Energy Management Articles
Webinar replay: Integration Innovation - The benefits of DERs for your business
This webinar, sponsored by NRG Energy, explores how distributed energy has evolved — no longer restricted to on-site solar panels or backup generators, it has been elevated by software intelligence, multi-faceted systems, and expanded capabilities.
Kroger surpasses 2020 electricity savings goal
Kroger’s retail group surpassed its goal to achieve 40% electricity savings ahead of schedule, reaching a 44.9% savings in 2018 and saving more than 2 billion kWh in its stores since 2000.
Maple Leaf Foods aiming for energy intensity goals
Reporting progress towards their goal of a 50% reduction in energy intensity by 2025, Maple Leaf Foods announced a 23.9% reduction in electricity intensity and a 14.2% drop in GHG emissions in 2018 against a 2014 baseline.
Owens Corning Issues $450M Green Bond
Owens Corning has completed the issuance of its inaugural green bond, This $450 million bond is payable over 10 years at a coupon rate of 3.95%. In conjunction with the bond, the company has committed to spend $445 million on eligible sustainability projects.
Calif. school district completes energy efficiency effort
The Lynwood Unified School District in Lynwood, Calif. has completed an energy efficiency project expected to save $4.3M in utility costs over the next 15 years.
White paper: Demand-Side Energy Management in the U.S. Manufacturing Industrial Sector
2019 marks the 10th straight year of economic growth in the U.S. and the country’s industrial manufacturing sector continues to put up hefty performance numbers. This white paper from CPower warns that despite the boom, there is cause for the sector to be concerned about the future.
Ralphs adds solar to 555,000-sq.ft. distribution center
Ralphs, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., announced the installation of a photovoltaic solar power array at its automated distribution center in Paramount, Calif., a 555,000-square-foot building that provides products to 190 Ralphs stores and 95 Food 4 Less stores throughout Southern California.
Corporates on track for biggest year in global PPAs
Corporations signed contracts to purchase 8.6GW of clean energy in 2019 through July. This is up from 7.2GW at the same time last year. Overall, 2019 is on pace to be bigger than 2018 for corporate PPAs globally. The U.S. made up 69% of this activity, making it by far the biggest market globally.
Weekend reads: EV's problem; S-s-s-steam heat
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:
DE Forum Presentation: How Cinemark makes DERs work, both as a property owner and a tenant
Smart Energy Decisions continues our series of presentations from the recent Distributed Energy Forum with "How Cinemark makes DERs work, both as a property owner and a tenant" from Art Justice, vice president of energy and sustainability, Cinemark.
Gap Inc. signs VPPA, sets 100% RE goal
Global apparel retailer Gap Inc. announced on August 9 that it has signed a 90-megawatt VPPA for the Aurora Wind Project, marking one of the largest offsite renewable energy contracts by an apparel retailer.
Starbucks reaches 100% RE in Illinois with wind power
More than 340 Illinois Starbucks-operated stores are now powered with 100% renewable energy from wind power generated in the state.
Stonyfield Organic sets 30 by 30 goal
Stonyfield Organic, a leading organic yogurt maker, announced its science-based target to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 30% by 2030 from a 2017 base-year.
Calif. school district to save $5.7 million with energy storage
Downey Unified School District in Downey, Calif. announced the installation and deployment of 3.5 MW/ 7 MWh of battery energy storage systems at seven school sites throughout the district.
Moody AFB plans solar, efficiency upgrades with ESPC
Moody Air Force Base (Moody AFB) has entered into an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) to implement an energy efficiency and infrastructure improvement project. The $11.2 task order includes a 2.5 MW on-site solar array, a base-wide LED lighting upgrade, expansion of its energy management controls system (EMCS), and fundamental infrastructure upgrades.
GM adds real-time charging info to Chevy Bolt EVs
GM plans to improve Chevrolet Bolt EV drivers' charging experience with dynamic charge station data, including insights on station status. The company will collaborate with EV Connect, to provide these car owners with real-time updates on the status of the chargers.
RE Sourcing Forum: Final agenda set
Smart Energy Decisions announced the final agenda for the Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum with the addition of a high-powered panel on international RE sourcing and presentations from Mondelez International and Sprint. The Forum will take place September 16-18 at the Ponte Vedra Beach Club & Inn, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Best Transportation delivers with emission-free vehicle
Best Transportation has become the first trucking company to move a container from the Port of New York & New Jersey using an electric vehicle. The use of this type of vehicle is the first step in the company’s plan to increase the number of electric vehicles in its state-of-the-art fleet.
3 Reasons You Should Invest in Operational Management for Your Corporate PPA
It’s clear that companies are turning to renewable PPAs all over the world. But the importance of establishing an ongoing PPA management strategy is lesser-known. Global PPA experts at Schneider Electric share 3 reasons to take a closer look at operational management.
HanesBrands ahead of RE schedule
Renewable energy sources accounted for 40% of HanesBrands energy use in 2018, up 7 percentage points compared with 2017. This level of renewable energy reliance met the company’s 2020 goal of 40% two years early.
Weekend reads: 252 mayors for solar; Salt is power
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:
DE Forum Presentation: Charting a course for DERs at Tyson
Smart Energy Decisions' recent Distributed Energy Forum focused on creating and executing strategies to maximize opportunities from the deployment of distributed energy resources by large power users. We continue our series of event presentations with the keynote, "Charting a course for DERs at Tyson" from Alex Floyd, senior manager, sustainable food strategy.
Amazon posts RE projects #65 & #66
Amazon announced the company’s latest renewable energy projects: their 65th is their second Amazon Wind Farm in the Republic of Ireland, while #66 is their seventh solar farm in Virginia. Globally, Amazon’s 66 renewable energy projects are expected to generate 1,342 MW of renewable capacity and deliver more than 3.9 million MWh of clean energy annually to support the company's goal to power 100% of its global operations with renewable energy.
Organic Valley becomes largest food company to source 100% RE
Organic Valley, America's largest cooperative of organic farmers and a leading organic brand, announced that construction of three community solar projects totaling 12.67 MWdc is complete, making the cooperative the largest food company in the world to be 100% renewably powered.
San Francisco maps 100% emissions-free transportation
Mayor London N. Breed, along with Supervisor Aaron Peskin, introduced legislation to expand the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in San Francisco parking facilities and unveiled a roadmap to achieve 100% emission-free transportation by 2040.
Brandeis adds battery storage
In an effort to help develop technology to store large amounts of electricity generated by renewable sources, Brandeis University is participating in an electricity storage project that will also save the campus an estimated $50,000 a year on its electric bill.
Green Lease Leader: Green Leasing Spurs Efficiency Improvements in Cleveland Businesses and City Building
With a green, high-performance lease, landlords and tenants can better work together to save money and lock in smarter, more efficient operation of buildings. The latest report in the Green Lease Leaders series, "Green Leasing Spurs Efficiency Improvements in Cleveland Businesses and City Building," focuses on case studies from the City of Cleveland and MAN Holdings LLC.
Arizona chosen for Microsoft 100% RE data centers
Microsoft will develop new data center campuses in El Mirage and Goodyear, Arizona to provide cloud and internet services for Arizona and across the Western U.S. The data centers will be powered with 100% renewable energy.
Energy storage to multiply exponentially
Energy storage installations around the world will multiply exponentially, from a modest 9GW/17GWh deployed as of 2018 to 1,095GW/2,850GWh by 2040, a 122-fold boom of stationary energy storage that will require $662 billion of investment.
Dunkin' Brands highlights green achievement
Dunkin’ Brands’ green achievement announced that more than 340 Dunkin’ U.S. restaurants have met DD Green Achievement standards, a program designed to help their franchisees build more sustainable and energy-efficient restaurants.
