Innovation team proposes data-driven plan to tackle energy-bill affordability in Nashville

The mayor's Innovation Team on Wednesday presented a data-driven, resident-centered plan aimed at reducing residential energy-bill burdens in Nashville, telling the Sustainability Advisory Committee the team will move from design research into ideation and prototyping this year.

Robert, who introduced the team, said the group settled on "energy bill affordability, which we know is a major growing issue in the Nashville area," and described a target strategy focused on historically disinvested areas including Bordeaux, North Nashville and Antioch. "Primary objective for our work right now is all about helping the city take bold local action to create cleaner, greener, more economically thriving communities," he said.

Omar Ahmed, the team's data analytics manager, described a six-variable "energy impact index" used to pinpoint…