Energy Management Articles
Mandalay Bay implements wireless control network
MGM Resorts International has implemented a wireless control network at its Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas in order to digitize more than 1,600 light fixtures covering approximately 1 million square feet of floor space across six exhibit halls.
Insights from SED’s Spring Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum
The spirit of the inaugural Smart Energy Decisions Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum is captured in this Insights document, which features edited transcripts from the most memorable keynote presentations, panels, and conversations
Lidl plans network of EV chargers in Ireland
Budget supermarket chain Lidl will install electric vehicle chargers at 20 of its stores across Ireland over the next six months, in a bid to host the nation's largest supermarket-based network of chargepoints.
Weekend reads: Walmart vs. Trump; Pot growers embrace efficiency
Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
Ocean State Job Lot installs lighting upgrades
Ocean State Job Lot, Rhode Island-based operator of 131 close-out stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey, will spend $14 million on lighting upgrades expected to save more than $2.7 million per year on energy costs.
Solar-powered Airbus flies record 26 days
The Airbus' Zephyr S HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite), a solar-electric unmanned aircraft, stayed aloft a few minutes short of the 26 days, the longest duration flight ever made.
Corporates shatter clean energy sourcing record with more to come
With the release of BloombergNEF's New Energy Outlook 2018, Kyle Harrison presents a look at the growth in the purchase of clean energy by corporations, including reasons behind the trend, who is leading the charge, and what to expect in the future.
Mastercard sets 20% GHG reduction goal
Mastercard announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2025, a target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The plan will use a 2016 baseline and include both direct and indirect emissions.
CSL Group achieves emissions reduction
The CSL Group, a provider of marine dry bulk cargo handling and delivery services as well as owner and operator of self-unloading vessels, announced it achieved a 5.6% reduction in CO2 emissions per nautical mile in the past year.
Humana highlights sustainability goals
Humana announced on August 8 the company’s alignment with the United National Sustainable Development Goals, calling itself one of the first U.S. health insurers to commit to the international targets. The company also released its 2016-2017 Corporate Social Responsibility report.
Golden State Foods goes electric
Golden State Foods (GSF), a supplier to the foodservice and retail industries, will participate in Duke Energy’s electrification project, installing a total of 32 electric power outlets to help trucks at its distribution center in Wake County,
Levi Strauss & Co. ramps up climate commitments
Along with Levi Strauss & Co's recent announcement of their new climate action strategy, which sets aggressive targets for reducing carbon emissions across its owned-and-operated company-owned facilities, Michael Kobori, vp of sustainability, penned this column for the company's "Unzipped" blog, to explain the company's position as a corporate citizen and a sustainability leader.
Digital Realty aggregates customer demand to cut energy costs
Digital Realty, a global provider of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, announced it is contracting electricity supply in bulk to achieve lower prices throughout the year, while simultaneously providing protection against escalating prices during seasonal spikes.
Tour Amazon's rooftop solar system
Amazon offered a tour of their fulfillment center in Tracy, California, which now features one of the largest rooftop solar systems in California.
Six steps to efficient sustainability
Integrated efficiency and sustainability efforts can improve ROI but operating these initiatives in tandem comes with its own set of complexities. This column, presented by Schneider Electric, outlines a six-step approach designed to break down outdated, compartmentalized structures and encourage more collaboration across organizations in order to reach efficient sustainability.
Apple, Akamai, Etsy, Swiss Re collaborate on RE aggregation
Apple, Akamai, Etsy and Swiss Re announced on August 6 an agreement to develop two new wind and solar energy farms in Illinois and Virginia. Spearheaded by Apple, the new projects will generate 290 megawatts to the PJM electric grid serving much of the Eastern U.S.
Green energy glut = power prices at zero
As wind and solar systems continue to expand, the amount of electricity being generated is outstripping demand during certain hours of the day, resulting in power prices falling to zero or even below in more jurisdictions.
Weekend reads: One trillion watts; Energy vs. facility managers
It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:
Infographic: Energy efficiency inside Yum! buildings
Yum! Brands 2017 Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report recorded the company's 22% energy reduction compared to a 2005 baseline, saving an estimated 4.3 billion MWh of electricity. Company efforts included 40,000 energy- and water-saving technologies implemented in 2017 alone.
Novartis signs 12-year wind VPPA
NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., an affiliate of Novartis, has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Invenergy for 100 megawatts of wind power from their Santa Rita East wind farm, located west of San Angelo, Texas.
Kona brews solar-plus-battery storage project
The Kona Brewing Company has signed a 20-year PPA with Holu Energy, a subsidiary of EnSync, Inc. to build a solar-plus-battery storage system at the beer company's new brewery, under construction in Kailua Kona. The system, expected to be online in 2019, will meet one-quarter of the brewery’s electricity need and will allow the company to produce a peak output of 6,875 cans of sun-powered beer per hour.
Facebook signs wind PPA in Indiana
Facebook has signed a 15-year PPA for 139 MW of power from the Headwaters II Wind Farm in Randolph County, Indiana. The wind farm, operated by EDP Renewables, SA, produces a total of 200 MW and is expected to be operational in 2020.
UPS partners on electric delivery truck
UPS announced a collaboration with Thor Trucks, Inc., to develop and test a fully-electric medium-duty delivery truck in Los Angeles. The truck, which will have a driving range of approximately 100 miles powered by a Thor-designed and built battery, is expected to be ready for deployment later this year.
Case Study: Bloomberg—From RECs to RE100!
This case study, presented by Edison Energy, powered by Altenex, details the renewables efforts made by Bloomberg L.P. — from their initial procurement of RECs in 2007 to a commitment to source 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
J.M. Smucker signs wind PPA
J.M. Smucker announced on August 1 that it has signed a long-term PPA with Lincoln Clean Energy (LCE) for 60 megawatts (MW) of the utility-scale 230 MW Plum Creek Wind Project in Wayne County, Nebraska. Starting in 2020, the wind energy produced from this project will cover approximately 50% of Smucker's total electricity use.v
Detroit Lions score with solar
The Detroit Lions have added solar-powered lights to the parking garage at their Ford Field home as well as their training facility in Allen Park, representing their first foray into solar energy as part of the team’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
Levi Strauss targets 100% RE, supply chain goals
Levi Strauss & Co. announced on July 31 a new climate action strategy, which includes a 100% renewable electricity target in company-owned facilities, a 90% reduction in GHG emissions in all owned-and-operated facilities, and a 40% reduction in GHG emissions in its supply chain, all by 2025.
Honda rolls out SmartCharge beta
Honda has introduced a new SmartCharge™ beta program to Honda Fit EV customers as a way to permit these customers to charge their vehicle when electricity demand is low and when the availability of renewable energy is high.
RESF Presentation: Fifth Third Bank - 100% Renewable with a Single Solar PPA
Fifth Third Bank and Schneider Electric's presentation on "Fifth Third Bank’s bold entry into RE sourcing" was a highlight of Smart Energy Decisions' recent Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum Spring event.
Solar sings at Miami concert venue
The amphitheater at Bayfront Park, a downtown Miami performing arts venue, will add a ring of solar panels and a retractable roof following approval by the Miami City Commission for a no-bid, 25-year contract to Florida Power & Light for the project.
