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U.S. cities are leading on sustainability - is your business ready?

December 20, 2019 | 202 views

Cities across the U.S. are leading the transition to cleaner energy solutions to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and create more resilient and affordable energy infrastructures. Community and business leaders are acting to improve their energy consumption and carbon footprint. They are realizing that the future of energy involves adopting sources that are renewable and efficient – and they are joining forces to reduce their carbon footprint and focus on environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility.

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Soventix GmbH

SOVENTIX is a leading global project developer in the solar industry. The core business is the development, turnkey realization and financing of high-yield solar parks and hybrid plants for institutional and companies.

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ENERGY

A vision for renewable energy

Article | July 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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ENERGY, INDUSTRY UPDATES

2020: The Year of Convergence in Corporate Renewables

Article | July 29, 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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STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, INDUSTRY UPDATES

2020 Trends That Will Make Waves In The Energy Industry

Article | August 16, 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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ENERGY

The Role of AI Technology in the Renewable Energy Sector

Article | July 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
ENERGY, INDUSTRY UPDATES

Energy Management: An Energy Strategy for the C-Suite

Article | July 29, 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
STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, INDUSTRY UPDATES

7 Necessary Steps for Effective Energy Management

Article | August 16, 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

Soventix GmbH

SOVENTIX is a leading global project developer in the solar industry. The core business is the development, turnkey realization and financing of high-yield solar parks and hybrid plants for institutional and companies.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Pattern Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreements for Largest Wind Project in U.S. History

PRnewswire | May 16, 2023

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, announced it has signed long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. (Shell Energy) and the Regents of the University of California, for a portion of the power from its 3,500+ MW SunZia Wind project. Construction of SunZia Wind is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2026, when it will start delivering power to western energy markets. "This wind contract represents another milestone achievement for the University of California," said David Phillips, Associate Vice President of Capital Programs, Energy and Sustainability. "Eight years ago, we signed our first utility-scale contracts for solar and today we are adding another important renewable resource to our portfolio – wind. The University is excited to be part of such a significant renewable project that will reduce carbon emissions and provide more resilience to the California grid." "We welcome these exciting new relationships with Shell Energy and UC Regents on the delivery of New Mexico wind power," said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. "SunZia is providing access to some of the best wind in the world, which has a powerful generation profile with an evening peak that is a perfect complement to daytime solar. We are committed to harnessing New Mexico's wind to generate clean power for 3 million Americans and continuing to have conversations with interested customers throughout the western region." SunZia Transmission will open access to the western energy markets to SunZia Wind, the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, which is comprised of more than 3,500 MW of new wind generation located in Torrance, Lincoln, and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico. SunZia Transmission is a 550-mile ± 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between central New Mexico and south-central Arizona with the capacity to transport 3,000 MW of clean, renewable energy. SunZia Transmission will enable SunZia Wind to supply customers in Arizona and California during the crucial early evening hours when demand is high but the otherwise available renewable energy supply is low. The SunZia Wind and SunZia Transmission projects have been developed with a deep commitment to local community engagement and environmental stewardship. A key initiative for SunZia has been following through on an extended engagement with local, regional, and national conservation stakeholders. As a result of this commitment and consultation, SunZia Transmission is setting a precedent with a gold standard in environmental mitigation efforts developed hand-in-hand with the environmental community. These range from restoring thousands of acres of wildlife habitat to investing in emerging technology and long-term conservation research. SunZia Wind has established robust environmental best practices to reduce project impacts and study effective habitat restoration strategies in partnership with local and state experts. Pattern Energy recently announced that the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects are expected to generate $20.5 billion dollars in total economic benefit, which includes over $8 billion of direct capital investment, at no added cost to ratepayers, according to the results of an independent study conducted by research firm Energy, Economic & Environment Consultants LLC. Together, the projects will generate an expected $1.3 billion in fiscal impacts that will go to governments, communities, and schools. These benefits are generated through sales and use taxes, property taxes, community benefit payments, and land payments to federal and state agencies. The projects continue to work with federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as local jurisdictions and stakeholders, to finalize remaining approvals to allow construction to begin on schedule this year. About Pattern Energy Pattern Energy is one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. Its operational portfolio includes 35 renewable energy facilities that use proven, best-in-class technology with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. Pattern Energy is guided by a long-term commitment to serve customers, protect the environment, and strengthen communities.

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SUSTAINABILITY,ENERGY

SMUD Announce Entering into a Partnership with Swell Energy

Swell Energy | January 03, 2023

Swell Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) publicly announced their agreement for Swell to serve as the aggregator for SMUD's new 'My Energy Optimizer Partner+' program, a virtual power plant effort powered by home customers. The virtual power plant program is one of California's most advanced and inventive undertakings. It combines household solar and battery storage systems to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and make the electric grid more sustainable, resilient, and reliable. Individual solar and battery storage systems only help customers manage their own energy needs. While the program allows customers to use their own systems with others to collect and transmit renewable energy sources to help their communities, customers who sign up for My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will get compensation, called GridRevenueTM, both upfront and over time based on the size of their solar and energy storage systems. As more and more customers add solar panel systems and battery storage solutions, they will be able to manage their energy needs better while reducing their community's carbon footprint. The success of programs like My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will bring additional opportunities for the local population while enabling the large-scale deployment of renewable energy and reducing the need for traditional energy sources in the area. About Swell Energy Swell Energy is an energy management and smart grid solutions provider, working towards the mass adoption and distribution of clean energy technologies. It empowers customers to take control of their energy use and costs, achieve energy security, and participate in the transactive grid. In addition, it offers financing and virtual power plant programs to residential owners and businesses while collaborating with reputable local solar and solar storage organization to ensure smooth and high-quality installations.

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SUSTAINABILITY,STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES

Advent Technologies and Vantage Towers Greece Collaborate for a Greener Purpose!

Advent Technologies | December 23, 2022

Contents 1. Eco-friendly POC 2. An Innovative Move 3. Merits of Using Methanol-powered Fuel Cells 4. What Next? Advent Technologies Holdings, a US corporation that develops, manufactures, and assembles complete fuel cell systems, recently announced a proof-of-concept (POC) project in collaboration with one of Europe’s leading tower companies, Vantage Towers Greece. “The total carbon footprint of EU-27 was equal to 6.8 tonnes of CO2 per person in 2019. Services, that accounted for 25% of the total carbon footprint, only accounted for 7% of the direct CO2 emissions” -Eurostat The duo has developed an environment-friendly idea for replacing diesel generators with fuel cells. Vantage Towers Greece, the only independent tower infrastructure company in Greece, believes that non-permanent sites, which are not connected to the power grid, can get electricity by replacing diesel generators with fuel cells. 1. Eco-friendly POC Vantage Towers Greece, a subsidiary of Vantage Towers Group, is planning to incorporate Advent Technologies’ serene biomethanol-powered fuel systems as backup and primary power sources for its telecom towers. The POC aligns with Vantage’s overall strategy of driving sustainable digitalization in Europe. In addition, the company aims to reduce carbon emissions across its network by using clean energy solutions. 2. An Innovative Move From a greener alignsperspective, liquid biomethanol is a better option! It’s much easier to transport and store liquid biomethanol as a hydrogen carrier than hydrogen gas. Moreover, it also enhances the safety of operations by reducing over 80% of carbon emissions compared to diesel generators. 3. Merits of Using Methanol-powered Fuel Cells Advent Technologies’ methanol-powered fuel cells may prove to be a game-changer. Apart from being environment-friendly, it also possesses certain vital advantages, such as a small carbon footprint, no NOx or SOx emissions, less noise compared to conventional generator units, a long operating lifetime, and low service or maintenance fees. Besides, Advent fuel cells can operate in any weather i.e., from extreme cold to hot and humid climates. 4. What Next? If this move turns out to be a success, the two companies may join hands for other wider deployments. Nevertheless, Advent Technologies has already installed around 500 methanol-powered serene fuel cell systems in the Asian market to be used as a backup and primary power source for the telecommunications sector. About Advent Technologies Headquartered in Boston (Massachusetts), Advent Technologies Holdings is a US corporation that supplies customers with critical components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. With offices in California, Greece, Denmark, Germany, and the Philippines, the company has over 150 patents issued, pending, and/or licensed for fuel cell technology.

Read More

SUSTAINABILITY

Pattern Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreements for Largest Wind Project in U.S. History

PRnewswire | May 16, 2023

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, announced it has signed long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. (Shell Energy) and the Regents of the University of California, for a portion of the power from its 3,500+ MW SunZia Wind project. Construction of SunZia Wind is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2026, when it will start delivering power to western energy markets. "This wind contract represents another milestone achievement for the University of California," said David Phillips, Associate Vice President of Capital Programs, Energy and Sustainability. "Eight years ago, we signed our first utility-scale contracts for solar and today we are adding another important renewable resource to our portfolio – wind. The University is excited to be part of such a significant renewable project that will reduce carbon emissions and provide more resilience to the California grid." "We welcome these exciting new relationships with Shell Energy and UC Regents on the delivery of New Mexico wind power," said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. "SunZia is providing access to some of the best wind in the world, which has a powerful generation profile with an evening peak that is a perfect complement to daytime solar. We are committed to harnessing New Mexico's wind to generate clean power for 3 million Americans and continuing to have conversations with interested customers throughout the western region." SunZia Transmission will open access to the western energy markets to SunZia Wind, the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, which is comprised of more than 3,500 MW of new wind generation located in Torrance, Lincoln, and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico. SunZia Transmission is a 550-mile ± 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between central New Mexico and south-central Arizona with the capacity to transport 3,000 MW of clean, renewable energy. SunZia Transmission will enable SunZia Wind to supply customers in Arizona and California during the crucial early evening hours when demand is high but the otherwise available renewable energy supply is low. The SunZia Wind and SunZia Transmission projects have been developed with a deep commitment to local community engagement and environmental stewardship. A key initiative for SunZia has been following through on an extended engagement with local, regional, and national conservation stakeholders. As a result of this commitment and consultation, SunZia Transmission is setting a precedent with a gold standard in environmental mitigation efforts developed hand-in-hand with the environmental community. These range from restoring thousands of acres of wildlife habitat to investing in emerging technology and long-term conservation research. SunZia Wind has established robust environmental best practices to reduce project impacts and study effective habitat restoration strategies in partnership with local and state experts. Pattern Energy recently announced that the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects are expected to generate $20.5 billion dollars in total economic benefit, which includes over $8 billion of direct capital investment, at no added cost to ratepayers, according to the results of an independent study conducted by research firm Energy, Economic & Environment Consultants LLC. Together, the projects will generate an expected $1.3 billion in fiscal impacts that will go to governments, communities, and schools. These benefits are generated through sales and use taxes, property taxes, community benefit payments, and land payments to federal and state agencies. The projects continue to work with federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as local jurisdictions and stakeholders, to finalize remaining approvals to allow construction to begin on schedule this year. About Pattern Energy Pattern Energy is one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. Its operational portfolio includes 35 renewable energy facilities that use proven, best-in-class technology with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. Pattern Energy is guided by a long-term commitment to serve customers, protect the environment, and strengthen communities.

Read More

SUSTAINABILITY,ENERGY

SMUD Announce Entering into a Partnership with Swell Energy

Swell Energy | January 03, 2023

Swell Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) publicly announced their agreement for Swell to serve as the aggregator for SMUD's new 'My Energy Optimizer Partner+' program, a virtual power plant effort powered by home customers. The virtual power plant program is one of California's most advanced and inventive undertakings. It combines household solar and battery storage systems to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and make the electric grid more sustainable, resilient, and reliable. Individual solar and battery storage systems only help customers manage their own energy needs. While the program allows customers to use their own systems with others to collect and transmit renewable energy sources to help their communities, customers who sign up for My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will get compensation, called GridRevenueTM, both upfront and over time based on the size of their solar and energy storage systems. As more and more customers add solar panel systems and battery storage solutions, they will be able to manage their energy needs better while reducing their community's carbon footprint. The success of programs like My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will bring additional opportunities for the local population while enabling the large-scale deployment of renewable energy and reducing the need for traditional energy sources in the area. About Swell Energy Swell Energy is an energy management and smart grid solutions provider, working towards the mass adoption and distribution of clean energy technologies. It empowers customers to take control of their energy use and costs, achieve energy security, and participate in the transactive grid. In addition, it offers financing and virtual power plant programs to residential owners and businesses while collaborating with reputable local solar and solar storage organization to ensure smooth and high-quality installations.

Read More

SUSTAINABILITY,STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES

Advent Technologies and Vantage Towers Greece Collaborate for a Greener Purpose!

Advent Technologies | December 23, 2022

Contents 1. Eco-friendly POC 2. An Innovative Move 3. Merits of Using Methanol-powered Fuel Cells 4. What Next? Advent Technologies Holdings, a US corporation that develops, manufactures, and assembles complete fuel cell systems, recently announced a proof-of-concept (POC) project in collaboration with one of Europe’s leading tower companies, Vantage Towers Greece. “The total carbon footprint of EU-27 was equal to 6.8 tonnes of CO2 per person in 2019. Services, that accounted for 25% of the total carbon footprint, only accounted for 7% of the direct CO2 emissions” -Eurostat The duo has developed an environment-friendly idea for replacing diesel generators with fuel cells. Vantage Towers Greece, the only independent tower infrastructure company in Greece, believes that non-permanent sites, which are not connected to the power grid, can get electricity by replacing diesel generators with fuel cells. 1. Eco-friendly POC Vantage Towers Greece, a subsidiary of Vantage Towers Group, is planning to incorporate Advent Technologies’ serene biomethanol-powered fuel systems as backup and primary power sources for its telecom towers. The POC aligns with Vantage’s overall strategy of driving sustainable digitalization in Europe. In addition, the company aims to reduce carbon emissions across its network by using clean energy solutions. 2. An Innovative Move From a greener alignsperspective, liquid biomethanol is a better option! It’s much easier to transport and store liquid biomethanol as a hydrogen carrier than hydrogen gas. Moreover, it also enhances the safety of operations by reducing over 80% of carbon emissions compared to diesel generators. 3. Merits of Using Methanol-powered Fuel Cells Advent Technologies’ methanol-powered fuel cells may prove to be a game-changer. Apart from being environment-friendly, it also possesses certain vital advantages, such as a small carbon footprint, no NOx or SOx emissions, less noise compared to conventional generator units, a long operating lifetime, and low service or maintenance fees. Besides, Advent fuel cells can operate in any weather i.e., from extreme cold to hot and humid climates. 4. What Next? If this move turns out to be a success, the two companies may join hands for other wider deployments. Nevertheless, Advent Technologies has already installed around 500 methanol-powered serene fuel cell systems in the Asian market to be used as a backup and primary power source for the telecommunications sector. About Advent Technologies Headquartered in Boston (Massachusetts), Advent Technologies Holdings is a US corporation that supplies customers with critical components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. With offices in California, Greece, Denmark, Germany, and the Philippines, the company has over 150 patents issued, pending, and/or licensed for fuel cell technology.

Read More

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