Building on a Legacy of Karl Knapp: Advancing Renewable Energy at CPAU
Lihan Huang, MS '24 Civil and Environmental Engineering
Karl Knapp Energy Fellow in City Government, City of Palo Alto Utilities
As my summer fellowship comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the incredible experience of being part of the resource management team at CPAU. This opportunity has significantly deepened my understanding of the utility's energy supply portfolio. I've gained insights into how these generation profiles align with our load demand and their economic performance, explored how to achieve financial hedging using our current energy resources efficiently and economically.
Through my work, I've gained a deep appreciation for the strategic advantages that CPAU enjoys as a municipal utility. Our generation portfolio is well-rounded, offering flexibility through large hydro resources that support evening peak demand, the reliability of firm geothermal energy, and the growing contribution of solar power. This robust energy mix is a direct result of Palo Alto's forward-thinking sustainability goals, which were established well before the widespread adoption of renewable energy. The city's steadfast commitment to investing in and sourcing energy from local renewable resources has ensured that our energy dollars stay within the community.
The vision and groundwork for these achievements were laid by pioneers like Karl Knapp, after whom my fellowship is named. Karl worked at the City of Palo Alto from 2001 to 2008 and was instrumental in launching the renewable energy initiatives that now define CPAU’s strategic direction. His leadership in developing the city’s first wind project, along with securing power purchase agreements for solar and geothermal projects, played a critical role in building CPAU's confidence in renewable energy. As Karl once said, “We need to level the playing field for renewable energy,” and his vision has indeed kept CPAU on the right track.
In addition to his work at CPAU, Karl Knapp also taught a course at Stanford University titled “Understanding Energy,” generously sharing his knowledge with the next generation of renewable energy warriors. His legacy continues to inspire, as California's renewable energy industry has grown more robust, with a more complete supply chain, and developers now have the capital and experience to bring solar, wind, and other renewable projects online.
It’s also worth mentioning Karl’s strong advocacy for electric vehicles, which remains a key focus at CPAU. The Karl Knapp GoEV Program continues to promote charging equity, and the benefits of electric vehicles are now widely recognized—lower operating costs, a better driving experience, and significant environmental advantages. With longer ranges, easier charging, better networks, and a wider selection of vehicles, the inconveniences of EVs are rapidly disappearing. If Karl could see the proliferation of EV and the extensive EV network across California today, I believe he would be very proud.
