Expert Columns
Energy Efficiency - July 12, 2019 - By Cliff Majersik, IMT
Washington Blazes a Trail for State Action on Energy Efficiency
Washington State recently became the first state to adopt an existing building performance standard, putting it at the forefront of all states in addressing energy efficiency in buildings. In this column from the Institute for Market Transformation, Executive Director Cliff Majersik shows how Washington is blazing a trail that other states are likely to follow.
MoreFinance - July 1, 2019 - By William Tokash, Navigant Research
Energy as a Service Solutions Targeted to Fit Customer Segments
Corporate commercial and industrial (C&I) energy and sustainability managers are looking for cost-effective, customized, and comprehensive energy solutions that can guarantee energy savings. In this column, William Tokash of Navigant Research discusses a new, broader set of financed distributed energy resources (DER) solution options that extend beyond energy efficiency that have emerged to define how energy as a service (EaaS) solutions will be deployed across the C&I landscape.
MoreJune 21, 2019 - By Alexandro Jimenez, Hubbell Control Solutions
Power over ethernet lighting: What you need to know
Commercialized lighting has evolved to include LED technology, which comes with the advantage of utilizing low voltage current to enable lighting products to function while still receiving the same illuminating benefits. While the luminaires have received most of the attention to date, this column from Alexandro Jimenez of Hubbel Control Solutions explains why it’s the lighting controls, including Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lighting, that will ultimately be the leading technology for energy efficiency.
MoreJune 17, 2019 - By Brianna Esteves, Ceres
Microsoft leads the way for a clean energy future in Virginia
As multinational companies drive clean energy investment in Virginia, greening the grid and leading the state to a low-carbon future. This column from Ceres shows how Microsoft is pushing the envelope and leading the charge, both in their own operations as well as in the realm of clean energy policy advocacy.
MoreSourcing Renewables - June 5, 2019 - By Patrick Flynn, Salesforce
It’s time for Virginia to power a clean energy future
Salesforce is calling on Virginia’s utilities, regulators, and lawmakers to prioritize clean energy in their policymaking and grid-planning activities. This column from Patrick Flynn, VP of sustainability at Salesforce, argues that with 70% of the world's internet traffic flowing through data centers in Virginia, the state needs to do better than generating only less than 6% of its power from renewable resources.
MoreEnergy Efficiency - June 3, 2019 - By Sal Alhelo, JCPenney
The Blind Spot in Efficiency Management
To enjoy an energy efficient building, your overall strategy must address two different areas of energy efficiency: the regular routine (automation) and the irregular (anomalies). In this column, Sal Alhelo of JCPenney warns that addressing only one of these two areas - or worse, applying the same strategy to both - means you are likely wasting energy.
MoreMay 31, 2019 - By Tom Murray, EDF + Business
Activist CEOs: A new reality for corporate America
The days when business leaders could dodge social or political issues are coming to an end. In this column from EDF Climate Corp, Tom Murray says executives need to publicly and visibly put company values to work.
MoreMay 13, 2019 - By Better Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
What is Efficiency-as-a-Service?
As-a-service business models are growing in popularity - and one of the most impactful may be Efficiency-as-a-Service. This column from Better Buildings discusses this pay-for-performance, off-balance sheet financing solution that allows customers to implement efficiency projects with no upfront capital expenditure, including how it works, alternative approaches, and advantages and disadvantages.
MoreSourcing Renewables - May 10, 2019 - By Caitlin Marquis
How to Get Utilities and Regulators to Provide Renewable Energy Options that Work for Your Company
Energy procurement and sustainability teams tasked with meeting corporate renewable energy targets are all too familiar with the fact that doing so is much easier in some states than in others. That means customers can wait for change – or work to make it happen. This column from the Advanced Energy Buyers Group offers a roadmap for action.
MoreGHG Emissions - May 1, 2019 - By Ryan Martel
The business case for a price on carbon
Climate change poses an urgent threat to the American economy. As this column from Ceres notes, companies across all sectors understand what is at stake and are already taking concrete steps to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy and ensure they remain competitive in the global economy.
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