Weekend reads: - Smart Energy Decisions

Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 17, 2021

Weekend reads: Denmark's energy island; Adding carbon to a corporate strategy

It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.

America’s clean energy transformation is an investment, not a gamble (Energy Storage News) For the US to thrive while achieving its decarbonisation goals, it needs a robust clean energy economy, creating well-paid jobs and a strong trajectory for technical innovation, argues Philip Brennan, CEO of Echogen, an Ohio-based provider of waste-heat recovery systems and electro-thermal energy storage solutions. With the United States’ planned investment of between US$2 trillion and US$4 trillion to achieve a net-zero emissions economy by FY2050, what role do clean energy companies play in reaching these goals? To reach a net-zero emissions economy, America requires clean technology to enable resilient, efficient and affordable grids. The investment in pragmatic, clean energy solutions will result in new jobs while attracting talent who want to work in the environmental sector.

Carbon on the corporate agenda (Modern Building Services) As more corporates look to achieve their sustainable goals, James Smurthwaite explores different how HVAC equipment can help reduce a building’s carbon footprint. The development of new technologies in modular and packaged HVAC is keeping pace with the demand from clients for new approaches to familiar challenges. Irrespective of changing legislation and corporate requirements, buildings still need to be cooled, ventilated and heated, and hot water is always going to be required.  And this is where the HVAC industry can meet these needs in new ways with no compromise on performance or delivery – supporting clients and their sustainable goals. The number of well-known corporate names adding their weight to the shift to a low carbon economy is growing rapidly.

Denmark Building the First Energy Island — What This Means for the Future of Energy (Real Clear Energy) As part of a countrywide shift toward environmentally friendly power production, Denmark recently announced its plans to construct an energy island. It will operate off the country’s coast and produce and store wind power for the nation and its neighbors. This could pave the way for similar innovations worldwide, bringing sustainability to the forefront of the energy industry. Denmark’s Energy Island: The island, named VindØ, will be located about 62 miles off the coast of Denmark. It will be about the size of 18 football fields, making it the most ambitious energy project in Danish history. When completed, the island will provide and house energy for millions of residents. The country also plans to expand on this energy grid and use the island to provide power for neighboring countries. The project, which will cost roughly $33.9 billion, will initially produce about 3 GW of power. However, officials project that the island will eventually grow to generate 10 GW, which is a significant landmark. 

Webinar: How Corporates Can Overcome Barriers To Achieving Sustainability Goals (MP2 Energy) Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time. More companies are seeking tailored and structured renewable energy solutions to achieve their evolving sustainability goals and mandates, but challenges remain. Join us to hear from two prominent corporate buyers, Cargill Incorporated and Visa, about their sustainability strategies and successful partnerships with MP2 Energy. To minimize the buyers’ carbon footprint and contribution to climate action, MP2 Energy has created innovative, impactful, yet simplified retail-delivered renewables solutions. Attend this webinar to learn about establishing sustainability goals: RE vs GHG Reduction targets; developing and implementing a renewable procurement strategy; and retail-delivered renewables solutions vs. VPPAs: benefits and limitations of each product. REGISTER HERE

How Companies Can Address Sustainability To Ensure A Better Future (Forbes) This year signals a new beginning where people and brands approach the future with a new worldview. The pandemic was the catalyst for that change. Today, we now think longer term in addressing supply shortages and sustainability. In the past, environmental, social and governance (ESG) functions were deemed “nice to have” as a marketing advantage, but they have transformed into a competitive business necessity, as consumers continue to demand that corporations prioritize people and the planet at the core of their business strategies. Covid-19 has reminded the world of its fragility, showcasing why we must directly combat our biggest threats with a global and ambitious response. During the pandemic, our company saw a surge in demand for PCs as the world yearned to stay connected across families and work. With the market rise, we recognized its implications to our planet in manufacturing and packaging devices.

New Initiative Sees Professional Sports Teams ‘Sidelining Carbon’ (Sustainable Brands) Sidelining Carbon, an initiative created by a collaborative of ‘green sports’ advocates, aims to showcase professional sports teams that are taking steps to reduce and offset their carbon emissions. By the end of 2021, the initiative aims to have 50 professional sports teams committed to sharing their carbon emissions work, whether through fan engagement, reduction strategies, or investment in offsets. With already two major league teams on board, the initiative is growing quickly with the goal of normalizing the word ‘carbon’ within the front offices of sports teams.

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