Energy Management Articles
Blog posts tagged with "Smart Energy Voices"
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 114 - Heard at Net Zero Forum: The Current State of Clean Energy
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Peter Kelly-Detwiler delves into the latest advancements and challenges in decarbonization and clean energy across the U.S. He highlights progress in geothermal energy, nuclear energy, and long-duration storage solutions while addressing efficiency hurdles. Kelly-Detwiler explores the rising energy demands of AI-driven data centers and their implications for power grids, alongside updates on electric vehicles, hydrogen projects, and virtual power plants as utilities shift toward decentralized capacity. He also examines the volatility of voluntary carbon markets due to credibility issues and stresses the need for collective effort and innovative strategies to tackle the complexities of decarbonizing our global economies.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 110 - Heard at REF: Beyond ESG — Making Renewable Energy a Business Priority
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Charles Benisch, Director of Renewable Advisory at ENGIE Impact, covers how to move from admirable renewable energy goals to actionable strategies that align with executive priorities, as well as the rising risks of climate-related lawsuits, the impact of skyrocketing energy costs, and the looming pressure on supply chains. For organizations committed to sustainability, he outlines how innovative solutions like community solar programs and tax credit transfers can be leveraged to create budget-free paths to achieving green goals while still benefiting the bottom line.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 109 - Heard at REF: How to Plan Your Optimal Clean Energy Roadmap at Least Cost
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, listen to insights from a session at the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum (REF) featuring Seyed Madaeni, co-founder and CEO of Verse. Madaeni discusses the complexities of planning an optimal clean energy roadmap at the lowest cost. He outlines the various factors that organizations need to consider when planning their sustainability programs and the importance of understanding the financial implications of these decisions.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 108 - The Intersection of AI and Sustainability
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Megan Lorenzen, Director of Climate and Energy at Salesforce, to discuss the intersection of AI, energy and sustainability. Megan shares insights on Salesforce's efforts in clean energy deployment, including their 100% renewable energy commitment and their role in the global energy transition. They also explore Salesforce's innovative approaches to AI, including the balance between AI's potential to drive climate action and its environmental impact. Megan shares Salesforce’s new sustainable AI policy principles and discusses their engagement with policymakers to promote effective climate legislation, while providing a comprehensive look at how leading technology firms are navigating the complex landscape of energy and AI for a sustainable future.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 107 - Heard at REF: The Continued Evolution of Offsite Renewable Purchasing
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Luke Penne, Senior Business Development Manager at Constellation Energy, in an interview from the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum, “The Continued Evolution of Offsite Renewable Purchasing.” This insightful episode covers recent developments in offsite renewable purchasing, including factors affecting the rising prices of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the importance of more impactful renewable purchases, and increasing demand for PPAs and integrated solutions as companies face challenges in meeting their 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 106 - Heard at REF: PIVOT! How to Keep Advancing Your Strategy When Everything Changes
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Sarah Johnston, Managing Director of Marketing and Carbon Differentiated Strategy at Calpine, discusses corporate sustainability targets and the challenges of achieving them, particularly among the recent changes in SEC and SBTi guidelines. This was the opening keynote at SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 105 - Navigating Building Regulations and Incentives to Empower Sustainability
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Melissa Banks, Regulatory and Utility Advocacy Director at Trane Technologies, about the complex landscape of building decarbonization and sustainability. Banks discusses the increasing importance of regulatory compliance, utility incentives, and tax benefits in making energy efficiency projects financially viable for businesses and building owners. She explains the significance of understanding local utility incentives and shares examples of utility programs that offer substantial rebates for energy-efficient upgrades and emphasizes leveraging these incentives and working with experts to help maximize the financial benefits of their sustainability efforts — making the path to decarbonization both achievable and affordable.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 103 - The Evolution of Building Performance Standards
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sat down with Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy Programs at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), to talk about building performance standards (BPS) and their implications for the energy transition. He also gives an overview of IMT's mission and work, focusing on their efforts to improve the efficiency and performance of buildings through policy development and equitable decarbonization.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 100 - Heard at Net Zero Forum - Women in Smart Energy
We’re celebrating the 100th episode of Smart Energy Voices with a showcase of women leaders who are driving sustainability in the energy sector. As recorded at the recent Net Zero Forum Spring, 2024 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) winners Renée Yarmy, Eryn Beddoes and Leigh Pearson discuss advancing net-zero efforts, workforce development, the value of mentorship, improving gender diversity in STEM and energy, and their personal motivations.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 97 - Energy and Equity
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Schapira, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. She’s also a recent winner of the DEI Impact award in the Catalyst for Change category. They discuss how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is making great strides in the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 96 - Heard at Net Zero Forum: Insights from the Healthcare Sector
At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series focuses on energy customers in healthcare. The interviews feature Scott Czubkowski, the National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel Facilities, and Cory Pouliot, the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 86: Developing an Innovative Clean Energy Financing Tool
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil is joined by Abby Johnson, President of both Abacus Property Solutions and the Virginia PACE Authority. She is a winner of the 2023 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award in the category of Industry Veteran. Abby will discuss the PACE model financing that allows private building owners to use public capital.
Catch up with Smart Energy Voices Podcast
It's a great time to catch up with episodes of Smart Energy Voices, an SED podcast series featuring conversations with leaders of the energy transition. In each episode, SED digs deep with industry movers and shakers to reveal insights you can learn from in their stories, personalities, and visions for the future of clean energy.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 83: Emerging Trends and Technologies to Watch, with Peter Kelly-Detwiler
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from Peter Kelly-Detwiler, a long-time friend of Smart Energy Decisions and author of The Energy Switch. Peter discusses new technologies and their advantages, drawbacks, and relative state of maturation, as well as a useful framework for how to think about new technologies and how they might affect enterprises going forward.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 79: Heavy Duty Cargo Handling Equipment and SSA Marine’s Movement towards Near and Zero-Emissions
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from SED's recent Net Zero Forum featuring Joe Carrillo, Regional Vice President of SSA Marine. Joe brings his “boots on the ground” perspective as the person responsible for implementing the programs that help the company meet its goals. Joe shares SSA Marine’s plans, sustainability goals, projects, and partnerships in California.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 77: General Motors Hit 100% RE in the U.S. a Generation Ahead of Schedule
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares a special keynote from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Renewable Energy Forum. Rob Threlkeld, Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability for General Motors, shares how the company reached its 100% renewable energy goal a whole generation ahead of schedule.
McCormick’s Recipe for Success – An 'All of the Above' Sustainability Strategy
This episode of Smart Energy Voices is a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Renewable Energy Forum featuring Jeff Blankman. Jeff is the Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company and is also an Advisory Board member for Smart Energy Decisions. Jeff’s keynote addresses McCormick’s all-of-the-above sustainability strategy and embodies the essence of the unique corporate buyer presentations only found at SED events.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 74: Today's Net-Zero Challenges in Real Time
This episode of Smart Energy Voices is a peer-to-peer panel conversation from SED's recent Net Zero forum covering real-time challenges that companies face on their road to net zero. Moderator Peter Kelly-Detwiler is joined by Ryan Spies, VP of Sustainability for Clayco, Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Michal Shepard, Director of Maintenance, Energy, and Engineering at Harris Teeter.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 73: Bank of America's Approach to Zero with Beth Wytiaz
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares the opening keynote presentation from the inaugural Net Zero Forum, featuring Beth Wytiaz, Net Zero Strategy Executive for Bank of America. Beth is responsible for developing and delivering the financial institution’s environmental strategy to reach net zero before 2050. In this talk, she shares Bank of America’s approach to net-zero framework and how the organization is building a robust strategy and transition plan that covers operations, supply chain, and financing activities.
Smart Energy Voices Episode 70: City of Cincinnati's Renewable Energy Journey
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Michael Forrester, former Director of Environment and Sustainability for the city of Cincinnati. At SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum, Michael shared his insights on Cincinnati’s strategy of acting like a corporation that led to implementing its 100 MW PPA.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 64: Decarbonizing Thermal Loads - The Next Frontier
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Susan Corry of the University of Maryland College Park, David Reid of Celanese, and Peter Kelly-Detwiler of Smart Energy Decisions from a panel at Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit. These three leaders discuss decarbonizing thermal loads and how different types of organizations are facing this challenge.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 61: The Next Chapter: Reflections from an Industry Leader
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Mary Curtiss. As she transitions from her role as HP's Global Energy Head of Energy and Sustainability to a new role at the company, Mary reflects on key lessons learned during her tenure in the field. Listen in to hear more about Mary’s amazing career and her work at HP.
Smart Energy Voices - Episode 58: The Role of Customer Choice in Decarbonization Strategies
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, made in partnership with NRG. host John Failla is joined by Rob Gaudette, Senior Vice President of NRG Business for a discussion on the increased pressure large power users are experiencing to meet aggressive emission reduction targets. Listen in as they dive into the dynamics of this changing landscape.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 56: Managing Energy Supply and Demand in Transportation
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, SED's Debra Chanil talks with Keith Warner to discuss his role as Aviation Utilities Business Manager for the Port of Seattle and its affiliated utility. Among the topics they cover are the importance of resiliency, the push for electrification, and Keith’s unique perspective on moving from the private sector with Boeing to his current public sector role. Join us to hear Keith’s great insight on managing energy in transportation.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast
Catch up with all episodes of the Smart Energy Voices podcast series, featuring conversations with leaders of the energy transition. Each episode digs deep with industry movers and shakers to reveal insights you can learn from through their stories, personalities, and visions for the future.
Smart Energy Voices - Episode 54: Clean Energy Dealmaking
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Mona Dajani, Global Co-Head of Energy, Infrastructure, Mobility, Renewables & Water at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Mona is a prolific dealmaker in the renewable energy space and is a highly regarded, well-recognized attorney. You’ll find her extensive experience and unique perspective enlightening. Listen to learn more.
Smart Energy Voices - Episode 50: Blueprint for a Zero Carbon Grid: The DOE Solar Futures Study
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla and Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus, Solar Energy Technologies Office Director, Department of Energy discuss the DOE's recently released Solar Futures Study, which details the significant role of solar in decarbonizing the nation’s power grid. The study showed that by 2035 solar energy has the potential to power 40% of the nation’s electricity, drive deep carbonization of the grid, and employ as many as 1.5 million people without raising electricity prices. Listen in to hear from the mind and leader behind that study.
Smart Energy Voices - Episode 49: The State of the Voluntary Carbon Offset Market, with Kyle Harrison
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla had the opportunity to speak with Kyle Harrison about the state of the voluntary carbon offset market. Kyle is the Head of Sustainability Research at BloombergNEF. Over the last three years, Smart Energy Decisions has had the privilege of working with BNEF and Kyle on a variety of projects and events. You won’t want to miss Kyle’s interesting and valuable perspective.
Smart Energy Voices - Episode 48: The Power of Entrepreneurial Leadership, with Chris Castro
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Chris Castro, Director of Sustainability & Resilience and Co-Chair of the ‘Future-Ready’ initiative for the City of Orlando. Chris has accomplished a tremendous amount with the city in an amazingly brief time. Listen in to learn more about the thrilling work Chris is currently doing and about this fascinating personal journey in the field of sustainability.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 47: Creating Your Roadmap to Net Zero, with Tripp Borstel
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Tripp Borstel, Head of Transformation at ENGIE Impact to discuss Creating Your Roadmap to Net Zero. They discuss key levers and issues relating to the use of carbon offsets. There’s a lot to cover when it comes to achieving zero emissions - and the scale of the challenge requires creating alignment across a variety of parties within an organization. Listen in to this conversation from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Renewable Energy Forum.
