Energy Management Articles
Case Study: Apple, Akamai, Etsy, and Swiss Re partner on largest RE aggregation to date
How did four companies with different energy needs and similar goals come together on the largest aggregated corporate renewable energy transaction to date? This case study, presented by 3Degrees, details how Apple, Akamai, Etsy, and Swiss Re partnered on six PPAs
Facebook sets 100% RE goal for 2020
Facebook has committed to a 2020 deadline for reducing its GHG emissions by 75% and powering its global operation with 100% renewable energy. The company’s earlier goal of supporting 50% of its facilities with RE by 2018, set in 2015, was achieved one year early at 51% in 2017.
Solar added to DEA site in Texas
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at the El Paso Intelligence Center has completed a solar installation, representing a first for a DEA site.
University of Richmond spins Spider Solar
The University of Richmond (UR) announced on August 27 that it will become the first institution of higher learning in the southeast to match 100% of its electricity needs with solar energy thanks to a PPA for a 20-megawatt solar energy facility known as Spider Solar, named for the school’s mascot.
19 Mayors sign Net Zero Carbon pledge
Mayors from 19 cities around the world signed a pledge to enact regulations and/or planning policy to ensure new buildings operate at net zero carbon by 2030 and all buildings by 2050. The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration is an initiative of C40 Cities.
Is Exxon turning to RE in Texas?
Exxon Mobil Corp. intends to purchase renewable energy for delivery in Texas. The company issued a request for proposals asking solar and wind suppliers to submit proposals by June 8 for long-term deals. The largest U.S. oil company asked for at least 100 megawatts and could go higher than 250 megawatts.
Beer distributor plans $2 million savings with solar
Brown Distributing Co. will install a 481-kW rooftop solar project at the company’s beverage distribution facility in Austin. The array is expected to save the company nearly $2 million over the next 25 years, paying for itself in less than five years
Weekend reads: Sustainability's silent hero; Hoover Dam as giant battery
Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
Infographic: Harnessing that Hawaiian sunshine
Kona Brewing Co. is combining solar power and battery storage at its new brewery in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
IKEA adds solar to Alberta stores
IKEA Canada announced on August 23 that as part of its long-standing commitment to renewable energy, solar panels are being installed on its stores in Edmonton and Calgary. Both systems are expected to be operational by the end of the year.
U.S. wind capacity nears 89 GW
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on August 23 that the U.S. wind industry installed 7,017 megawatts (MW) of capacity last year, bringing total utility-scale wind capacity to nearly 89 GW.
Pizza Hut serves energy efficiency with IoT
Pizza Hut franchisee The American West Restaurant Group (AWRG) has employed the IoT (Internet of Things) to save $2 million a year via energy efficiency at 250 restaurants in the next five years.
Stewart County reports energy efficiency success
Stewart County, a rural municipality located in central Tennessee, has successfully reduce utility and operation costs year-over-year since the implementation of a municipal energy efficiency plan in 2016.
Kingspan joins supply chain initiative; Cities and Utilities join RE Sourcing Forum
Kingspan North America has joined Walmart as a member of the Smart Energy Decisions’ Supply Chain Initiative, a program designed to help early adopters of renewable energy engage with their supply chains by delivering renewable energy sourcing education, peer-to-peer networking, and connections to renewable energy suppliers in association with Smart Energy Decisions.
Lockheed Martin joins Army for battery storage system
The U.S. Army will host BESS—Battery Energy Storage System—at its Fort Carson, Colorado base. Construction has begun on the system by AECOM, a global infrastructure firm, using Lockheed Martin's GridStar® Lithium energy storage system.
Philly Flyers arena catches the wind
The Wells Fargo Center arena, home to the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, will be powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to a long-term PPA for wind power between Comcast Spectacor, the arena’s owner, and Constellation.
Maryland mall adds 2 MW solar rooftop
The Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Maryland announced on August 20 that its new 2,056-kilowatt solar rooftop system is operational. The mall features more than 70 retailers and it owned by PREIT, a real estate investment trust.
LA Lakers open solar-powered training facility
The Los Angeles Lakers premiered a solar-powered, state-of-the-art headquarters, the UCLA Health Training Center. The solar installation features 456 panels to generate an estimated 245,000 kWh annually for a projected savings of about $38,000 per year.
EVRAZ signs long-term solar PPA
EVRAZ Pueblo finalized a long-term electricity agreement with Xcel Energy on Aug. 16 that will pave the way for Xcel to build a 240 MW solar facility on EVRAZ's property and allow for an upgrade and expansion of its Colorado mill.
Google implements AI to handle cooling of data centers
New artificial intelligence software being implemented at Google data centers is expected to not only reduce the need for human monitoring of its cooling systems but also to increase the energy efficiency of these sites.
Weekend reads: EIA challenges Trump; Jetsons challenge Flintstones
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
7-Eleven to expand emissions reduction program
7-Eleven announced today the expansion of its RENEW reduced emissions fuel program, the first phase of which saw results that include 24,000 metric tons of carbon emissions offset and 70,000 trees planted.
Southwire reports reduction in energy intensity
Southwire Company, a producer of wire and cable products, recently released its 2017 sustainability report, detailing the company's positive business growth as well as updates on its 2021 sustainability targets.
NYC landlords set energy reduction goal
A group of large New York real estate operators, including SL Green Realty Corp., Vornado Realty Trust and Related Cos., have agreed to a plan to reduce energy use in the city’s larger buildings by 20% percent by 2030.
UH Manoa plans solar system
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa will add a photovoltaic canopy on the top deck of its main parking structure along with several rooftop solar arrays to generate 2 MW of electricity. The system, to be completed in 2019, is part of the University&rsq plan to move the campus closer to its 2035 net-zero energy goal.
Report: Honda 2018 Environment Performance
With the recent release of Honda's 2018 Sustainability Report, we focus here on the Environment section, which details the company's "Triple ZERO" approach to addressing CO2 emissions, energy risks and resource and disposal risks.
Survey shows businesses moving energy onsite
A majority of businesses expect to take control of their own energy use by generating one-quarter of their electricity onsite by 2025, with 81% of U.S. businesses predicting this change will occur within the next seven year.
D.C.’s oldest bank is first to go solar
National Capital Bank, the oldest in Washington, has completed the installation of 60 solar panels on its bank building at Pennsylvania Avenue, becoming the first bank in the District of Columbia to be powered by solar energy.
Sysco sets 2025 goals
Sysco Corporation, the global foodservice distribution company, announced on August 13 its 2025 Responsibility Goals, including a reduction in the carbon footprint of the company’s fleet and operations by sourcing 20% of electricity from renewable sources and powering 20% of fleet vehicles with alternative fuels.
Penske promotes EV charging
Penske Truck Leasing announced on August 13 it has joined the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN), a worldwide industry alliance focused on promoting Combined Charging System (CCS) as the global standard for charging electric vehicles (EVs) of all types.
