Energy Management Articles
Bay Area Transit System signs 100 MW of PPAs
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system, known as BART, recently executed two power purchase agreements for electricity that will propel the fifth-largest rapid transit system in the U.S. far beyond its goal of getting 50% of its energy from renewable sources.
Plaza Hotel and Casino begins exterior lighting retrofit
Exterior lighting upgrades are underway at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas — the first downtown property to make the switch to energy-efficient LED sign lamps from cold cathode lamps — according to a Dec. 13 news release.
PepsiCo books largest known order of Tesla Semis
An executive with PepsiCo told Reuters that the company has reserved 100 Tesla Semis as part of its efforts to reduce fuel costs and fleet emissions.
Mars using solar to manufacture Pedigree dog food
Mars Petcare has started using electricity generated from its newest solar garden, linked to its San Bernardino, Calif., manufacturing facility, to produce Pedigree brand dry dog food.
Kraft Heinz sets GHG goal in 1st sustainability report
Among a wide range of corporate social responsibility goals outlined in Kraft Heinz's inaugural corporate social responsibility report, the company outlined plans to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 5.1% and implement a series of onsite renewable energy projects.
Navigating a successful energy project proposal
A new Workflow and Approval Process Guide, prepared by RILA and the Institute for Market Transformation, helps retail energy professionals think more strategically about the project proposal and budgeting process.
Seattle organizations sail toward 20% energy reduction
Two Seattle-based organizations — King County and Shari's Café & Pies — have been recognized by the U.S. DOE for their efforts in reducing energy intensity at the King County International Airport and the local Shari's.
Deadline extended for SED Innovation Awards
The deadline for entries for the inaugural Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Awards has been extended and will run through Dec. 22.
Evaluating PPA opportunities to best suit your needs
The growth in the renewables industry and the push for corporate sustainability has led to a huge range of PPA options in terms of, amongst other factors, type, structure, pricing and duration. This column from Helen Wallace-Fisher of Accenture outlines a simple matrix that can be used to help corporations design a framework for finding power purchase agreements that best suit its needs.
Massachusetts awards $20M in energy storage grants
A proposal from Advanced Microgrid Systems to install energy storage systems at two Walmart locations in Massachusetts is one of 26 projects that have been awarded state funding totaling more than $20 million.
Schneider Electric commits to RE100, EP100
Already working as a partner to numerous corporations that have made bold sustainability goals over the past few years, Schneider Electric on Dec. 11 pledged to source 100% renewable energy for its own operations and double its energy productivity by 2030.
Weekend reads: Bitcoin's energy spike; a tax bill energy guide; sustainability goal deterioration & more
The weather outside may be frightful (for many of us), but these must-read energy stories of the week are so delightful.
Verizon replaces 200+ NYC vans with hybrid electric
Joining an increasing number of companies looking to increase the efficiency of their fleets, Verizon Communications Inc. recently replaced 234 of its existing gas-powered vans with hybrid-electric vans for use in New York City with support from NYSERDA.
Ohio healthcare providers urge energy diversification
A group of healthcare providers and advanced energy companies are urging Ohio lawmakers to value energy efficiency and demand response as a resource and expand the deployment of cost-saving energy technologies.
Duke Energy makes larger bid in C&I solar market
Duke Energy Corp. on Dec. 6 announced it has acquired full control of commercial solar developer REC Solar, and aims to become a "one-stop entity" for corporations looking for renewables.
GM banks $2.6M in utility rebates for energy upgrades
Following the implementation of 28 energy efficiency projects at its assembly plant in Flint, Mich., in 2017, General Motors has received an incentive payment of $2.6 million from the plant's utility, Consumers Energy.
PG&E strikes energy storage deal for C&I customers
California utility giant Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has teamed up with EDF Renewable Energy to offer behind-the-meter energy storage projects to its commercial and industrial companies.
Bose announces 2020 goal to cut energy use 6%
In its first-ever public sustainability report, audio equipment manufacturer Bose Corp. outlined how its efforts to bring together its carbon reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency goals into a broader environmental management system has prepared it for the future.
Digital Realty buys 96 MW of wind, solar capacity
Data center, colocation and interconnection solutions company Digital Realty announced two new long-term agreements to source approximately 324,000 additional MWh of renewable energy annually for its Chicago and Ashburn, Va., data center properties and mark an expansion of its sustainability initiatives and customer offerings.
Famous sliders chain looks to slash energy expenses
Quick service restaurant chain the Krystal Company, which operates more than 250 owned restaurants across the Southeast, has deployed new utility expense data management and energy management solutions in an effort to better control costs.
Roundup: The Senate tax bill's energy impacts
The tax bill passed by the U.S. Senate early in the morning Dec. 2 includes, among other measures with significant energy industry impacts, a number of provisions expected to negatively impact clean energy investments.
Cincinnati strikes deal for 100% green energy
Joining an increasing number of U.S. cities looking to increase their use of renewable energy, Cincinnati on Dec. 4 announced it has signed an electricity contract to purchase 100% green energy for almost all city facilities beginning January 2018.
Weekend reads: Alexa's grid capabilities; tech industry battles Trump; Illinois' coal ash battle & more
Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
NYPA touts Manhattan's largest public solar project
The New York Power Authority, known as NYPA, recently completed the installation of the largest public solar photovoltaic project in Manhattan.
Why businesses are turning to solar thermal energy
As corporations continue to sharpen their focus on carbon reduction, interest in using solar thermal collectors to generate the heat needed for industrial processes and applications has grown. This column from Bill Guiney explains why.
Health club chain overhauls RTU portfolio
Health club company Life Time, which holds more than 127 locations across 27 states, recently completed an overhaul of its rooftop air handling units resulting in nearly 25% energy savings over the past four years.
Toyota plans hybrid fuel cell plant, hydrogen station
As automakers around the globe accelerate their transition to lower-carbon fuel and power sources, Toyota Motor North America Inc. announced plans to build the world's first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station.
Google signs 3 new PPAs for South Dakota, Iowa wind
Google has signed three new power purchase agreements for wind from South Dakota and Iowa totaling nearly 400 MW.
GTM: Commercial uses dominate microgrid market
Commercial applications have dominated the basic microgrid market in 2016 according to a new report from GTM Research.
Microsoft's Brian Janous talks 100% RE on CNBC
On any given day, Microsoft Corp. consumes roughly the same amount of energy as a small state, but as its transition to a cloud-based delivery model accelerates, that consumption is expected to be closer to that of a small country.
