Should Renewable Energy Systems Be Mandated in Local Building Codes for New Commercial Buildings? New Commercial Buildings?

whitePaper | November 28, 2019

In light of new EU market rules adopted as part of the Clean Energy Package, responsive and energy-efficient consumers are likely to play a crucial role in the challenging transition to a low carbon energy system. This is especially true for smart consumers who have access to distributed energy resources (DER) assets, such as demand response, solar photovoltaics, storage, electric vehicles and heating appliances. With the ‘internet of energy’, interconnected smart consumers can trade on both sides of the market, either directly or through an intermediary such as an energy service provider, an aggregator or an energy community.

whitePaper | January 7, 2020

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Working across the US, we combine a unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge, research and analysis, and local action to find and implement lasting solutions. Our work strengthens communities and provides greater economic opportunity through creation of higher paying jobs, expansion of the nation’s industrial base, and greater domestic energy independence while eliminating carbon emissions.

whitePaper | May 4, 2022

Globally, electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 80% in 2021 and companies like Toyota and Volkswagen announced $170 billion of investment into electrification. Besides eliminating exhaust emissions and tackling part of the 23% of global CO2 emissions contributed by the transportation sector, EVs also provide key flexibility to the grid as we transition to a greater share of Renewable Energy (RE) supply. However, despite this global push, EVs only accounted for 7.2% of global car sales in 2021. The electric revolution still has a long way to go.

whitePaper | December 17, 2022

As we experience an energy crisis that is fueling inflation with severe impact on households and businesses all over Europe and forcing factories to curtail their production or even to shut down, citizens are asked to reduce their energy consumption while governments scramble to secure alternative fuel sources. These, however, are only short-term measures, and there is no doubt that this winter will prove taxing for many.

whitePaper | March 30, 2020

The global warming effect is unequivocal, and solar energy will play a major role in the most important battle of the 21st century: enabling increased energy consumption while minimizing the impact on our environment. In order to achieve the climate protection targets as soon as possible, the environmental impacts must be quantified and should be effectively integrated into the competitive process. TÜV Rheinland (Germany) has certified the environmental impact of the solar film HeliaSol® to be below 16 kg CO2e/m² through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The result is an ultra-low carbon footprint ranging from 15 up to 3 g CO2e/kWh depending on the solar irradiation of a location.

whitePaper | October 19, 2022

Fundamental developments in science, technology and society are transforming the generation, distribution and use of energy. At the heart of these changes is a shift away from traditional carbon-heavysources toward renewables. Together, with technologies such as battery storage, microgrids, and electric vehicles, net-zero energy is in sight.