Energy Management Articles
Beyond the Meter Podcast - Episode 4: The Home Depot Sustainability Approach
Home Depot is among the increasing number of corporations working to make renewables a significant part of their energy procurement strategy. But this new direction is not fueled by a desire to become sustainable - it began because it makes financial sense.
Iowa plastics manufacturer unveils solar, battery storage facility
An Iowa-based plastics manufacturer instituted an energy program featuring a joint solar and battery storage project at its new power plant that will give the company greater control, efficiency and reliability in managing expensive electrical peaks.
Tesco launches major UK power development
Tesco announced Oct. 29 the purchase of energy from five new onshore wind farms and one new solar farm to begin powering its U.K. stores in 2020, expected to save 90,000 tons of CO2 per year.
Kansas City hotel receives financing for $8M efficiency project
A new extended-stay hotel under construction in Kansas City recently completed an $8 million Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy transaction to finance the energy efficiency measures to be built into the facility.
Ports of LA and Long Beach convert 100 trucks to RNG engines
The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach converted over 100 trucks engines from diesel to clean ultra low-NOx engines fueled by renewable natural gas.
Smithfield Foods expands renewable natural gas investment
Smithfield Foods announced Oct. 23 that their partnership with Dominion Energy to invest in renewable natural gas projects across the U.S. is doubling its investment to $500 million through 2028.
Gap Inc. signs 20-year PPA with Calif. solar farm
Gap Inc. has signed a 20-year PPA with a 3 MW solar project that will provide approximately 50% of the electricity needs to its distribution center in Fresno, Calif.
Chevron signs PPA with 35 MW solar project
Chevron signed a PPA Oct. 29 to source energy for its Lost Hills oil field in Kern County, Calif., from a 35 MW DC solar project.
Direct Energy launches program to increase RE accessibility
Direct Energy announced Oct. 29 a new endeavor to focus on renewable and sustainable energy solutions for customers through the creation of a specialized group, Renewable Energy Services.
Distributed Energy Future Trends
Organizations that view energy as a strategic asset, rather than a cost, continue to outperform their competition. In this report, “Distributed Energy Future Trends: The Insights Behind Sustainable Business Growth,” Centrica Business Solutions shares results from research conducted among over 1,500 energy decision makers.
TicketNetwork unveils 1.4 MW rooftop solar array
TicketNetwork cut the ribbon Oct. 23 on its new 1.4 MW rooftop solar array on top of its Connecticut headquarters, which they expect to offset nearly 70% of their annual energy use.
Georgia Tech dedicates sustainable, living building on campus
The Georgia Institute of Technology on Oct. 24 dedicated their newest building on campus, a regenerative facility that is changing the landscape for sustainable building practices.
Weekend reads: Are utilities missing DER opportunities?; The nation's first all-Tesla cab fleet
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Better Plants Progress Update, Fall 2019
The Department of Energy's Better Building, Better Plants partners have cumulatively saved $6.7 billion in energy costs and more than 1.3 quadrillion BTUs. Among the highlights of the 2019 Better Plants Annual Progress Update: seven partners have achieved their energy intensity reduction goals.
P&G achieves 100% RE purchases ahead of 2020 goal
Procter & Gamble has achieved its 2020 goal of purchasing 100% renewable electricity in the U.S. and Canada, and extended that success by achieving 100% renewables in Western Europe as well.
Michigan utility pilots battery storage project
Consumers Energy recently partnered with Sunverge, a Distributed Energy Resource control and aggregation platform, on a project to deploy its behind-the-meter platform with a Consumers Energy residential battery storage pilot.
Amazon announces three new wind and solar projects
Amazon announced Thursday three new renewable energy projects, to be located in the U.S. and the U.K., expected to produce a combined 265 MW of energy annually.
Port Houston approved for RE purchase agreement
Port Houston was approved Tuesday to enter into an agreement to purchase renewable electricity port-wide, the first of its kind for a port to administer in the U.S, which is expected to save them approximately $240,000 annually.
Leveraging Energy Assets to Help Sustain Resilience in the Healthcare Sector
More and more, managers at healthcare and other critical facilities are dedicating resources to behind-the-meter solutions in the pursuit of resilience. This white paper, presented by CPower, focuses on ways that these same behind-the-meter energy assets can provide significant savings, generate important revenue, and maximize the return on your investments.
Walmart enters into two wind VPPAs totaling 366 MW
Walmart entered into two VPPAs to procure more than 366 MW from wind projects in different U.S. energy markets all under a single procurement process, advancing the company toward its goal of powering 50% of operations with renewable energy by the end of 2025.
Mayors urge Congress to extend solar tax credit
A group of 231 mayors from across the country sent a letter to Congress Oct. 22 in support of the Renewable Energy Extension Act, which would allow a five-year extension of the solar Investment Tax Credit.
UC Irvine engineering students tour solar site
A group of engineering students from UC Irvine recently toured the Sunpin Solar 96.75 MW ColGreen North Shore solar project in Riverside County to explore the emerging solar development industry.
Pittsburgh airport to become first powered entirely by microgrid
Pittsburgh International Airport will become the first major U.S. airport to be completely powered by its own microgrid with energy generated by its own on-site natural gas wells and solar panels.
Iron Mountain signs largest on-site solar PPA
Iron Mountain Incorporated signed their largest on-site solar PPA to date with a 7.2 MW installation to be implemented at their data center in Edison, N.J.
The Business of Standalone Grid-Scale Energy Storage in Northern States
Battery storage is still in its infancy, especially in northern states, though there are signs of traction. In this white paper, EDF Renewables notes that new developments are creating excitement for the prospects of grid reliability with increasing renewable penetration.
Bonus Podcast Episode - Look Who Switched to Renewables: Sprint's Journey to Lower Emissions
Smart Energy Decisions' Beyond the Meter podcast presents a bonus episode recorded live at the recent Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum, where Amy Bond, energy and sustainability program manager at Sprint, announced the company's first VPPA. And it's a whopper of a deal: a 12-year agreement with Duke Energy Renewables for 173.3 MW of wind in Texas.
Virginia signs largest deal to power state buildings with RE
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s state-owned buildings, universities and facilities will soon be powered by clean energy under an agreement signed by Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday in the largest procurement of renewable energy by a state to date.
Oregon school district implements lighting overhaul
Silver Falls School District in Silverton, Ore., entered into a $1.8 million Energy Savings Performance Contract that is expected to save the district $87,000 annually through strategic energy improvements.
Weekend reads: The U.S.'s thriving green economy; The ban on fast food drive-thrus
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Honda plant reflects environmental commitment
Honda's Indiana manufacturing plant is an example of the company's commitment to preserving Blue Skies for Our Children by reducing the environmental impact of its products and factories. In this column, Honda explores how energy efficiency roots of the plant were built on lessons learned and how the company's philosophy is passed on throughout Honda's global operations.
