Smart Energy Decisions Research Center

Sourcing Renewables - April 10, 2024

Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 4/10/2024
Source: IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency)
Primary Topic: Sourcing Renewables

Highlighting the continued progress achieved in the global energy transition, this latest edition of IRENA’s Renewable Capacity Statistics illustrates the growth of renewables in new installed power generation capacity in 2023.

GHG Emissions - April 3, 2024

Reducing your Carbon Footprint with RECs and EFECs

Type: Article
Date Published: 4/3/2024
Source: Constellation
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

While decarbonizing your organization's energy supply might seem daunting, there are a variety of options to consider. Your objectives should inform whether your plan focuses on renewable energy supply, supply from carbon-free non-renewable resources, or a combination of both. This article from Constellation continues its series exploring strategies to reduce your carbon footprint with a look at how to navigate energy solutions available to meet your overall environmental goals.

March 29, 2024

National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/12/2024
Author: By Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

Developed by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy will guide the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure from 2024 to 2040.

GHG Emissions - March 20, 2024

Overview: Renewable Energy Certificates

Type: Article
Date Published: 3/5/2024
Author: By Better Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

A new guide, “Overview: Renewable Energy Certificates” provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Climate Challenge, presents REC definitions and characteristics, regional tracking systems, procurement, and accounting and reporting for the U.S. renewable energy market.

Energy Efficiency - March 15, 2024

NYC's Green Economy Action Plan

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 2/28/2024
Source: NYCEDC, NYCTalent
Primary Topic: Energy Efficiency

In 2023, New York City committed to creating a comprehensive industry action plan that defines the green economy and lays out the City's path to seizing the opportunity it presents. The Green Economy Action Plan sets forth the first-ever universal understanding of the green economy in New York City and establishes a baseline to understand its growth over time.

March 11, 2024

Beyond Checking the Box – How to Create Business Value with Embedded Sustainability

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/11/2024
Source: IBM

Almost one-third (30%) of executives say they have made significant progress in executing their sustainability strategy – up from 10% a year ago – but turning ambitions into impact remains a challenge, according to a study from the IBM Institute for Business Value, "Beyond Checking the Box – How to Create Business Value with Embedded Sustainability."

Sourcing Renewables - March 6, 2024

Reaching Sustainability Goals Through Renewable Energy Procurement

Type: Article
Date Published: 3/6/2024
Source: Constellation
Primary Topic: Sourcing Renewables

The integration of renewable purchasing is a popular, but potentially complicated, step in meeting sustainability goals that can significantly cut your company’s market-based Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article from Constellation explores several models for organizations to leverage for offsite renewable energy procurement, each with its own structure and benefits.

February 16, 2024

Climate Action Plans and Emissions Reduction Plans Defined

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 2/16/2024
Source: Better Buildings

A key milestone for Better Climate Challenge partners is the creation of an Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) that clearly defines how they will meet their GHG emissions reduction target. This fact sheet from Better Buildings identifies the relationship between a CAP, ERP and building-level audits and define how these strategies can work together to help an organization meet its emissions reduction targets.

Sourcing Renewables - February 12, 2024

Zero Energy Building Highlight: Houston Advanced Research Center

Type: Case Study
Date Published: 2/12/2024
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Primary Topic: Sourcing Renewables

The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) built its certified zero energy building (ZEB) to house its headquarters and serve as a Living Laboratory. The building deploys a mix of traditional and custom technologies tailored to the site and climate. This case study from the U.S. Department of Energy explores the building's keys to success and explains why “a zero energy building is not a product, it’s a process.”

GHG Emissions - February 5, 2024

Case Study: Federal Aviation Administration —Oklahoma City, OK

Type: Case Study
Date Published: 2/5/2024
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) in Oklahoma City is a Federal Aviation Administration facility that hosts over 6,300 employees with an annual operating budget of over $1 billion — and the first U.S. Department of Transportation facility to officially establish an energy management system and become 50001 Ready under the U.S. Department of Energy's program to promote sustained energy and GHG savings. Read this case study from Better Buildings for key takeaways from the program's success.