Smart Energy Voices- Episode 31

Smart Energy Voices- Episode 32

Intel 2030

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Marty Sedler, Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure of Intel Corporation. Marty has been in the utility industry for approximately 40 years and has worked with Intel for more than 20 years. He was the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit where he shared Intel’s 2030 goals for energy savings, alternative energy, and emissions reductions. Intel has a global scope and is constantly working on new technologies and solutions for renewable energy. Listen to learn about Intel’s goals for 2030.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Marty’s role and Intel’s global operations [2:03]
  • Intel’s successes to date [4:37]
  • The direction of Intel’s 2030 goals [6:48]
  • What is needed to reach those goals? [9:54]
  • Intel’s renewable energy deal in Oregon [12:14]
  • Marty’s philosophy for new technologies [17:13]
  • How does the grid have to evolve? [20:55]

Intel’s goals

Intel purchases over 7 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy per year. Almost 82% of their global supply comes from renewable sources. In Malaysia, they were the first multinational company to become 100% green. Intel’s 2030 goals are to be more efficient, save money, and reduce carbon. They’ve committed to being 100% green by 2030. However, the last 18% will be considerably more complicated than the first 82%. Changes and new technology need to be created in the industry. Developments in storage will be a massive help with that final push. Intel’s most challenging problem is that the bigger they get, the less they can over-generate. That’s where they reach the point of needing better storage options, a new technology that runs 24hrs a day, or something else that will change the game entirely.

Widespread impact

Almost all of Intel’s electricity supply is from monopoly sources. Sometimes those companies aren’t willing to give up revenue in favor of renewables. In one case, Intel has worked to overcome this barrier by making an agreement in Oregon with the utility companies. Intel can now identify a project, negotiate, coordinate, and bring it to the utility company, which will then take over the project. This arrangement allows the utility to maintain its revenue streams while Intel gets the attributes and equal amounts of energy delivered. Now, with that process approved, the utility company can provide that energy beyond Intel. Working in this way enables other companies to benefit from more accessible green energy, broadening the impact of Intel’s work.

Intel needs reliable energy. They can’t afford to have outages. If it’s not reliable and high quality, then it’s not going to work. Developments in storage will be vital to reliability. Unless a company is able to inject into storage and withdraw from that source at night, they’ll be on fossil fuels at night and overgenerating during the day. An example of a possible solution is fuel cells. If biogas can be used for a fuel cell, it can be made green. But right now, biogas is multiple times more costly than gas. New technology is going to make or break everyone’s progress. Goals can’t be reached unless things change.

Working together

Intel is currently using 26 different technologies because they like to test new ideas. . In India, Intel’s lobby floor is made of kinetic tiles. The tiles don’t generate a lot of energy, but Intel still saw value in testing the technology. Intel is always looking for those kinds of technologies along with new ideas. But the level of change required goes beyond Intel. There are plenty of intelligent people in the world who are working on a solution, but they all have different motivations and goals. With everyone being on opposing sides, a solution is not going to come about. Individual agendas are playing against each other. One of the biggest challenges to progress will be getting everyone on the same page. The more people align their goals, the faster they’ll come to a resolution. Then everyone wins.

Connect with Marty Sedler

Marty Sedler is the Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure for Intel Corporation. Marty has been with Intel for more than 20 years, integrating Energy Management and Energy Supply Policy responsibilities within a formal process.  He and his staff are responsible for all utility supply issues, ensuring the capacity, price, and reliability of utility supplies/infrastructure to Intel facilities worldwide, as well as, supporting conservation programs. Marty is responsible for evaluating/incorporating alternative energy options within Intel and establishing sustainable energy positions/strategies for renewable energy policy within Intel’s energy portfolio. He leads the utility site selection component of a corporate team that identifies and recommends potential new locations for Intel’s facility/manufacturing growth worldwide.  Marty is Intel’s external energy representative in various private, public, State, and Federal energy action groups and task forces. He is a member of various DOE Steering Committees and has sat on several state Governors’ energy committees. Previous to joining Intel, he spent 14 years in the electric utility industry in a variety of functions, including; operations, rates, environmental, energy supply/engineering, power plant operation, and key account management. In 2015, Marty was honored to be the recipient of the “Green Power Leader of the Year” by the Center for Resource Solutions at the annual EPA/CSR REM event

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