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TCAAP Energy Integration Resiliency Framework Policy White Paper – Conclusions 60 9. Conclusions The TCAAP site offers the City and County a unique opportunity to achieve a transformative energy vision that could be a model for the nation. This area offers the potential to meet the demands of local growth, while setting a foundation that balances the development goals of the JDA, funding and financing efforts for developers, and establishes a model for responsible development. As the development of TCAAP is slated to begin in 2015, with the initial infrastructure scheduled to begin construction in mid-summer, several energy-related decisions and investments will need to take shape over the next six months. The Project Team has identified immediate-term, near-term, and long- term actions that could be taken to support achievement of the energy vision adopted by the ERAB. Some of the actions described are fairly straightforward, while others will take additional investigation, or collaboration and partnering with others to accomplish. 9.1. Immediate-Term (2015)  Early infrastructure Investment: The Project Team recognizes the critical development timeline that the JDA, City, and County are managing and for that reason suggests that infrastructure be installed that provides maximum flexibility for the site while allowing for early integration of available energy sources. Beyond traditional transmission grids like natural gas and electric transmission lines, this would include thermal energy grids and direct fiber broa dband. In addition, the Project Team recommends that a comprehensive coordination effort amongst all of these utilities to minimize conflicts and reduce the cost of installation.  Increase zoning and development processes for flexibility and high-performance: While making near-term decisions that ensure flexibility is the key to get started, the Project Team recommends that the City considers applying a future overlay district that specifically addresses requirements for innovative energy infrastructure and net-zero buildings. As an alternative, the City could add an Energy Resiliency section to the TCAAP Zoning Code and provide more opportunities for variances such that building orientation or open space may contain a percentage of ground - mounted solar.  Initiate conversations with the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) and Xcel Energy: The Project Team recommends that the JDA, City, and County initiate conversations with AHATS and Xcel Energy to discover the opportunities to partner to develop innovative infrastructure and available renewable energy sources. The JDA, City, and County could express to Xcel Energy its TCAAP vision and guiding principles and explore opportunities to utilize a microgrid or other smart grid modernization demonstrations.