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A guide for facilities decision-makers on going solar

July 9, 2019 | 109 views

Implementing a solar energy project has many legs and can move in many directions. However, guidance, development of the project, the site, and goals need to be set well before actual work can be done. Planning can help a facility carry out the solar implementation project, but facility managers should also look for innovative ways to aggregate procurements to benefit from economies of scale and to reduce transaction costs. Federal agencies, for example, are moving toward solar power capabilities, as are private organizations. But no matter the agency or sector, interest is there for generating solar plans. Solar power implementation is often motivated by sustainability targets, reducing long-term energy costs, and leading by example in the transition to a clean energy economy. To facilitate that goal, the U.S. Department of Energy has published guidance for implementing solar power in its report, “Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers.” While designed for federal agencies, the guide provides ample information to help the private sector make the move to solar power. The methods for procuring solar energy evolve rapidly, ranging from direct purchases to more sophisticated long-term agreements. Technology improvements, cost reductions and experienced project developers make solar projects easier to put into service.

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Seaway Heavy Lifting

Seaway Heavy Lifting, part of Subsea 7's Renewables & Heavy Lifting Business Unit, provides EPCI, T&I and Integrated Services to the offshore energy sector. This includes project management, engineering, fabrication, heavy lifting, cable installation and decommissioning services.

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STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, INDUSTRY UPDATES

A vision for renewable energy

Article | August 16, 2022

Right now, renewable energy makes up a very small part of the entire energy sector of Bangladesh. But as we move into the future, and concerns about the environment become too great to ignore, exploring cleaner and greener sources of energy becomes the need of the hour. Our economy is booming, and our population is growing, so it goes without saying that our energy requirements are immense. There is plenty of scientific evidence that burning fossil fuels indiscriminately is not sustainable in the long term, so we do need to up our game in looking at alternatives.

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STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, ENERGY

2020: The Year of Convergence in Corporate Renewables

Article | July 27, 2022

The rapid growth of corporate renewable procurement has been nothing short of a buyer-driven revolution in the United States’ electric sector. Almost 20 gigawatts (GWs) of corporate power purchasing agreements (PPAs) were completed in 2019 across the globe, up from 13 GWs of corporate PPAs in 2018 and triple the numbers from 2017.1,2 And the majority of this growth has come from the United States. Fortunately for those of us committed to renewable energy, we expect this trend to continue. But as should be expected in such a dynamic, buyer-driven sector, we are starting to see some noticeable shifts in the marketplace as it evolves and grows. I wanted to highlight some of the trends Constellation is watching for this year.

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ENERGY, INDUSTRY UPDATES

2020 Trends That Will Make Waves In The Energy Industry

Article | July 29, 2022

In the renewable world, energy is generated by weather and the amount of energy that can be produced depends on the current conditions. Energy storage can ensure a power supply is maintained when weather conditions are not optimal for generating energy. While energy storage products have already been introduced to all levels of the market there are several technology hurdles to overcome before energy storage will reach maximum potential. We believe there will be great advancements in 2020 on:

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Solar Power, Great For The Environment? Or Is It The Last Thing We Need?

Article | February 10, 2020

Solar power is an undeniably a green, renewable form of electricity generation - but many organisations with questionable motives (even here in New Zealand) are trying to persuade the public (and Government – hi lobbyists!) that solar power isn’t that environmentally friendly, and that it's even harmful. At the expense of bullish corporate profits, solar power is often thrown under the bus. This article lists the facts - putting an end to the negative spin on solar so often found in the media. When solar panels produce power, they do not; create any air pollution, use zero water, create carbon emissions, noise pollution, and they won’t disturb surrounding ecosystems. Solar power is a renewable energy source, the sun’s rays are infinite, fill your boots.

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STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, INDUSTRY UPDATES

7 Necessary Steps for Effective Energy Management

Article | August 16, 2022

Right now, renewable energy makes up a very small part of the entire energy sector of Bangladesh. But as we move into the future, and concerns about the environment become too great to ignore, exploring cleaner and greener sources of energy becomes the need of the hour. Our economy is booming, and our population is growing, so it goes without saying that our energy requirements are immense. There is plenty of scientific evidence that burning fossil fuels indiscriminately is not sustainable in the long term, so we do need to up our game in looking at alternatives.

Read More
STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, ENERGY

How Does Employing Energy Management Systems Helps Businesses?

Article | July 27, 2022

The rapid growth of corporate renewable procurement has been nothing short of a buyer-driven revolution in the United States’ electric sector. Almost 20 gigawatts (GWs) of corporate power purchasing agreements (PPAs) were completed in 2019 across the globe, up from 13 GWs of corporate PPAs in 2018 and triple the numbers from 2017.1,2 And the majority of this growth has come from the United States. Fortunately for those of us committed to renewable energy, we expect this trend to continue. But as should be expected in such a dynamic, buyer-driven sector, we are starting to see some noticeable shifts in the marketplace as it evolves and grows. I wanted to highlight some of the trends Constellation is watching for this year.

Read More
ENERGY, INDUSTRY UPDATES

Energy Management: An Energy Strategy for the C-Suite

Article | July 29, 2022

In the renewable world, energy is generated by weather and the amount of energy that can be produced depends on the current conditions. Energy storage can ensure a power supply is maintained when weather conditions are not optimal for generating energy. While energy storage products have already been introduced to all levels of the market there are several technology hurdles to overcome before energy storage will reach maximum potential. We believe there will be great advancements in 2020 on:

Read More

Solar Power, Great For The Environment? Or Is It The Last Thing We Need?

Article | February 10, 2020

Solar power is an undeniably a green, renewable form of electricity generation - but many organisations with questionable motives (even here in New Zealand) are trying to persuade the public (and Government – hi lobbyists!) that solar power isn’t that environmentally friendly, and that it's even harmful. At the expense of bullish corporate profits, solar power is often thrown under the bus. This article lists the facts - putting an end to the negative spin on solar so often found in the media. When solar panels produce power, they do not; create any air pollution, use zero water, create carbon emissions, noise pollution, and they won’t disturb surrounding ecosystems. Solar power is a renewable energy source, the sun’s rays are infinite, fill your boots.

Read More
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Spotlight

Seaway Heavy Lifting

Seaway Heavy Lifting, part of Subsea 7's Renewables & Heavy Lifting Business Unit, provides EPCI, T&I and Integrated Services to the offshore energy sector. This includes project management, engineering, fabrication, heavy lifting, cable installation and decommissioning services.

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SOLAR+STORAGE

Aurora Solar Announces Expansion of Operations in Germany to Accelerate Solar Adoption

businesswire | June 02, 2023

Aurora Solar, the leading cloud-based platform for solar sales and design, announced its expansion into Germany to empower solar organizations to streamline operations and accelerate growth. Aurora sees significant opportunity to support the growing number of German solar installers who are in need of digital solutions and automation. The company incorporated in Frankfurt with dedicated Sales, Marketing, Customer Support teams to establish and scale operations in Germany and the DACH region. Powering upwards of 100,000 solar projects every week, top U.S. solar organizations — including 90 percent of the top 100 U.S. residential solar installers — count on Aurora to accelerate solar sales cycles using the power of technology and automation. “Aurora enables solar businesses to create highly accurate residential solar designs without having to visit the site, ultimately accelerating the sales process and empowering installers to scale operations. With demand for solar growing in Europe, we are confident our German expansion will help further our mission to create a future of solar for all,” said Christopher Hopper, co-founder and CEO. “This launch is incredibly exciting for our team; our platform will help advance the adoption of renewable energy in Germany.” Expanding Market Leadership to Europe Building on an already strong foundation, Aurora Solar is proud to: Support over 7,000 of the solar industry's most successful organizations to help tackle climate change; Leverage its powerful software alongside its customers to avoid over 60 million tons of CO2 since inception; and, Be recognized on the 2022 Deloitte Fast 500 as well as the 2022 Forbes AI 50, and listed as one of the 2022 Best Remote Companies to Work For by Built In. About Aurora Solar Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Aurora Solar, a software development company dedicated to the solar energy industry, provides services for solar PV design, cloud computing, enterprise SaaS, solar sales, solar design customizations, solar PV performance modeling, solar software, solar engineering, solar financial analysis, and solar project design automation. Its cloud-based software has transformed solar design, sales and delivery operations since 2013. It offers an entirely accurate customizable design for every customer, with only an address and electric bill requirement. With its dedication and innovation, it is making solar energy accessible to everyone worldwide.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for C1000S Microturbine for Industrial Dairy Plant in Colombia

businesswire | June 01, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation , a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced today that Supernova Energy Services SAS, its authorized Distributor in Colombia, has secured an order for a C1000 Signature Series microturbine. The system will be operated at an industrial dairy alongside an Alfa Laval steam boiler evaporator, producing 6,200 lbs. of steam per hour. Alfa Laval AB is a Swedish company founded in 1883, providing specialized heat recovery products, and is a Capstone Green Energy approved Network Partner for heat recovery systems. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “For operations like a dairy where any loss of power can result in product waste, the reliability of a Capstone microturbine makes it a natural choice. This is particularly true in locations where electricity from the grid is relatively unreliable. Confidence in Capstone’s reliability combined with the turbine’s low maintenance requirements and compatibility with other technologies, like the steam boiler being used here, continue to prove the value of Capstone’s modular design and engineering as well as its versatility for use in multiple industries,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Jamison. The Capstone powered energy system will run on high-pressure natural gas (HPNG) to provide power for the dairy’s pasteurization operations. The Alfa Laval boiler will provide steam for the entire plant. Reliability was the top reason the customer selected Capstone, but they indicated that minimal maintenance needs and low emissions were also factors in their decision. The microturbine and steam boiler combination will replace the grid-sourced electricity and a natural gas boiler that the dairy is currently using to run its operations. This is the first dairy that Supernova has worked with in Colombia and the first to use steam rather than absorption chillers in its processes. “Working with a customer who is willing to take a different approach to powering their operations is exciting. Once we knew that reliability was their top priority, the Capstone microturbine was the obvious choice. By combining the Capstone turbine with the Alfa Laval steam boiler, this customer has found an innovative solution that will give them more operational predictability and reduce product waste,” said Nestor Moseres, President of Supernova Energy Services SAS. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

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Aspen Power Acquires Community Solar Portfolio in Maine

businesswire | May 31, 2023

Aspen Power, a distributed generation platform with the mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization, announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of 15 ground-mounted community solar projects in Maine. The projects, ranging in size from 1.4 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) to 7 MWdc, total 37 MWdc and are located across the state, from the southern region through Bangor. One of the projects in Berwick, ME has already reached commercial operation, with a capacity of 2.36 MWdc solar generation and is expected to produce enough electricity to prevent nearly 2,200 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year. That is the equivalent of 4,500 barrels of oil consumed or 380 homes electricity use annually. The energy produced by all the projects will be used by community solar subscribers in the state and support Maine’s goal of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030. “We are proud to be a part of Maine's renewable energy transition and are committed to providing clean and sustainable energy solutions to our communities,” said Dan Gulick, Senior Vice President, Aspen Power. “We believe that the acquisition of these solar projects is an important step towards achieving that goal, and we look forward to bringing all of them online to benefit the communities they serve.” “We are thrilled to have found a partner in Aspen Power who shares our vision for clean energy and sustainable communities. We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition under their leadership,” said Clarke Fenner, the original developer of Aspen’s Maine portfolio and current CEO of Senergy Solar Development. Aspen Power recently acquired Safari Energy, significantly expanding the company's footprint in the commercial and industrial solar market. With the goal of reaching gigawatt scale by mid-decade, Aspen Power is committed to advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future. About Aspen Power Aspen Power is a distributed energy generation platform with the dual mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization. We partner with businesses, communities, and others in the industry to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets. Our experienced team is passionate about solving our customers’ energy challenges to deliver a sustainable future throughout the U.S.

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SOLAR+STORAGE

Aurora Solar Announces Expansion of Operations in Germany to Accelerate Solar Adoption

businesswire | June 02, 2023

Aurora Solar, the leading cloud-based platform for solar sales and design, announced its expansion into Germany to empower solar organizations to streamline operations and accelerate growth. Aurora sees significant opportunity to support the growing number of German solar installers who are in need of digital solutions and automation. The company incorporated in Frankfurt with dedicated Sales, Marketing, Customer Support teams to establish and scale operations in Germany and the DACH region. Powering upwards of 100,000 solar projects every week, top U.S. solar organizations — including 90 percent of the top 100 U.S. residential solar installers — count on Aurora to accelerate solar sales cycles using the power of technology and automation. “Aurora enables solar businesses to create highly accurate residential solar designs without having to visit the site, ultimately accelerating the sales process and empowering installers to scale operations. With demand for solar growing in Europe, we are confident our German expansion will help further our mission to create a future of solar for all,” said Christopher Hopper, co-founder and CEO. “This launch is incredibly exciting for our team; our platform will help advance the adoption of renewable energy in Germany.” Expanding Market Leadership to Europe Building on an already strong foundation, Aurora Solar is proud to: Support over 7,000 of the solar industry's most successful organizations to help tackle climate change; Leverage its powerful software alongside its customers to avoid over 60 million tons of CO2 since inception; and, Be recognized on the 2022 Deloitte Fast 500 as well as the 2022 Forbes AI 50, and listed as one of the 2022 Best Remote Companies to Work For by Built In. About Aurora Solar Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Aurora Solar, a software development company dedicated to the solar energy industry, provides services for solar PV design, cloud computing, enterprise SaaS, solar sales, solar design customizations, solar PV performance modeling, solar software, solar engineering, solar financial analysis, and solar project design automation. Its cloud-based software has transformed solar design, sales and delivery operations since 2013. It offers an entirely accurate customizable design for every customer, with only an address and electric bill requirement. With its dedication and innovation, it is making solar energy accessible to everyone worldwide.

Read More

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for C1000S Microturbine for Industrial Dairy Plant in Colombia

businesswire | June 01, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation , a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced today that Supernova Energy Services SAS, its authorized Distributor in Colombia, has secured an order for a C1000 Signature Series microturbine. The system will be operated at an industrial dairy alongside an Alfa Laval steam boiler evaporator, producing 6,200 lbs. of steam per hour. Alfa Laval AB is a Swedish company founded in 1883, providing specialized heat recovery products, and is a Capstone Green Energy approved Network Partner for heat recovery systems. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “For operations like a dairy where any loss of power can result in product waste, the reliability of a Capstone microturbine makes it a natural choice. This is particularly true in locations where electricity from the grid is relatively unreliable. Confidence in Capstone’s reliability combined with the turbine’s low maintenance requirements and compatibility with other technologies, like the steam boiler being used here, continue to prove the value of Capstone’s modular design and engineering as well as its versatility for use in multiple industries,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Jamison. The Capstone powered energy system will run on high-pressure natural gas (HPNG) to provide power for the dairy’s pasteurization operations. The Alfa Laval boiler will provide steam for the entire plant. Reliability was the top reason the customer selected Capstone, but they indicated that minimal maintenance needs and low emissions were also factors in their decision. The microturbine and steam boiler combination will replace the grid-sourced electricity and a natural gas boiler that the dairy is currently using to run its operations. This is the first dairy that Supernova has worked with in Colombia and the first to use steam rather than absorption chillers in its processes. “Working with a customer who is willing to take a different approach to powering their operations is exciting. Once we knew that reliability was their top priority, the Capstone microturbine was the obvious choice. By combining the Capstone turbine with the Alfa Laval steam boiler, this customer has found an innovative solution that will give them more operational predictability and reduce product waste,” said Nestor Moseres, President of Supernova Energy Services SAS. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

Read More

ENERGY

Aspen Power Acquires Community Solar Portfolio in Maine

businesswire | May 31, 2023

Aspen Power, a distributed generation platform with the mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization, announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of 15 ground-mounted community solar projects in Maine. The projects, ranging in size from 1.4 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) to 7 MWdc, total 37 MWdc and are located across the state, from the southern region through Bangor. One of the projects in Berwick, ME has already reached commercial operation, with a capacity of 2.36 MWdc solar generation and is expected to produce enough electricity to prevent nearly 2,200 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year. That is the equivalent of 4,500 barrels of oil consumed or 380 homes electricity use annually. The energy produced by all the projects will be used by community solar subscribers in the state and support Maine’s goal of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030. “We are proud to be a part of Maine's renewable energy transition and are committed to providing clean and sustainable energy solutions to our communities,” said Dan Gulick, Senior Vice President, Aspen Power. “We believe that the acquisition of these solar projects is an important step towards achieving that goal, and we look forward to bringing all of them online to benefit the communities they serve.” “We are thrilled to have found a partner in Aspen Power who shares our vision for clean energy and sustainable communities. We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition under their leadership,” said Clarke Fenner, the original developer of Aspen’s Maine portfolio and current CEO of Senergy Solar Development. Aspen Power recently acquired Safari Energy, significantly expanding the company's footprint in the commercial and industrial solar market. With the goal of reaching gigawatt scale by mid-decade, Aspen Power is committed to advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future. About Aspen Power Aspen Power is a distributed energy generation platform with the dual mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization. We partner with businesses, communities, and others in the industry to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets. Our experienced team is passionate about solving our customers’ energy challenges to deliver a sustainable future throughout the U.S.

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