Energy Efficiency

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) announced significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint and increasing the handprint efforts that advance its positive impact around the world. The company released these results today in its tenth annual sustainability report.

When we switch on the lights, most of us aren’t thinking about how electricity is generated. What really happens, how does a power plant work? Siemens’ proven Flex-Plant™ Combined Cycle Technology provides clean, efficient, and reliable electricity when it’s needed most.

Renewable resources are plentiful, but also unpredictable. Siemens Flex-Plant™ technology is a reliable backup that produces the energy you need, when you need it.

It is commonly known that wastewater possesses more energy than needed to operate a treatment facility, but the number of net-zero energy water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is still very low worldwide. Yet, a recent study states that the possibility of net-zero energy is now in the grasp of many wastewater facilities, and the report provides some of the best insights on record as to how to achieve such results.

The General Motors Orion Assembly plant that builds the Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks as the eighth largest user of green power generated onsite in the United States among the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership Partners. Over half of the plant is powered by methane captured from decomposing trash in a nearby landfill.

There has always been a controversy around the ethanol in relation to its environmental credentials. Detractors say it could actually be worse than fossil fuel while supporters ​claim that​, by and large, it ​can help ​clean​ up transportation​, a major source of emissions that cause global warming.

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) and Mas Energy, LLC unveiled today a new renewable energy project serving Metro Atlanta. The innovative project involves landfill gas-to-energy facilities at three area landfills, located in the cities of Buford, Griffin and Winder. Together, these facilities are capable of generating 24.1 megawatts of electricity, or enough renewable energy to power 15,665 households.

Large commercial and industrial complexes are increasingly showing more interest in how power is consumed at their facilities, and how they can more efficiently manage their utility costs. These companies are discovering many options that have only recently opened up due to new technologies and decreasing system costs.

This week the facilities management community came together to celebrate World FM Day and honor all the men and women who support the health, safety, productivity and well-being of people who utilize the built environment. In honor of this annual occasion, I wanted to talk about the importance of effectively managing your assets.