Energy Management Articles
2019 State of Corporate Renewable Energy Sourcing
The third edition of Smart Energy Decisions' Renewable Energy Sourcing Study, sponsored by ENGIE, uncovers ways in which the industry continues to change and grow, as early adopters expand their use of renewable energy and new market entrants are attracted by novel methods of sourcing and more flexible contract terms.
West Coast Six Flags makes the switch to solar power
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom became the first theme park on the west coast to be powered by renewable energy when it switched on its new 7.5 MW solar carport on Nov. 30.
IKEA invests 200 million euros into supply chain sustainability
Inter IKEA Group will be investing 200 million euros into integrating renewable energy into its supply chain and into forest management practices in pursuit of its goal to become a climate-positive business.
Weekend reads: Norway's net-positive buildings; turning Thanksgiving waste into energy
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Nevada to require emissions reduction plan
The governor of Nevada signed an executive order Nov. 22 that requires state agencies, specifically the transportation sector, to submit a strategy for reducing greenhouse gases by December 1, 2020, in line with the energy commitments the state has previously set.
Los Angeles sets ambitious plan to electrify transportation sector
The Los Angeles government released Nov. 26 its plan to dramatically electrify the transportation sector and accelerate the deployment of zero-emissions electric cars, buses and trucks and charging stations across the region.
Beyond the Meter Podcast - Episode 7: Look Who Switched To Renewables: Sprint’s Journey To Lower Emissions
Every company has its own unique set of hurdles to overcome in setting and attaining sustainability goals. In this conversation Amy Bond, Energy and Sustainability Program Manager at Sprint explains how Sprint started to look at procuring renewables as early as 2008 - and how their plans finally came to fruition with a 12-year VPPA signed in 2019.
Royal Yacht Brokers embrace solar
Royal Yacht Brokers announced their new partnership with a line of eco-friendly, fully solar-powered luxury yachts, addressing environmental issues associated with the maritime industry.
Cincinnati plans nation's largest municipal solar project
The City of Cincinnati has in the works the largest municipal solar project in the country, a 100 MW project expected to reduce the region's annual carbon emissions by 158,000 tons.
Cisco, BD, and Celanese execs to keynote 2020 Innovation Summit
Smart Energy Decisions announces three keynotes and the lineup of session topics for the 2020 Innovation Summit, set for March 9-11 at the Houstonian Hotel in Houston. The keynotes will be presented by senior energy and sustainability executives with global responsibility at three Fortune 500 companies: Cisco, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and Celanese.
Facebook inks deal with Va. solar farm
Facebook will begin to support its operations in Virginia with solar power through a 61.6 MW PPA signed Nov. 21 with a project in Campbell County, Va.
Weekend reads: Bill Gates' secret solar project; Tesla bulks up largest lithium-ion battery
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Catholic Charities Benefits from Largest Ground-based Solar Array in DC
In direct response to a plea from Pope Francis, Catholic Climate Covenant developed a Catholic Energies program. This column from Dan Misleh discusses a venture to tap a huge portfolio—over 70,000 Catholic-owned buildings in the United States—and focus on both energy efficiency and solar energy.
Great Wolf Lodge to save $1.3 million from energy initatives
Great Wolf Lodge expects to see over $1.3 million in energy savings and a 10% reduction in carbon emissions within the first year of a new energy initiative being rolled out at locations across the country.
Philadelphia passes building efficiency program
The Philadelphia City Council passed on Nov. 22 a bill creating the Building Energy Performance Program, which is expected to cut carbon pollution in the city by nearly 200,000 metric tons.
2019 State of Energy Management
Smart Energy Decisions presents the 2019 State of Energy Management study, sponsored by BuildingOS and Urjanet, for an exclusive look at key drivers, barriers, best practices and opportunities to modernize energy management.
Richmond City Council approves clean energy loan program
The Richmond, Va., City Council has approved the city's first C-PACE program, which will allow commercial property owners to gain loans to pursue clean energy improvements on their buildings.
The RealReal commits to 2021 carbon neutrality
The RealReal, an online marketplace for consigned luxury goods, committed Nov. 20 to be carbon neutral by 2021 in response to a call to action by sustainability leaders within the fashion industry.
Views from the top: Ameresco and the evolution of performance contracting
In this exclusive interview with Smart Energy Decisions, George Sakellaris, president and CEO of Ameresco, discusses the early days of performance contracting, how to be customer-focused in a utility, and his view of the energy transition.
JFK moves forward with largest NYC solar installation
Development of New York City’s largest solar project is underway at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where a 13 MW solar installation will allow multiple surrounding communities to access clean power at reduced rates.
Facebook to power Ga. data center with solar
Facebook will begin to supply its data center in Newton County, Ga., with 100% renewable energy through an agreement signed Nov. 19 with a local consumer-owned utility.
Peter Kelly-Detwiler and Fred Mazurski join Smart Energy Decisions team
John Failla, founder and editorial director of Smart Energy Decisions has announced the addition of two highly regarded energy industry veterans, Peter Kelly-Detwiler and Fred Mazurski, to the SED team.
Estée Lauder signs VPPA to achieve 100% RE
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. signed their first VPPA Nov. 15, making them the first cosmetics company to sign this type of agreement.
Lyft adds new fleet of electric vehicles
Lyft entered into an agreement Nov. 19 that will provide electric vehicles to the ride-share company for use in its short-term rental program, increasing the number of electric vehicles on the platform.
The Business Benefits of a Low-Carbon Future: Science-Based Targets
Increased profitability, improved efficiency, greater innovation, and access to capital are four competitive advantages to setting science-based targets (SBTs). However, while many companies have made commitments to set SBTs, the path to achieving them isn’t as clear. Learn six key steps to starting your SBT journey, risks to consider and how to optimize strategy.
Target achieves 500 rooftop solar projects ahead of schedule
Target announced Nov. 17 that it reached its goal to have 500 rooftop solar systems across its locations by 2020 with the competition of a 240 MW installation on the roof of the Napa, Calif., retail store.
Calif. school district celebrates new energy program
Hayward Unified School District in California launched a sustainable energy program that includes a 5.3 MW solar and integrated electric vehicle and battery storage project, alongside the rollout of several building efficiency improvements.
Weekend reads: Decarbonizing electricity in the U.S.; NASA's first electric airplane
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Energy in the C Suite
Which stakeholder groups are emerging to influence Fortune 500 sustainability strategies? How are executives responding to climate and energy risks by setting carbon prices or zero-carbon transition dates? Learn this, and more, from ENGIE's white paper, "Energy in the C Suite: How finance leaders and other executives are responding to climate risk and the new energy environment."
UCLA Health Center receives all-electric mobile medical lab
The University of California Los Angeles Health Center received its first all-electric mobile surgical instrument lab (eMSIL), which will travel between the university's Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica campuses to collect, clean, repair, disinfect and sterilize surgical suite instruments while emitting zero emissions.
