Energy & Infrastructure

Leonardo Academy president Michael Arny announced today Leonardo Academy’s support for The WELL Building StandardTM (WELL). This certification program addresses actions by building owners that benefit the health, wellbeing and productivity of building occupants.

We’ve been making some headlines lately for our push into community solar – an area NRG is moving into quickly. Why community solar?
“From a customer’s perspective, community solar is a home run: companies can stabilize energy costs while helping create a cleaner local power grid,” says Miro Sutton, NRG Business Solutions. “They can essentially offset a large portion of their electricity without any physical changes to their site. It’s clean, simple and financially prudent.”

Mohawk Group launched a brand-new campaign, “Believe in Better,” at this year’s GreenBuild. Michel Vermette, President of Mohawk Group, discusses the revamped philosophy, how the brand will strive for consistent improvement across five distinct pillars, and what to expect from Mohawk in the future.

In honor of the upcoming worldwide commercial-free broadcast of Before the Flood, the new documentary from Academy Award winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Fisher Stevens exploring the global effects of climate change, 21st Century Fox and National Geographic have launched a new social media campaign to drive support for the conservation of endangered wildlife and ecosystems. For every use of the hashtag #BeforeTheFlood across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as the Before the Flood custom Snapchat filter from October 24 to November 18, 21CF and National Geographic will together donate $1 to Pristine Seas and $1 to the Wildlife Conservation Society for a grant total of up to $100,000 ($50,000 to each organization).

Across the U.S., smart city programs are moving beyond press releases, pilot programs and demonstrations. Municipalities are collaborating with industry and utilities to create roadmaps defining their approach to regional integrated smart infrastructure. Water utilities, however, are lagging in the planning process, and risk losing their seat at the table with electric and gas utility peer companies as the smart city programs advance.

Fossil fuel is sort of a dirty word in environmental circles, but it still comprises over 80% of the world’s energy consumption. This week on Sea Change Radio, oil expert Daniel Dicker explains the complex role that oil and gas plays in the world’s economy. First, we take a look at the recent OPEC meetings and the effect that they’ll have on oil prices moving forward, then we get a snapshot of the challenges that the major oil producing countries face today. Lastly, we get a glimpse into how oil markets are reacting to the inevitable transition to renewable energy.

Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) recognized six organizations and three individuals today for their role in building and shaping the market for renewable energy over the past year.