Energy Management Articles
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.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 31: The State of Retail Energy Partnerships, with Raj Bazaj
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Raj Bazaj, Executive Director of Solution Sales at Constellation. John and Raj discuss the future of retail energy partnerships and the impact that has on the energy industry. Listen to hear Raj share his personal insights on sustainability and energy solutions in retail environments. This episode is made in partnership with Constellation.
Facebook Reaches Net Zero and 100% RE Across Global Operations
Facebook announced April 15 that all its global operations are now supported by 100% renewable energy and that it has achieved its net zero emissions.
Apple Targets Carbon Removal Through Reforestation with New Fund
Apple launched April 15 a $200 million fund targeting investments in carbon removal forestry projects with the intention to remove at least 1 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually.
Heineken Brews a Better World
HEINEKEN announced on April 15 a new goal to have carbon-neutral production sites by 2030 and throughout its full value chain by 2040. These goals represent a revision of the Dutch brewing company’s Brew a Better World climate change program and are part of its EverGreen balanced growth strategy.
DOE Drives $162 Million to Decarbonize Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the third stage of its SuperTruck initiative, including funding of more than $162 million to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions among cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.
IBM Plans Energy Saving Improvements at Four Sites
IBM plans to make sustainable energy upgrades across four different sites in New York and North Carolina. These improvements will generate $414,000 in savings annually and reduce carbon emissions by 2,416 tons every year.
MassMutual Commits to Net Zero
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced on April 15 the company’s climate change commitments to transition both its portfolio and operations to net zero, advancing a decarbonized economy.
Bimbo Canada to Offset 100% of Electricity Consumption
One of Canada’s oldest and largest bakeries, Bimbo Canada, signed two 15-year virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) on April 13 to acquire renewable energy that will offset 100% of the company’s electricity consumption in Canada.
Solar Power Energizes Seven California Walmart Locations
Solar power now energizes seven Walmart stores in California after the completion of rooftop and parking lot carport solar installations bring 6.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity to locations in Burbank, Calexico, North Highlands, Perris, Placerville, Sacramento, and Wasco, California.
Turning Sustainability Goals into Action: DER Survey Insights, Part 4
Emissions reduction goals are increasing in significance as a driver for organizations to install DERs. Part 4 of this series from NRG Energy, based on results of the 2020 State of Distributed Energy Resources study conducted by Smart Energy Decisions, explores how creating objectives and measuring progress is especially important to establish stakeholder approval for the implementation of DERs.
Bucknell University Plans 1.6 MW On-campus Solar Array
Bucknell University announced April 13 that it will soon be installing a 1.6 MW solar array on seven acres of its campus.
Coalition of 310 Businesses and Investors Urges Climate Action from the White House
The We Mean Business coalition, a collection of 310 businesses and investors, released April 13 alongside Ceres an open letter to President Biden showing support for a federal prioritization of climate action and emissions targets.
2021 ENERGY STAR Award Winners Announced
The EPA announced on April 13 a total of 206 ENERGY STAR winners from more than 150 organizations in recognition of their year-over-year commitment to energy efficiency. Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners.
Johnnie Walker Keeps Walking Toward Ambitious Sustainability Goals
Johnnie Walker announced April 14 its wide-ranging Next Steps Initiatives plan, with goals to increase the Scotch brand’s sustainability from grain to glass.
GSA Plans $91 Million Project for Improved Energy Efficiency
As part of the National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) program, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will improve facilities, energy efficiencies and upgrade technologies in landmark federal buildings. The plans are part of the GSA’s target of net zero energy consumption while achieving energy goals prescribed in various federal Energy Acts.
UAlbany adds Rooftop Solar as part of Clean Energy Roadmap
Construction is underway to build a 1.8 MW rooftop solar project at the University at Albany (UAlbany), which will supply 60% of the estimated electricity needed by the campus' new $180 million Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC).
Ranpak Holdings Corp. Commits to Reducing Emissions
Ranpak Holdings Corp, an Ohio-based paper and recycling packaging solutions company, committed to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 46% by 2030, which is in line with the global reductions necessary to keep global warming to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels. The company announced the target with the release of its 2020 ESG Impact Report.
Temasek and BlackRock form Decarbonization Partners
Temasek and BlackRock, Inc. announced April 12 the establishment of a partnership called Decarbonization Partners, which will launch a series of late-stage venture capital and early growth private equity investment funds focused on advancing decarbonization solutions to accelerate global efforts to achieve a net zero economy by 2050.
A Guide to IFRS Accounting for VPPAs
Companies are increasingly purchasing renewable energy through Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) to reach their sustainability goals. As a result, it is becoming crucial to keep informed on how to implement VPPAs successfully. VPPAs can be intricate financial transactions, especially if reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) guidelines. Luckily, there are ways to analyze and ease potential challenges associated with IFRS, as you'll see in this report from Enel Green Power.
Cleveland Commits to 100% Clean and Renewable Energy Sources by 2050
Mayor Frank G. Jackson announced his commitment to combating climate change by transitioning Cleveland to powering itself with 100% clean and renewable energy sources by 2050. This update to the city’s 2018 Cleveland Climate Action Plan (CAP), features a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% over a 2010 baseline by 2050.
Analog Devices Commits to Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) announced on April 12 new commitments that advance the company’s climate strategy, including pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Rhode Island governor signs climate change bill
Rhode Island governor Daniel McKee signed a bill into law on April 10 that requires the state to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Weekend reads: Electrifying the nation's school buses; Solar from a Burning Man community center
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Honeywell Targets Carbon Neutrality by 2035
Honeywell announced on April 8 its commitment to become carbon neutral in its operations and facilities by 2035. This target represents a continuation of the company’s sustainability efforts, which have already led to a reduction in GHG intensity from operations and facilities of more than 90%.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 30: Trends in Renewable Energy Deal Making & The Biden Administration
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Keith Martin, a transactional lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright. Keith worked for 146 companies last year and his firm did $145 billion in project financing. He also lobbies the US treasury and congress on policy issues and has worked for two democratic senators. Listen to learn more about clean energy from the perspective of legislative infrastructure.
Pet Food Brand Reduces Carbon Paw Print
Direct-to-consumer, personalized dog food brand, Tailored® Pet announces a celebration of Earth Month with programs including reducing its carbon "paw print" and carbon-neutral shipping.
UMass Conducts Energy Audit by Drone
A team of faculty and student researchers from UMass Lowell’s Department of Mechanical Engineering used a drone to identify and prioritize cost-saving repairs and energy-efficiency projects on campus.
BlackRock Raises $4.8 Billion for Climate Investments
BlackRock Real Assets reported a $4.8 billion final close of its Global Renewable Power Fund III with commitments from more than 100 institutional investors and significantly exceeding its initial target. The fund invests in global climate infrastructure assets, primarily in renewable power generation, across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Wells Fargo Expands Solar in North Carolina
Wells Fargo announced a 20-year renewable energy purchase agreement for 100% of solar energy produced by the 58 MW Blackburn Solar project in Catawba County, North Carolina. The transaction is Wells Fargo’s single largest to date and will supply approximately 8% of the company’s annual global electricity.
