Energy Management Articles
SC Johnson hits 33% green power use globally
Since 2000, S.C. Johnson has slashed greenhouse gas emissions from its worldwide factories by nearly 52%, partially attributable to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources.
Washington governor revives carbon tax proposal
In introducing plan to support pay for teachers and other public school workers, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recently proposed a host of new taxes, including a state carbon tax that would charge emitters $25 per metric ton starting in 2018.
EPA abandons work on Clean Power Plan guidance
The U.S. EPA announced Dec. 19 that it has stopped work on model rules associated with the Clean Power Plan intended to help states chart paths to compliance with the rule.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise adopts science-based GHG reduction target, outlines strategy
The company has also set a goal to increase the energy performance of its product portfolio 30 times by 2025.
Michigan energy reform maintains customer choice program, increased renewable energy mandate
Reaching a last-minute compromise, Michigan lawmakers on Dec. 15 passed long-sought-after reforms to the state's energy policies that will increase the renewable energy standard and maintain the retail electric choice program.
Cisco targets 450 energy efficiency, green projects
Technology conglomerate Cisco Systems continues to ramp up its energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, recently reporting the implementation of 100 such projects in fiscal 2016.
Views from the top: How Toyota North America is stepping up to a global net zero emissions challenge
In this Smart Energy Decisions exclusive, Robin Haugen, general manager of Toyota North America's plant and environmental engineering group, discusses how she and her team are working toward the global company's 2050 Global Environmental Challenge, which aims to completely remove CO2 emissions from its operations.
Weekend reads: Rick Perry's wind cred; a Brooklyn microgrid; solar industry woes & more
Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
P&G moves toward cleaner power with wind, biomass
Toward its goal of using 30% renewable energy by 2020, Procter & Gamble is currently at about 10%, according to its first-ever corporate citizenship report.
NYC hospitals report 10% energy use reduction, look toward Brooklyn cogeneration project
New York City's public healthcare system reported a 10% reduction in its energy use in 2016 resulting from a series of energy efficiency projects across the network's 11 locations.
Smart Energy Decisions announces Innovation Summit sponsors, attending C&I companies
Smart Energy Decisions has announced an initial list of sponsors and attending corporations for its inaugural Innovation Summit event.
Google's renewable energy investments hit $2.5B
Google has made $2.5 billion in equity commitments for renewable energy projects worldwide, according to its 2016 environmental report, which also put numbers on efforts to make its data centers as energy efficient as possible.
Bloomberg-led task force issues recommendations for corporations to report climate-related financial risks
A new set of recommendations intended to help businesses better disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities were released Dec. 14 by the task force launched by the Financial Stability Board and led by former New York City mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg.
Report: Restructuring underway at GE's Current
Current, the energy management "startup" launched by General Electric just over a year ago is undergoing a corporate reorganization, Greentech Media reported Dec. 12.
1st US offshore wind farm begins operations
The country's first offshore wind farm is now operational, setting the stage for the possibility of future projects to be added to the nation's generation mix.
Gates, Bezos launch $1B clean energy tech fund
A group of high profile investors including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos have launched a fund of more than $1 billion to finance emerging clean energy technologies.
'The World's Best Coffee' and other lies: How to avoid energy-efficiency investment pitfalls
How can a corporate executive distinguish energy efficiency projects that will pay off from the ones that are full of hot air (and not in a good way)?
Canada to roll out nationwide carbon price in 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will introduce nationwide carbon pricing in 2018.
Webinar: The $80B energy savings opportunity for commercial and industrial energy users
This webinar, sponsored by Edison Energy, examines how it is that commercial and industrial organizations in the U.S. spend an estimated $260 billion on electricity and natural gas every year, and the potential to reduce that amount by up to $80 billion.
Wal-Mart's journey to 100% renewables reinvigorated with energy storage, shifting utility models
As Wal-Mart Stores Inc. ventures farther down its somewhat long and winding road to 100% renewable energy, advancements in technologies such as energy storage and in the way it works with its utilities are accelerating its journey.
The $80B energy savings opportunity for commercial and industrial organizations
This white paper, presented by Edison Energy, addresses the $260 billion that commercial and industrial organizations spend on electricity and natural gas every year, and the opportunities for large energy users to reduce their spending.
Case study: Armed with new solutions, Excela Health targets $1.35M in energy savings
This case study, presented by Direct Energy, outlines a suite of energy management solutions being utilized by Excela Health, a health system in western Pennsylvania, to identify cost savings and boost energy efficiency.
Google: Achieving 100% renewable energy purchasing goal and going beyond
This white paper describes Google's path to achieving 100% renewable energy, discusses lessons learned and details the role of energy efficiency in getting there. It also outlines how the company will continue our efforts to accelerate the global transition to clean energy.
VF cuts CO2 emissions 12% amid operations expansion
Through increasing its use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, apparel and footwear company VF Corp. has reduced its global carbon emissions 12% while adding 500 sites to its global operations between 2011 and 2015.
Apple partners with China's largest wind manufacturer
Continuing its push into the renewable energy industry, Apple Inc. will acquire a 30% stake in four wind projects from China's largest wind manufactuer.
Weekend reads: Trump's EPA pick; the world's largest solar plant; Apple Maps pull EV charge data & more
Kick back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
Whirlpool moves on last leg of $13.5M wind initiative
Whirlpool broke ground on a project to build three wind turbines that will help power its Marion, Ohio, manufacturing facility.
Agenda, speakers unveiled for SED Innovation Summit
With the inaugural Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit quickly approaching, a more detailed agenda and confirmed list of speakers, including energy executives from General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Switch, is now available.
EIA: 30% of distributed solar is third-party owned
About 30% of the total amount of distributed solar capacity in the U.S. is owned by private companies, according to data from the U.S. EIA.
At 71% green power, IKEA looks to efficiency, storage
Among IKEA's strategies to make its buildings more energy efficient are five U.S. fuel cell pilot programs that are expected to yield more than $1.3 million in savings each year.
