{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Electrification, Microgrids, & the Future of Buildings with Jordan Lerner","description":"\u2705 The Green Impact Report Quick take: Electrification isn\u2019t just about swapping out equipment \u2014 it\u2019s about rethinking how buildings, transportation, and infrastructure work together. In this episode, Schneider Electric\u2019s Jordan Lerner shares how microgrids, fleet electrification, and creative funding strategies are transforming schools, cities, and public facilities. \ud83d\ude4b\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Jordan Lerner is a sustainability and energy infrastructure leader at Schneider Electric, where he oversees teams designing and delivering energy efficiency, electrification, and resiliency projects across the western United States. Over his career, Jordan has helped implement more than $1 billion in energy efficiency and sustainability projects, particularly for schools, cities, and public sector buildings. \ud83c\udf31 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Jordan Lerner explores how electrification, microgrids, and innovative financing are reshaping sustainable infrastructure. \ud83e\udde8 Key Insight #1: Electrifying Transportation Infrastructure The Challenge: Traditional school buses run on diesel, producing emissions directly at child breathing height and requiring fossil fuels to operate. The Solution: Deploy electric bus fleets supported by new electrical service infrastructure, including fast-charging stations and grid upgrades coordinated with utilities. ROI: Cleaner air for students, reduced operational costs, and future capabilities like mobile Wi-Fi hubs for communities during emergencies or remote learning. \ud83e\uddf0 Key Insight #2: Microgrids for Community Resilience The Challenge: Wildfires, extreme weather, and utility shutdowns are increasingly causing power outages that disrupt critical services like schools and food storage. The Solution: Deploy microgrid systems integrating solar, battery storage, and backup generators to maintain power during outages. ROI: Facilities can operate independently from the main grid for extended periods \u2014 protecting food storage, keeping schools running, and safeguarding community infrastructure. \ud83c\udfaf Key Insight #3: Funding Sustainability Through Operational Savings The Challenge: Many sustainability projects stall due to limited capital budgets for infrastructure upgrades. The Solution: Energy-based contracting that converts operational savings \u2014 like reduced energy costs \u2014 into funding streams for capital improvements. ROI: Grants, incentives, and energy savings combine to finance projects that otherwise wouldn\u2019t happen, enabling schools and cities to modernize without new tax burdens. \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Sustainable Soundbite \u201cElectrification isn\u2019t just swapping equipment \u2014 it can mean redesigning the entire electrical backbone of a building.\u201d \u2014 Jordan Lerner \ud83e\udde9 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: 1. This Week: Evaluate where energy waste exists in your facility \u2014 lighting, HVAC, or electrical distribution are common starting points. 2. This Quarter: Explore electrification opportunities such as EV infrastructure, heat pumps, or renewable integration. 3. This Year: Develop a resilience strategy using microgrids or energy storage to protect operations from outages. \ud83d\udd17 Connect & Learn More \ud83c\udf3f Access full episode resources: https:\/\/gbes.com\/podcast\/ \ud83d\udcc4 Read the transcript here \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83d\udcbb Connect with Jordan Lerner: Website: http:\/\/seadvisoryservices.com LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jordan-lerner-20a6419\/ \ud83d\udc9a Join the Green Building Movement: https:\/\/www.greenbuilding.news\/subscribe \u267b\ufe0f Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. \ud83d\udc49 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: https:\/\/www.greenbuilding.news\/subscribe \ud83e\udd1d Today\u2019s Episode Is In Partnership With: BUILDINGPLAQUES.COM ****\u2192 Get your FREE LEED Recognition Plaque evaluation kit today! Green Building Matters, Inc \u00a9 2026 | Good Green Fun.   ","author_name":"The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti","author_url":"http:\/\/gbespodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"