Smart Energy Decisions News

It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.

Several large corporate customers became the first companies to commit to purchasing verified agricultural credits to support farmers and incentivize carbon sequestration through the planting of natural "carbon sinks".

The City of Hillsboro, Ore., announced Oct. 14 the completion of a city water pipeline project that could generate between 185,000 and 200,000 kWh of clean, renewable electricity each year.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Oct. 13 up to $65 million for its Connected Communities funding opportunity that would allow commercial and residential buildings to leverage the latest technology in energy-efficient building design and management.

Why is the future of the grid distributed? Customers want control over the cost of energy. They also want reliability and choice. Additionally, access to cost-efficient energy is a business necessity. On this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Doug Sansom, Director of DER Sales for NRG, discusses how these reasons combined with new lower-cost technology are the driving force behind capital spending for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). According to a Wood Mackenzie report, DER capacity will reach 387 gigawatts by 2025, propelled by $110 billion in investments such as battery storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and grid-interactive appliance sales.

Kimberly-Clark, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Manheim will soon be receiving power from a 108 MW solar project under construction in Texas through a special agreement with the power company.

The Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) announced Sept. 22 a 20-year contract for the management of the charging infrastructure for its 46 electric bus fleet, including a 545 kW solar canopy that will provide 25% of the total expected energy consumption.

Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas announced Oct. 14 the completion of a 461 kW rooftop solar installation at its headquarters in Wayne, N.J.

Austin Central Library announced Oct. 14 that it saved more than $100,000 in annual energy costs, in part through the implementation of energy management technology that resulted in 30% higher utilization of a 157 MWh solar array in Downtown Austin.

CyrusOne sourced 18.2% renewable energy in 2019 and is in the process of designing data centers that are more energy-efficient from day 1.