Energy Management Articles
Smart Energy Voices Podcast: Episode 103 - The Evolution of Building Performance Standards
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sat down with Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy Programs at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), to talk about building performance standards (BPS) and their implications for the energy transition. He also gives an overview of IMT's mission and work, focusing on their efforts to improve the efficiency and performance of buildings through policy development and equitable decarbonization.
Richards Bay Minerals Adopts 140 MW of Wind Power
Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) signed a renewable PPA to secure 140 MW of wind energy from a new wind farm situated in the Western and Northern Cape Province.
Caesars Entertainment Sets New Emissions Goal
Caesars Entertainment, Inc., a casino-entertainment company, is implementing a new GHG reduction goal of 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline after achieving emission reduction goals three years ahead of schedule in 2022.
Green Boy Group Achieves Carbon Neutrality
Global plant-based food ingredient supplier Green Boy Group was able to completely offset its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and part of its Scope 3 emissions, making the company carbon neutral in 2023.
Tronox Adds 200 MW Wind, Solar PPA
Tronox Holdings plc, an integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, announced that it entered into a long-term power purchase agreement for both wind and solar power.
PG&E Incorporates BESS in Arizona
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) signed a 15-year Long-Term Resource Adequacy Agreement for a 112.5-MW Sierra Pinta Energy Storage project in Yuma County, Arizona.
Microsoft Partners for SAF
Microsoft joined as a founding member of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiative Project Runway .
Polestar Adopts Renewable Fuels for Ocean Freight
Polestar is lowering its supply chain emissions by integrating renewable fuels on its ocean freight routes, which account for around 75% of the automaker's total transportation emissions.
The Catholic University of America Adds 6 MW Solar
The Catholic University of America added a solar array on 25 acres of previously undeveloped land at its West Campus.
NY State Finalizes Contract for Offshore Wind Project
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the finalization of new contracts for two offshore wind projects totaling over 1,700 megawatts, which will be the largest power generation projects in New York State in over 35 years after they enter operation in 2026.
Deadline Approaching for DEI Impact Award Nominations
The deadline for nominations for Smart Energy Decisions' 2024 DEI Impact Awards is June 21. These awards will acknowledge company-wide efforts by large power users (commercial, industrial, institutional, and government) to advance DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), specifically focusing on the impact and amplification of energy and sustainability programs.
W. L. Gore Adds Renewable Energy
W. L. Gore & Associates announced a 55-MW agreement to purchase renewable energy equivalent to the annual electricity use of its Maryland and Delaware facilities.
Kimberly-Clark Lowers Emissions by 41%, Adopts Wind Power
Kimberly-Clark, a consumer products manufacturer, bolstered the utilization of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power, including the launch of a new VPPA via an onshore wind farm in Scotland and the initiation of several renewable PPAs in 2023.
Zoetis Decreases Emissions by 19%, Adds RE
Zoetis Inc., an animal health company, reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18.9% through operating changes and by making several investments since 2021.
Hershey's Emissions Fall by 43%
Hershey, a food manufacturer, announced it achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2018 baseline and that it is on track to achieve a 50% absolute reduction by 2030.
East Bay Municipal Utility District Adds Solar
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) added the 4.6-MW Orinda Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project, its largest solar facility.
Vertiv Adopts BESS
Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, rolled out a new battery energy storage system (BESS) with lithium-ion batteries that provides utility-scale energy storage capable of being used as an always-on power supply.
New Gold Reduces Emissions by 8%
New Gold, a Canadian-focused intermediate mining company, announced that across its operations, the company achieved a 4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from 2022 with an overall 8% reduction from its 2020 baseline year.
Fact Sheet: Thermal Energy Storage in Commercial Buildings
Combining on-site renewable energy sources and thermal energy storage systems can lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and operational costs for building owners. Learn about the latest developments in thermal energy storage for commercial buildings in the new fact sheet, "Thermal Energy Storage in Commercial Buildings: State-of-the-Art Technologies and Practical Considerations for Implementation" from the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Initiative.
Burbank Water and Power Adds Battery, Solar
Burbank Water and Power announced the addition of a 75-kW/500-kWh long-duration energy storage (LDES) system at its EcoCampus.
Tanger Adopts Solar, EV Charging at Shopping Centers
Tanger, an owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping destinations, increased its renewable energy production through onsite solar infrastructure and now offers electric vehicle charging spaces at more than 90% of its centers.
AptarGroup Achieves 97% of Electricity from Renewable Sources
AptarGroup, Inc. — a global company in drug and consumer product dosing, dispensing and protection technologies — achieved its goal of 97% of electricity coming from renewable sources.
Cemex Adopts RNG in California
Cemex, a building materials company, entered into a new fueling agreement to receive ultra-clean renewable natural gas (RNG) to power 39 of Cemex US’s ready-mix and cement bulk trucks in southern California.
Weekend Reads: A Step Forward for Hydrogen; America's Climate Leaders
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Federal Realty Investment Trust Increases RE With Solar
Federal Realty Investment Trust, an owner and operator of retail-based properties, announced it increased its use of renewable energy by adding onsite solar generating capacity.
Des Moines Water Works: Using SEP 50001 Energy Management to Reduce Energy Use and CO2 Emissions
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) became the first water utility in the nation to have all of its water treatment plants—three, in this case—certified to ISO 50001 and SEP 50001. The utility has an energy policy that commits financial and labor resources to achieving continual improvement in energy performance. Read this column from Better Buildings Solutions Center to learn how DMWW improved its energy performance by 19%.
Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Nucor Partner for Clean Energy
Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Nucor announced agreements to explore new and innovative approaches to support carbon-free energy generation.
Phoenix Tower International Converts to Sustainability-Linked Loan
Phoenix Tower International, a global wireless communications infrastructure provider, announced the conversion of €1.2 billion credit facilities into a sustainability-linked loan.
Badger Meter’s Emissions Fall by 18%
Badger Meter, Inc., a global provider of water solutions encompassing flow measurement, quality and other system parameters, announced an 18% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity year-over-year, with a 44% reduction in intensity from a 2020 baseline.
Modivcare Lowers Emissions by 12%
Modivcare Inc., a technology-enabled healthcare services company, announced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 location-based and market-based GHG emissions decreased 12% and 11% year-over-year, respectively.
