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Electrification, Microgrids, & the Future of Buildings with Jordan Lerner

Author

Charlie Cichetti
April 09, 2026

TODAY’S EPISODE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUILDINGPLAQUES.COM

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Electrification isn’t just about swapping out equipment — it’s about rethinking how buildings, transportation, and infrastructure work together.

In this episode, Schneider Electric’s Jordan Lerner shares how microgrids, fleet electrification, and creative funding strategies are transforming schools, cities, and public facilities.

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🌱BREAKING GROUND ON BETTER BUILDING

In this episode, Jordan Lerner explores how electrification, microgrids, and innovative financing are reshaping sustainable infrastructure:

[Key Insight #1] Electrifying Transportation Infrastructure

  • What's outdated: Traditional school buses run on diesel, producing emissions directly at child breathing height and requiring fossil fuels to operate.

  • The innovation: Deploy electric bus fleets supported by new electrical service infrastructure, including fast-charging stations and grid upgrades coordinated with utilities.

  • Impact: Cleaner air for students, reduced operational costs, and future capabilities like mobile Wi-Fi hubs for communities during emergencies or remote learning.

[Key Insight #2] Microgrids for Community Resilience

  • What's outdated: Wildfires, extreme weather, and utility shutdowns are increasingly causing power outages that disrupt critical services like schools and food storage.

  • The innovation: Deploy microgrid systems integrating solar, battery storage, and backup generators to maintain power during outages.

  • Impact: Facilities can operate independently from the main grid for extended periods — protecting food storage, keeping schools running, and safeguarding community infrastructure.

[Key Insight #3] Funding Sustainability Through Operational Savings

  • What's outdated: Many sustainability projects stall due to limited capital budgets for infrastructure upgrades.

  • The innovation: Energy-based contracting that converts operational savings — like reduced energy costs — into funding streams for capital improvements.

  • Impact: Grants, incentives, and energy savings combine to finance projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen, enabling schools and cities to modernize without new tax burdens.

♻️ YOUR GREEN BUILD CHALLENGE

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✅ CONNECT AND CONTINUE

🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 

📄 Read the transcript: HERE

🔗 Connect with Jordan Lerner:

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