Active Alerts

If you are experiencing a water, power, or sewer emergency or service problem call our 24-hour hotline at 3-1-1 or (415) 701-2311 from outside SF or log on at sf311.org. Learn more or review active service alerts.
Power

Beat the Heat: Downtown SF Buildings Team Up to Save Energy on California’s Hottest Days

2024 Peak Performer, Foundry Square II (The Orrick Building).
  • Elizabeth Grubb

CleanPowerSF’s Peak Day Partners program had a record-breaking 2024 season. With some of the warmest weather we've experienced, Peak Performers rose to the challenge and played a vital role in shedding energy load on California’s hottest days.  

In 2024, 42 large downtown San Francisco buildings participated in Peak Day Partners, a program that incentivizes energy load reduction on days when California’s electric grid is most strained. With a hot start to July, Peak Day Partners jumped into action for several “Event Days," defined as designated times on hot, summer days when demand for energy is the highest. In total, Peak Day Partners reduced their energy load by 97,664 kWh – the largest reduction in the program’s history! 

2024’s Peak Performers  

Several Peak Day Partners went the extra mile this season. CleanPowerSF is proud to recognize the top performing Peak Performers of 2024, who were selected based on the highest overall load reduction and most consistent efforts to reduce energy usage throughout the season.  

The Peak Performers include the following CleanPowerSF customers: 50 California, 345 California, 888 Brannan, Foundry Square II (The Orrick Building), Levi’s Plaza, One Embarcadero Center, Salesforce Tower, and Waymo's San Francisco Charging Hub. 

Salesforce Tower's Chief Engineer, JP Morgan, who helped the building reduce its energy load
Salesforce Tower's Chief Engineer, JP Morgan, who helped the building reduce its energy load.

CleanPowerSF’s Peak Performers emphasized that their commitment to sustainability and desire to be an environmental steward inspired them to take action throughout the season. They employed a variety of energy saving tactics, from shortening the length of automatic timing lights to pre-cooling their buildings before peak hours, 4:00-9:00 P.M. A few Peak Performers noted that collaboration with their tenants was critical – many tenants also conserved energy with the shared goal of alleviating stress on the electric grid and setting a positive example for a more sustainable future.  

CleanPowerSF’s Peak Day Partners Program 

The Peak Day Partners Program is a partnership between CleanPowerSF and large downtown San Francisco buildings with the shared commitment of stabilizing California’s electric grid. Peak Day Partners do their part by reducing their electricity usage on Event Days between 4 P.M. and 9 P.M. from July 1 to October 31. Event Days are typically called on hot, summer days when California’s electric grid is the most strained. 

Peak Day Partners has a few unique facets. For one, the program is completely risk free. Unlike some similar load reduction programs, CleanPowerSF incentivizes participation but does not penalize buildings that are unable to participate. CleanPowerSF also nearly doubles the incentives for customers who successfully reduce their electric load on 75% or more Event Days.  

Another unique feature of the program is its collaborative nature. Not only is it a partnership between CleanPowerSF and Peak Partners, but it is also a statewide collaboration. With San Francisco’s relatively mild summers and cool marine breeze, we are able to reduce electricity usage when other warmer parts of California need it most.  

Thank you to all the 2024 Peak Day Partners who participated and contributed to California’s grid stability!