Clean Energy Hubs

Solution Pitch

The Problem

Gemini's Clean Energy Hubs initiative addresses three primary obstacles of affordability, knowledge, and access that disproportionately impact people of color when trying to implement clean energy solutions, reduce their energy costs, or increase their communities' resilience.

The Solution

Clean Energy Hubs transform community anchor organizations into revenue-generating microgrids, growing wealth and resiliency for their communities. They have solar power, energy storage, and bi-directional electric vehicle charging stations, along with environmental education and workforce development programs.

Gemini works with community anchors, such as trusted institutions with regular community interaction, to equitably distribute these benefits. These organizations are able to provide a safe, emissions-free haven, add multiple new revenue streams, provide familiarity with clean technology, introduce clean energy career opportunities, and ensure that reliable and flexible power is always accessible to their community. The benefits of a clean energy hub are maximized during emergency situations with the potential to provide power to medical devices, meals, and shelter from the weather.

In short, Clean Energy Hubs create a regenerative, clean energy ecosystem and act as a catalyst for the community by promoting affordability, information, and access to this clean energy ecosystem.

Stats

• The anchor organizations that Clean Energy Hubs works with are estimated to reach approximately 3,000 people; they include a church in Hayward, CA, a church in Greenville, SC, and a community center in Greenville, SC.

Market Opportunity

Gemini is focusing on Justice40 communities, designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as disadvantaged. Over 56,000 congregations are located in these communities. The size of this market is over $30 billion. Community anchors were chosen because of their dedication to their community and engagement on environmental issues.

Organization Highlights

• Optimal Tech: They provide the Solar and microgrid technical specs and installation for the Clean Energy Hubs

• OpConnect: They provide the EV charging station installation and software manager for the Clean Energy Hubs

• BlocPower: They are providing HVAC and electrification financing and facilitating the installation

• Solar Stewards: They are working to realize solar renewable energy credits for the Clean Energy Hub projects

• Norwegian Energy Solutions & Services: They put together the capital stack for the Clean Energy Hub in a way that enables the customer to have ownership of the solar

• Inclusive Prosperity Capital: They provide loans for the Clean Energy Hubs

• Clean Energy Group: They provide grants to pay for the clean energy hubs' technical feasibility studies

• People Justice Council. - Clean Energy Hubs provides the feasibility study for clean energy hubs within the communities they serve.

• Green The Church: Coalition of Black churches supporting environmental and climate justice, Clean Energy Hubs provides for their members the feasibility study of Clean Energy Hubs and facilitates the connection to the financiers and implementers.

Partnership Goals

Clean Energy Hubs seeks:

• Guidance on data collection techniques

• Leveraging social media / global media for a specific campaign

• Project Management

• Public Relations

• Clean Energy Manufacturing