Energy Management Articles
Is your business ready for energy market convergence?
Growing grid parity between traditional fuel sources and renewable energy is driving innovation and opportunity. The result? Increased choice - and complexity - for corporations. Choice is good for the market: it spurs solutions and competition. But not all programs or projects are the same and ease of transaction doesn't equal ease of risk
MTA issues RFP for RNG
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today issued a request for proposals to purchase ultra-low-carbon renewable natural gas (RNG) to fuel its fleet of about 800 New York City buses currently running on compressed natural gas (CNG). This represents the first step any heavy-duty vehicle fleet in New York City has taken towards adopting RNG.
LG commits to carbon neutrality by 2030
LG Electronics (LG) has launched its Zero Carbon 2030 initiative, committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its global operations within 12 years.
Ingersoll Rand aims for 2030 sustainability targets
Ingersoll Rand announced its 2030 sustainability aspirations, including reducing the customer carbon footprint by one gigaton1 CO2e– equivalent to the annual emissions of Italy, France, and the United Kingdom combined.
General Mills hits efficiency targets ahead of schedule
General Mills has exceeded its 10-year goal to improve energy efficiency at its 26 largest U.S.-based plants by 20% four years ahead of plan.
Chevron adds EV in CA
Chevron is adding EV fast charging to select company owned and operated gas stations in California. To date, more than a dozen fast chargers – ranging from 50 kW to 100 kW capacity – are already operational or under construction at five Chevron stations in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area.
Weekend reads: Trump vs. Obama on lightbulbs; What's next for energy?
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read stories from around the web:
2019 State of Demand-Side Energy Management in North America
More than 1,400 organizations have already downloaded this book. Have you? The "2019 State of Demand-Side Energy Management in North America" is a market-by-market analysis of the issues and trends the experts at CPower feel organizations like yours need to know to make better decisions about your energy use and spend.
Honda explores 2nd life for batteries
Honda announced it is conducting research in partnership with American Electric Power (AEP), the Ohio-based electric utility, to develop a network of used electric vehicle (EV) batteries that could be integrated into AEP's electricity system. Honda will provide used Fit EV batteries to AEP, which will study integrating the batteries into the utility’s electricity grid.
Tech giants join to demand increased RE, storage from Dominion
Ten large technology companies joined together to sign a letter demanding that Dominion Energy provide clean energy options for these large electric power users. The companies all operate in the northern Virginia area that is serviced by Dominion.
Anheuser-Busch completes their largest U.S. off-site solar array
Anheuser-Busch has completed the installation of its largest U.S. off-site solar project in the town of Van Buren, N.Y. The company’s nearby Baldwinsville brewery is the sole off-taker of the 2.76-megawatt project.
Chubb sets global GHG reduction goals
Chubb announced a new companywide goal to reduce its global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 20% on an absolute basis by 2025. The company also established a long-term goal to reduce absolute GHG emissions 40% by 2035.
Walmart's inaugural ESG Report
Walmart has issued its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which details the company's goals, progress, and achievements for fiscal year 2019 towards its commitment to build sustainability in supply chains and activate climate change initiatives.
Venetian to stay with NV Energy
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, part of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, and NV Energy announced today that they have reached a long-term energy supply agreement and have recommitted to a partnership that advances renewable energy and powers The Venetian’s world-class properties in an increasingly sustainable way.
Unilever redevelops HQ for sustainability
Unilever North America’s headquarters building in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest level of LEED certification available for sustainable buildings.
Potential Google data center gets wind power nod
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a series of contracts between Google and Xcel Energy to provide electricity for Google’s proposed new $600 million data center in Becker, Minn. Two wind farms operated by Xcel would be dedicated to the project.
Indianapolis Colts go green
The Indianapolis Colts will begin installing solar panels at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the team’s headquarters and practice facility, in the upcoming months.
What is Efficiency-as-a-Service?
As-a-service business models are growing in popularity - and one of the most impactful may be Efficiency-as-a-Service. This column from Better Buildings discusses this pay-for-performance, off-balance sheet financing solution that allows customers to implement efficiency projects with no upfront capital expenditure, including how it works, alternative approaches, and advantages and disadvantages.
Tyson aims for 30 by 30
Tyson Foods announced it has become the first U.S.-based protein company to receive approval from the Science Based Target Initiative for its greenhouse gas reduction target of 30% by 2030. The announcement came with the release of Tyson’s 2018 Sustainability Report
Weekend reads: New RE hits 60%; the Sahara solar farm
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with some must-read articles from around the web:
How to Get Utilities and Regulators to Provide Renewable Energy Options that Work for Your Company
Energy procurement and sustainability teams tasked with meeting corporate renewable energy targets are all too familiar with the fact that doing so is much easier in some states than in others. That means customers can wait for change – or work to make it happen. This column from the Advanced Energy Buyers Group offers a roadmap for action.
Shell Canada to install 21 MWh of energy storage
Shell New Energies will install 21 MWh of industrial battery storage systems at two Shell Canada Products facilities in Ontario as part of a joint venture with Convergent Energy and Power.
Keesler AFB implements improvements through ESPC
Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), located in Biloxi, Miss., is implementing self-funding facility improvements through a $32.7 million guaranteed energy savings performance contract (ESPC). The project will help the base advance resiliency, security, and renewable energy usage while reducing deferred maintenance and energy costs.
FedEx reports progress on reducing, replacing, revolutionizing
FedEx’s Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize strategy has contributed to a 37% reduction in CO2 emissions intensity on a revenue basis across the enterprise from FY09 to FY18, a period in which revenue grew by 84%.
ExxonMobil invests up to $100 million on lower-emissions R&D
ExxonMobil announced it will invest up to $100 million over 10 years to research and develop advanced lower-emissions technologies with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Cornell Tech creates a sustainable campus with solar
Schools and universities are grooming the next generation of entrepreneurs and inventors to be environmentally-responsible leaders in every sector. Cornell Tech is leading by example, and EnterSolar is proud to have partnered with them to complete rooftop solar canopy systems atop two main buildings at its campus on Roosevelt Island, NYC.
Walmart signs 46 solar PPAs across 5 states
Walmart Inc. has executed 46 PPAs to provide solar power at its operations in five states. These solar installations will produce more than 65,000,000 kWh of renewable energy annually and are expected to supply approximately 10-60 percent of each stores' overall electricity use.
Pitzer College building earns zero net energy certification
The Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability at Pitzer College has won the first higher education building certification in California for using zero net energy. The certification, from the International Living Future Institute, has been awarded to only three other higher education structures around the world.
McDonald’s, Target, Walgreens honored by DOE
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is recognizing eight organizations, including H&M, McDonald’s, Target, and Walgreens for their leadership in the Better Buildings Initiative’s Advanced Rooftop Unit (RTU) Campaign.
Emory University proposes microgrid
Emory University is asking for support from the Georgia' Public Service Commission to create a microgrid that would allow some energy for the school to be produced on or near their Atlanta campus and could help prevent parts of the university and the neighboring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from losing power during hurricanes, cyber-attacks and other calamities.
