Energy Management Articles
NYU finds ESG investments drive better financial performance
The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, partnering with Rockefeller Asset Management, announced on Feb. 10 that their research indicates that ESG activities lead to better financial performance.
Weekend reads: Wyoming's struggle to convert from fossil fuels; the human cost of air pollution
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 22: The Future of Sustainability Strategy
2020 definitely produced a number of challenges, but the need for societies and organizations to move toward sustainable energy solutions has not gone away. This conversation between Smart Energy Decisions founder, John Failla, and Greg Kandankulam, Senior Manager of Sustainability at NRG Energy highlights the current situation in the push for renewable energy, how and why the focus has shifted away from renewable energy procurement and toward the reduction of carbon emissions, and how sustainability consultants are playing a large role in the transition.
Intel Corp. to power Oregon facilities with solar
Intel announced on Feb. 11 that it has signed a 15-year agreement with PGE to purchase solar power to help provide renewable power for its technology development and manufacturing facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Demand-Side Energy Management in the Time of COVID
CPower’s latest ebook takes a peek into eight of the biggest commercial industries in North America and reveals key energy management strategies successful organizations executed during the wildest year of the young century. This book also breaks down the demand response and demand management programs available in five of the nation’s open energy markets as well as those offered by several of the largest electric utilities in U.S. deregulated markets. "Demand-Side Energy Management in the Time of COVID" is a must-have resource for any commercial and industrial organization striving to optimize its energy use and spend in 2021. Download your electronic copy today!
U.S. renewables generation mix to double by 2050
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced on Feb. 8 that it expects the share of renewables in the U.S. electricity generation mix to increase from 21% in 2020 to 42% in 2050.
Howard University adds CHP plant to increase energy efficiency
Howard University, a private research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges, announced on Feb. 11 that it is planning a new central utility plant to provide electric and steam services to buildings on its Washington, D.C. campus.
Amazon, Google, Verizon lead list of 2020's largest energy buyers
Amazon, Google and Verizon topped the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance's (REBA) newly released list of 2020 leading large energy buyers.
Carlsberg Group advances on 2022 goal with 7% emissions cut
The Carlsberg Group announced in its new sustainability report that it cut relative carbon emissions across its total value chain by 7% and across its breweries by 12% between 2015 and 2019.
Bank of America sets steps for net zero by 2050
Bank of America announced on Feb. 11 a series of initial steps it will take to achieve its goal of net zero GHG emissions in it financing activities by 2050, as well as broader 2030 operational and supply chain goals as part of a holistic commitment to environmental sustainability.
LA Metro transitions bus fleet to low-carbon fuel
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced on Feb. 8 that it has signed an agreement to purchase enough renewable natural gas (RNG) to fuel its bus fleet—the nation’s largest.
Colt Data Centre Services powers European operations with 100% renewable energy
Colt Data Centre Services (DCS), provider of data centers and cloud solutions, announced on Feb. 8 that its operations across the UK and Europe are fully powered by 100% renewable power.
Duke Energy launches eTransEnergy to help transition to EVs
Duke Energy announced on Feb. 1 the creation of eTransEnergy, a wholly owned subsidiary that will provide unregulated services to assist school districts, transit services, and companies across the country achieve their economic and sustainability goals as they transition to clean energy transportation options.
Wellesley College to transition central utility plant away from natural gas
Wellesley College, a liberal arts institution near Boston, announced on Feb. 10 that it is replacing its central utility plant to reduce demand costs and use of natural gas in an effort to meet its environmental sustainability objectives.
Hydro-Quebec purchases 200 MW of wind power
Canadian public utility Hydro-Quebec announced on Feb. 4 that it signed a PPA to purchase power from the 200-MW Apuiat wind project.
Marathon Oil cuts emissions intensity 20%, unveils new executive compensation framework
Marathon Oil announced that it cut its emissions intensity by 20% between 2019 and 2020 and revealed its plan to restructure its executive compensation to better reflect ESG goals.
Illinois energy program funds solar farm for Chicago municipalities and nonprofit
A 7.6 MW solar project that will provide clean energy to three municipalities and one nonprofit organization in the Chicago area is now fully operational and is expected to save the four recipients over $14.5 million in energy costs over the next 25 years.
Land O'Lakes launches carbon program; Microsoft is its first buyer
Land O’Lakes announced on Feb. 4 that it is launching a new carbon program, TruCarbon, to help farmers generate and sell carbon credits to private sector buyers. Microsoft will be the first secured buyer to purchase carbon in 2021.
Goldman Sachs to offer employees clean home energy
Goldman Sachs announced on Feb. 5 that it will offer all of its U.S.-based employees access to 100% clean energy in their homes through a monthly subscription service.
LBA Realty: Climate Risk Assessment Report and Resiliency Plan
LBA Realty (LBA, a full-service real estate investment and management company with a diverse portfolio of industrial and office properties in major markets throughout the United States, needed to implement an actionable climate risk assessment process to address concerns at a property-specific level. This column from Better Buildings shows how a new process was created to identify, validate, and mitigate confirmed climate risk factors during the acquisition process.
U.S. Navy adds cleantech energy project at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The U.S. Navy announced on Feb. 5 that it is installing a cleantech project to expand on-site generation, strengthen reliability and enhance resiliency at its Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Amazon to power European operations with Netherlands wind energy
Amazon will purchase half of the energy produced by a large Netherlands offshore wind farm to power its operations in Europe. The project will bring the company closer to its goal of being net-zero carbon by 2040 and allow it to run off 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years earlier than it previously planned.
Weekend reads: Exxon Mobil's $3 billion investment in carbon capture; GM pits US against Norway in EV Super Bowl ad
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 21: Ørsted’s Journey from Oil Giant to Most Sustainable Company in the World
It’s not common to see a company that’s heavily vested in a particular segment of any industry make a 180-degree turn that is designed to eliminate the need for its original area of focus. It’s even more uncommon for that company to become the leader in its new niche. That’s the story of Ørsted, a Denmark-based Oil Giant that has made the transition to renewable energy like few other companies. Joining SEV host John Failla on this episode is Melissa Peterson, VP of Origination and Power Marketing at Ørsetead North America.
Empire State Realty Trust uses 100% wind power
Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), a real estate company focusing on retail properties in Manhattan, announced on Feb. 3 that, after its latest contract, it now has enough wind energy to power its entire 10.1 million-square-foot commercial portfolio.
BMW Group sources aluminum produced using solar energy
The BMW Group announced on Feb. 2 that it will begin sourcing aluminum produced using solar electricity. This marks an important milestone on the road to the company’s goal of lowering CO2 emissions in its supplier network by 20% by 2030.
Sainsbury’s sets science-based targets to reach net-zero goals
UK grocery chain Sainsbury’s announced on Feb. 3 that it plans to significantly reduce GHG emissions with approved science-based targets in its operations and across the supply chain.
Aramark commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 15% by 2025
Aramark announced on Feb. 2 that it has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 15% by the end of 2025 (from its 2019 baseline) in the United States, thus decreasing its carbon footprint.
Coal to exit U.S. power system by 2033
Coal is on track to disappear from the U.S. power grid by 2033 as the push for a carbon-free electricity system gains strength. The fossil fuel will be supplanted largely by renewables, which will supply 39% of U.S. electricity in 2030 and 55% in 2035
Uber and bp partner to expand EV charging in Houston
The City of Houston, Texas, announced on Feb. 1 that bp and Uber will work together to deploy bp’s rapid EV charging hubs in the city to help Uber drivers make the transition to EVs.
