Energy

Making the Case for Connecting Efficiency and Sustainability Teams

Many companies face internal barriers such as siloed departments or expertise that prevent them from reaching their energy and sustainability potential. To clear these hurdles, organizations are starting to integrate how they buy and use energy with sustainability initiatives, an approach that maximizes investments, delivers greater returns and builds more robust, viable operations.

Research, Reports & Publications

In Clean Energy Portfolios, Money Isn’t Everything – Research by Erb Institute Faculty Director, Joe Arvai

People may be more willing to pay for clean energy and strategies that dramatically reduce emissions than previous studies have suggested, according to new research by Michigan State University Professor Douglas Bessette and University of Michigan Professor Joseph Árvai, “Engaging Attribute Tradeoffs in Clean Energy Portfolio Development,” published in Energy Policy. Árvai is the Erb Institute’s faculty director.

Energy

Cypress Creek Renewables and NRG Innovate the Future of Solar Power for Texas Commercial and Industrial Customers

Cypress Creek Renewables, one of the largest integrated solar energy companies in the U.S., and NRG Energy, Inc. announced a joint project where Cypress Creek will develop and operate 25 megawatts of solar projects for NRG to support commercial and industrial customers. The environmentally friendly solar installations will be the foundation of a new type of simplified fixed-price renewable energy plan for large businesses, adding an innovative dimension to a proven product structure.

Energy

Gas: A Tried and True Solution to Accessing Energy in Developing Countries

History shows that the introduction or increased supply of gas as an alternative energy source has a transformative impact on economies.

Besides power generation, gas can be used for transport, industrial applications, mineral beneficiation, and production of liquid fuels and fertilizer. The construction schedule of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant is approximately 30 to 36 months, with open cycle capability often being available after roughly 20 months. The feasibility, licensing, and financial close process of these projects can take 2 to 5 years. In the interim, many other users would be able to use the gas if it was available. The markets for liquid fuel products in Africa make up roughly 40 percent of the total energy consumption and are projected to hold steady for the near

Energy

Colorado Businesses Applaud Governor’s Move to Adopt Advanced Clean Car Standards

Influential businesses praised Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s decision this week to reduce transportation emissions and adopt a program that would put more clean and efficient cars on the road. The program, known as Advanced Clean Cars (ACC), will boost Colorado’s economy by increasing fuel cost savings, reducing health costs, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Development Goals

How Far We’ve Come: Energy in Africa, 20 Years Later

Tetra Tech’s work with Power Africa is proof of concept. We support four distribution companies in Nigeria that had high losses, low collections, a proliferation of illegal connections, and aging infrastructure. We partnered with the companies to develop turnaround plans and implement reforms. Today losses are down, revenue is up, and management is stronger and more effective. Above all, more cash is flowing through the energy sector value chain.

Energy

California’s Solar Decree: Could Other States, Utilities Follow Suit?

California energy regulators recently passed a new building code requiring most newly constructed, low-rise homes constructed after 2019 to have built-in solar-powered energy systems, making that state the first to adopt such a mandate. That decree was part of other additions to the building code aimed at bolstering energy efficiency.

Green Infrastructure

Mass Transit Goes Green: Electrified Bus Programs Delivering on the Promise of Zero-Emission Transportation Options for Cities

Growing interest in high efficiency, pollution-reducing transit options is propelling investment in new electrified mass transit projects across the United States. Reflecting this trend, Black & Veatch announced it has completed the charging station infrastructure that powers Washington, D.C.’s new electrified mass transit project – the latest move by U.S. cities to reimagine how to sustainably move people across urban landscapes and experience the benefits of clean transportation, both on and off the bus.

Energy

Opportunities and Challenges in the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program

This will be a hot summer for solar and storage developers in Massachusetts as the Commonwealth kicks off its SMART program, providing tiered incentives to promote solar with an additional kicker if there is storage attached. It’s an exciting program—the first of its kind outside of California, and one of the first ever in the U.S. to promote energy storage coupled with community solar (direct contracts between solar arrays and residents).

Sustainable Development Goals

Carnival Corporation's AIDA Cruises Expands Sustainable Cruise Tourism Partnership in Schleswig-Holstein

The Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, the Federal State capital Kiel, the Seaport of Kiel and the Costa Group came together on Thursday, April 26, 2018, aboard AIDAluna to discuss the ways the ways to expand their current collaboration on sustainability initiatives. Their objective is to further develop the maritime infrastructure, the economy, and tourism in northern Germany sustainably and to make them “future-proof.”

Latest Campaigns

PSEG Strength in Service, Sandy and Beyond

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Kingfisher Around the World

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Aflac Voices

Hear from Aflac’s senior leaders and subject matter experts about industry trends and more.

Local Communities

The principals of living and working in synergy with the communities in which we operate, as well as collaborating on projects that benefit those...

Climate Action & Environmental Management

Reach net-zero carbon in our own operations by 2030 and partner with suppliers to reduce their climate impact.

Financial health

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Subaru Love Promise: Environment

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Community Impact

Advancing our communities worldwide through philanthropic investments, partnerships, and employee volunteerism.

Kingfisher Around the World

The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...