Energy Management Articles
Innovation Award winners announced
The judges have made their decisions, and Smart Energy Decisions is pleased to announce the winners in the first Innovation Awards competition. The winners will be recognized at a reception and special dinner on Feb. 27
New wind farms drive investment in 2017 and beyond
The U.S. wind power industry ended 2017 with $11 billion in new private investment and 7,017 MW of new wind capacity, according to the U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2017 Market Report, released on Jan. 30 by the American Wind Energy Association
Utility Roundup: Duke Energy, PPL Corp. announce moves
Duke Energy announced that it has renewed a long-term PPA with Craven County Wood Energy, while PPL Corporation announced a goal to cut the company's carbon dioxide emissions 70% from 2010 levels by 2050.
Qantas flies LA-Melbourne on mustard seed biofuel
Qantas flew the world’s first US-Australia flight powered by biofuel on Monday. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was powered by 24,000 kilograms of a mustard seed-based blended fuel.
Arizona calls for 80% RE and nuclear by 2050
A proposal for Arizona utilities to source 80% of their electricity from renewables and nuclear power by 2050 was announced today by Andy Tobin, Arizona’s utility regulator. The Arizona Energy Modernization Plan calls for an interim goal
Special sessions set for Innovation Summit
In addition to featured keynote presentations delivered by senior energy management executives at HP, Corning, Goldman Sachs, Toyota, Equinix and Kingspan, the following special sessions are scheduled for the 2nd annual Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit
T-Mobile commits to 100% RE, predicts savings of $100m
T-Mobile announced its commitment to reach 100% renewable energy by 2021. The company has become the latest to join RE100.
RE100 at 122 companies and counting
RE100 now boasts 122 multinational businesses that have made the commitment to 100% renewable energy across their operations, according to their just-released third annual report. The organization met its goal of 100 members in July 2017
Weekend Reads: What city can power Amazon; Microgrids & the solar tariff & more
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 energy reads:
PwC pledges 100% RE
PwC, formerly Pricewaterhouse Coopers, announced that it will commit to procuring 100% renewable energy and reducing its total carbon footprint by 40%.
Capital Dynamics to fund school district exit from NV Energy
Nevada’s Clark County School District is considering leaving NV Energy’s service territory with an eye towards lowering electric costs and delivering solar-powered energy through an agreement with three companies.
Renewable Energy, Additionality, and Impact: An FAQ on the U.S. Voluntary Renewable Energy Markets
The voluntary market for clean energy is exploding. This white paper, presented by Edison Energy, provides guidance to organizations navigating the sustainability aspects of renewables transactions.
Wynn Las Vegas Resort signs PPA with Enel
Wynn Las Vegas has signed a PPA with Enel Green Power North America for energy produced from the new 27 MWh Wynn Solar Facility, currently under construction in Stillwater, Nevada. The $40-million, 160-acre facility is expected to open
Wind to surpass hydro as largest RE source
The EIA expects wind power to surpass hydroelectricity as the provider of the largest share of renewable energy in the U.S., based on forecasts in their latest Short-Term Energy Outlook.
Survey: Power reliability a concern for managers
A survey of 250 energy managers at C&I businesses across the U.S. shows 70% see power reliability as a cause for concern, while 40% would pay a premium to improve it.
Budweiser brews 100% renewable energy
Budweiser announced that all their U.S. brewing is now powered by renewable energy, an achievement the company will mark by adding a “100 percent renewable electricity” symbol on its U.S. bottles and cans.
NextEra Energy is Fortune’s “Most Admired” Utility
NextEra Energy topped the list of Fortune’s “The World’s Most Admired Companies” among electric and gas utilities. Dominion Energy ranked second, with Sempra Energy, Xcel Energy, and Duke Energy rounding out the top five
30% tariff hits solar panel imports
President Trump on Jan. 22 imposed a tariff of 30% on imported solar panel cells and panels. The Solar Energy Industries Association responded that this decision will increase solar prices, cause the loss of 23,000 American jobs this year
Big tech drives clean energy record
Companies including technology leaders Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc., signed long-term agreements for a record-breaking 5.4 gigawatts of clean power in 2017, a 26% increase over 4.3 gigawatts in 2016.
Nissan enters home energy storage business
Nissan announced the creation of the Nissan Energy Solar initiative as it enters the residential green-energy market, following the lead of Tesla and Mercedes-Benz.
Weekend Reads: the biggest electric vehicle company you never heard of & more
It's the weekend! Kick-back with these must-read energy stories from around the web.
Nike heads toward 100% RE with new PPA
Nike Inc. announced on Jan. 18 that it has signed a PPA for a second wind contract with Avangrid Renewables, covering 86 megawatts of wind power from the Karankawa Wind Farm near Corpus Christi, Texas, which is scheduled for completion in 2019.
Padres go to bat with solar power
Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres welcomes the largest solar power system in Major League Baseball, larger than systems installed by seven other teams combined.
The U.S. Tax Overhaul: What Does It Mean for Corporate Solar Projects?
With the first major overhaul of the U.S. tax code in over 30 years, changes to tax policy are having a significant impact on the feasibility of companies “going solar” in the U.S. This column from EnterSolar discusses key impacts of the new tax code on corporate solar projects.
PG&E launches program to accelerate EV adoption in California
Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced the launch of a new EV Charge Network program to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. PG&E expects to install new EV chargers in partnership with business customers
Facebook’s NM data center to add wind and solar
Facebook’s data center in Los Lunas, New Mexico is expected to welcome the addition of two new wind farms and a solar facility, expected to add 266 MWh of renewable energy.
The New England Electric Power Market
This white paper, presented by CPower, explores reasons behind the increasing cost of electricity in the New England electrical power market and what commercial and industrial power customers can do to mitigate these cost increases.
Dow and USGBC join forces to reduce GHG emissions
Dow Building Solutions and the U.S. Green Building Council announced on Jan. 17 a collaboration with the goal of providing solutions to measurably reduce GHG emissions through improved energy efficiency in buildings.
Xcel Energy receives “shockingly low bids” for solar and wind
Xcel Energy has received bids from renewable energy developers at the lowest prices in the U.S., with energy storage priced below costs for coal-generated power.
Walmart saves $100 million in energy with LEDs
Walmart Stores Inc. has installed more than 1.5 million LED fixtures in more than 6,000 locations, the company announced on January 16 at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show.
