Expert Columns

Sourcing Renewables - April 1, 2020 - By Better Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy

Chesapeake College: On-Campus Solar Energy and Storage

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized Better Buildings Challenge partner Chesapeake College for energy efficiency advances made throughout its Wye Mills, Maryland campus. Most recently, the college completed a 1.8-megawatt solar array with 1-megawatt battery backup. Here's how they did it.

Energy Efficiency - March 30, 2020 - By Jake Duncan, IMT

Stronger Together: Efficiency With Instead of Efficiency First

As the demand for climate action continues to ramp up, more cities, businesses, and utilities are discussing their decarbonization strategies for the years ahead. In this column from Jake Duncan of the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), advancing these efforts will require a shift in the way building owners and tenants, city leaders, utility representatives, and communities think about buildings and the role of energy efficiency.

March 27, 2020 - By John Failla, Smart Energy Decisions

COVID-19 won't stop us

This is an unprecedented time in our history with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the health of those we care about, our businesses, the economy, and the way we live our lives. As we continue to pursue our mission to help you navigate the energy transition during these challenging times, we want you to know that Smart Energy Decisions is here for you.

March 18, 2020 - By Better Buildings

Hannaford Supermarkets' Brandon, Vermont Showcase Project

Hannaford Supermarkets, operators of more than 180 stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, participated in Efficiency Vermont's Deep Retrofit pilot program with the goal of cutting their energy consumption in half. This column from Better Buildings shows how it was done.

March 6, 2020 - By Scott Wood, EDF Climate Corps

To chart a more sustainable future, look to your employees

If a company is serious about hitting its climate goals and achieving business success, they need to look to their people. In this column from Scott Wood, director of EDF Climate Corps, explains that sustainability may be core to a company’s strategy, but it also needs to be core to their culture in order to attract and retain passionate talent.

Solar - March 4, 2020 - By Better Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy

Installing Rooftop Solar on a 1960s Multifamily High-Rise Building

The challenge facing the Tower Company was to determine how to install cost-effective rooftop solar on a 1960s high-rise apartment building with an existing structure and near full occupancy. Read this column from Better Buildings to explore the solution and outcome (including a one-year after-tax payback).

Energy Efficiency - February 19, 2020 - By Shashank Sane, Invenergy Edge

Electric vehicles and going beyond the charger

Widespread adoption of medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles (EV) is beginning to take root. However, Shashank Sane, SVP at Invenergy warns in this expert column, if a business really wants to meet its sustainability goals with an EV fleet while meeting its business obligations, managers need to think beyond just adding chargers and put into place a truly resilient charging infrastructure.

Sourcing Renewables - February 12, 2020 - By Patrick Flynn, Salesforce

Why Corporate Sustainability Must Change

Developing a corporate sustainability strategy has never been more important. In this column, Patrick Flynn, Senior Director of Sustainability for Salesforce discusses how new technologies, partnerships, and robust environmental data give companies a chance to do well and do good, while making the biggest positive impact .

GHG Emissions - February 10, 2020 - By Meg Coyle, Amazon

Go behind the scenes as Amazon develops a new electric vehicle

Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles—the largest-ever order of electric delivery vehicles—as part of the company's commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. In this column and video from Amazon, see how the order will be fulfilled.

Sourcing Renewables - February 5, 2020 - By Adobe

Adobe Steps Up for Climate Action

In today’s landscape, it’s critical for businesses to step up as global corporate citizens, and that means reducing environmental impact and mitigating climate change. In this column, Adobe, a long-standing supporter of the transition to a low-carbon economy - and a 2020 Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Award winner - reviews their progress and next steps.