Energy Management Articles
Renewables top coal for first time
For the first time ever, renewable energy (including hydro, biomass, wind, solar and geothermal) is projected to generate more electricity than coal-fired plants for the month of April and could do so again in May, according to data published in the Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook.
Portland buses to ride with the wind
Portland, Oregon will feature all-electric buses powered by 100% wind energy, believed to be a transit industry first in the U.S.
The business case for a price on carbon
Climate change poses an urgent threat to the American economy. As this column from Ceres notes, companies across all sectors understand what is at stake and are already taking concrete steps to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy and ensure they remain competitive in the global economy.
Solarize Philly reopens registration
Registration for “Solarize Philly” has been reopened for 2019 so that anyone who owns property in Philadelphia, including businesses and homeowners, can have another chance to sign up to receive a free solar assessment.
Verizon aims to be carbon neutral by 2035
Verizon announced the company will go carbon neutral by 2035 in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This goal will be achieved through a combination of reducing those emissions directly, migrating energy procurement in favor of renewable and clean energy and through the purchase of carbon offsets.
2019 Innovation Awards Insights Report
The second annual Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Awards were presented on March 13, 2019, to 22 large electric power users representing commercial, industrial, higher education and government sectors. This special edition of Smart Energy Decisions Insights highlights winners for Customer Projects, Utility Partnerships, and Renewable Energy Sourcing.
SED research projects rapid growth in distributed energy technology deployment
Microgrids, energy storage, fuel cells, EV charging infrastructure and onsite solar are slated for dramatic growth, according to results of the inaugural State of Distributed Energy Resource Deployment Study, conducted by Smart Energy Decisions.
How will Hormel make sausages? Solar power.
Hormel Foods Corporation announced the start of construction on a solar energy project on its Swiss American Sausage Company facility in Lathrop, Calif. The project, slated for completion in July, is expected to supply more than 15% of the facility’s annual electricity consumption with roughly 1.2 million kWh per year.
Weekend reads: What companies are best for the environment?; Utility politics
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:
Lockheed Martin saves with 53 programs
Lockheed Martin has implemented 53 energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects, including HVAC, lighting, building control systems, renewable energy, and retro-commissioning, resulting in an annual energy reduction of an estimated equivalent of 29 million kWh and $2.2 million in recurring annual cost avoidance.
MTA launches solar roof initiative for green (energy and dollars)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that it is launching a new initiative that will generate clean, emission-free, solar electricity as well as begin to open up a new frontier of previously untapped revenue: the leasing of potentially millions of square feet of industrial roof space in New York City to companies interested in generating solar power.
Walmart partners on finance options for supply chain sustainability
Walmart suppliers who demonstrate progress in their sustainability credentials will have access to improved financing from HSBC, thanks to a partnership between the two companies.
Agilent lowers footprint with fuel cells
Agilent Technologies, a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, is now using clean electric power at its corporate headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. and a business unit in Little Falls, Del. to reduce its carbon footprint by almost 4,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
Johns Hopkins covers 2/3 of power with solar PPA
Johns Hopkins University has entered into a long-term agreement to supply its campuses with more than 250,000 megawatt-hours of solar power per year. The 15-year agreement begins in 2021 and will allow the university to meet roughly two-thirds of its overall electricity needs with solar power.
San Francisco to require 100% RE for commercial buildings
Mayor London N. Breed announced a plan to transition private commercial buildings in San Francisco of 50,000 square feet and larger to 100% renewable electricity. This new clean electricity requirement will be the first in the nation and will reduce emissions from the City’s largest commercial buildings by an additional 21% to accelerate San Francisco’s drive towards 100% RE by 2030.
EY US to be 100% renewable in 2020
Ernst & Young LLP announced it has signed VPPAs to initiate the construction of two large-scale Texas-based wind farms. The wind farms are scheduled to be operational mid-2020 and are expected to generate enough zero-carbon electricity to offset the absolute GHG emissions of the company’s U.S. business.
General Mills heads for goals with VPPA
General Mills has taken a big step toward its climate goal by signing a 15-year VPPA for a wind project in central Texas. The new wind project will produce renewable energy credits for General Mills that, together with the company’s previous wind power agreement, are calculated to equal% 100 percent of the electricity used annually at the company’s owned domestic facilities.
Shining Cities 2019 - The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy
America’s major cities have played a key role in the clean energy revolution and stand to reap tremendous benefits from solar energy. “Shining Cities 2019: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy” from Environment America presents a list of top solar cities and best practices to follow as cities tap their solar potential.
Bed Bath & Beyond adds solar to corporate office
Bed Bath & Beyond celebrated Earth Day by adding a nearly 500-kilowatt solar system at its corporate office in Union, New Jersey. The system also marks one decade of a partnership between the retailer and SunPower, which started with a 1.2-megawatt system at that office and has since resulted in the deployment of solar arrays at 41 locations across six states.
Facebook hit with $39M utility bill in NM
Facebook will be billed $39 million by PNM, nearly half the cost of a new $85 million transmission line, according to a ruling from the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) in New Mexico.
Weekend reads: Grocers go green to compete; World's largest solar plant
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:
General Mills lowers GHG emissions
General Mills' greenhouse gas emissions footprint decreased 13% in 2018 compared to 2010, across its value chain in the areas of agriculture, packaging, producing, shipping, converting, selling and consuming.
University of North Alabama modernizes to reduce energy costs
The University of North Alabama (UNA), announced a plan to cut energy costs 20% by the end of 2020 through the implementation of a capital recovery and reinvestment project to modernize its facilities, drive sustainability efforts and help the university reduce its energy consumption.
NJ manufacturer converts to solar energy
A manufacturing facility in Manalapan, New Jersey shared by Cary Compounds and S&A Molders has added a solar array featuring 1,566 monocrystalline high energy solar panels on a 140,000 sq. ft. roof.
Dell Technologies campus gets smarter
Dell Technologies will bring smart building technology to its campus in Hopkinton, Mass. with a project that will provide real-time monitoring, fault detection & diagnostics and ongoing monitoring-based commissioning for the 313,679 square foot building
Perry Ellis fashions new rooftop solar
Perry Ellis International, Inc. (PEI) announced the completion of a new 2,432-panel rooftop solar installation atop one of the company’s largest distribution centers, which is located in Seneca, South Carolina.
Whirlpool develops emissions management system.
Whirlpool has developed a new global emissions management system to improve transparency about product emissions as the company moves towards its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Starbucks teams up for local power in Texas
Starbucks Coffee Company, Cypress Creek Renewables, and U.S. Bank are teaming up on a portfolio of solar farms across Texas. As a part of the deal, two solar farms developed, built and now operated by Cypress Creek are providing enough energy for the equivalent of 360 Starbucks stores in Texas.
Solar Tax Credits Are Stepping Down Next Year: What Does This Mean for Corporate Solar Projects?
The U.S. solar industry is continuing to flourish with the help of the federal investment tax credit, otherwise known as the ITC. As this column from EnterSolar notes, this incentive has been a major part of solar project economics for the past decade, but changes are coming in 2020. Here is what you need to know about the ITC Step-Down, and how your company can maximize the monetary benefits of a solar project today.
Murphy Oil touts emissions reduction efforts
Murphy Oil Corporation has spent approximately $95 million from 2015 to 2018 on environmental expenditures in order to reduce GHG and other emissions. The company reported this investment with the release of its inaugural sustainability report
