Customer Renewables Monthly September 2019

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from David Gardiner and Associates!

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Customer Renewables Monthly
September 2019 Renewable Energy Policy and Market Action Alert

Large institutional buyers are changing the energy landscape as we know it. In the last five years, Fortune 500 companies and other large institutions, such as the military and universities, have begun to transform electricity markets by ramping up their purchases of renewable energy. David Gardiner and Associates (DGA) launched this newsletter to identify and analyze the policy and market trends that define this historic change.

Large Customers Make Big Renewables Announcements at Climate Week

This year, Climate Week 2019 took place from September 23-29 alongside the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York. The event gained global attention and featured an outpouring of support from business leaders. A few highlights from the week follow:

Over 85 major companies pledged to create science-based targets designed to meet the emissions goals of the Paris Agreement
Honda announced the largest virtual power purchase agreement (vPPA) in the auto industry, agreeing to buy 320 MW of wind and solar
130 global banks worth $47 trillion in assets vowed to align their business with the goals of the Paris Agreement—including increased financial support to achieve them
Google signed 18 new energy deals around the globe that will total 1,600 MW—helping to build more than $2 billion in infrastructure
Amazon pledged to be carbon neutral by 2040 with a goal to run 100% on renewable energy by 2030
AT&T announced its latest renewables deal that pushes their portfolio past 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity
Intuit pl edged to lower carbon emissions by 50x their current carbon output and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030

Major U.S. Utilities Aim to Reach Net-Zero Emissions

Corporate end users weren’t the only ones making the headlines in September around Climate Week NYC 2019. Multiple utilities across the U.S. expanded on existing goals to cut down on carbon emissions:

On September 17, Duke Energy revealed a new goal of net-zero emissions from electric generation by 2050, with an interim goal of cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels. Part of Duke’s strategy includes doubling down on their portfolio of solar, wind, and other renewables by 2025.
On September 24, NRG Energy announced that the company expects to reach its goal of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025—five years ahead of schedule—and forecasted that it will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. If realized, NRG would avoid nearly 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

What we're reading:

AT&T Announces Renewable Energy Purchases will Surpass 1.5 GW of Clean Energy at Climate Week NYC 2019 — Yahoo

Facebook agrees PPA on wind power project in Texas — Power Technology

175 MW solar facility to power John Hopkins, McCormick and TJX — Renewable Energy World

‘Largest Ever’: Google Announces 1.6 GW of Renewable Purchases — Greentech Media

E.On signs innovative vPPA with Honda for Offtake from Boiling Springs Wind Farm in Oklahoma — PR Newswire

Jeff Bezos pledges that Amazon will swiftly combat climate change — The Verge

We now use 100% renewable electricity across five continents — Unilever

Sprint and Duke Energy Sign Agreement on 182 MW Wind Power Project in Texas — Renewable Energy Magazine

Intuit Announces 50x Climate Positive Target at United Nations Climate Action Summit — Yahoo

Companies Continue to Drive Demand for Clean Energy — Forbes

Big corporates in 'clean energy arms race': Google – Recharge News

STATE POLICY AND MARKET NEWS

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Virginia is Off to the Clean Energy Races

Several big energy announcements surfaced in Virginia during the last week of September:

Governor Northam issued Executive Order 43 setting Virginia on a path to 30% renewable by 2030 and 100% carbon-free energy by 2050.
Dominion Energy intends to build out Virginia’s offshore wind energy area by 2026, announcing the largest offshore wind project in the U.S.
The Democratic Party of Virginia unanimously passed resolutions endorsing the Virginia Green New Deal and a goal of net-zero carbon emissions for the energy sector by 2050.
Arlington became the first county in Virginia to commit to 100% renewable electricity by 2035, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.

North Carolina Moves Forward with Updated Clean Energy Plan

North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented an updated Clean Energy Plan to Governor Cooper on September 27 after receiving over 660 comments during the final commenting period earlier in the month. The plan calls for a 70% reduction in power sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan was part of a directive from the Governor’s Executive Order 80, which he signed last year to lead North Carolina’s transition to a clean energy economy.

“I’m committed to fighting climate change and securing more clean energy jobs for our state and these plans help us do both,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state is taking strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow renewable energy sources, which will create jobs and support innovation.”

EVENTS
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REBA Summit – October 20-22 in Oakland, CA

REBA’s Fall Summit, co-located with VERGE 19, will provide an immersive, two-day experience for attendees. Renewable energy buyers, service providers, developers, and other key market stakeholders will participate in interactive sessions to address barriers and create solutions to accelerate the market. Learn more.

VERGE 19 Conference — October 22-24 in Oakland, CA

More than 3,000 leaders from the private and public sectors, utilities, solution providers, NGOs and startups to explore scalable, cross-cutting solutions and to advance the most dynamic and influential markets driving a sustainable future. Learn more.

SEIA's Solar Goes Corporate: Where Clean Energy Buyers and Providers Converge – November 7 in Washington, DC

SEIA invites you to attend Solar Goes Corporate: Where Clean Energy Buyers and Providers Converge on November 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. This event attracts over 200 clean energy, procurement and sustainability professionals each year and is the perfect opportunity to learn how businesses can effectively procure, deploy and invest in clean energy technologies such as solar, battery storage, wind, and energy efficiency. Check out the event agenda and don't miss this opportunity to discuss critical trends and challenges in expanding commercial use of clean energy. Energy buyers may register for one free pass per company using the code CORPORATE19.

Solar Focus – November 20-21 in Baltimore, MD

MDV-SEIA's annual conference brings together solar professionals, clean energy advocates, and industry leaders from across the country. Learn more.

PROFILES IN THE CUSTOMER REVOLUTION
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Featured Large Customer of the Month: Unilever

On September 16, Unilever announced its successful transition to 100% renewable electricity sources across 5 continents—North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. They credit their success to support of local renewable energy markets using Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and green electricity tariffs, or Renewable Energy Certificates when other options were not available. They also relied on energy efficiency technology to reduce total energy consumption by 28% and save over 600 euros in cumulative cost avoidance.

The company has a goal to be completely carbon neutral by 2030.

Join the conversation about large customers and renewables on Twitter @CustomerRe new and please email isabel@dgardiner .com if your company would like to be featured in the next Customer Renewables Monthly.

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