Driving the Energy Revolution (Op-Ed)

What can rotary dial telephones, cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and door-to-door milk delivery teach us about the renewable energy revolution? They show us how once commonplace products and services have been, and will always be, replaced by newer ones. It's not farfetched to say 2014 is to renewable energy what 1955 was to the CRT TV — the golden age of renewable energy is just now upon us.

Many of America's largest companies also are convinced that a clean energy future is what they want, and they've set significant goals to get there. In fact, 43 percent of Fortune 500 companies have set renewable energy and efficiency targets, and better still, 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have set targets.

These corporations are demonstrating real progress toward their goals. For example, Mars, Inc., a food company known primarily for its candy brands and pet products, recently announced that it will invest in a massive 200-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Lamesa,Tex., equivalent to 100-percent of its electricity demand in the United States — which, according to Mars, is the largest long-term commitment to renewable energy made by any food-manufacturing business in the United States.

Companies across sectors are aggressively pursuing renewable energy — however, this transition hasn't been easy. The process of contracting directly for renewable energy is complicated, and even the largest companies often struggle with capacity to navigate complex deals and financial structures. At the same time, in a number of states, market structures actually prevent companies from directly procuring the renewables they are looking for and utilities have been slow to respond to their major customers' requests for more renewable energy.

To address these challenges, 12 major companies have signed onto a set of Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles — a clear set of guidelines designed to help utilities and renewable energy providers understand how they can help make renewable energy investments easier for companies and meet rising demand.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority Office's in Sydney's business district has installed solar panels on their roof. Sydney, Australia September 2003.
Credit: © Adam Oswell / WWF-Canon
View full size image

And companies like Sprint recognize that cost-competitive renewable energy exists, but the problem is that it's way too difficult for most companies to buy. Amy Hargroves, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability for Sprint knows first-hand that, "Very few companies have the knowledge and resources to purchase renewable energy given today’s very limited and complex options."Take Walmart for example. Walmart is the largest corporate user of solar energy in the United States, powered by more solar energy than consumed by 38 states. But they can't meet their long-term goal to be powered 100 percent with renewable energy, or even their 2020 goal to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours globally, unless they have more options for procuring cost-effective renewable energy offsite. Even the largest retailer in the world doesn't have enough roof space to be 100-percent solar powered.

What do the companies want? The companies want utilities, utility regulators and providers of renewable energy to understand that they have large demand for clean, renewable energy. [7 Reasons to Celebrate Clean Energy Successes in 2013 (Op-Ed )]

In every other aspect of their business, companies are accustomed to a competitive market for the commodities they buy. The best quality goods at the most favorable terms win the contract. However, where energy is concerned — and particularly renewable energy — companies have far fewer choices. In many markets, companies have no choice at all. In others, choices are extremely limited or require a price premium over fossil-fuel produced energy, in quantities too small to meet the company needs, and subject to ongoing price volatility

Some companies like eBay have successfully lobbied state legislatures like in Utah to open up their ability to directly contract renewable energy. Others, like Facebook and American Express are siting new facilities where they can access green energy.

But companies are willing, and in many cases would prefer, to work with the key players to make renewable energy available more quickly.

If you're a topical expert — researcher, business leader, author or innovator — and would like to contribute an op-ed piece, email us here.

View full size image

On the upside, there is a huge opportunity available to utilities and renewable energy providers who can bring companies what they need. The companies that have signed onto the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers' Principles alone account for 8.4 million megawatt hours of demand per year, enough electricity to power nearly 800,000 homes each of the next few years. Many of these companies would prefer to meet this need by purchasing renewable electricity through their local utility companies, but if utility companies are unable to provide it, they are — and will — continue to go elsewhere.

A more robust, open renewable energy market with innovative green tariffs would create the competition needed to encourage other companies to set and meet aggressive renewable targets, something that would literally benefit the entire planet.

Driving the Energy Revolution (Op-Ed)

Posted by Sylvester No comments

What can rotary dial telephones, cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and door-to-door milk delivery teach us about the renewable energy revolution? They show us how once commonplace products and services have been, and will always be, replaced by newer ones. It's not farfetched to say 2014 is to renewable energy what 1955 was to the CRT TV — the golden age of renewable energy is just now upon us.

Many of America's largest companies also are convinced that a clean energy future is what they want, and they've set significant goals to get there. In fact, 43 percent of Fortune 500 companies have set renewable energy and efficiency targets, and better still, 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have set targets.

These corporations are demonstrating real progress toward their goals. For example, Mars, Inc., a food company known primarily for its candy brands and pet products, recently announced that it will invest in a massive 200-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Lamesa,Tex., equivalent to 100-percent of its electricity demand in the United States — which, according to Mars, is the largest long-term commitment to renewable energy made by any food-manufacturing business in the United States.

Companies across sectors are aggressively pursuing renewable energy — however, this transition hasn't been easy. The process of contracting directly for renewable energy is complicated, and even the largest companies often struggle with capacity to navigate complex deals and financial structures. At the same time, in a number of states, market structures actually prevent companies from directly procuring the renewables they are looking for and utilities have been slow to respond to their major customers' requests for more renewable energy.

To address these challenges, 12 major companies have signed onto a set of Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles — a clear set of guidelines designed to help utilities and renewable energy providers understand how they can help make renewable energy investments easier for companies and meet rising demand.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority Office's in Sydney's business district has installed solar panels on their roof. Sydney, Australia September 2003.
Credit: © Adam Oswell / WWF-Canon
View full size image

And companies like Sprint recognize that cost-competitive renewable energy exists, but the problem is that it's way too difficult for most companies to buy. Amy Hargroves, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability for Sprint knows first-hand that, "Very few companies have the knowledge and resources to purchase renewable energy given today’s very limited and complex options."Take Walmart for example. Walmart is the largest corporate user of solar energy in the United States, powered by more solar energy than consumed by 38 states. But they can't meet their long-term goal to be powered 100 percent with renewable energy, or even their 2020 goal to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours globally, unless they have more options for procuring cost-effective renewable energy offsite. Even the largest retailer in the world doesn't have enough roof space to be 100-percent solar powered.

What do the companies want? The companies want utilities, utility regulators and providers of renewable energy to understand that they have large demand for clean, renewable energy. [7 Reasons to Celebrate Clean Energy Successes in 2013 (Op-Ed )]

In every other aspect of their business, companies are accustomed to a competitive market for the commodities they buy. The best quality goods at the most favorable terms win the contract. However, where energy is concerned — and particularly renewable energy — companies have far fewer choices. In many markets, companies have no choice at all. In others, choices are extremely limited or require a price premium over fossil-fuel produced energy, in quantities too small to meet the company needs, and subject to ongoing price volatility

Some companies like eBay have successfully lobbied state legislatures like in Utah to open up their ability to directly contract renewable energy. Others, like Facebook and American Express are siting new facilities where they can access green energy.

But companies are willing, and in many cases would prefer, to work with the key players to make renewable energy available more quickly.

If you're a topical expert — researcher, business leader, author or innovator — and would like to contribute an op-ed piece, email us here.

View full size image

On the upside, there is a huge opportunity available to utilities and renewable energy providers who can bring companies what they need. The companies that have signed onto the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers' Principles alone account for 8.4 million megawatt hours of demand per year, enough electricity to power nearly 800,000 homes each of the next few years. Many of these companies would prefer to meet this need by purchasing renewable electricity through their local utility companies, but if utility companies are unable to provide it, they are — and will — continue to go elsewhere.

A more robust, open renewable energy market with innovative green tariffs would create the competition needed to encourage other companies to set and meet aggressive renewable targets, something that would literally benefit the entire planet.

Ebola Heats Port-Harcourt City, Doctor Involve.

RIVERS State capital Port Harcourt has had one confirmed fatality from ebola after a doctor who treated a diplomat who was in contact with Liberian Patrick Sawyer died from the virus yesterday.

Up until now, the ebola virus disease (EVD) has been confined to Lagos but one of the doctors who treated infected patients travelled to Port Harcourt and has since died. He fell ill and was kept in an isolation unit where he passed away, although, interestingly, the diplomat the doctor treated is still alive.

Health authorities in Rivers State are now keeping a watchful eye on developments, with Governor Rotimi Amaechi cancelling a proposed tour of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area yesterday to remain on top of the situation. Already, the late doctor's wife has been quarantined in Port Harcourt after she took ill too.

According to Rivers State health officials, the doctor who travelled into Port Harcourt from Lagos, had treated the diplomat at a hotel after he complained of being ill after being in touch with Mr Sawyer. His Good Heart Hospital in Rivers State, has been shut down, as has been the hotel where he treated the diplomat.

With this latest development, across Nigeria, a total 70 people have now been quarantined over EVD. Following the doctor's death, six people have died from the virus in Nigeria, including Mr Sawyer and two doctors.

Ebola Heats Port-Harcourt City, Doctor Involve.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

RIVERS State capital Port Harcourt has had one confirmed fatality from ebola after a doctor who treated a diplomat who was in contact with Liberian Patrick Sawyer died from the virus yesterday.

Up until now, the ebola virus disease (EVD) has been confined to Lagos but one of the doctors who treated infected patients travelled to Port Harcourt and has since died. He fell ill and was kept in an isolation unit where he passed away, although, interestingly, the diplomat the doctor treated is still alive.

Health authorities in Rivers State are now keeping a watchful eye on developments, with Governor Rotimi Amaechi cancelling a proposed tour of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area yesterday to remain on top of the situation. Already, the late doctor's wife has been quarantined in Port Harcourt after she took ill too.

According to Rivers State health officials, the doctor who travelled into Port Harcourt from Lagos, had treated the diplomat at a hotel after he complained of being ill after being in touch with Mr Sawyer. His Good Heart Hospital in Rivers State, has been shut down, as has been the hotel where he treated the diplomat.

With this latest development, across Nigeria, a total 70 people have now been quarantined over EVD. Following the doctor's death, six people have died from the virus in Nigeria, including Mr Sawyer and two doctors.

Boko-Haram Relocating to Northern Part of Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses in the villages near Sambisa forest told DailyNews9ja Reporters that the insurgents had been moving their families and possibly many of their abductees to safer grounds in towns captured in recent weeks.

Villagers living near Sambisa forest in Borno State have reported seeing a large number of Boko Haram militants leaving the wooded redoubt yesterday morning and moving towards southern Borno.

A security source, who spoke to DailyNewsReporters,confirmed the account of the villagers. He said Nigeria’s intelligence agents were aware that members of the deadly sect, who had been holed up in a thick forest the size of Western Virginia in the United States, seemed to be relocating to the large swath of territory they have captured in recent daring attacks.

The sect members’ movement is most likely motivated by the insurgents’ recent successes in capturing several major towns in northern Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States.

Eyewitnesses in the villages near Sambisa forest told DailyNews9ja Reporters that the insurgents had been moving their families and possibly many of their abductees to safer grounds in towns captured in recent weeks.

A villager in Kirawa, a town on the Cameroonian side, also said he had seen some suspected Boko Haram militants moving through Cameroonian territory to Nigeria with large amounts of cargo in tightly secured convoys.

The apparent relocation of the insurgents follows an embarrassing incident two days ago when close to 500 Nigerian soldiers fled to neighboring Cameroon in order to escape from a fierce contingent of Boko Haram militants that attacked Gamboru-Ngala, a major town near the border with Cameroon. With no resistance from the army, the militants easily seized the town, and hoisted their flags at a police station and the home of a former governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Cameroonian gendarmes took the absconding soldiers into custody and disarmed them. A military source disclosed that the fleeing soldiers, who ran away with civilians, left behind four armored personnel carriers (APCs) and a huge cache of arms that the militants have taken.

The reported large-scale relocation of Boko Haram fighters has implications for the neighboring country of Cameroon. Cameroonian authorities believe that the abducted wife of Cameroon’s Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali, remains in the custody of Boko Haram inside Sambisa forest. The militants kidnapped Mrs. Ali in late July during the sect’s raid of the town of Kolofata. A Cameroonian security official, who asked not to be identified, disclosed that negotiations were continuing with Boko Haram to secure their release of Mrs. Ali and other Cameroonian abductees.

Meanwhile displaced persons from Gamboru-Ngala are trapped in Fotocol a small town near Ngala unable to find food and shelter three days after Boko Haram militants sacked their hometown and surrounding villages. A heavy downpour yesterday has made it impossible for their relatives and aid agencies in Cameroon to reach them.

Boko-Haram Relocating to Northern Part of Nigeria.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Eyewitnesses in the villages near Sambisa forest told DailyNews9ja Reporters that the insurgents had been moving their families and possibly many of their abductees to safer grounds in towns captured in recent weeks.

Villagers living near Sambisa forest in Borno State have reported seeing a large number of Boko Haram militants leaving the wooded redoubt yesterday morning and moving towards southern Borno.

A security source, who spoke to DailyNewsReporters,confirmed the account of the villagers. He said Nigeria’s intelligence agents were aware that members of the deadly sect, who had been holed up in a thick forest the size of Western Virginia in the United States, seemed to be relocating to the large swath of territory they have captured in recent daring attacks.

The sect members’ movement is most likely motivated by the insurgents’ recent successes in capturing several major towns in northern Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States.

Eyewitnesses in the villages near Sambisa forest told DailyNews9ja Reporters that the insurgents had been moving their families and possibly many of their abductees to safer grounds in towns captured in recent weeks.

A villager in Kirawa, a town on the Cameroonian side, also said he had seen some suspected Boko Haram militants moving through Cameroonian territory to Nigeria with large amounts of cargo in tightly secured convoys.

The apparent relocation of the insurgents follows an embarrassing incident two days ago when close to 500 Nigerian soldiers fled to neighboring Cameroon in order to escape from a fierce contingent of Boko Haram militants that attacked Gamboru-Ngala, a major town near the border with Cameroon. With no resistance from the army, the militants easily seized the town, and hoisted their flags at a police station and the home of a former governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Cameroonian gendarmes took the absconding soldiers into custody and disarmed them. A military source disclosed that the fleeing soldiers, who ran away with civilians, left behind four armored personnel carriers (APCs) and a huge cache of arms that the militants have taken.

The reported large-scale relocation of Boko Haram fighters has implications for the neighboring country of Cameroon. Cameroonian authorities believe that the abducted wife of Cameroon’s Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali, remains in the custody of Boko Haram inside Sambisa forest. The militants kidnapped Mrs. Ali in late July during the sect’s raid of the town of Kolofata. A Cameroonian security official, who asked not to be identified, disclosed that negotiations were continuing with Boko Haram to secure their release of Mrs. Ali and other Cameroonian abductees.

Meanwhile displaced persons from Gamboru-Ngala are trapped in Fotocol a small town near Ngala unable to find food and shelter three days after Boko Haram militants sacked their hometown and surrounding villages. A heavy downpour yesterday has made it impossible for their relatives and aid agencies in Cameroon to reach them.