Energy & Infrastructure

This weekend, the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will attract over 66,000 people for the Super Bowl – not to mention the 100 million viewers who will be watching across the country. While much of the day’s focus will be on the players and the ads, this year’s organizers are also spotlighting another, greener aspect of the game: engaging fans throughout the evening to create the first ever zero-waste Super Bowl.

Back in August this year I attended the opening of our Innovation and Knowledge Center in Pune, India - an expansion of our facilities to celebrate our 20 year anniversary in the country. The center is one of 7 global Innovation and Knowledge centers, each of which represent the specific needs of their region as well as having unique perspectives and specialist material science expertise.

The Trustees of the Atlanta-based Ray C. Anderson Foundation have granted an additional $2 million to The Ray over the next two years, to fund important research, pilot projects and emerging technologies with the potential to shape the transportation infrastructure of the future.

Last month, when sub-zero temperatures swept through Midwestern and Northeastern states, one centralized agency in Michigan was already marshalling resources to help those in need. Michigan 2-1-1, a state-supported consortium of nonprofits, businesses, governments and private citizens were on staff to help Michigan residents cope with record-setting temperature lows.

Electric utilities and other power networks are in a unique position when it comes to improving sustainability. That’s because they have the ability to not just control their own carbon footprint but also promote more efficient, sustainable energy use for consumers. They can improve sustainability and decarbonize to mitigate climate change while still supporting their consumers’ growing needs ranging from smooth, efficient integration of electric vehicles into the grid to better energy accessibility.

Consumers Energy is ranked by Forbes magazine as the best employer for diversity in Michigan. The energy provider placed 13th overall in Forbes’s list of America’s best employers for diversity from all industries across the nation, and is the only company in the “utilities” category in the top 100 of the listing.

Water management is core to making GM’s global operations more efficient. It includes working towards the goal of reducing water intensity by 15 percent by 2020, from a 2010 baseline. It also includes improving supply chain engagement in water use globally. In the recent study by CDP, the non-profit global environmental disclosure platform, GM was awarded a position on the Supplier Water A List, in recognition of its actions to address environmental issues.

Duke Energy has filed two more renewable energy programs with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to expand renewable energy options for its 3.2 million customers in the state.

Duke Energy Renewables has announced it has ordered 24 IdentiFlight® units to be installed at its Top of the World Windpower Project in Wyoming as part of its comprehensive avian protection program.

Over the past decade, the Danish-based energy company has achieved 82% coal reduction, 67% carbon reduction and 64% renewable energy in their power and heat generation. CEO of Ørsted, Henrik Poulsen, has a clear vision.