Energy Management Articles
Innovation Summit Day 3: Strategies for the Future
Smart Energy Decisions concluded its 2018 Innovation Summit on February 27 in Austin with a day packed with sessions supporting this year’s event theme, the future of energy management.
Innovation Summit Day 2: Energy challenges addressed
Day 2 of Smart Energy Decisions’ 2018 Innovation Summit focused on strategies to address energy challenges facing commercial and industrial businesses, top efficiency issues, and energy innovations.
Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit kicks off in Austin
Strategies for improving profits and reducing carbon emissions are front-and-center at the second annual Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit in Austin, TX, February 25 - 27. Seventy energy management and sustainability executives
Take 2: Washington State Readies Carbon Tax Bill
Washington State may be the first to impose a direct tax on carbon emissions. The state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee last week passed a measure that would tax carbon emissions from fossil fuels at the rate of $12 per metric ton on the sale
Weekend reads: Solar sail heads for deep space, Virtual power plants & more
It's the weekend! Kick-back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
Innovation Summit to be powered through RECs
Power for the 2018 Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit will be offset by renewable energy certificates supplied by ENGIE North America. The three-day event, to be held Feb. 25-27 at Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, brings together
Webinar: Changing the Energy Management Landscape of Commercial Real Estate
This webinar, sponsored by CPower, starts with the idea that managing energy demand for commercial real estate properties is a blend of art and science. The science has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, resulting in a dramatically expanding
Siemens, Tesla , NRDC and others push NY on EV
A petition signed by 40 organizations, including Siemens, Tesla, and NRDC, was submitted to the New York Public Service Commission on Feb. 21 requesting more action to accelerate electric vehicle adoption by turning to utilities to be more proactive
Trump proposes eliminating Energy Star funding
President Trump’s plan to eliminate federal funding for the EPA’s Energy Start program is facing strong opposition from groups representing manufacturers, retailers, utilities, environmentalists and others who benefit from the program.
ENGIE North America acquired Infinity Renewables
Houston-based ENGIE North America Inc. announced on Feb. 20 that it has acquired Infinity Renewables, a developer of utility-scale wind projects in the United States. The acquisition includes more than 8,000 MW of projects
SWEPCO announces agreement supporting Wind Catcher
Southwestern Electric Power (SWEPCo) announced on Feb. 20 a settlement agreement in the company’s request for approval of the proposed Wind Catcher Energy Connection project. The agreement includes SWEPCO, Walmart Stores Inc. and Sam’s
IKEA UK offers tariff on 100% RE to customers
IKEA UK has partnered with the Big Clean Switch to secure an exclusive tariff on 100% renewable energy for its customers. The partnership will use a ‘collective switch model’ to help secure a deal on renewable electricity
Disney World plans new 50MW solar farm
Disney World will soon be connected to a new 50 MW solar farm being built as part of a PPA between the Reedy Creek Improvement District and Origis Energy. The facility will be built in an area just west of Disney property gold courses.
Six Flags expanding solar power
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced on Feb. 20 an initiative to power two of its theme parks in California almost entirely with solar power. Plans call for the system at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo to exceed 7 megawatts
RE hits 18% of total U.S. power mix
Renewable energy generation increased to 18% of total electricity for the U.S. in 2017, up from 15% the previous year. New wind and solar builds, along with an easing drought in the West, combined to boost this increase
Revenue stacking for energy storage comes to California
The California Public Utilities Commission has become the first state regulator to issue revenue stacking rules for energy storage projects.
Weekend reads: Energy eBay; What Trump's budget means for RE
Every Saturday, we'll bring you five of the most interesting — or quirky; it is the weekend after all — energy stories from around the web that you may have missed this week. This weekend's reads:
Infographic: Heineken Drops the C
Heineken announced on Feb. 12 its "Drop the C" program, aimed at increasing its share of renewable energy from the current level of 14% to 70% by 2030. The company also reported reaching its 2020 emission targets in production in 2017
Case Study: Clif Bar’s innovative supply chain leadership
This case study documents the innovative supply chain engagement approach used by Clif Bar & Company as they worked with independent energy experts to assess how much electricity suppliers use on Clif Bar’s behalf
Lindt Chocolate partners with Eversouce to reduce energy usage
Lindt Chocolate USA has formed a partnership with Eversource in an effort to reduce electricity usage and costs by nearly 3.5 million KWh a year at its Statham, NH plant.
Shell “inspires” increase in renewables
Shell’s North American unit has agreed to provide financing to Inspire Energy Holding LLC, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based clean-power energy management company.
FERC eliminates barriers for energy storage
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted on Feb. 15 to remove barriers to the participation of electric storage resources in the capacity, energy, and ancillary services markets operated by Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
Sierra Nevada combines solar and natural gas to power brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., based in Chico, Calif., was honored by Chico Electric for its sustainability efforts, centered on its $4 power plant, consisting of three units that supports its brewery with a combination of solar and natural gas
Trump 2019 budget slashes EPA, DOE funding
The newly-released 2019 budget proposal from the Trump Administration calls for spending cuts of 24% from the EPA and more than 65% from the DOE’s renewable energy office while boosting spending on fossil fuels and nuclear programs.
Maryland opens first energy storage tax credit program
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced on Feb. 13 that it is accepting applications for the 2018 Energy Storage Tax Credit Program. The program, the first of its kind launched in the U.S., is designed to encourage the deployment of energy
Nestlé reaches for 100% RE with wind PPA
Nestlé in the U.S. announced on Feb. 12 a 15-year PPA with EDP Renewables that will provide approximately 80 percent of the electricity load for five Nestlé facilities in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Con Edison adds HVAC upgrade incentives for C&I
Con Edison announced two new programs offering incentives for C&I customers that make HVAC upgrades. The Prescriptive Rebate Program offers cash incentives for the installation of standard energy-efficient equipment
SED expands renewable energy event schedule
Following the success of the 2017 Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum, Smart Energy Decisions is producing two editions of the Forum in 2018. The Spring edition will take place June 18-20 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego.
Heineken “drops the C”, increases RE
Heineken announced on Feb. 12 its "Drop the C" program, aimed at increasing its share of renewable energy from the current level of 14% to 70% by 2030. The company also reported reaching its 2020 emission targets in production in 2017
UMD gains $18.3M for energy conservation
The University of Maryland has secured $18.3 million from the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) for the development of a $21.5 million energy efficiency project. The project will impact eight on-campus buildings.