Energy Management Articles
Weekend reads: Tesla's solar-powered Cybertruck; Using hydrogen may be the key to microgrids
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Now Is the Time for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Data Centers
As we begin to look back on the historic acceleration of telework, distance learning, and the digitalization of business and government caused by COVID-19, it’s clear that we have been afforded a glimpse into the future. In this column, Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned, a data center solutions company, explains that there has never been a stronger case, nor a more urgent time, for designing and building energy-efficient and sustainable data center infrastructure.
GM ramps up electric vehicle production, targeting sustainability goals
General Motors is on track to allocate more than $20 billion to electric and autonomous vehicle programs between 2020 and 2025 and is continuing their campaign to increase their electric vehicle models available to match any auto shopper need.
McDonald's launches net-zero restaurant at Disney World
McDonald’s released July 10 the details of their newly remodeled location at Disney World Resort that features on-site renewable energy generation to cover 100% of the building’s net annual energy needs.
LA Community College District plans to cut use of carbon-based energy
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) adopted last week the Clean Energy and Sustainability resolution, calling for the elimination of carbon-based electricity consumption by 2030 and the elimination of all other carbon-based energy use by 2040.
NY, DC and 13 other states join diesel vehicle electrification initiative
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia signed a joint memorandum of understating committing to accelerating the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to ensure that all these vehicles be zero-emission by 2050.
The RMR Group saw $771K in energy savings last year
The RMR Group saw energy savings of $771,000 from a real-time energy monitoring program in 2019 and $1.76 million in savings since the launch of the program.
Kroger subsidiaries install 3,000-panel rooftop solar project
The Kroger Co. announced July 13 that two of their subsidiaries, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, installed a 1 MW solar array at their 300,000-square-foot bakery facility in La Habra, Calif.
2020 Innovation Awards Insights Report
Smart Energy Decisions is proud to present a special Insights report celebrating the winners of our third annual 2020 Innovation Awards. These awards recognize the exemplary use and implementation of innovative technologies and progressive practices among large electric power users (customers), their suppliers, and utilities that reflect new approaches to energy procurement and management.
Burger King to limit cattle methane emissions with new diet
Burger King announced July 14 that they intend to reduce the daily methane emissions released by their beef livestock by 33% per day through a new program that will switch up the cows' diet and improve the sustainability of the beef industry.
WernerCo cuts energy from lighting by 60% with LED
WernerCo announced July 15 that they are implementing an LED retrofit at one of their Illinois-based equipment manufacturing facilities that is expected to result in $156,000 annual savings through reduced power usage.
Cornell College cuts energy use 20% with efficiency upgrades
Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, expects to reduce their energy use by 20% through a series of energy efficiency projects implemented this year.
Offshore wind became largest RE sector in 2020, despite Covid
Offshore wind capacity saw significant growth in the first half of 2020, with a total of $35 billion in project financing, becoming the largest-growing renewable energy source in an industry that rose 5% despite the economic fallout of Covid-19.
American RE investment could be on track for $1T by 2030
Energy storage was identified to be the most attractive renewable energy sector for investment between 2020 and 2023 in a new analysis of investor response following the economic downturn.
Walmart request for energy shopping in VA denied
A request by Walmart to shop for a cheaper mix of energy in Virginia was rejected by the Commonwealth's Supreme Court last week, supporting Dominion Energy's hold on the electric market in the area.
IHG'S Green Engage Program
InterContinental Hotels Group, a member of the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge, created the IHG Green Engage system, a comprehensive online sustainability management system that allows hotels to track, measure, and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption.
Amazon reveals groundbreaking net-zero venue, naming it Climate Pledge Arena
Amazon announced last month that they secured naming rights to Seattle’s new NHL arena and will be naming the complex Climate Pledge Arena in honor of their global initiative supporting net-zero businesses by 2040.
DC's Metro plans 12 MW solar installation across four stations
Metro will be completing the largest community solar project the National Capital Area and one of the largest in the nation through a $50 million deal recently signed to install solar paneled carports or canopies over surface lots and parking garages at four rail stations.
UMN Morris celebrates carbon neutrality acheivement
The University of Minnesota Morris announced July 7 that their campus is now fully carbon-neutral thanks to onsite renewable energy projects.
Weekend reads: Berlin's first smart city; Climate policy unites the left
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Corporate Clean Energy Procurement: State of the Market
Why and how are companies making the transition to clean energy? The "why" is increasingly clear—but for many power buyers, the "how" remains elusive. This report from Apex Clean Energy offers a look at solutions to fit diverse needs and priorities.
TSMC signs world's largest corporate renewables PPA
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced July 8 that by the end of July 2020 they will have a total of 1.2 GW of renewable energy contracted under PPAs and expects these purchases to eliminate 2.189 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
PVH Corp. to power operations with 100% RE by 2030
PVH Corporation committed to powering their offices, warehouses and stores with 100% renewable electricity and reducing supply chain emissions by 30% before 2030.
Providence Marriott Downtown closes $2.5M C-PACE loan
The Providence Marriott Downtown hotel closed a $2.5 million loan through a local bank's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program to implement a series of energy upgrades that are expected to reduce the hotel's annual energy usage by almost 40%.
McLane deploys electric trucks at Riverside distribution center
McLane Company announced July 7 that they will be deploying pre-electric terminal trucks to their Foodservice distribution center in Riverside, Calif., which are expected to eliminate emissions over a 10-year period equivalent to burning 1.3 million pounds of coal.
Virginia becomes southern-most state to join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
The Commonwealth of Virginia became the first southern state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) on July 8, agreeing to the cap-and-trade program designed to reduce climate pollution from the power sector.
Facebook sourced 86% of power from RE in 2019
Facebook used 86% renewable energy in their operations in 2019 and were recognized as the top corporate buyer of renewable energy in the United States that year by the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance.
2020 Better Buildings Progress Report
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced nearly $11 billion in energy-cost savings by more than 950 public and private sector organizations in DOE’s Better Buildings Initiative. The 2020 Better Buildings Progress Report details partners’ progress in advancing energy productivity and highlights the 20 organizations that achieved their energy efficiency goals in the past year.
Kimberly-Clark cuts Scope 1 and 2 emissions 34.7%
Kimberly-Clark announced July 8 that they achieved a 34.7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions between 2005 and 2019 and are on track to achieve their 40% reduction target by 2022.
SUNY Fredonia breaks ground on solar+battery project
Construction began July 7 on a 1.4 MW solar project combined with a 500 kW battery system that will provide electricity and financial savings to the State University of New York at Fredonia.
