Energy Management Articles
Stronger Together: Efficiency With Instead of Efficiency First
As the demand for climate action continues to ramp up, more cities, businesses, and utilities are discussing their decarbonization strategies for the years ahead. In this column from Jake Duncan of the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), advancing these efforts will require a shift in the way building owners and tenants, city leaders, utility representatives, and communities think about buildings and the role of energy efficiency.
New report forecasts 3.5% growth of electric motor market before 2024
A new report released March 30 by Frost & Sullivan predicts that the electric motor market in North America will grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2019 and 2024, bringing sector revenues from $7.2 billion to $8.5 billion.
Minor League Baseball team in VA completes green upgrades to stadium
The Fredericksburg Nationals will become the first minor league baseball team to have a new kind of eco-friendly synthetic turf field, in addition to solar power generation and other efficiency upgrades, pending their stadium's opening later this year.
Mazda pursues biofuel research projects
Mazda announced March 30 that they are currently involved in joint research projects with Hiroshima University and the Tokyo Institute of Technology to promote the wide-spread development and use of biofuels from microalgae growth.
Weekend reads: Groups advocate for RE in stimulus package; Bill Gates invests in hydropower
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
COVID-19 won't stop us
This is an unprecedented time in our history with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the health of those we care about, our businesses, the economy, and the way we live our lives. As we continue to pursue our mission to help you navigate the energy transition during these challenging times, we want you to know that Smart Energy Decisions is here for you.
CEMEX targets 35% emissions cut by 2030
CEMEX introduced its Climate Action strategy March 26, in which they outlined their goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 35% by 2030 and work toward a carbon-neutral economy.
Massachusetts finalizes Clean Peak Energy Standard program
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources filed March 20 finalized regulations for implementing the state’s Clean Peak Energy Standard, the first of its kind in the nation.
California launches plan to double RE capacity by 2030
The California Public Utilities Commissions released March 26 a new target to double the amount of renewable energy capacity in the state by 2030.
Global wind capacity increased by 60.4 GW last year, study finds
The Global Wind Energy Council released their 2019 Global Wind Report, which found that 60.4 GW of wind energy capacity was installed globally last year, a 19% increase from installations in 2018.
Wells Fargo launches sustainability fund
Wells Fargo Asset Management announced earlier this month the new Wells Fargo Municipal Sustainability Fund to invest in securities that are assessed to have a positive environmental impact at the bond or issuer level.
Delivery businesses cut emissions 11,000 tons with route optimization
A new report released this week concludes that more than 500 delivery businesses worldwide have collectively cut more than 11,000 tons of carbon emissions in 2019 through route optimization strategies.
Report: 2020 State of Demand-Side Energy Management in North America
Last year, nearly 2,000 organizations nationwide downloaded the State of Demand-Side Energy Management in North America book by CPower’s energy experts. This year, CPower picks up where they left off with a market-by-market analysis of the issues, trends, and regulations organizations like yours should understand in 2020 to make better decisions about your energy use and spend.
Va., N.C., S.C. public schools to receive solar for power, education
Sixteen public institutions in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina will be receiving solar panels through the expansion of Dominion Energy's Solar for Student Program.
Solar and storage falls under essential work in COVID-19 crisis, CALSSA says
The California Solar + Storage Association has concluded that solar energy and energy storage project construction is considered "essential work" under the guidelines released under the state’s COVID-19 Shelter in Place order.
San Diego completes nation's first net zero archives building
The nation's first zero net energy archive facility was completed this week in San Diego by a team of California-based builders and architects.
UPS tests new electric vehicles for operational efficiency
UPS announced Wednesday that they have begun rounds of testing of new Gaussin electric vehicles that would be used to move semi-trailers and containers at their London Hub.
Study finds need for increased grid flexibility as electrification grows
Wood Mackenzie recently released a new study that explores the increased need for flexibility in the power grid as renewable energy growth continues to take off.
Maryland manufacturers to receive energy efficiency assistance
Manufacturing facilities in Maryland could be receiving help with improving their energy savings performance through a new partnership between Regional Manufacturing Institute and Green Generation.
White Paper: Enterprise Energy Strategies
Developing a comprehensive energy strategy is critical for brand reputation, expense management, sustainability, and risk mitigation. This white paper from Stem offers enterprise leaders in energy, operations, and facilities information about the changing energy landscape and leading-edge enterprise strategies for adapting and staying ahead.
Butterfly Ventures becomes first carbon-neutral VC firm in Europe
The Finnish VC firm Butterfly Ventures announced that they have become the first carbon-neutral VC firm in Europe by reducing air travel, sourcing renewable energy and purchasing emission credits.
Solar and wind industries ask Congress for extensions amidst COVID-19
Solar Energy Industries Association and American Wind Energy Association wrote a letter to Congress detailing the challenges the renewable energy faces in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic and offering solutions to ensure work opportunities and establish a new clean energy grid during the crisis.
Chicago approves EV charging ordinance for new buildings
The Chicago City Council Zoning Committee approved March 16 an ordinance requiring all new commercial buildings with 30 or more parking spaces and new residential buildings with five or more units to have at least 20% of the parking spaces be “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment-Ready.”
Weekend reads: How social distancing is helping combat climate change; Habitat for Humanity's energy efficiency program
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Study shows significant drop in RE demand amid Covid-19 outbreak
A report released by BloombergNEF estimates that the coronavirus pandemic will significantly impact the renewable energy market over the coming year, including a drop in global solar demand from 121-152 GW to 108-143 GW and the first
Southern California town plans 6,500 streetlight LED retrofit
The City of Menifee, Calif., has begun work on an LED retrofit of over 6,500 streetlights in a project that is expected to save the city approximately $9.5 million over 20 years.
Virginia, Maryland, Delaware to increase RE available in energy cooperative
Customers in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware will soon have access to increased renewable energy through the development of 15 distributed solar projects to provide services through Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.
Utah legislature invests in EV charging network
The State of Utah may be investing $50 million into an electric vehicle charging infrastructure through a public-private partnership in a new bill that was introduced in the state legislature this week.
New York awards $1 billion to 21 state RE projects
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced March 13 20-year awards for 1,278 MW of clean energy across 21 large-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects that will provide power within the state.
Hannaford Supermarkets' Brandon, Vermont Showcase Project
Hannaford Supermarkets, operators of more than 180 stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, participated in Efficiency Vermont's Deep Retrofit pilot program with the goal of cutting their energy consumption in half. This column from Better Buildings shows how it was done.
