On May 7, CIEE Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Phillippe Phanivong, with support from Dr. Miriam Aczel, showcased the EcoBlock project in an online seminar for the Australian National University (ANU)’s Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program (BSGIP). Phanivong shared the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned from the project, an initiative led by CIEE to retrofit an Oakland neighborhood with energy-efficient tools and technologies. He explained how EcoBlock is a collaborative effort between the community and the research team. To succeed, it must rely on many disciplines—such as architecture, policy, engineering, and business—as well as fostering relationships with neighborhood residents.
Watch the seminar on the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program website
