Smart Energy Decisions Research Center

Energy Efficiency - April 5, 2023

Financial Considerations for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Type: Article
Date Published: 4/5/2023
Source: Constellation
Primary Topic: Energy Efficiency

Selling the value of investing in energy efficiency across an organization, especially in competition for precious capital, can be a real challenge. As this article from Constellation explains, demonstrating the potential return on the investment (ROI) through long-term cost reduction plus a life cycle assessment of current infrastructure is paramount when valuing the overall return of an efficiency initiative.

GHG Emissions - April 3, 2023

The State of Decarbonization: A Closer Look at Institutions

Type: Research Study
Date Published: 4/3/2023
Source: Smart Energy Decisions
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

The 2022 State of Decarbonization Study results show interesting degrees of difference in responses from institutions compared to other types of organizations. In this Closer Look at Institutions, we dive deeper into results for the institutional sector, which includes higher education and healthcare, to explore their rate of setting emissions reduction goals, as well as drivers and challenges to deploying decarbonization strategies .

Energy Efficiency - March 31, 2023

Case Study: Meeting Building Energy Performance Standards at The Westory

Type: Case Study
Date Published: 3/31/2023
Source: Better Buildings
Primary Topic: Energy Efficiency

Redevelopments to The Westory office building – originally opened in 1906 - expanded its footprint beyond limits set by Washington, D.C.'s Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS). This Better Buildings case study outlines the challenges to reaching this standard, including an ASHRAE energy audit and developing a short- and long-term energy plan.

GHG Emissions - March 27, 2023

New York's Carbon Neutral Buildings Roadmap

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/27/2023
Source: NYSERDA
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

Built upon several years of rigorous analysis, programmatic development, and stakeholder outreach and feedback, the Carbon Neutral Buildings Roadmap is the first report in a new series, The Future of Buildings, from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority). This Roadmap lays out a guiding framework and general solution set for the critical work that must be undertaken to modernize New York State’s building stock while reducing their use of fossil fuels.

March 24, 2023

Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Clean Hydrogen

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/24/2023
Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Thanks to transformational policies and programs like the regional clean hydrogen hubs, tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, and ongoing research and development, the U.S. Department of Energy's "Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Clean Hydrogen" shows that this technology is among the best poised to reach full-scale commercialization.

Distributed Energy Resources - March 22, 2023

How to Evaluate Your Energy Resilience Needs

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/20/2023
Source: Enel
Primary Topic: Distributed Energy Resources

In their new eBook “How to Evaluate Your Energy Resilience Needs,” Enel provides a guide to understanding the changing resilience landscape along with a visual decision tree to help organizations identify the best solution for their priorities and circumstances. Download today to step through the visual energy resilience decision guide.

GHG Emissions - March 20, 2023

Destination: Net Zero – Moving the needle towards carbon neutral

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/20/2023
Source: Ameresco
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

Companies around the world are under pressure to commit to climate action. In this white paper from Ameresco, learn how innovative solutions are accelerating a cleaner, decarbonized future. This guide outlines a step‑by‑step process for corporate leaders to address growing concerns from a variety of stakeholders, and many of the all-too-common internal obstacles to planning and implementing net zero programs.

Sourcing Renewables - March 15, 2023

Sustainable Energy in America Factbook 2023 - Executive Summary

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/15/2023
Source: Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Primary Topic: Sourcing Renewables

Investment in clean energy generation and technologies shattered records in 2022, even as supply chain disruptions, an international energy crisis, and rising interest rates elevated prices for key energy commodities. The Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, produced for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy by BloombergNEF, provides year-over-year data and insights on the American energy transformation.

Distributed Energy Resources - March 10, 2023

The 2022 State of Vehicle Fleet Electrification

Type: Research Study
Date Published: 3/10/2023
Source: Smart Energy Decisions
Primary Topic: Distributed Energy Resources

Smart Energy Decisions presents the second State of Vehicle Fleet Electrification to explore key dynamics driving the transition to electrified commercial fleets.

GHG Emissions - March 6, 2023

GHG Emissions Reduction Audit: A Checklist for Owners

Type: White Paper
Date Published: 3/6/2023
Source: Better Buildings Challenge, U.S. Department of Energy
Primary Topic: GHG Emissions

The U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge presents the GHG Emissions Reduction Audit: A Checklist for Owners. This resource includes guidance and an accompanying checklist that details recommended services and deliverables for a building-level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction audit for operational Scope 1 and 2 emissions.