Energy Management Articles
FSU to run all-electric bus fleet
StarMetro, the city of Tallahassee's public transit system, has agreed to purchase 22 electric buses to service Florida State University (FSU), bringing the StarMetro fleet to a total of 27. FSU is one of the first universities in the nation to decommission its entire fossil-fuel powered fleet and upgrade it to a 100% percent battery-electric fleet.
Weekend reads: RE vs. Polar Vortex; Solar from space
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read articles from around the web:
Ford signs green tariff for locally-sourced wind
Ford Motor Company will soon power several of its Michigan facilities with 100% locally sourced renewable energy. The company also plans to announce a new Global Carbon Reduction Strategy, which will focus on renewable energy in conjunction with the launch of the company’s 20th annual Sustainability Report in June.
Disney World premieres 2nd solar project
Walt Disney World Resort's new 270-acre, 50-megawatt solar facility is officially online. The project, which began construction in October 2018, is expected to generate enough power to operate two of our four theme parks in Central Florida annually.
U of Hawaiʻi creates energy-smart university
The University of Hawaiʻi has completed the installation of an Energy Internet of Things (IoT) platform across the institution’s 10 campuses. The project helps advance the university’s strategic sustainability priorities, which focuses on energy data management, energy efficiency, and expanding its renewable energy portfolio.
Hoboken goes (renewable) electric
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced the City of Hoboken will begin purchasing 100% clean, renewable electricity for municipal facilities starting in April of 2019, making Hoboken one of the first municipalities in New Jersey to adopt 100% renewable electricity in municipal buildings.
Heineken reports progress on Dropping the C
Heineken reported a 47% decrease in carbon emissions from production since 2008, putting the company even further ahead of its 2020 commitment of 40%, which was initially reached last year.
Amazon to deliver Shipment Zero
Amazon announced a new goal to reach 50% of all company shipments with net zero carbon by 2030. The company also announced that they plan to share Amazon’s company-wide carbon footprint, along with related goals and programs, later this year.
Audi Hungaria to install Europe’s biggest rooftop PV
Audi announced it will build a solar energy park on the roofs of the two logistics centers of its plant in Győr, Hungary. Covering about 160,000 square meters, this will create Europe’s largest photovoltaic system.
Establishment Labs Deploys Microgrid to Maintain Manufacturing Operations During Grid Outages
As part of Costa Rica’s goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2021, its electric grid has experienced frequent outages as it transitions to renewable generation. This case study, presented by Enel X, spotlights the path of Establishment Labs, a medical manufacturer looking to integrate solar-plus-storage to power critical equipment when the grid goes down.
Annaly implements energy audit
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. announced a series of corporate responsibility initiatives and enhancements, including an internal Company-wide campaign to raise awareness and engagement with employees around sustainability and conserving resources at its corporate headquarters.
HanesBrands heads for 2020 targets
HanesBrands has reduced energy consumption by more than 21% percent since 2007, and shifted 33% of the energy the company does use to renewable resources, on its way to reaching the company’s 2020 environmental objectives, which include a 40% reduction of both energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Weekend reads: Can big oil ride RE & EV waves?; The unsexy part of climate policy
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
EV100 Progress and Insights Annual Report
More companies than ever are switching to electric vehicles, helping to combat air pollution in cities, lower business risk and future proof their operations as low emission zones are introduced globally. EV100's first Progress and Insights Annual Report shines a light on companies’ fleet and charging commitments including key drivers and challenges.
Walgreens Boots boosts energy efficiency in 2500 stores
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBBA) invested more than $115 million in energy efficiency programs, including projects in approximately 2,500 stores during fiscal 2018. These upgrades included replacing HVAC units and converting to LED exterior and interior lighting.
Carolina Panthers add solar to stadium
Installation will begin within the next few weeks to add solar panels on the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, home of the Carolina Panthers. The panels are being added to reduce energy costs as well as the stadium's carbon footprint.
UVM adds solar to rooftop
The University of Vermont Medical Center has begun generating solar power via a 198-kilowattpeak (kWp) solar array on the roof of Its facility in Williston, VT. UVM Medical Center will receive net metering credits at a discount
Engaging Franchisees in Energy Management & Benchmarking
Wendy's Smart Family of Designs 2.0 promotes energy efficiency while targeting significant savings in development costs. This column from Better Buildings shares efforts made by the energy team at Wendy's to provide coaching on understanding potential costs and potential return on investments from energy upgrades.
The Home Depot announces new targets and RE initiatives
The Home Depot has declared new emissions targets, along with commitments to wind and solar projects in 2019. The announcement came as CDP, an environmental impact non-profit, named the company to its Climate Change “A” list for its actions to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate risks.
Citi goes green in Texas with RECs
Citi announced the purchase of renewable energy credits from the 163 MW Midway Wind Project in San Patricio County, Texas. Citi will acquire 64% of the RECs generated by the project, which is being developed by Sammons Renewable Energy and is expected to be operations in the first half of 2019.
Power sector efficiency up despite emissions increase
The electricity sector continued to improve its carbon intensity in 2018 due to increased renewable energy and natural gas power generation and investments in energy efficiency, even as a stronger economy and volatile weather boosted energy demand and contributed to a rise in economy-wide carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.
Comcast adds carport to call center
Comcast announced the completion of a 1,170-panel carport solar installation that will help power its regional call center in Plymouth, Mass. The system will generate enough onsite clean energy to offset more than 95% of the facility's annual energy consumption.
Hershey aims to cut the carbon footprint of its chocolate with new Science-Based Target commitment
One of the world’s top chocolate companies shared new plans for reducing its impact on the planet – including committing to set Science-Based Targets. As this column from EDF Climate Corps notes, what sets Hershey apart from its peers is not this commitment. It’s the journey behind how it got here.
Rhode Island College completes rooftop solar project
Construction has been completed at Rhode Island College (RIC) of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftops of the Donovan Dining Center and the Student Union. The $300,000 project is expected to save the college more than $231,000 in energy costs over the next 15 years.
Marine Corp microgrid set for expansion
A microgrid project at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar will be expanded to boost resilience by adding energy storage to the microgrid and integrating demand side management. Upon completion, the project will incorporate a total of five distributed energy resources (DER)
Weekend reads: The clean dozen; Hospitals embrace energy efficiency
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read articles from around the web:
SED premieres Webinar Center
Smart Energy Decisions announces the opening of its Webinar Center, which will provide information on upcoming webinars as well as a comprehensive archive of past webinars. The Webinar Center is a resource for information on renewable energy and energy efficiency topics
EV100 targets 2M+ EVs by 2030
EV100, part of The Climate Group, is targeting the electrification of more than two million vehicles by 2030, according to the first EV100 Progress and Insights Annual Report
Nike signs its first PPA in Europe
Nike signed its first European clean energy deal, acquiring 40 MW of power from the Cavar wind complex in northern Spain that will be completed in 2020. The company has set a goal of having all its offices in Europe powered by renewable energy by 2020.
AvalonBay commits to targets
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. announced its commitment to setting science-based emissions reduction targets to be approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). AvalonBay joins the growing group of leading companies that are setting emissions reduction targets in line with what climate science says is necessary.
