Smart Energy Decisions Research Center

Sourcing Renewables - July 15, 2024

Preparing for the Next Stage of Corporate Renewable Purchasing

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 12/4/2024
Source: Constellation
Primary Topic: Sourcing Renewables

There has been tremendous growth in corporate and institutional procurement of renewable energy in the past few years - 172% in C&I purchases since Constellation first started offering customers an off-site renewable product in 2018. "Preparing for the Next Stage of Corporate Renewable Purchasing," a white paper from Constellation, offers their approach and lessons that can be leveraged to support the growth that's still required to meet the needs of the clean energy grid of the future, as well as a look at innovations to make sustainability solutions more widely available.

GHG Emissions - July 10, 2024

Google's Environmental Report 2024

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 7/10/2024
Source: Google
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

Google's 2024 Environmental Report provides an overview of the company's sustainability strategy, targets, and annual progress toward them. Among the highlights to explore are the company's efforts to harness technology — particularly AI — to drive positive environmental change and operate the business sustainably. And the challenges? Total GHG emissions increased 13% year-over-year in 2023, primarily driven by increased data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions.

Energy Efficiency - July 1, 2024

Case Study: JLG Industries, Inc. — 50001 Ready

Type: Case Study
Date Published: 7/1/2024
Source: JLG Industries Inc.
Primary Topic: Energy Efficiency

JLG Industries, manufacturer of access equipment at 80 sites worldwide set a goal to reduce energy intensity by 25% in 10 years as part of the DOE's Better Plants Program, In this case study, learn how the company hit a 31% reduction by year 8 at two facilities in Pennsylvania.

GHG Emissions - June 14, 2024

National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building: Part 1

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 6/6/2024
Author: By U.S. Department of Energy
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to support the buildings sector moving toward zero emissions and advance public- and private-sector climate goals.

Distributed Energy Resources - June 12, 2024

A Greener Paradise: A Hawaii Resort’s Journey to Enhanced Sustainability and Guest Experience

Type: Case Study
Date Published: 6/12/2024
Source: Ameresco
Primary Topic: Distributed Energy Resources

A 25-acre waterfront resort, OUTRIGGER Kauai Beach Resort chose Ameresco to implement efficiency measures and install building controls to improve guest comfort while reducing its environmental impact to help meet sustainability goals. This case study explores how an energy as a service agreement enabled the resort to modernize its energy systems and reduce consumption while enhancing guest comfort without upfront costs.

Energy Storage - June 3, 2024

Fact Sheet: Thermal Energy Storage in Commercial Buildings

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 5/31/2024
Author: By Department of Energy Better Buildings
Primary Topic: Energy Storage

Combining on-site renewable energy sources and thermal energy storage systems can lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and operational costs for building owners. Learn about the latest developments in thermal energy storage for commercial buildings in the new fact sheet, "Thermal Energy Storage in Commercial Buildings: State-of-the-Art Technologies and Practical Considerations for Implementation" from the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Initiative.

GHG Emissions - May 20, 2024

Port of Detroit Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 5/20/2024
Source: Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority takes seriously its responsibility to limit climate change from carbon emissions and to improve air quality and the overall health of residents, workers, and visitors to the Port of Detroit. "The Port of Detroit Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan" is the first step in fulfilling that responsibility to reduce the impact of maritime activity on the environment – currently at 3% of global emissions and increasing.

May 15, 2024

Bloomberg 2023 Impact Report: Navigating Change

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 5/15/2024
Source: Bloomberg

Bloomberg's 2023 Impact Report outlines how the company continues to address climate change through its operations, philanthropy and collaborations with partners and industry peers. The report also details how Bloomberg integrates sustainable business practices into its operations and decision-making and how it drives progress in the communities where employees and clients live and work.

May 10, 2024

AI for Energy: Opportunities for a Modern Grid and Clean Energy Economy

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 5/10/2024
Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Realizing an equitable clean energy economy by 2050 while strengthening the Nation’s resilience to the effects of climate change will require a substantial increase in the rate of modernization and decarbonization of the electric grid of the U.S. "AI for Energy: Opportunities for a Modern Grid and Clean Energy Economy" from the U.S. Department of Energy identifies near-term opportunities for AI to aid in four key areas of grid management: planning, permitting, operations and reliability, and resilience.

April 26, 2024

DOE Transmission Interconnection Roadmap: Transforming Bulk Transmission Interconnection by 2035

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 4/17/2024
Author: By Department of Energy

The Transmission Interconnection Roadmap, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X), outlines solutions to speed up the interconnection of clean energy onto the nation’s transmission grid and clear the existing backlog of solar, wind and battery projects seeking to be built.