Energy
Energy is what allows us to go about our daily activities. Unfortunately, much of the energy we use is currently generated from unsustainable resources that causes climate change and environmental degradation. We need to use energy more efficiently and switch from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable fuel sources. This energy will also need to be stored to drastically improve the sustainability and resilience of our energy systems
This page provides insight into the energy we use in our homes, offices, and travel. It also addresses municipal energy use, which includes City-owned facilities, schools, and streets, as well as activities like water and wastewater pumping and solid waste pick-up.
Community Energy Use
Our Data
In 2019, residents and businesses around Cambridge used 1.65 billion kWh of electricity, 73.5 million Therms of natural gas and 3.1 million gallons of fuel oil to power, heat, and cool buildings.
UNIT | Energy from different sources is measured in different ways – electricity is measured in kWh, natural gas in therms, oil in gallons. We can convert these different measures into a common measure- million British Thermal Units (MMBTU) -to better understand and compare total energy use. | MMBTUMillion British Thermal Units |
Energy from different sources is measured in different ways – electricity is measured in kWh, natural gas in therms, oil in gallons. We can convert these different measures into a common measure- million British Thermal Units (MMBTU) -to better understand and compare total energy use. | MMBTUMillion British Thermal Units |
Block Island Offshore Wind Farm, Rhode Island
Credit: Ionna22 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Cambridge Community Electricity Program
The Cambridge Community Electricity Program is a City aggregation program that supports the development of local renewable energy projects. Aggregation programs allow local governments to procure power from a utility on behalf of residents and businesses. Our program offers potential for savings compared to Eversource’s Basic Service price, though savings cannot be guaranteed). The CCE is a City-vetted alternative to Eversource’s Basic Service and to other third-party electricity providers in the marketplace.
In March of 2022, a 243 kW solar array was put on the Graham and Parks School. The system was built with funds collected from Cambridge Community Electricity program participants. Nearly 40,000 Cambridge Eversource customers already participate in the program. Additionally, you can opt-up to receive 100% renewable electricity.
Municipal Energy Use
Decreasing Energy Use & Emissions
Since 2008 the City has reduced its energy use by 23%.
In addition to reducing energy use, we also switched the kind of energy we use, which reduces emissions from energy even more. For example, several municipal buildings were rebuilt to use less energy, which reduced GHG emissions. But they also had solar installed on the roof, which produces electricity with zero GHG emissions.
Municipal Energy Use
How is the City Reducing Energy Use?
The City’s efforts to reduce energy use from all sectors save money and minimize our impact on the environment. Efforts include:
Solar Power Capacity
Total kW of Solar
The publicly and privately-owned solar panels throughout Cambridge generate pollution-free electricity using a source that is in endless supply - the sun. Here we are looking at solar electricity generation capacity, which is the maximum amount of electrical power that could be produced by all of the solar panels in Cambridge under perfect conditions. Solar is growing in Cambridge with over 950 individual projects and there is still a lot of untapped potential. Cambridge has established a goal to have 55 megawatts of solar by 2030.
UNIT | A kilowatt is a measure of power, or how fast something generates or uses energy. The higher a unit’s kW, the faster it uses energy. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. | kWKilowatt |
A kilowatt is a measure of power, or how fast something generates or uses energy. The higher a unit’s kW, the faster it uses energy. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. | kWKilowatt |
Solar Power Capacity
Community-Funded Local Solar
Over 40,000 electricity accounts participate in the Cambridge Community Electricity Program. All the Cambridge Community Electricity Program participants pay a $0.002 charge on each kWh of electricity they use and their collective impact has added over $2 million dollars to our Renewable Energy Fund. In March 2022, a new 243kW local solar project was installed on Graham and Parks School using Renewable Energy Fund money. This solar project is collectively “owned” by all the Cambridge Community Electricity Program participants.
All the RECs from this solar project are retired on behalf of the Community Electricity Program participants, reducing their carbon emissions. All the solar net metering credits will be sold and the funds re-invested in the Renewable Energy Fund. The result is that each Cambridge Community Electricity Program participant helped to add more renewable electricity to the local electricity grid. The electricity produced by this new solar project will take the place of some fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Solar Power Capacity
Solar on City Buildings
Cambridge has installed a total of 2,750 kW in solar energy capacity across 16 different city owned and operated facilities. Cumulatively, these systems are projected to produce over 2.8 million kWh, which in FY23 provided 6% of all the energy used in municipal buildings. While, the City has achieved its goal for municipal on-site solar there are more solar projects planned to be constructed over the coming years.
While these solar panels provide on-site access to renewable energy the city continues to procure 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Did You Know?
As of the end of 2024, there were over 950 public and private installations that received permits from the City of Cambridge. All these arrays have a combined capacity of 10 MW in electricity.
1 MW of solar energy can power 164 homes!
Solar Power Capacity
Map
The City of Cambridge tracks the number of permitted solar installations in the city and posts them on the open data portal. These systems include solar photovoltaics and solar hot water systems. If you are interested in getting solar on your roof you can use the Project Sunroof tool developed by Google to get some initial insights, for more detailed information you should contact the Cambridge Energy Alliance.
How You Can Help
Reduce Energy Use in Your Own Home
There are a lot of opportunities to reduce energy use in your own home, such as switching to LED lights, adding insulation, and buying a heat pump.