Energy Management Articles
HanesBrands heads for 2020 targets
HanesBrands has reduced energy consumption by more than 21% percent since 2007, and shifted 33% of the energy the company does use to renewable resources, on its way to reaching the company’s 2020 environmental objectives, which include a 40% reduction of both energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Weekend reads: Can big oil ride RE & EV waves?; The unsexy part of climate policy
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
EV100 Progress and Insights Annual Report
More companies than ever are switching to electric vehicles, helping to combat air pollution in cities, lower business risk and future proof their operations as low emission zones are introduced globally. EV100's first Progress and Insights Annual Report shines a light on companies’ fleet and charging commitments including key drivers and challenges.
Walgreens Boots boosts energy efficiency in 2500 stores
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBBA) invested more than $115 million in energy efficiency programs, including projects in approximately 2,500 stores during fiscal 2018. These upgrades included replacing HVAC units and converting to LED exterior and interior lighting.
Carolina Panthers add solar to stadium
Installation will begin within the next few weeks to add solar panels on the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, home of the Carolina Panthers. The panels are being added to reduce energy costs as well as the stadium's carbon footprint.
UVM adds solar to rooftop
The University of Vermont Medical Center has begun generating solar power via a 198-kilowattpeak (kWp) solar array on the roof of Its facility in Williston, VT. UVM Medical Center will receive net metering credits at a discount
Engaging Franchisees in Energy Management & Benchmarking
Wendy's Smart Family of Designs 2.0 promotes energy efficiency while targeting significant savings in development costs. This column from Better Buildings shares efforts made by the energy team at Wendy's to provide coaching on understanding potential costs and potential return on investments from energy upgrades.
The Home Depot announces new targets and RE initiatives
The Home Depot has declared new emissions targets, along with commitments to wind and solar projects in 2019. The announcement came as CDP, an environmental impact non-profit, named the company to its Climate Change “A” list for its actions to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate risks.
Citi goes green in Texas with RECs
Citi announced the purchase of renewable energy credits from the 163 MW Midway Wind Project in San Patricio County, Texas. Citi will acquire 64% of the RECs generated by the project, which is being developed by Sammons Renewable Energy and is expected to be operations in the first half of 2019.
Power sector efficiency up despite emissions increase
The electricity sector continued to improve its carbon intensity in 2018 due to increased renewable energy and natural gas power generation and investments in energy efficiency, even as a stronger economy and volatile weather boosted energy demand and contributed to a rise in economy-wide carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.
Comcast adds carport to call center
Comcast announced the completion of a 1,170-panel carport solar installation that will help power its regional call center in Plymouth, Mass. The system will generate enough onsite clean energy to offset more than 95% of the facility's annual energy consumption.
Hershey aims to cut the carbon footprint of its chocolate with new Science-Based Target commitment
One of the world’s top chocolate companies shared new plans for reducing its impact on the planet – including committing to set Science-Based Targets. As this column from EDF Climate Corps notes, what sets Hershey apart from its peers is not this commitment. It’s the journey behind how it got here.
Rhode Island College completes rooftop solar project
Construction has been completed at Rhode Island College (RIC) of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftops of the Donovan Dining Center and the Student Union. The $300,000 project is expected to save the college more than $231,000 in energy costs over the next 15 years.
Marine Corp microgrid set for expansion
A microgrid project at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar will be expanded to boost resilience by adding energy storage to the microgrid and integrating demand side management. Upon completion, the project will incorporate a total of five distributed energy resources (DER)
Weekend reads: The clean dozen; Hospitals embrace energy efficiency
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read articles from around the web:
SED premieres Webinar Center
Smart Energy Decisions announces the opening of its Webinar Center, which will provide information on upcoming webinars as well as a comprehensive archive of past webinars. The Webinar Center is a resource for information on renewable energy and energy efficiency topics
EV100 targets 2M+ EVs by 2030
EV100, part of The Climate Group, is targeting the electrification of more than two million vehicles by 2030, according to the first EV100 Progress and Insights Annual Report
Nike signs its first PPA in Europe
Nike signed its first European clean energy deal, acquiring 40 MW of power from the Cavar wind complex in northern Spain that will be completed in 2020. The company has set a goal of having all its offices in Europe powered by renewable energy by 2020.
AvalonBay commits to targets
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. announced its commitment to setting science-based emissions reduction targets to be approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). AvalonBay joins the growing group of leading companies that are setting emissions reduction targets in line with what climate science says is necessary.
Corporate Clean Energy Buying Surged to New Record in 2018
Corporations bought a record amount of clean energy through PPAs, in 2018, shattering the previous record set in 2017, according to this column from BloombergNEF. Moving forward even at this accelerated rate, will RE100 companies meet their 2030 targets?
Business combine to cut emissions, save $19.3B
Ten years of the world’s biggest purchasers – including Bank of America, Dell, Kellogg Company, Unilever and Walmart – requesting transparency from their suppliers has triggered a step-change in environmental action, leading to 633 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions reductions and collective cost savings of $19.3 billion reported by over 5,500 suppliers in 2018.
C&Is in Illinois, Massachusetts lead with LEED
Illinois achieved the lead position on the U.S. Green Building Council’s 2018 list of Top 10 States for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The ranking of states based on the number of LEED-certified square feet per person placed Massachusetts in second place
Penn State to add 70MW offsite solar
Penn State announced the development of 70 megawatts of large-scale offsite solar to support the University's Strategic Plan, which cites stewardship of the planet's resources as a key priority. The project to install large-scale solar arrays will provide 25% of Penn State's state-wide electricity requirements over a 25-year term.
Kingston Technology plots solar + storage
Kingston Technology will add a 1.5 MW solar power and battery storage construction project at its corporate headquarters in Fountain Valley, Calif.
Mexico's Energy Market Reform: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities in the Competitive Supply Market
Since Mexico instituted its landmark energy reform in 2016, businesses operating in the country have faced an equal amount of opportunity and uncertainty. As this white paper from Enel X explains, this access to third-party energy suppliers offers a significant opportunity--even as the competitive supply market is fraught with risk.
DHL expands green fleet with e-vans
DHL is preparing to roll out a new fleet of 63 electric delivery vans to serve U.S. markets as part of its mission to reduce emissions. The company has set a target of operating 70% of first- and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025 as part of its longer-term corporate commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050.
Facebook, Google, Amazon lead RE procurements
Tech giants Facebook, Google, and Amazon are leading the charge for corporate procurement of renewables within the U.S., combining for market share of just over a third (35.1%). After announcing 1.5 GW of procurement in 2018, Facebook is the largest
Weekend reads: Lessons from the polar vortex; EV charging at the Super Bowl
Waiting for the Super Bowl to begin? Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
ATL will offset emissions from Super Bowl air travel
For the first time, carbon emissions from Super Bowl fans’ air travel to the game will be offset. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Rocky Mountain Institute and The Good Traveler are partnering to offset the equivalent of 1,624 air miles for each of the 71,000 fan seats
BP to align strategy to Paris goals
The board of BP LLC agreed to back a shareholder resolution at its annual meeting later this year that will require the company will be required to fully adapt its business strategy to the Paris Agreement goals, including setting GHG reduction targets and linking results with executive compensation.
