Customer Renewables Monthly October 2019

Customer Renewables Monthly
October 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.

A Download on DGA's Engagement with Large Buyers of Renewable Energy at the REBA Summit and VERGE 19

Earlier this month, large buyers of renewable energy gathered at the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) Summit and VERGE 19 to discuss significant market trends. Together, the two events drew more than 3,500 attendees from across industry, technology, energy development and supply and more. Our team attended both conferences to speak about our involvement with corporate renewable energy procurement and our work for the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), the leading coalition for organizations that are committed to scaling up renewable heating and cooling at their facilities and dramatically cutting carbon emissions.

I’m excited to share an update on our engagement on renewable thermal, in particular. Members of the RTC facilitating team—David Gardiner and myself from DGA, and Marty Spitzer from World Wildlife Fund (WWF)—presented on behalf of the RTC at both events.

At REBA, Marty Spitzer and I led three 30-minute roundtables on the current state of the RTC and renewable thermal market development. The sessions engaged a broad mix of large commercial & industrial energy buyers, utilities and technology suppliers, regional policy authorities, and philanthropic organizations. Also at REBA, I facilitated a two-hour renewable thermal emerging solutions session that featured discussions with Marty Spitzer from WWF, Peter Dahm from Cargill, Tanya Peacock from SoCalGas, and Ben Gerber from the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System.

At VERGE, David Gardiner moderated a panel on decarbonizing industrial thermal energy. Greg Thiel from ARPA-E, Janice Tran from Generate Capital, and Peter Dahm from Cargill provided insights from the R&D, project finance, and end-user perspectives.

The active, engaged sessions and the side conversations confirmed the importance of addressing the decarbonization of thermal emissions. Large buyers and other stakeholders are clearly interested in compelling solutions, and RTC will continue our efforts to accelerate these markets.

Large buyers with significant thermal loads should contact DGA if you are interested in participating in the RTC. There are exciting opportunities to engage at our 2020 member meeting scheduled for March 18-19 in Washington, DC. —Blaine Collison, Senior Vice President, DGA

STATE POLICY AND MARKET NEWS

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Virginia Clean Energy Study Identifies Significant Solar Potential, State Procures Wind and Solar

An independent study commissioned by Advanced Energy Economy and released this month, Virginia’s Energy Transition, revealed that increasing Virginia’s renewable portfolio by 49 GW of solar matched with 20 GW of storage through 2050 would yield lower electric bills and increase job opportunities in the state. The deployment numbers outlined in the study would be about three times the amount of solar expected in “business as usual” utility integrated resource plans.

Additionally, on October 18 Governor Northam announced the largest state renewable procurement contract in the nation—420 MW of wind and solar that will be used to power Virginia's state agencies and institutions. The deal will ensure that by 2022, 30% of the electricity consumed by state agencies will come from renewable sources.

Michigan Governor Announces Clean Energy Program

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a program on October 17 called MI Power Grid, which is designed to help Michigan transition to clean energy. Run by the Office of the Governor and the Michigan Public Service Commission, the program will help the state disseminate information on clean energy technologies to residents, businesses, utility customers, and other stakeholders. It will create new clean energy plans and outline needed changes to infrastructure based upon consumer needs. Stakeholder groups will be created to guide the state’s research and policy on the best course of action to transition the state to clean energy.

"If we're going to call Michigan a leader in clean, reliable energy, we must update our state's electrical grid," Whitmer said. "MI Power Grid will serve as a critical tool in helping us reach that goal and will ensure people and businesses have the resources they need to transition to clean energy."

EVENTS
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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: Procter & Gamble

On October 24, Procter & Gamble announced that their facilities across the United States and Canada are now powered by 100% renewable electricity. Their most recent deal was for a 126 MW wind farm in Texas, which supplies all the electricity needed for P&G’s Fabric and Home Care facilities.

The company aims to purchase 100% renewable electricity at all facilities around the globe by 2030. In addition to wind, the company’s renewable portfolio includes solar, geothermal, cogeneration, hydro, and renewable energy certificates.

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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