Energy Management Articles
30% tariff hits solar panel imports
President Trump on Jan. 22 imposed a tariff of 30% on imported solar panel cells and panels. The Solar Energy Industries Association responded that this decision will increase solar prices, cause the loss of 23,000 American jobs this year
Big tech drives clean energy record
Companies including technology leaders Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc., signed long-term agreements for a record-breaking 5.4 gigawatts of clean power in 2017, a 26% increase over 4.3 gigawatts in 2016.
Nissan enters home energy storage business
Nissan announced the creation of the Nissan Energy Solar initiative as it enters the residential green-energy market, following the lead of Tesla and Mercedes-Benz.
Weekend Reads: the biggest electric vehicle company you never heard of & more
It's the weekend! Kick-back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
Nike heads toward 100% RE with new PPA
Nike Inc. announced on Jan. 18 that it has signed a PPA for a second wind contract with Avangrid Renewables, covering 86 megawatts of wind power from the Karankawa Wind Farm near Corpus Christi, Texas, which is scheduled for completion in 2019.
Padres go to bat with solar power
Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres welcomes the largest solar power system in Major League Baseball, larger than systems installed by seven other teams combined.
The U.S. Tax Overhaul: What Does It Mean for Corporate Solar Projects?
With the first major overhaul of the U.S. tax code in over 30 years, changes to tax policy are having a significant impact on the feasibility of companies “going solar” in the U.S. This column from EnterSolar discusses key impacts of the new tax code on corporate solar projects.
PG&E launches program to accelerate EV adoption in California
Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced the launch of a new EV Charge Network program to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. PG&E expects to install new EV chargers in partnership with business customers
Facebook’s NM data center to add wind and solar
Facebook’s data center in Los Lunas, New Mexico is expected to welcome the addition of two new wind farms and a solar facility, expected to add 266 MWh of renewable energy.
The New England Electric Power Market
This white paper, presented by CPower, explores reasons behind the increasing cost of electricity in the New England electrical power market and what commercial and industrial power customers can do to mitigate these cost increases.
Dow and USGBC join forces to reduce GHG emissions
Dow Building Solutions and the U.S. Green Building Council announced on Jan. 17 a collaboration with the goal of providing solutions to measurably reduce GHG emissions through improved energy efficiency in buildings.
Xcel Energy receives “shockingly low bids” for solar and wind
Xcel Energy has received bids from renewable energy developers at the lowest prices in the U.S., with energy storage priced below costs for coal-generated power.
Walmart saves $100 million in energy with LEDs
Walmart Stores Inc. has installed more than 1.5 million LED fixtures in more than 6,000 locations, the company announced on January 16 at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show.
General Motors calls for greater access to wind and solar power
To meet the growing demand for clean energy at its factories, General Motors is calling for greater access to wind and solar power through expanded transmission lines.
Microgrids power Army engineers’ effort in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is relying on microgrid technology as part of their continuing efforts to restore electrical power to areas in Puerto Rico hit hardest by Hurricane Maria.
IRENA: Renewable technologies competitive by 2020
The cost of offshore wind power has declined by around 25% since 2010, making it comparable to other energy sources, according to a new cost analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Weekend reads: Bitcoin Power, Trends to Watch & Home Biogas
Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
NYC announces goal to divest from fossil fuels
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Jan. 10 a goal to divest New York City’s $189 billion pension fund from fossil fuel companies within five years, making the city the first major US pension plan to take this action.
OPPD achieves 30% renewable energy sales goal
Renewable energy represented 30% of Omaha Public Power District’s retail sales in 2017
Amazon data centers granted discount in Ohio
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved an economic development arrangement between Amazon subsidiary Vadata Inc. and AEP Ohio, including a 10-year discount for its data centers operating in AEP Ohio’s territory.
Virginia seeks to join RGGI
Virginia could be the first southern state to cap carbon emissions and join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a step announced as part of the joint legislative agenda proposed on Jan. 10 by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Gov.-elect Ralph Northam.
Tesla begins solar roof production at gigafactory
Tesla Inc. has begun production of electricity-producing shingles, more than a year after the company introduced the concept, according to a report from Bloomberg News.
Airports continue the switch to renewable energy
With energy-hungry airports constantly in need of power sources, Mother Nature Network reports that more airports are switching, at least partially, to solar or wind power.
Report outlines Facebook's clean energy strategy
"Facebook is Greening the Grid," a recent article in American Builder Today, tracks the progress of the 2-billion user’s new data center in Omaha, Neb., as they work with Omaha Public Power District to source energy from wind farms
FERC rejects Perry-proposed nuclear, coal bailout
In a move widely regarded as an affirmation the independence of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the commissioners on Jan. 8 unanimously rejected a proposal from Energy Secretary Rick Perry considered by critics to be a bailout for coal and nuclear generators.
Case study: Lighting + controls with a 3-year payback
This case study, presented by EMC, details the implementation of an energy saving LED lighting retrofit and relamping project at Allina Health's Cambridge Regional Medical Center in Minnesota.
Church pension fund adds $17M to RE fund
The Church Pension Fund, a financial services organization serving the Episcopal Church, announced an investment of $17 million in the Social Investment Managers & Advisors Off-Grid Solar and Financial Access Senior Debt Fund I B.V.
Businesses urge NH to adopt clean energy policies
More than 50 New Hampshire businesses are calling for the state Legislature to advance clean energy policies that they say will support economic growth and business development.
Weekend reads: Nat gas prices surge; Siemens bets on blockchain; a utility megamerger & more
Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web (our first batch in 2018 - happy new year).
Innovation Summit agenda, sponsors announced
Following the announcement of keynote speakers for the 2nd annual Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit, SED on Jan. 5 released the full agenda, list of speakers and confirmed sponsors for the February event.
