports Oakland's Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP), which calls for municipal building electrification and full decarbonization of existing buildings by 2040.
As a trusted community hub, the San Anselmo Library is uniquely positioned to showcase the benefits of electrification, using its educational programs, workshops, and public displays to inspire residents to adopt similar upgrades. Opened in 1915, the historic Carnegie library plays a crucial role during emergencies, serving as a cooling center in summer and power station during public safety power shutoff events. The Showcase project involves electrifying the library's HVAC system to ensure it remains a sustainable, accessible, and resilient facility. The project supports the Town of San Anselmo's Climate Action Plan, which calls for electrification of existing building systems and equipment that use natural gas.
The Village Sunnydale Avenue is a community center located in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley, an area designated both an Equity Priority Community by the MTC and an Environmental Justice community under San Francisco’s Environmental Justice Framework. The facility plays a vital role in supporting the community, housing four programs that provide critical services: FACES SF Workforce Program, Hawkins Youth Clinic, Family Connections Center, and Calvary Street Village Pantry. The Showcase project involves electrifying the facility’s water heating and HVAC systems to ensure it can continue to provide vital services without disruption in a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment. The project supports the City of San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for decarbonizing the City’s diverse building portfolios within the next 15 years.
The Belle Haven Child Care Development Center is located in a historically underserved neighborhood in Menlo Park, an MTC designated Equity Priority Community. The center provides licensed, subsidized early childhood education and development services for income-qualified children ages three to five years. The Showcase project involves electrifying the center’s cooking equipment and HVAC system that will support ventilation, filtration, and air recirculation for improved daily interior air quality and enhanced resilience during fire season. The project supports the City’s Environmental Justice Element and Climate Action Plan goal to eliminate fossil fuel use in city operations by 2030. A copy of the project's Site Analysis Report, prepared by BayREN and its consultants (kW Engineering and The Energy Coalition), can be found below.
The Roosevelt Community Center is a focal point of the Santee neighborhood in East San José, an MTC designated Equity Priority Community. The center provides important public services such as daily childcare and elder care programs and heating, cooling, and shelter relief to the City’s most vulnerable community members. With its unique combination of high priority community benefits and existing sustainable features and plans, the center is the ideal location for San José’s first Resiliency Center. The Showcase project involves electrifying the facility’s cooking equipment and water heating and HVAC systems, as well as retrofitting the existing lighting system, to improve indoor air quality, reduce emissions, and support public health. The project supports the City of San José’s Climate Smart and Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 Plans, which calls for implementing zero net carbon buildings, green commutes, and transition to a renewable energy future.
Cohort Two Participants
Cohort Two of the Decarbonization Showcase launched in Spring 2026 with five new municipal projects that will demonstrate how public buildings can transition away from fossil fuels while advancing community health and resilience.
The Clinton Park Recreation Center is a City-owned community facility in Oakland’s Clinton/Eastlake neighborhood, a MTC-designated Equity Priority Community. Operated by local nonprofit Trybe, Inc., the Center serves as a vital neighborhood hub offering youth and family programming. The Showcase project involves electrifying the Center’s space heating, clothes drying, and kitchen equipment - including a new commercial kitchen that will support expanded food recovery and distribution under California SB 1383. The project will improve indoor air quality, reduce emissions, and increase the Center’s capacity to function as a resilient, community-serving space. The project advances Oakland’s Equitable Climate Action Plan, which requires major retrofits of City-owned buildings to be all-electric while supporting the development of community-based resilience hubs.
The Willow Pass Recreation Center is a centrally located community facility serving residents of Concord through recreational programming, community events, and workshops. Situated within Willow Pass Community Park and within walking and biking distance of downtown Concord, the Center has been identified by the City as a potential resilience hub and is already slated for significant capital improvements. The Showcase project will involve electrifying the existing HVAC system, domestic water heating system, and kitchen equipment, while incorporating energy efficiency improvements. The project supports the City of Concord’s Climate Action Plan, which prioritizes energy efficiency, electrification of municipal facilities, and participation in demand response and renewable energy programs.
The Pinole Public Safety Building houses the City’s Police and Fire Departments, providing essential emergency response and public safety services for Pinole and surrounding communities. As part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program, the facility is slated for major system upgrades due to aging and inefficient equipment that has exceeded its useful life. The Showcase project involves electrifying the building’s existing HVAC and domestic water heating systems, as well as kitchen and laundry equipment. The project will improve indoor comfort, safety, and operational efficiency for staff and the public, and supports the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which calls for electrification of municipal buildings by 2035.
Fairfax Town Hall is the highest‑priority building in the Town’s municipal portfolio and the center of local government for the community’s 7,476 residents. The facility houses both administrative offices and the Police Department and is designated as the Town’s Emergency Resource Center, providing critical services during power outages and other emergencies. The Showcase project involves electrifying the building’s space heating equipment with high‑efficiency, all-electric heat pump technology. Having previously participated in BayREN's Energy Roadmapping service, the project represents a shovel‑ready opportunity to deliver meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and demonstrate cost‑effective building electrification in a small‑town context. The project supports the Town’s Climate Action Plan goals to electrify municipal facilities, reduce emissions, and ensure essential public services remain resilient and operational during climate‑driven disruptions.
The Shoreview Recreation Center is a community facility located in a MTC-designated EPC, providing recreational programming, classes, and gathering space for residents of the Shoreview area. The Showcase project involves electrifying the Center’s rooftop HVAC units and domestic water heating system. These upgrades will improve indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and overall system performance while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from daily operations. By modernizing core building infrastructure, the project supports the City’s broader climate and sustainability goals and demonstrates a practical, scalable approach to electrifying municipal recreation facilities.
Decarbonized Public Building Examples
Many local governments in the Bay Area are taking action to decarbonize their buildings. Browse through previous and ongoing examples to gain insights into successful approaches for implementing decarbonization projects in public buildings.
Questions
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