Energy Management Articles
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 9: Greening Cities: Phoenix Leads The Way with Nick Brown
Sure, there are solar farms but have you encountered a solar city? That’s just what you will find in Phoenix. In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Nick Brown, energy manager for the City of Phoenix, sat down with Smart Energy Decisions director of education programs Peter Kelly-Detweiler at the most recent Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum. You'll appreciate and relate to Nick's perspective on why his work in the energy sector is so important and meaningful.
GM inks PPA with 180 MW Arkansas solar project
General Motors announced Sept. 30 a new PPA for a 180 MW solar project that will source power for 100% of their Wentzville Assembly and Lansing Delta Township Assembly sites.
US Foods cut emissions intensity 15% since 2015
US Foods Holding Corp. announced Sept. 30 that they decreased Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 15.1% between 2015 and 2019.
Bain & Company targets 100% carbon neutrality by 2030
Bain & Company announced Sept. 23 that they committed to achieving net zero carbon across their entire operations by 2030, in addition to signing the Business Ambition for 1.5⁰C commitment letter.
Yum! Brands reaches 100% RE at global corporate offices
The parent company of restaurant chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill achieved their target of using 100% renewable energy at their corporate U.S. offices by the end of 2020 and are on track to submit science-based emissions targets by the end of the year.
CyrusOne commits to carbon neutral data centers by 2040
CyrusOne announced Sept. 23 that they intend to become carbon neutral by 2040 across their global data center portfolio.
Fort Bragg to host Southeast's largest floating solar plant
The U.S. Army base at Fort Bragg, N.C., will soon receive the Southeast's largest floating solar plant as part of a $36 million Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC).
Knight-Swift targets 50% emissions cut by 2035
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings announced Sept. 29 their newest goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50% before 2035.
CEMEX to reduce European emissions 55% as 2020 goal is met
CEMEX announced Sept. 24 that they are committed to reducing the emissions from their European operations by at least 55% before 2030.
DOE launches funding program for building efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy announced Sept. 25 a new initiative that will provide up to $80 million for projects that enhance energy demand flexibility across buildings and the grid.
No Capital Needed: Your Guide to No-Cost Energy Projects
Today’s commercial and industrial energy consumers can reduce energy costs and earn incentive payments by using distributed energy resources (DERs) like battery storage, backup generators, or solar-plus-storage. However, few have the capital or resources to purchase, install, and upgrade DERs to take advantage of these opportunities. In this eBook from Enel X, learn more about the business case for DERs
REI to achieve 14-year carbon neutrality goal on time this year
REI Co-op announced Sept. 24 that they will achieve their 2020 goal of carbon neutrality by the end of the year and launched a new climate platform that will allow them to reduce their carbon footprint by half over the next decade.
Intel to receive 100 MW from new Arizona solar project
Construction began Sept. 24 on a new solar project that will provide 100 MW of clean energy to Intel Corporation's manufacturing operations.
PepsiCo targets 100% RE across all global operations
PepsiCo announced Sept. 21 a new target to source 100% renewable electricity across their owned and controlled operations globally by 2030 and across their entire franchise and third-party operations by 2040.
Weekend reads: Calif.'s ban on gas-powered cars; Chanel pledges funding for low-income solar
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Resilience Isn't a Project - It's a Mindset for Better Plants Partners
2020 has been the year of “the pivot” – of looking critically at every part of operations and thinking creatively about new approaches to doing business. In this column from the Better Plants program, learn what General Motors and L'Oreal USA did to adapt to the events of 2020.
Michigan governor commits state to carbon neutrality
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan signed an Executive Order Sept. 23 creating the MI Healthy Climate Plan and committing the state to carbon neutrality by 2050.
California dairy farm project begins RNG production
A joint venture between local California dairy farms, Chevron and California Bioenergy announced Sept. 24 that it achieved first renewable natural gas (RNG) production from dairy farms in Kern County.
Willis Tower to be powered with 100% wind
Chicago’s Willis Tower will soon be powered by 100% renewable energy through a new multi-year partnership that was announced Sept. 24.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 8: Opportunities And Risks In Long-term PPAs with Tiffany Menhorn and Brian Faist
Portland General Electric (PGE) created their green energy future impact tariff for large scale commercial and industrial customers to help them source 100% renewable energy. The energy will be sourced from new wind and solar facilities dedicated from a PPA through PGE. This 160 MW initiative was fully subscribed within 3 minutes of its release. Join today’s guests Brian Faist & Tiffany Menhorn as they talk about this project, why it was so successful, and bumps along the way.
MetLife targets 30% emissions cut in next 10 years
MetLife announced Sept. 23 that they are committed to reducing their location-based greenhouse gas emissions by 30% between 2019 and 2030.
Gov. Cuomo launches challenge to improve high-rise efficiency
Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York launched Sept. 22 the Empire Building Challenge, a $50 million project to improve the efficiency and carbon footprint of the state’s existing multifamily and commercial high-rise buildings.
DERs could lead energy system transformation, study finds
Integrated distributed energy resources could account for at least 50% of all new generation capacity by 2030, a new study found.
Redefining Corporate Renewables Procurement Strategy: Simplified, Effective and Accessible
For over a decade, renewable energy has been gaining prominence with leading global corporations. Yet even with declining renewable generation cost and increased pressure from shareholders to demonstrate sustainability progress, many organizations continue to struggle to execute on their sustainability strategies. This column from Jeff Colvin, MP2 Energy, explores innovative and simplified renewable energy solutions that can help them attain their sustainability goals.
Fifth Third seeks to reach $8 billion in sustainable financing by 2025
Fifth Third Bancorp announced Sept. 23 their new target of achieving $8 billion in sustainable financing by 2025.
Poland Spring bottling plant plans 10 MW of on-site solar
Nestle Waters North America announced Sept. 22 that they will be building a 10 MW solar project at their Poland Spring bottling plant in Hollis, Maine, that will cover 20-25% of the facility's energy needs.
Shell and Microsoft collaborate on net zero carbon goals
Shell International Petroleum Company Limited and Microsoft Corporation announced Sept. 22 that they are teaming up on a collaboration to help the other achieve their net zero carbon goals and further support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
General Mills plans 30% reduction of emissions by 2030
General Mills announced Sept. 21 their plan to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 30% across their entire value chain over the next 10 years.
Anthem covers office and data center energy with solar
Anthem announced Sept. 18 that they have entered into a 15-year PPA with a 20 MW solar project in Hanover County, Va., that will help them achieve their goal of sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Hudson Pacific achieves carbon neutrality across operations
Hudson Pacific Properties announced Sept. 10 that they are officially carbon neutral across all their operations.
