Blackstone, Invenergy, CDPQ
Date: 2022-01-10
Blackstone Inc. is reporting funds managed by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners have entered into a definitive agreement with the Canadian province of Quebec's giant ($389.7 billion CAD) pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Invenergy for a roughly $3 billion equity investment in Invenergy Renewables Holdings LLC.

The investment will help accelerate Invenergy's renewables development activities. CDPQ and Invenergy management remain majority owners of the company and Invenergy will continue as managing member.

Invenergy Renewables is a major renewable energy developer with over 175 projects totaling nearly 25,000 MW developed across four continents, focused on partnerships with utilities, financial institutions and commercial and industrial customers. The company is building both the largest wind and solar projects in the United States, that combined will deliver nearly 3 GW of clean energy by 2023.

Since 2019, Blackstone has committed nearly $13 billion in investments that it believes are consistent with the broader energy transition. Additionally in 2020, Blackstone announced a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 15 pct in aggregate within the first three years of ownership across all new investments where Blackstone has control over energy usage, according to the company. (Source: Blackstone, PR, 9 Jan., 2021) Contact: Invenergy LLC, Ryan Van Portfliet, Renewable Energy Development, Michael Mulcahey, Business Development Manager, (312) 224-1400, www.invenergy.com; Blackstone Inc, www.blackstone.com; CDPQ, www.cdpq.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Balckstone,  CDPQ,  Invenergy,  Renewable Energy,  

Mantis Innovation
Date: 2022-01-05
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based O2 Investment Partners is reporting the sale of its Houston-headquartered portfolio company, Mantis Innovation Group to Gemspring Capital.

Mantis solutions deliver better building performance and improved energy efficiency with proprietary software tools to offer a full suite of services, including: energy procurement and demand management; solar, roofing, building envelope and pavement assessment and maintenance; and LED lighting, HVAC/mechanical and building automation systems design and implementation. (Source: O2 Investment Partners, PR, Jan., 2022) Contact: O2 Investment Partners, www.o2investment.com; Gemspring Capital, www.gemspring.com; Mantis Innovation Group, 877.459.4728, info@mantisinnovation.com, www.mantisinnovation.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mantis Innovation,  Energy Efficiency Software,  Energy Management ,  

Kontrol Technologies
Date: 2021-12-22
Toronto-headquartered Kontrol Technologies Corp., a leader in smart buildings and cities through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technologies, reports it is entering the Quebec demand response (DR) energy market for commercial and multi-residential buildings. The Company will leverage its SmartSuite technology to supply a best-in-class demand response management solution.

Using its propriety Cloud and energy control system, the Kontrol can integrate its SmartSuite solution with utilities that operate demand response programs through the use of APIs. Most demand response programs provide customer incentives that correlate to kilowatt hours of energy saved. Such incentives can reduce initial capital investment and accelerate adoption of energy savings technologies. Through its operating subsidiary, Hilo, Hydro Quebec offers a demand response program which encourages buildings to participate in reducing energy consumption in peak demand periods. (Source: Kontrol Technologies Corp., PR, Dec., 2021) Contact: Kontrol Technologies Corp., Paul Ghezzi, CEO, (905) 766.040I, info@kontrolcorp.com, www.kontrolcorp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kontrol Technologies news,  Demand Response news,  Energy Management news,  

Town of Vail
Date: 2021-12-06
In Colorado, the Town of Vail is reporting the addition of two staff positions to advance its community goals of energy efficiency and mobility.

Cameron Millard joined the Environmental Sustainability staff as energy efficiency coordinator while Chris Southwick is the new mobility innovation coordinator in the Public Works and Transportation Department. Both positions support the town's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as identified in its strategic plans and the Climate Action Plan for the Eagle County Community.

Millard, formerly with Efficiency Insights LLC, will be responsible for implementation of energy efficiency initiatives in support of the town's Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan. This includes the coordination of energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts including analysis, tracking, reporting, and data-management of town-wide energy systems and development and promotion of programs to increase energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions by advancing community partnerships like Energy Smart Colorado. Millard will also focus on building code upgrades, community energy programs, improving workplace efficiency and assist the Public Works and Transportation Department in community and fleet electrification efforts, including an electric vehicle readiness plan, infrastructure, logistics and partnerships. (Source: Town of Vail, Vail Eagle, Dec., 2021) Contact: Town of Vail, Cameron Millard, 970-477-3467 , cmillard@vailgov.com, www.vaigov.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  Energy Management news,  Greenhouse Gas Emissions news,  

Siemens
Date: 2021-12-03
Zug, Switzerland-headquartered Siemens, French information technology specialist Atos, and Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) report they are collaborating on a smart energy metering platform that will allow ONEE to efficiently process the data collected by more than 100,000 smart meters that will be installed across the country, thus optimizing energy consumption and management of the national grid while meeting Morocco's growing energy needs.

The project is part of Siemens Energy Efficiency program and encompasses the implementation of Siemens' EnergyIP meter data management platform, which enables the automated use of the collected data, raises awareness about energy consumption among end users and generates a more secure revenue stream.

Atos experts will be responsible for IT infrastructure and security tasks and will ensure the consistency of all technical solutions. They will also oversee the contract management and local services and will support the change management process. (Source: Siemens Smart Infrastructure , PR, Dec., 2021) Contact: Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO, Digital Grid, Eva-Maria Baumann, +49 (9131) 17-36620, eva-maria.baumann@siemens.com, www. new.siemens.com/global/en/company/topic-areas/smart-infrastructure/smart-cities.html; Atos, www. atos.net/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Siemens news,  Smart Grid news,  Smart Meter news,  Energy Management news,  

Federal Energy Management Program
Date: 2021-12-01
In Washington, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is reporting the selection of federal agency projects to receive a combined total of $13 million in Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) funding. The grants, which are expected to lead to more than $737 million when leveraged with energy performance contracts from private industry, include the following:

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) -- USCG will implement the agency's first microgrid control system (MCS) coupled with solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) resilience energy conservation measures (ECMs), to provide 10 days of off-grid operation during a power disruption event.

Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic -- The project will provide a comprehensive approach to enhancing its climate change adaptation-resilience posture and energy efficiency across eight NIWC Atlantic sites located in South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana. NIWC will deploy solar PV and an MCS to enable renewable back-up generation while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Internal Revenue Service -- Internal Revenue Service is pursuing a near-net zero, comprehensive energy efficiency and resilience project that will empower up to 30 days of off-grid operation in the event of utility power disruption, amplify energy efficiency to substantially reduce baseload energy use and corresponding GHG emissions, and deploy solar PV coupled with an MCS, BESS.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst -- A large-scale, wholistic energy efficiency and climate change adaption-resilience project will deploy 40 MW of solar PV combined with a 12-MWh BESS and two unique MCSs alongside a wide range of key energy efficiency and resilience ECMs.

DoE, Office of Science -- A new project will bundle comprehensive traditional energy efficiency ECMs and resilience technologies such as lighting, water fixtures, simple HVAC controls, solar PV, BESS, and pumped water storage to reduce energy use and GHG emissions.

U.S. DoD, Pentagon -- Project will implement improvements to energy and water efficiency, as well as resilience to climate change-attributed severe weather events, via a comprehensive list of ECMs that will reduce baseload energy and water use and GHG emissions while adding renewable energy technologies. The project will achieve a net GHG reduction cost-effectively via combined reductions in baseload electricity (49 pct), water (8 pct), and sewer costs (40 pct).

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall -- The project will deploy an advanced, hybrid geothermal heat recovery chiller system coupled with energy efficiency and resilience ECMs to simultaneously reduce GHG emissions and address climate change adaptation-resiliency.

Eglin Air Force Base -- Within this integrated, comprehensive energy efficiency and resilience project, Eglin Air Force Base will implement various resilience ECMs including solar PV, an MCS coupled with a BESS, and natural gas generators while replacing aging chillers that serve critical loads such as data centers.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest -- A new project to integrate a cybersecurity-compliant MCS and 150-kW/600-kWh BESS with a total of 1.1 MW of solar PV to augment climate change adaptation-resilience, increase energy efficiency, and reduce GHG emissions, while allowing for full, continuous mission-critical operability of essential facilities and systems in the case of power disruption events.

GSA Region 4, Valdosta and Brunswick -- The project will deploy and demonstrate an advanced solar PV technology utilizing bifacial modules at two federal sites in Georgia, directly reducing GHG emissions and assisting GSA in meeting its internal agency commitment of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2025. The project will also build out capabilities for these sites to consider implementing complementary resilience ECMs such as a MCS or BESS in the future. It will also validate an advanced, bifacial module solar PV technology, which if successful could be replicated and scaled throughout not only GSA Region 4 and the Southeast, but also more broadly across all GSA Regions nationwide.

GSA Region 7 -- This project will implement resilience ECMs including an MCS and BESS to boost climate change adaptation-resiliency, reduce GHG emissions by 47 pct, and provide the means to demonstrate GEB concepts such as advanced energy load-shifting and management, and demand response at sites in Laredo and Houston, Texas.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis -- This project will augment the capacity of a BESS to 1MW/4MWh, which will be coupled with a recommissioned energy management control system, cybersecurity-compliant MCS, and 1-MW solar PV array to meet the U.S. Air Forces' resilience requirements for energy performance contracts, allowing the base to shed noncritical energy loads and support mission-critical operations should climate change-induced severe weather such as hurricanes or other external forces result in an extended power disruption event.

The project will also allow the joint base to reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency, and provide peak shaving, demand response, energy time-of-use-shifting, dynamic frequency, and voltage regulation to reduce overall base electricity demand and energy costs.

Federal Aviation Administration -- A novel project to directly address federal building energy efficiency and load management, in coordination with their serving utility, to bundle electric vehicle supply equipment with a range of other energy efficiency and resilience ECMs including ground-mounted solar PV, LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, and variable frequency drives.

The project will reduce GHG emissions by 89 pct by coupling electrification of buildings and transportation, which are key priorities of the Administration's decarbonization goals. (Source: US DOE Federal Energy Management Program, PR 1 Dec., 2021) Contact: US DOE, Federal Energy Management Program, www.energy.gov/eere/femp/2021-assisting-federal-facilities-energy-conservation-technologies-affect-federal-agency

More Low-Carbon Energy News Federal Energy Management Program,  Energy Efficiency,  BESS,  Energy Storage,  

Wartsila
Date: 2021-11-26
Helsinki-headquartered technology group Wartsila reports it will supply a 25-MW / 100-MWh energy storage system under an extended equipment delivery and a long-term Service+GAP agreement in Belgium.

The facility will include Wartsila's GridSolv Quantum energy storage system, as well as the GEMS Digital Energy Platform energy management system. The energy storage system is expected to become operational in Q4 2022.

According to the company release, "Wartsila Energy leads the transition towards a 100 pct renewable energy future. We help our customers in decarbonisation by developing market-leading technologies. These cover future-fuel enabled balancing power plants, hybrid solutions, energy storage and optimisation technology, including the GEMS energy management platform. Wartsila Energy's lifecycle services are designed to increase efficiency, promote reliability and guarantee operational performance. Our track record comprises 74 GW of power plant capacity and more than 80 energy storage systems delivered to 180 countries." (Source: Wartsila, Website, PR, 24 Nov., 2021) Contact: Wartsila Energy, Mirja-Maija Santala Manager, Marketing & Communications, +358 400 793 827, mirja-maija.santala@wartsila.com, www.wartsila.com/energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wartsila,  Energy Storage,  

ENGIE, Credit Agricole,Eolia Renovables
Date: 2021-11-12
ENGIE and Credit Agricole Assurances are reporting an agreement to acquire a 97.33 pct stake in Eolia Renovables, one of the largest renewable power producers in Spain, from Canadian institutional investment manager, Alberta Investment Management Corporation. The agreement covers the ownership and operation of 899 MW of operating assets -- 821 MW onshore wind and 78 MW photovoltaic -- and a 1.2 GW pipeline of renewable projects.

Operating assets will be 40 pct owned by ENGIE and 60 pct by Credit Agricole Assurances while ENGIE will develop and build the pipeline of projects and provide O&M, Asset Management, Energy Management and Development services.

The deal is expected to be completed by Q1 2022, subject to certain conditions including merger control clearance from relevant authorities. (Source: ENGIE, 11 November 2021 ) Contact: ENGIE, Catherine MacGregor, CEO, Inv. Relations, +33 (0)1 44 22 66 29, ir@engie.com, www.engie.com; Eolia Renovables, www.eolia.com/en/home

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  ENGIE,  Credit Agricole,  Eolia Renovables ,  

EnerSys
Date: 2021-10-29
Reading, Pennsylvania-based EnerSys , the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, reports it is partnering with the U.S. DOE Better Plants Program.

The Better Plants program works with leading manufacturers to boost their resilience and economic potential through energy efficiency improvements. Through Better Plants, manufacturers commit to setting ambitious energy saving goals, develop energy management plans, and track and report annual progress against those goals.

To date, over 250 industrial organizations have joined Better Plants and pledged to reduce energy intensity across their facilities. As of 2021, organizations participating in Better Plants have collectively saved more than 1.9 BTUs and $9.3 billion in cumulative energy costs. (Source: EnerSys, Website PR, 25 Oct., 2021) Contact: EnerSys, Michael J. Schmidtlein, CFO, 610-236-4040, investorrelations@enersys.com, www.enersys.com; US DOE Better Plants Program, www.betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/better-plants

More Low-Carbon Energy News EnerSys,  Battery,  Energy Storage,  nergy Efficiency ,  

GSA
Date: 2021-10-29
In Washington, he U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the General Services Administration (GSA) are calling for a request for information (RFI) to identify "evaluation ready" and adaptable technologies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial buildings. This RFI covers three broad categories:

High-Performance/Low-Carbon Building Technologies and Solutions -- Technologies of interest include electrification of major building loads; larger scale and integrated heat pump systems, retrofit heat recovery systems, electrification of major loads, and building envelope retrofits.

Onsite Energy Generation and Storage Systems -- Technologies of interest include building-integrated photovoltaics, high-efficiency PV, solutions to better integrate PV and storage into building management systems, solar and geothermal, on-site distributed wind, and hydrogen fuel cells.

Carbon Reducing or Capture -- Technologies of interest include on-site carbon capture for fuel-fired processes and technologies that use next-generation, low, or no global warming potential refrigerants.

December 7, 2021 is the deadline for response. Download the RFI details HERE . (Source: US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy , General Services Administration, 28 Oct., 2021) Contact: GSA, gpg@gsa.gov, www.gsa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

Encycle, NV Energy
Date: 2021-10-27
San Marcos, California-based energy efficiency software specialist Encycle Corporation reports its Swarm Logic® HVAC energy-saving technology for demand side energy management and energy efficiency optimization has been added to NV Energy's PowerShift offering for its business customers.

Encycle's Swarm Logic® software will be integrated into commercial connected thermostats offered by NV Energy under its PowerShift portfolio for business customers with 6 or more thermostats. As part of the offering, customers receive a free thermostat that is compatible with Swarm Logic technology to help lower their heating and cooling costs.

Deployed as an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solution, Swarm Logic typically saves customers 10 to 30 pct on HVAC-related energy consumption, spend, and emissions, according to the release. (Source: Encycle Corp., PR, 26 Oct., 2021) Contact: Encycle Corp., www.encycle.com; NV Energy, Doug Cannon,CEO, Pres., www,nvenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News NV Energy,  Encycle,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Software,  

Our Next Energy Inc
Date: 2021-10-25
Detroit, Michigan-based battery energy storage startup Our Next Energy Inc (ONE) report it has closed a $25 million Series A capital raise led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Assembly Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Flex and Volta Energy Technologies.

ONE's battery technologies -- Aries and Gemini -- can double the range of electric vehicles. In addition to improving range, it is focused on lowering cost with cobalt-free chemistries that don't pose a thermal runaway risk, according to the company release.

The Aries battery pack with an energy density of 287 Wh/L, at a system level will go into production at the end of 2022. The Aries battery pack will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry in a Structural Cell to Pack architecture having the highest known cell to pack ratio of 76 pct.

The Gemini battery pack uses a proprietary energy management system and chemistry in a dual battery range extender architecture. This approach yields 450 Wh/L at a system level, further improving range and cost beyond the Aries platform. To quantify the capabilities of the Gemini architecture, ONE calculates that this battery system will allow electric vehicles to travel more than 750 miles on a single charge. (Source: Our Next Energy Inc ., Website PR, 18 Oct, 201) Contact: Our Next Energy Inc ., 248-716-4111, www.one.ai

More Low-Carbon Energy News Our Next Energy Inc. news,  Battery news,  Energy Storage news,  

Johnson Controls
Date: 2021-10-25
Cork Ireland headquartered sustainable buildings specialist Johnson Controls (JCI) is touting its OpenBlue Performance Advisor, an all-in-one solution that empowers building operators to track sustainability, health and wellness metrics while also reducing energy use, water use, waste and carbon footprint.

The new OpenBlue Performance Advisor application builds on Johnson Controls OpenBlue Enterprise Manager which helps facilities managers optimize building portfolio performance through advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence used to monitor and improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, asset performance, maintenance operations, space performance and the comfort of all occupants. OpenBlue Enterprise Manager supports smart building capabilities for property portfolios ranging across commercial offices, healthcare, mixed use high-end, transportation, retail and K-12 school systems. (Source: Johnson Controls, Website PR, 25 Oct., 2021) Contact: Johnson Controls OpenBlue Enterprise Manager, www.johnsoncontrols.com/openblue/openblue-enterprise-manager

More Low-Carbon Energy News Johnson Controls Sustainable Building news,  Energy Management news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

CPower
Date: 2021-10-22
Baltimore-based national energy solutions provider CPower Energy Management is touting new solutions to help data centers maximize the value of their distributed energy resources (DERs) through demand-side energy management programs.

Digital Realty and Digihost Technology, Inc., a blockchain technology company focused on bitcoin mining, are among several data centers across the U.S. leveraging CPower's experience managing hundreds of MWs of capacity. CPowered™ Performance Solutions help mission-critical sites achieve power reliability, reduce emissions and deliver energy cost savings through:

an engineer-level facility assessment that looks at when, where, and how often a site uses energy in its daily operations;

a comprehensive curtailment action plan covering the full range of possible event and test curtailment scenarios a facility may encounter;

a 24/7/365 grid monitoring team who acts as the link between a data center site and the wholesale and utilities responsible for maintaining the electrical grid, who can give advanced notice when there is an imminent grid emergency;

the CPower App, which delivers data for individual facilities across different energy markets and offers access to vital historical usage data by year, month, week, day or minute; and

facilitating the enrollment procedures for each utility program or wholesale power market to ensure cost savings and new revenue streams are realized. (Source: CPower, PR, 21 Oct., 2021) Contact: CPower, 844-276-9371, www.cpowerenergymanagement.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CPower,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

Johnson Controls
Date: 2021-10-20
Milwaukee-headquartered sustainable building specialist Johnson Controls (JCI) reports its OpenBlue Healthy Buildings offerings collaborated with 894 U.S. higher education institutions in its fiscal third quarter to implement healthy building strategies in preparation for campus reopening in fall 2021.

Johnson Controls OpenBlue Healthy Buildings empowers higher education stakeholders to optimize their buildings to create a new standard for automated and scalable safety, wellness and energy efficiency.

Global decarbonization targets and increasingly sustainability-minded applicants, donors and communities have driven higher education stakeholders to commit to ambitious sustainability goals. However, many energy efficiency and renewable energy projects were suspended or cancelled during the pandemic. OpenBlue Healthy Buildings ultimately allows schools to safely bring students back on campus, freeing up capital that can be reinvested in sustainability initiatives that keep colleges and universities on schedule in reaching their decarbonization targets. (Source: Johnson Controls, Website PR, Oct., 2021) Contact: Johnson Controls, Antonella Franzen, IR, 609-720-4665, antonella.franzen@jci.com, www.johnsoncontrols.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Johnson Controls Sustainable Building news,  Energy Management news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Encycle, Enersponse
Date: 2021-10-20
In the Golden State, San Marcos-headquartered Encycle Corporation, a software technology company focused on helping commercial and industrial customers dramatically improve the efficiency of their HVAC systems and energy efficiency programs using IoT-enabled services, reports it is partnering with Newport Beach-based energy resource management specialist Enersponse, an energy resource management leader that works with power suppliers across the nation to support grid sustainability and decarbonization. The partnership joins each company's technology offerings together as a cohesive approach to reducing HVAC energy consumption.

Encycle's Swarm Logic® multi-patented energy management technology has been deployed at an enterprise level at over 1,000 sites with 10,000 rooftop units (RTUs). Using the company's energy-as-a-service (EaaS) model, typical Encycle customers save 10 pct to 30 pct on HVAC energy consumption, spend, and emissions with results verified by independent third-party reviews, affirming why the is becoming a prescriptive measure in various utility districts.

Enersponse has enabled participation in utility programs for over 7,000 commercial sites to which they provide millions of dollars of incentives each year. To date this year, Enersponse has avoided over 5,000,000 lbs of CO2 emissions and saved almost 6,000 MWh of energy consumption. (Source: Encycle, Website PR, Oct., 2021) Contact: Enersponse, James McPhail, CEO , (949) 734-0043, info@enersponse.com, www.enersponse.com; Encycle, 760-481-7878, www.encycle.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

SKF Group
Date: 2021-10-20
Goteborg, Sweden-based industrial manufacturer SKF Group is reporting its commitment to reducing emissions from operations to net-zero by 2030 and to have a supply chain with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

To that end, SKF commits to reduce CO2 emissions in its supply chain by 45 pct by 2035 rising to 60 pct by 2040. In addition, SKF has pledged to source at least 40 pct of steel from carbon neutral steel plants by 2040 and to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 80 pct by 2040. SKF is also investing in more "green" energy and energy efficient manufacturing processes and requiring energy-intensive suppliers of steel and forgings to adopt the ISO 50001 standard for systematic energy management.

From 2022, SKF's manufacturing site in Gothenburg will become the company's third site to achieve net-zero status along with SKF facilities in Tudela, Spain, and Steyr, Austria. SKF joined the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) in July 2021 and is advocating for change through its engagement in the SteelZero, RE100 and ResponsibleSteel initiatives. (Source: SKF, PR, Website, 20 Oct., 2021) Contact: SKF, Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, Patrik Stenberg, Head of Investor Relations + 46 31-337 2104, patrik.stenberg@skf.com, www.skf.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions news,  Carbon Emissions news,  Climate Change news,  

DOE Building Technologies Office
Date: 2021-10-15
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $61 million for 10 pilot projects that will deploy new technology to transform thousands of homes and workplaces into state-of-the-art, energy-efficient buildings. These Connected Communities can interact with the electrical grid to optimize their energy consumption which will substantially decrease their carbon emissions and cut energy costs.

Connected communities of grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) use smart controls, sensors, and analytics to communicate with the electrical grid, reducing the amount of energy they require during periods of peak demand. This capability is used to optimize buildings and distributed energy resources to maintain the comfort of the building occupants, lowers utility bills, and reduces grid system costs.

A recent DOE study estimated that by 2030, GEBs could save up to $18 billion per year in power system costs and cut 80 million tpy of carbon emissions -- more than the annual emissions of 50 medium-sized coal plants or 17 million cars. DOE's first two connected communities in Alabama and Georgia have already demonstrated this potential by using approximately 42-44 pct less energy than today's average all-electric home.

The 10 pilot projects include:

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.(PRI) (New York City, Seattle, San Diego) $5.27 million -- will be used to transform multi-family buildings in affordable housing developments into GEBs that will demonstrate different ways to decarbonize buildings, make them more resilient, and reduce utility bills.

IBACOS, Inc. (NC) $6.65 million -- will deploy a coordinated control program to optimize the energy use of a comprehensive mix of distributed energy resources in 1,000 new and existing homes, including single-family and multifamily homes and both owner-occupied and rental properties.

Open Market ESCO Limited Liability Company (MA) $6.65 million -- will bring the benefits of efficiency, demand flexibility, renewable generation, and energy storage with more affordable renovations in up to 20 low-to-moderate-income apartment communities.

PacifiCorp (UT) $6.24 million -- to establish a program to manage solar photovoltaic, batteries, electric vehicle charging in a diverse community of all-electric buildings and a mass transit transportation center, equipped with the latest market-leading efficient technologies to optimize their collective energy use and provide grid services at scale.

Portland General Electric (OR) $6.65 million -- will renovate over 500 buildings in North Portland's historically underserved neighborhoods to reduce their energy burden with numerous energy efficiency measures and connected devices that provide the grid with a range on energy services. (Award amount: $6.65M)

Post Road Foundation (ME, NH) $6.65 million -- will investigate the capacity of a novel Transactive Energy Service System to harmonize communications and optimize energy use among the distributed energy resources, local energy markets, and buildings of three rural communities.

Slipstream Group Inc. (WI) $5.18 million -- will convert approximately 15 facilities in Madison, Wisconsin into GEBs that connect with nearby electric vehicle charging stations to establish a scalable business model for utilities to install demand flexibility and energy efficiency upgrades across multiple building sizes in public and private sectors.

Spokane Edo LLC (WA) $6.65 million -- to unlock demand flexibility up to 2.25 megawatt (MW) using flexible loads in residential and commercial buildings augmented by distributed energy resources within Spokane, Washington's Opportunity Zones of vulnerable populations.

SunPower Corporation (CA) $6.65 million -- to build tomorrow's homes today in two communities of all-electric homes in Menifee, California that meet DOE's zero-energy-ready home qualifications and feature solar energy, home energy management systems, and community-scale battery storage.

The Ohio State University (OH) $4.2 million -- will investigate the capacity of Ohio State's existing on-campus connected community to provide essential but overlooked ancillary grid services from a diverse range of grid-interactive technologies in a cyber- and data-secure environment.

The Connected Communities funding opportunity is led by DOE's Building Technologies Office. (Source: US DOE Building Technologies Office, PR, 13 Oct., 2021) Contact: US DOE Building Technologies Office, www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE EERE,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Software,  DOE Building Technologies ,  DOE Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

Engie Solutions
Date: 2021-10-15
Reporting from Kuwait, Global sustainable energy solutions provider Engie Solutions reports it has delivered an estimated $23.8 million in energy savings to its GCC-based clients since 2014. The company also helped clients reduce their electricity demand by a combined 190 GWh and displace an estimated 101,242 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere -- the equivalent of removing more than 22,000 cars from the roads.

Engie Solutions currently manages more than 200 projects across the GCC, spanning 500 million sq m in total. In Kuwait, the company recently delivered integrated facilities management and energy efficiency projects for Taiba Hospital, Azzour North Power Plant and the Plot 40 shopping complex, in addition to delivering projects for several five-star hotels and one of the region's largest banks.

Engie Solutions Kuwait was the first energy solutions specialist in the country to launch an energy management team dedicated to both retrofitting existing infrastructure and designing new energy efficiency systems -- paid for with the savings they generate. (Source: Engie Solutions, PR, Website, 11 Oct., 2021) Contact: Engie Solutions, +971 4 321 2114, www.engiesolutions.me

More Low-Carbon Energy News Engie Solutions news,  Energy Efficiency news,  Energy Management news,  

Tenaris
Date: 2021-10-15
Luxembourg-headquartered steel pipe specialist Tenaris reports it will invest $6 million in a plan to increase energy efficiency across its global footprint and contribute to the company's targets of lowering its carbon emissions intensity.

The plan is part of a larger, ongoing energy management project that encompasses energy conscious activities ranging from switching to LED lighting, electrification of processes and higher efficiency equipment such as compressors, pumps and fans in its plants. The plan includes a new Tenaris-developed energy monitoring dashboard that allows real-time monitoring of energy consumption versus standard use, with the ability to analyze trends of each power/fuel source -- electricity, natural gas, water, air, nitrogen, and oxygen. Additionally, several heating furnaces are being studied to evaluate the improvements needed to cut fuel consumption while reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) the main environmental concern related to natural gas furnaces.

To minimize NOx emissions, Tenaris partnered with sister company Tenova which designed best-in class combustion technology burners for reheating furnaces. The company's plant in Bay City, TX, is equipped with the flameless NOx reducing burners which also improves the use of natural gas, the plant's sole fuel.

Tenova has heavily invested in research & development to improve its combustion process through innovative technologies to minimize NOx emissions, reduce and diversify fuel consumption, and optimize performances. As part of an ongoing R&D project, Tenaris will be testing the use of hydrogen as a fuel on one of its furnaces during 2022. (Source: Tenaris, PR, 15 Oct., 2021) Contact: Tenaris, www.tenaris.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  Carbon Emissions news,  Hydrogen news,  Energy Management news,  NOx news,  Carbon Emissions news,  

LyondellBasell
Date: 2021-10-01
Rotterdam-headquartered chemicals and refining giant LyondellBasell has announced a strategy to achieve an absolute 30 pct reduction of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions from global operations by 2050. In 2019, LyondellBasell announced an initial GHG emissions reduction target of 15 pct per ton of product produced by 2030 (relative to 2015 levels), and to raise the 15 pct target at a later date.

To that end, the company has developed an achievable pathway to an absolute reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 30 pct (relative to 2020 levels). This approach includes: enhanced energy management and low emission steam; flare minimization; use of lower-emitting fuels; process electrification and furnace upgrades; and sourcing at least 50 pct of electricity from renewable sources. The company is also actively embedding emissions reduction efforts into certain business processes including long-range planning and risk management, and identifying collaboration opportunities across multiple sectors to accelerate the scale up and deployment of breakthrough technologies.

The company notes it is committed to transparency by reporting our climate risk as well as our progress in reducing GHG emissions annually in the CDP climate change questionnaire and according to the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). (Source: LyondellBasell, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: LyondellBasell, www.lyondellbasell.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LyondellBasell,  Carbon Emissions,  Net-Zero Emissions,  

Electriq Power
Date: 2021-09-13
The Smart Energy Storage Solution -- Making Batteries Smarter for a More Efficient Grid

Electriq Power is an energy storage solutions company that designs, engineers, and assembles fully integrated energy management and storage solutions for homes and small businesses, with systems delivered and deployed by a network of installers across North America. Electriq's flagship product line is the PowerPod, the industry-leading smart home battery backup system designed to save on electricity costs and protect against blackouts. The system includes a battery, hybrid battery/solar inverter, an energy meter, as well as a smart home energy software to manage electricity use and optimize efficiency. The PowerPod is modular and expandable up to three systems with three battery packs per system, giving installers and homeowners system design flexibility, with up to 16.5 kW of power and 99 kWh of battery storage.

The PowerPod 2, launched in late 2020, is equipped with non-toxic, non-hazardous Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries which are rapidly becoming the industry standard, allowing for longer battery cycle life, increased reliability, and enhanced safety. The new high-performance, cobalt-free model builds upon key features of the original PowerPod system and PowerPod LFP technology to create the optimal energy storage solution. Notable product enhancements of the PowerPod 2 include:

More power: 11.4 kW DC solar, 7.6 kW continuous backup output;

Storage duration from 10 to 20 kWh;

Outdoor-rated (NEMA 3R);

AC-Coupled option with three models of usable capacity—AC-10 (kWh), AC-15 (kWh), and AC-20 (kWh);

Grid services-ready through OpenADR 2.0b certification or Electriq-developed PowerADR protocol;

Resilient communication during power and internet outages via built-in, battery-powered LTE;

Modular and easy to install, plus guaranteed commissioning during installation with LTE

The PowerPod 2 became the first fully integrated OpenADR 2.0b-certified residential battery storage system on the market, enabling Electriq Power to seamlessly partner with energy aggregators and participate in today's dynamic energy marketplace. Recent strategic partnerships have given Electriq Power a pathway forward into deployment and control of energy storage systems while maximizing value for microgrids. Additionally, Electriq Power has accelerated deployments of battery systems and established a foundation from which to provide real-time grid services to support utility infrastructure and grid operators across the country. (Source: Electriq Power, Sept, 2021) Contact: Electriq Power, Aric Saunders, EVP of Sales (855) 206-9462, aric@electriqpower.com, electriqpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Electriq Power news,  Energy Storage news,  Battery Energy Storage news,  

Mumbai International Airport
Date: 2021-09-01
In India, Mumbai International Airport reports receipt of the Confederation of India Energy Efficient Unit Award for Excellence in Energy Management 2021. The award lauds the airport for its sustainable and green initiatives, most importantly in assessing the reduction in specific energy consumption, innovation in identifying and implementing energy-saving projects, green supply chain, waste management, GHG Emission and climate change initiatives.

The Airport's initiatives include: a carbon management system, carbon neutrality, renewable energy installations, wastewater recycling and an effective waste management system enhancement in renewable energy capacity, and others that have delivered a 35 pct reduction in energy consumption and the reduction of 31,581 units (tCO2e) of GHG Emissions.

Mumbai International Airport is an ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System certified company committed to continuous reduction in energy consumption and carbon footprint through various initiatives. The airport is also the only in airport in India to publish the Sustainability Report as per the latest GRI Standards and the first platinum-rated Indian airport within the Existing Building (O&M) Rating System for its environmentally sustainable profile. In addition, the airport also owns an Organic Waste Converter (OWC) project with a solar capacity of 5kWp for providing green power for its operations. (Source: Mumbai International Airport, International Airport Review, 1 Sept., 2021) Contact: Mumbai International Airport, www.csmia.adaniairports.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mumbai International Airport news,  

Evergreen Consulting, DTE Energy
Date: 2021-08-23
Portland, Oregon-headquartered Evergreen Consulting Group, which designs and manages innovative energy and resource efficiency solutions for utilities and energy organizations, reports it has been hired by Detroit, Michigan-based utility DTE Energy to launch and manage two pilot programs and a controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) program that will help increase energy cost savings for indoor and hybrid agriculture sites and small business utility customers by reducing energy consumption.

The Main Street Energy Savings Pilot Program provides outreach and solutions to thousands of Michigan's small businesses and property owners. The pilot promotes more than 200 hundred utility incentive measures and energy efficiency improvement solutions including: HVAC, LED lighting, energy management systems, water and refrigeration efficiency systems and others.

To implement the pilots, Evergreen is partnering with Berkley, Michigan-based Energy Sciences LLC, a small energy consulting services and solutions to commercial, industrial and municipal clients. Both programs will deliver technical and participation support, as well as help contractors and customers calculate energy use and costs, develop estimates and identify incentives for eligible measures. (Source: Evergreen Eficiency, PR, 18 Aug., 2021) Contact: Evergreen Consulting Group, Matt Gibbs, Pres., 503-347-8601, emily.pearce@evergreen-efficiency.com, www.evergreen-efficiency.com; Energy Sciences, 248-792-9287, www.energysciencesllc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Evergreen Consulting,  DTE Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

NRCAN
Date: 2021-08-13
In Ottawa, Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) is reporting a $40,000 investment in paper products manufacturer Kruger Products's effort to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and obtain ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard certification at its Crabtree plant in Quebec.

Through ISO 50001 certification, the plant commits to reducing its impact on the environment, conserving energy resources and improving its performance through the efficient management of all forms of energy. The average IS0 50001-certified facility will experience a cumulative energy performance improvement of almost 3 pct in the first two years alone.

Federal funding for this project is provided by the Industrial Energy Management Program, which offers financial assistance to help fund Canadian industrial facilities' energy management projects. This funding supplements the investments made by Kruger Products itself to carry out this energy efficiency project and obtain ISO 50001 certification, for a total combined investment of $660,000. (Source: Natural Resources Canada, PR, Website, Aug., 2021) Contact: NRCAN, www.nrcan.gc.ca; ISO 50001, www.iso.org target=_blank>Energy Efficiency,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News ISO 50001 ,  NRCAN,  Energy Efficiency,  

JinkoSolar
Date: 2021-08-09
Shangrao, China-headquartered global solar energy specialist JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. reports it has received the first PV module LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) certificate in the Greater China region issued by TUV Rheinland (China) Ltd. The LCA certified modules are monocrystalline mainstream modules, with a total of 6 series and 43 sub-models.

The LCA certificate issued by TUV Rheinland is an important foundation for the Italian EPD certification. Based on the requirements of ISO 14040/ISO 14044, it adopts a life cycle assessment method focusing on environmental impact such as global warming potential, from raw material mining to the production of silicon wafers, cells, modules, upstream and downstream transportation, power station construction, operation and maintenance to final dismantling and disposal, and comprehensively evaluates and demonstrates multiple environmental impacts of JinkoSolar's photovoltaic products throughout their life cycle index.

Combining the world's carbon neutrality commitments and China's domestic 30/60 decarbonization goal, this certification can help companies fulfill their pledges on carbon emissions reduction through recognizing product low-carbon design, optimized energy management systems, and energy efficiency improvements, social responsibility for emissions and ecological impact, and achieve the ultimate goals of energy-saving and emissions reduction.

JinkoSolar has 9 production facilities and 22 subsidiaries globally and a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 22 GW for mono wafers, 11.5 GW for solar cells, and 31 GW for solar modules, as of March 31, 2021. (Source: JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., PR, 9 Aug., 2021) Contact: JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., Kangping Chen, CEO, Stella Wang, +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806 pr@jinkosolar.com, www.jinkosdolar.com; TUV Rheinland, www.tuv.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News JinkoSolar,  PV Modules,  TUV Rheinland,  

CS Energy
Date: 2021-08-06
Edison, New Jersey-headquartered CS Energy, an integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage, and emerging energy industries, reports its total installation base in the U.S. Southwest has grown to 29 MW of solar power and 40 MWh of energy storage.

With three new distributed energy projects currently under construction in Florida, the company's total national energy storage installation base will reach over 200 MWh. In Hamilton and Alachua Counties, two of these distributed energy projects are standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) of 5.5 MWh and 11.5 MWh in capacity. Installed for one of the largest utilities in the US, these strategically placed energy storage systems are part of a technology pilot program and will be used to address growing peak demand and reduce congestion on the distribution grid. The third project is a 1 MW solar carport coupled with 23 MWh of energy storage. All three projects will utilize Doosan GridTech's digital energy management solution (EMS).

CS Energy, which completed this 14 MW solar power generation project in Virginia in late 2020, is a leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in solar, energy storage, and emerging energy industries. (Source: CS Energy, PR, 4 Aug., 2021) Contact: CS Energy, Eric Millard, CCO, D. Scott Bianchi,732 860 4660, www.csenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CS Energy,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  

Norfolk Southern Railway
Date: 2021-07-30
Atlanta-headquartered Norfolk Southern Railway reports it plans to cut scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 43 pct from a 2019 base year by 2034. The rail carrier's target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Locomotive fuel accounts for over 90 pct of the railroad's carbon emissions. Norfolk Southern set a fuel-efficiency goal as part of its 2015 strategic plan, targeting an 8.6 pct improvement by 2020. The company exceeded that goal with a 9.4 pct improvement, which resulted in savings of more than 130 million gallons of diesel fuel and avoidance of approximately 1.3 million metric tonnes of emissions, according to the release. Norfolk Southern is making significant efforts to lower GHG emissions across the company, including:

$500 million of green bonds were recently issued by the company to fund eligible green projects. Norfolk Southern was the first Class I railroad in North America to launch green bond financing.

More than 700 locomotives were retired by the company in 2020, targeting older, less fuel-efficient models. Through precision scheduled railroading, the company has achieved operating efficiencies which allow for the movement of more freight with fewer locomotives, reducing fuel burn.

A company locomotive modernisation programme is converting older DC traction models to more reliable and efficient AC units, and quipping locomotives with smart energy management technology for increased fuel efficiency

An innovative public-private partnership program to recycle older locomotives into low-emission 'Eco' models is reducing emissions in urban communities on our rail network and enabling them to meet their Clean Air Act obligations.

An initiative to replace diesel-powered overhead cranes with hybrid and fully electric cranes at company intermodal facilities is projected to reduce emissions at those facilities by approximately 75 pct. (Source: Norfolk Southern Railway, PR, July, 2021) Contact{ Norfolk Southern Railway, www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/contact-us.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG,  Carbon Emissions,  SBTi,  

Government of British Columbia
Date: 2021-07-26
In Victoria, the Government of British Columbia reports it and Shell Canada are each committing $35 million funding toward the new B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy and are collaborating to decarbonize the economy and scale up clean energy. The Government of Canada has committed up to $35 million for the Centre's projects. The funding is expected to leverage additional public and private-sector investments and participation.

The Centre will bring together innovators, industry, governments and academics to accelerate the commercialization and scale-up of B.C.-based clean-energy technologies. It will also be a catalyst for new partnerships and world-leading innovation to deliver near- and longer-term carbon emission reductions, according to the release.

The Centre, which is scheduled to launch this fall, will initially focus on: carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS); the production, use and distribution of low-carbon hydrogen; biofuels and synthetic fuels (including marine and aviation fuels --SAF); renewable natural gas; battery technology, storage and energy management systems; and initiate new technology pathways to accelerate larger reductions on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Centre will be established as an independent member-based, non-profit corporation to attract a wide range of companies and partners focused on low-carbon innovation and scaling up B.C.-based clean-energy technology. (Source: BC Government PR, 16 July, 2021) Contact: Gov. BC, www.gov.bc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Shell Canada,  CCS,  Government of British Columbia,  

75F
Date: 2021-07-19
Minneapolis-based IoT-based building management system specialist 75F reports it has raised $5 million from Siemens AG, bringing the total 'Series A' funding to $28 million.

Next47, a global venture capital firm backed by Siemens, led the investment on behalf of Siemens Smart Infrastructure, according to the release. Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures is among the company's investors.

75F designs and manufactures IoT-based Building Management System that leverages IoT, cloud computing and machine learning for data-driven, proactive building intelligence and controls for efficient HVAC and lighting optimization. (Source: 75F, PR, July, 2021) Contact: 75F, Deepinder Singh, CEO, www.75f.io

More Low-Carbon Energy News 75F,  Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,  

Generate Capital
Date: 2021-07-19
In the Golden State, San Francisco-based sustainable infrastructure specialist Generate Capital reports it has raised $2 billion in corporate equity to accelerate the deployment of sustainable infrastructure.

Generate builds, owns, operates and finances sustainable infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable resource solutions for companies, governments and communities. Over the last seven years, Generate has built a portfolio of about $2 billion in sustainable infrastructure assets across the energy, waste, water and transport markets, deploying proven solutions that can have an immediate impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resource efficiency.

Generate offers sustainability project developers and technology companies a comprehensive and flexible range of financial and operational solutions, establishing itself as the only "one-stop-shop" for sustainable infrastructure pioneers. The asset base the company owns, operates and finances includes renewable power, community solar, energy efficiency, microgrids, energy storage, electric mobility, hydrogen, wastewater, and waste management. (Source: Generate Capital, PR, 19 July, 2021) Contact: Generate Capital, Scott Jacobs, CEO, (415) 480-2914, www.generatecapital.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency Sustainability.Microgrid,  

European Green Deal
Date: 2021-07-16
On Wednesday the 14th, the European Commission (EC) adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 pct by 2030 (Fit for 55) , compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. With the Fit for 55 proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform the EU economy and society.

To reduce overall energy use, cut emissions and tackle energy poverty, the Energy Efficiency Directive will set a more ambitious binding annual target for reducing energy use and will guide how national contributions are established and almost double the annual energy saving obligation for Member States. The public sector will be required to renovate 3 pct of its buildings each year to drive the renovation wave, bring down energy use and costs.

European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal,  Energy Consumption,  Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,  GHG,  

LevelTen, World Kinect
Date: 2021-07-14
Seattle-headquartered LevelTen Energy and energy management specialist World Kinect Energy Services are reporting a partnership that enables World Kinect to source PPAs for its clients through the LevelTen Energy Marketplace, the world's largest PPA marketplace.

World Kinect can select the best PPAs for its clients from over 1,300 projects spanning 21 countries in North America and Europe. World Kinect can also request custom PPA proposals from over 470 project developers using LevelTen's RFP Automation Tool. In addition, the firm and its clients can leverage LevelTen's comprehensive suite of CFO-Ready™ analytics to select a PPA that best matches their energy usage, budget, timeline, location, risk tolerance, and more.

World Kinect Energy Services also helps customers worldwide manage their exposure to climate and energy-related risk and develop and implement carbon reduction and renewable energy strategies, including commercial hydro, wind, and solar services. (Source: LevelTen Energy, PR, July, 2021) Contact: LevelTen Energy, (206) 531-0439, info@leveltenenergy.com, www.leveltenenergy.com; World Kinect Energy Services, www. world-kinect.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LevelTen,  World Kinect,  Renewable Energy,  Carbob Emissions,  

Ameresco, Northwestern Univ.
Date: 2021-07-09
Framingham, Mass.-headquartered renewable energy and energy efficiency specialist Ameresco is reporting a a long-term energy-as-a-service (EaaS) agreement with Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, to address the university's energy-related deferred maintenance challenges with no up-front capital required.The university is aiming to slash its greenhouse gas emissions 30 pct by 2030.

As part of the agreement, Ameresco will provide ongoing energy management and related services, in addition to identifying and implementing energy efficiency upgrades including building systems automation, LED lighting, HVAC, and alternative energy systems for the campus's 175 buildings and central plants. (Source: Ameresco, PR, Smart Cities World News, July, 2021) Contact: Northwestern Univ., www.northwestern.edu; Ameresco, David J. Anderson, EVP , (508) 661-2264, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  EaaS,  Energy Efficiency,  

Tata Power, AutoGrid
Date: 2021-07-07
In New Delhi, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), which supplies electricity to a populace of over 7 million in North Delhi, is reporting a strategic partnership with Redwood City, California-based AutoGrid for deploying artificial intelligence (AI) based smart energy management system. The firms are undertaking a joint project in the area of residential "behavioural" demand response (DR), distributed energy resource management (DERMS), electric vehicles , virtual power plants (VPPs), energy storage optimization, flexibility management, forecasting, and renewable energy integration.

The pilot project aims to empower customers, by helping them understand their consumption patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of DR programs. Based on the acceptance and success of the pilot, the program will also be extended in a phased manner to the following areas:

Automated Demand Response leveraging Residential Air Conditioning Systems and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at Commercial and Industrial sites

Integration of Energy Storage, Solar PV, Electrical Vehicles and other DERs for grid balancing and stabilization

Microgrids and Site Optimization for Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) applications

Commercial &Industrial Site optimization for Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS).

To measure the acceptability of behavioural demand response programs and increase customer participation, the company will also provide incentives to customers based on the level of their participation in the pilot program. The results of the pilot will then be shared with the state regulator (DERC) to formulate appropriate incentives which can be applicable for all customers. (Source: AutoGrid, Website PR, July, 2021) Contact: AutoGrid, www.auto-grid.com; Tata Power, TP Renewable Microgrid, www.tatapower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tata Power,  AutoGrid,  Energy Storage,  Energy Management,  Demand Response,  

ACCIONA
Date: 2021-06-23
Madrid-based ACCIONA reports it has connected Spain's first renewable energy storage plant using recycled batteries to the grid at the company's experimental 1.2MW photovoltaic park in Tudela, Navarre.

The installation, which includes four "second-life" lithium-ion, electric vehicle batteries totaling 130kWh capacity, will store solar energy obtained from the plant to later inject it into the grid. The project concludes with a comparative analysis to verify the equal performance of recycled batteries against first use batteries.

ACCIONA will operate the system from its Renewable Energy Control Center (CECOER) with its global energy management platform GEMS, which enables optimized management, real-time monitoring and analysis of parameters.

The storage plant is part of the experimental facilities of Montes del Cierzo in Tudela and is the result of a joint project with startup BeePlanet within ACCIONA's open innovation program, I'mnovation. BeePlanet, together with ACCIONA, is part of the Government of Navarre-backed GERA project specializing in energy storage systems. (Source: ACCIONA, Website PR, June, 2021) Contact: ACCIONA, Belen Linares, Director of Energy Innovation, +34 91 663 2850, www.acciona.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lithium-Ion,  ACCIONA,  Battery,  Energy STorage,  

Honeywell
Date: 2021-06-21
Honeywell is reporting the launch of its first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Platform, which integrates Honeywell asset monitoring, distributed energy resource management, supervisory control, and analytics functionality to enable organizations to forecast and optimize their overall energy use.

According to Honeywell, its BESS Platform leverages best practices for energy management such as energy arbitrage and demand management to deliver flexibility and control of when energy is purchased and used. The BESS platform, which can be used for a wide range of commercial and industrial companies, independent power producers, and utilities, improves grid stability and sustainability while decreasing supply costs and the need for non-renewable power sources such as gas turbines and diesel generators. (Source: Honeywell, PR, June, 2021)Contact: Honeywell, www.honeywell.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Honeywell,  BESS,  Energy Storage,  

Caban Systems
Date: 2021-06-18
Burlingame, California-based software-enabled energy storage and management systems specialist Caban Systems reports securing a support package of $35 million from Ember Infrastructure -- a private equity firm supporting businesses that reduce carbon intensity.

. The investment will help support Caban's growth, manufacturing capacity, scale its Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) product offering, and accelerate the delivery of clean, distributed energy solutions to the global digital infrastructure sector.

Caban provides end-to-end turnkey infrastructure solutions with a portfolio that includes: long-life lithium-ion storage and energy management hardware, cloud-based remote monitoring software, and a fully integrated EaaS offering. (Source: Caban Systems, Capcity, 18 June, 2021) Contact: Caban Systems, info@cabansystems.com, www.cabansystems.com; Ember Infrastructure, www.ember-infra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Caban Systems news,  Energy Storage news,  Energy-as-a-Service news,  EaaS news,  

Puget Sound Energy
Date: 2021-06-14
Washington State's largest utility Puget Sound Energy reports it has convened an Equity Advisory Group that will advise on its Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) as mandated by the 2019 Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act.

The CEIP 13 members generally represent community-based organizations will help PSE develop a 4-year roadmap outlining clean electricity targets, actions and programs and ways to equitably distribute benefits and reduce burdens that stem from electric planning decisions.PSE is aiming to equitably and sustainably reach beyond net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Download PSE, CEIP details HERE. (Source: Puget Sound Energy, PR, June, 2021) Contact: Puget Sound Energy , Mary Kipp. Pres., CEO, David Mills, Snr. VP, CSO, Bob Stolarski, Director Energy Management and Renewables, (425) 454-2000, www.pse.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Puget Sound Energy,  

DOE EERE
Date: 2021-06-11
In Washington, the US DOE is reporting $54 million in funding for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research and development projects. As part of the funding, the Building Technologies Office (BTO) will invest $3.6 million in 21 projects across 14 states.

The SBIR/STTR Program helps small businesses conduct R&D for projects with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from commercialization while stimulating technological progress.

SBIR/STTR-funded projects are one way DOE supports the development of a clean energy workforce and engages all levels of the energy economy to combat the climate crisis.

The BTO-funded projects will focus on modeling, data, and analytics; lighting R&D; energy management for indoor agriculture; healthy, efficient buildings; advanced building technologies; heat exchangers; and thermal energy storage technologies.

Download BTO SBIR/STTR Phase I grant details HERE. (Source: US DOE, EERE, PR, 10 June, 2021) Contact: US DOE, www.energy.gov/eere/buildings; Building Technologies Office, energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE EERE,  Energy Efficiency,  DOE BETO,  

BrainBox
Date: 2021-06-09
Montreal-based BrainBox AI, a provider of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) technology for commercial real estate, is reporting the appointment of ATS Automation as a BrainBox AI Master Systems Integrator for the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Alaska.

BrainBox AI technology leverages AI to improve building operational efficiency while reducing energy consumption and costs. Combining machine learning, cloud-based computing and self-directed decision-making, BrainBox AI enables a building HVAC system to operate autonomously and in real-time, generating up to a 25 pct reduction in total energy costs, 20-40 pct reduction in carbon footprint and 60 pct increase in occupant comfort.

(Source: BrainBox, PR, 8 June, 2021) Contact: ATS Automation, Josh Cales, Pres., Brian Veach, brianv@atsinc.org, www.atsinc.org; BrainBox, 888 585 2630, www.brainboxai.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BrainBox,  Artifical Intelligence,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management ,  

mCloud
Date: 2021-06-09
Following up on our 21 April coverage, Calgary, Alberta-based artificial-intelligence (AI) powered asset management and ESG solutions specialist mCloud Technologies Corp. is reporting the addition of grid-adaptive demand management to its AssetCare™ for Buildings solution using AI in the cloud to actively manage the electric demand of a building in direct response to signals from local utility operators.

The Company is adding its first 20 new AssetCare customer buildings to benefit from this capability in partnership with local utilities in British Columbia, California, and New York.

Through AssetCare, mCloud offers a subscription-based solution enabling customers to automatically respond to utility requests to reduce energy consumption at peak times to decrease the concurrent load on a local utility grid during periods of high demand. Any utility supporting the industry-standard OpenADR protocol for grid interactivity is directly supported by AssetCare. Likewise, AssetCare customers can track their energy savings and reductions in their carbon footprint anywhere, anytime (Source: mCloud Technologies Corp., PR, 8 June, 2021) Contact: mCloud, Dr. Patrick O'Neill, Pres.,Connected Buildings, 403.569.6480, www.mcloudcorp.com/HVAC-and-indoor-air-quality, www.mcloudcorp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News mCloud,  Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,  

ABB Group
Date: 2021-06-04
As part of its new Sustainability Strategy, Zurich-headquartered ABB Group is reporting a commitment to partner with its customers and suppliers to reduce their emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030. ABB also announced that it has joined three initiatives led by the international non-profit Climate Group in line with its action plan and focus areas identified to reduce its own emissions:

ABB commits to electrifying its fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles by 2030. ABB in Sweden, for example, has already started to convert its around 700 company cars to all-electric vehicles, while ABB in the UK announced last year that the company will be transitioning its over 500 company cars to an all-electric fleet by 2025.

ABB commits to sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity until 2030. In 2020, 32 percent, of all the electricity used by ABB, was either purchased as certified green electricity or generated by the company's own solar power plants. Since 2020, ABB in Switzerland already sources 100 percent of its power from renewable sources.

ABB commits to establishing energy efficiency targets and continue deploying energy management systems at the company's sites. Already today, more than 100 ABB sites are covered by externally certified or self-declared energy management systems.

Additionally, the company's own reduction targets have now also received approval by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) confirming that they are in line with the 1.5 degree C scenario of the Paris Agreement .ABB has also joined the Business Ambition for 1.5 degree C Campaign, a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders, led by the UNGC.

ABB's Sustainability Strategy has a clear focus on areas with the biggest impact -- enabling a low-carbon society by reducing emissions, preserving resources, and promoting social progress underpinned by a strong commitment to integrity and transparency. As part of the strategy and starting in 2021, ABB has also added specific targets related to sustainability into its senior management remuneration, according to the release. (Source: ABB Group, PR, 3 June, 2021) Contact: ABB, Theodor Swedjemark, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, www.abb.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ABB Group,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  

Huawei
Date: 2021-06-04
Shanghai-headquartered global information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices provider Huawei reports its smart string energy storage system (ESS) for residential use, the LUNA2000, has scored 2PfG 2511 energy storage standard certification from German testing and certification service provider TUV Rheinland.

The TUV Rheinland standars cover most of the safety risks involved with energy storage systems, and set rigorous technical requirements and test conditions in terms of electrical safety, battery safety, electromagnetic compatibility, functional safety, energy management, transportation safety, and environmental impact.

The LUNA2000 series (LUNA2000-15-S0, LUNA2000-10-S0, LUNA2000-5-S0), designed to be a modular system, focuses on the functional safety of its electrical, battery, performance, BMS, EMS, and thermal management components. As such, the series are adaptable to a wide range of users and markets. Huawei's LUNA2000 product series not only satisfies the requirements of German and other EU markets, but are eligible to enter other markets in the world. (Source: Huawei, PR, 4 June, 2021) Contact: Huawei, Connie Wang, wangjing402@huawei.com, www.huawei.com; TUV Rheinland, www.tuv.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Huawei,  Energy Storage,  TUV Rheinland,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-05-28
According to a new report released today, the U.S. DOE Better Buildings Initiative, in collaboration with nearly 1,000 businesses, government, and other partners, saved $13.5 billion in energy costs and more than 130 million metric tons of carbon emissions in the past year -- equivalent to the greenhouse gases emitted by 28.2 million vehicles in a single year.

Since 2011, the Better Buildings Initiative has partnered with public and private sector leaders to make the nation's homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants more energy efficient by accelerating investment in energy related upgrades,products and sharing best practices. The 2021 Better Buildings Progress Report outlines the progress and collaboration of Better Buildings partners, which represent more than 30 of the country's Fortune 100 companies, 12 of the top 25 U.S. employers, 12 pct of the U.S. manufacturing energy footprint, 13 pct of total commercial building space, as well as 17 federal agencies, eight national laboratories, and more than 80 states and local governments.

DOE also announced launching the Low Carbon Pilot, with more than 50 leading partners, including automakers, food service companies, universities, and local governments, working with DOE to share their experiences, successes, and challenges pursuing low-carbon strategies. The lessons learned help DOE and the broader energy market better understand the dynamics of emissions reduction, energy efficiency, cost savings, and resilience. Find the full list of partners participating in the Low Carbon Pilot HERE

The DOE has also launched the latest iteration of the L-Prize, a $12 million competition to spur the development of next-generation LED lighting by incentivizing the manufacture and installation of LEDs. The first L-Prize, which was awarded 10 years ago to a LED replacement for the 60-watt bulb, helped lay the groundwork for products that now save Americans $14.7 billion per year in avoided energy costs.

the Better Buildings Progress Report includes:

Financing for Energy Efficiency Projects -- Financial Allies, working with DOE, have extended more than $26 billion to date for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across a range of sectors and communities.

Generating Savings through Energy Management -- Partners in the Smart Energy Analytics Campaign closed out 2020 with a projected $95 million savings for participants annually through energy management information system technologies and ongoing monitoring practices.

Increasing Public and Private Better Buildings Partnerships -- More than 400 organizations are part of the Better Buildings Residential Network, which has completed nearly 300,000 home energy upgrades in the past year.

Recognizing High Performance and Healthy Buildings -- Green Lease Leaders are modernizing leases to spur collaborative action on energy efficiency, cost savings, improved air quality, and sustainability across nearly two billion square feet of building space. This DOE initiative is in partnership with the Institute for Market Transformation.

Download DOE Better Buildings Initiative details HERE.

Download the Better Buildings Progress Report HERE. (Source: US DOE, PR, 17 May, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Green Building,  US DOE,  Better Buildings Initiative,  Energy Efficiency,  

ACEEE
Date: 2021-05-24
The North American Strategic Energy Management Collaborative (NASEMC) is working to accelerate the adoption and enhance the effectiveness of Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offerings with the goal of producing economy-wide energy and cost savings as well as emission reductions.

On behalf of the NASEMC, the US DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and ACEEE jointly analyzed the cost effectiveness and prospective savings persistence of SEM programs across North America, surveying 24 active programs. All programs reported that SEM was cost effective. The total resource cost (TRC) test is by far the most common approach to analyzing program cost effectiveness. However, values are generally non-comparable due to varying inputs and assumptions.

This report finds that effective useful life (EUL) values vary widely; most are not based on primary research, and some include capital measures. Further, SEM programs vary widely in their implementation approaches, and the report's findings provide a rich resource for future program design. The report underscores that SEM's foundational concept of continual improvement challenges traditional cost-effectiveness metrics.

Download the report HERE, (Source: ACEEE, Website PR, May, 2021) Contact: ACEEE, www2.aceee.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News ACEEE news,  Energy Efficiency news,  Energy Management news,  

Schneider Electric
Date: 2021-05-17
Energy management specialist Schneider Electric reports an expansion of its EcoStruxure™ Micro Data Center C-Series with the new 43U, offering the greatest capacity and energy efficiency in the company's commercial and office line of micro data centers.

The EcoStruxture Micro Data Centers will empower organizations to optimize their operations and increase productivity, cost-efficiency and seamless interoperability. The new 43U C-Series offers a complete edge management solution that can be remotely monitored with EcoStruxure IT Software and Digital Services.

The 43U C-Series is designed for low-to-medium density applications and environments without 24/7 precision cooling for sensitive IT such as supply rooms, IT closets, and office spaces.

Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries provides integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. (Source: Schneider Electric, PR, Website, DJ, 15 May, 2021) Contact: Schneider Electric, Vicki True , 774-613-1158, vicki.true@se.com, www.se.com, twitter.com/SchneiderElec

More Low-Carbon Energy News Schneider Electric,  Energy Management,  Data Center,  Energy Efficiency ,  

Vineyard Wind, BOEM
Date: 2021-05-14
Vineyard Wind reports receipt of the U.S. DOI Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Record of Decision (ROD) -- the federal review process for the 800-MW, 160,000-acre offshore wind project 15 miles off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.

The project, which will incorporate as many as 84 GE Haliade-X wind turbines, will be the first commercial scale offshore wind farm in the country, according to Vineyard Wind -- a joint venture between AVANGRID subsidiary Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

In response to comments and direct engagement with neighboring communities, environmental organizations and advocates, fisheries organizations, as well as governmental and tribal entities, the project has committed to: invest millions of dollars to develop and deploy innovative technologies and undertake scientific research to further safeguard marine mammals; to provide millions to compensate fishermen for potential loss of revenue and gear, as well as to enhance their ability to fish in and around the lease area; and use an Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ALDS) to ensure nighttime lights will only operate a few hours a year when aircraft are present.

Vineyard Wind expects the project will reach financial close in the second half of this year and begin delivering energy to Massachusetts in 2023. (Source: Vineyard Wind, PR, T&D World, 11 May, 2021)Contact: Vineyard Wind, (508) 717-8964, www.vineyardwind.com; BOEM, Connie Gillette, Public Affairs, Walter Cruickshank, Acting Dir., (202) 208-6474, www.boem.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vineyard Wind,  Offshore Wind,  BOEM,  

Electriq Power
Date: 2021-05-07
Electriq Power is an energy storage solutions company that designs, engineers, and assembles fully integrated energy management and storage solutions for homes and small businesses, with systems delivered and deployed by a network of installers across North America.

Electriq's flagship product line is the PowerPod, the industry-leading smart home battery backup system designed to save on electricity costs and protect against blackouts. The system includes a battery, hybrid battery/solar inverter, an energy meter, as well as a smart home energy software to manage electricity use and optimize efficiency. The PowerPod is modular and expandable up to three systems with three battery packs per system, giving installers and homeowners system design flexibility, with up to 16.5 kW of power and 99 kWh of battery storage.

The PowerPod 2, launched in late 2020, is the next-generation version of Electriq Power's industry-leading PowerPod family. This latest system is equipped with non-toxic, non-hazardous Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4), or LFP, batteries, which are rapidly becoming the industry standard, allowing for longer battery cycle life, increased reliability, and enhanced safety. The new high-performance, cobalt-free model builds upon key features of the original PowerPod system and PowerPod LFP technology to create the optimal energy storage solution. Notable product enhancements of the PowerPod 2 include:

More power: 11.4 kW DC solar, 7.6 kW continuous backup output;

Storage duration from 10 to 20 kWh;

Outdoor-rated (NEMA 3R);

AC-Coupled option with three models of usable capacity: AC-10 (kWh), AC-15 (kWh), and AC-20 (kWh);

Grid services-ready through OpenADR 2.0b certification or Electriq-developed PowerADR protocol;

Resilient communication during power and internet outages via built-in, battery-powered LTE; Modular and easy to install, plus guaranteed commissioning during installation with LTE.

The PowerPod 2 became the first fully integrated OpenADR 2.0b-certified residential battery storage system on the market, enabling Electriq Power to seamlessly partner with energy aggregators and participate in today's dynamic energy marketplace. Recent strategic partnerships have given Electriq Power a pathway forward into deployment and control of energy storage systems while maximizing value for microgrids. Additionally, as the company continues to build out its vision of increasing value-added services for Virtual Power Plants, Electriq Power has accelerated deployments of battery systems and established a foundation from which to provide real-time grid services to support utility infrastructure and grid operators across the country. (Source: Electriq Power, Feb., 2021) Contact: Electriq Power, Aric Saunders, EVP of Sales (855) 206-9462, aric@electriqpower.com, www.electriqpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Electriq Power,  

SPI Energy, Solar4America
Date: 2021-05-05
Santa Clara, California-based SPI Energy Co Ltd is reporting the launch of its UL-certified S4A-Hybrid (DC/AC compatible) residential battery energy storage solution.

With up to 8.6-kilowatt max output, intelligent energy management, and on-grid/off-grid seamless switching, the battery system is outdoor rated and provides homeowners with complete control of the energy in their home using real-time data.

The global battery energy storage market is widely expected to grow at a 20.4 pct CAGR to reach $19.7 billion by 2027. (Source: SPI Energy Co Ltd, PR May, 2021) Contact: SPI Energy Co. Ltd., www.spigroups.com; Colar4America, www.solar4america.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SPI Energy,  Solar4America,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  Batter,