Energy Management Articles
Walmart warns against Dominion Energy RE tariff
Walmart expressed concerns this week about a proposed renewable energy tariff by Dominion Energy, after a report came out from the Virginia State Corporation Commission pushing for the project's approval, by warning that the cost of the utility’s plan would be too high what energy would be offered.
GM's largest North America plant goes 100% solar-powered
General Motors’ largest facility in North America will soon be powered by 100% solar power under a new green tariff agreement that is expected to increase their renewable energy use in the U.S. to 50% by 2023.
Utah Inland Port Authority plans energy overhaul alongside utility
The Utah Inland Port Authority signed a Joint Clean Energy Cooperation Statement with Rocky Mountain Power that allows for the sharing of data and resources to identify solutions to engage 100% renewable energy, increase energy efficiency programs an
Colgate-Palmolive cuts emissions and increases RE by a third
Colgate-Palmolive achieved their 2020 energy goals in the last year and reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions 32% since 2002 and sourced 28% purchased electricity from renewable sources, as reported in their newly released 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
300+ U.S. businesses lobby Congress for climate issues
More than 330 businesses, including Adobe, Capital One, CommonSpirit Health, DSM North America, Dow, Eileen Fisher, General Mills, Mars, Inc., Microsoft, NIKE, Salesforce and VISA, have teamed up on a bipartisan coalition that is urging federal lawmakers to incorporate more resilient and sustainable climate solutions into economic recovery plans following COVID-19.
Intel commits to 100% global RE by 2030
Intel announced May 14 in their 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report that they are committed to sourcing 100% of their power from renewable sources by 2030 and have achieved their target of 4 billion kWh in energy savings between 2012 and 2020.
Synchronizing the Electric Regulatory Response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis is influencing every aspect of the global economy, and electric utilities are certainly seeing significant impacts. This column from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) warns that before utility regulators take actions to adjust revenues or rates to reflect COVID-19 impacts, it is important to identify and quantify the broad range of impacts so that those that increase costs or reduce sales can be appropriately offset against those that decrease costs or cause increased sales in some sectors.
Solar project to power Toyota and Dow approved by PSC
Toyota and Dow Silicones Corporation will soon be receiving solar power from a 100 MW project that was just approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Kentucky on May 8 to be sourced by their local utilities.
Iron Mountain sees 52% emissions drop
Iron Mountain succeeded this year in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 52% since 2016, surpassing their original target of 25% reduction before 2025, and reached 77% renewable energy in their global electricity supply.
NV Energy files tariff to provide more renewables access to C&I
Large energy customers in Nevada may soon have increased access to solar and battery storage energy under a new tariff proposed by NV Energy in a tariff filed May 4 with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN).
T. Rowe Price finds climate change top issue among customers
Rowe Price announced May 11 that they found climate change and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues to be the most pressing among those companies in which they engage in portfolio management.
Citi issues first U.S. green bond
Citi announced May 11 that they have issued their first USD-denominated benchmark green bond, of which the proceeds will be used to fund renewable energy, sustainable transportation, water quality and conservation, energy efficiency and green building projects.
GCC to power S.D. cement plant with wind
Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) will soon be powering 50% of their Rapid City, S.D., cement manufacturing plant with wind energy for the next 15 years through a new deal announced May 6.
Research: The State of IoT and Smart Buildings
Smart Energy Decisions presents its first State of Iot and Smart Buildings research report, sponsored by Siemens. This exclusive study presents a baseline look at where energy management and building controls are today - and where they are headed.
New Jeep models found to improve environmental impact
Jeep announced May 11 that their Wrangler Unlimited model was found to have a Global Warming Potential 15% lower than that of its predecessor and accounts for emissions reduction equivalent to those produced by three passenger vehicles.
New Hampshire to implement ESPC across state
The State of New Hampshire is implementing an energy savings performance contract that will allow for energy conservation projects at over 20 state facilities and is estimated to save the state over $4 million over the 20-year contract term.
Villanova Univ. to source 50% power from hydro plant
Villanova University recently announced that they have signed an agreement that will allow them to ensure that 50% of the energy they purchase will be sourced from the Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Weekend reads: Shell's clean energy plan; Visualizing America's energy use
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
2019 NRG Sustainability Report
NRG Energy presents its tenth annual Sustainability Report. This report highlights the tangible progress made in advancing their sustainability goals and how they are transforming the idea of what a power company can mean in the lives of their customers, communities, and shareholders.
Just Salad to implement energy efficiency improvements
Just Salad announced May 5 that they will be implementing energy efficiency initiatives including upgrades to lighting, HVAC and refrigeration at three pilot locations in New York City in a move that is expected to reduce their carbon emissions by 91.2 metric tons annually.
FedEx cuts emissions intensity 40% with fuel saving strategies
FedEx announced May 7 that they have successfully reduced CO2 emissions intensity by 40% since 2009 and avoided more than 3 million metric tons of CO2e emissions through fuel and energy-saving initiatives and their Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize strategy.
Richmond, Calif., installs solar-powered EV charger
The City of Richmond, Calif., has received solar-power electric vehicle charging infrastructure that will allow for convenient charging opportunities for residents as well as increased resiliency.
Redwood Coast Energy Authority plans new solar project for residents
California residents will soon be benefitting from a 100 MW solar project in Kern County through the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA), a joint powers government agency focusing on increasing clean energy in the region.
Total targets net-zero emissions
French oil and gas giant Total announced May 5 their new ambition to get to net-zero emissions across all their European businesses by 2050 in timeline with the EU zero emissions target.
Illinois school district preps for EV bus fleet
Triad School District in Illinois is planning a 15-year process of replacing 50% of their 27-vehicle school bus fleet with electric vehicles and will soon be receiving the first three of these vehicles pending coronavirus delays.
Rapid Microgrid Deployments for Emergency Preparedness: Powering field hospitals for COVID-19 and beyond
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to overwhelm the country’s existing healthcare system, the need for additional hospital capacity – specifically, more beds – is palpable. In this white paper, Bloom Energy shows how they are rapidly deploying fuel cell-based microgrids to power existing and temporary hospitals while they care for COVID-19 patients.
Supply choice and utility programs are key to increasing C&I RE, report finds
A new report from the REBA Institute found that the fastest and most cost-effective path to increasing customer renewable energy access could be expanding competitive supply options, utility subscription programs and renewable energy portfolio standards.
New York State unveils newest community solar project
The Town of Denmark, N.Y., became the site of a new 7.2 MW community solar project that will provide clean energy to customers anywhere in National Grid’s existing distribution system.
Dependable Hawaiian Express installs solar system with storage
Dependable Hawaiian Express announced May 6 that they will begin receiving clean energy for their new warehouse and distribution center in Honolulu from an on-site 133 kW solar system combined with a 222 kWh energy storage microgrid.
Podcast replay: Introducing Beyond the Meter
Continuing its mission to serve the unique information needs of large electric power users, Smart Energy Decisions enters the podcast world with Beyond the Meter. The podcast is designed to elevate the conversation on critical issues impacting the adoption of renewable energy sourcing by large electric power users including commercial, industrial, higher education, and municipal organizations.
