Sustainability: Page 6


  • A rendering of Nostromo Energy's IceBrick technology. T
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    Retrieved from Nostromo Energy on December 19, 2024
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    Nostromo Energy receives $305M conditional commitment from DOE for thermal energy storage system

    If finalized, the loan will support up to 193 IceBrick installations in commercial buildings across California, scaling the ice-based system’s integration with virtual power plants, the company says.

    By Dec. 19, 2024
  • A view of HVAC systems on the rooftop of a building
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    Getty Images
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    Mojave works to scale its dehumidification-driven commercial AC technology

    The company is currently working with the DOE to pilot and test its system, which uses techniques the agency says will result in “exceptional energy efficiency,” in air conditioning. 

    By Dec. 19, 2024
  • Trendline

    Schools on front lines of facilities management innovation

    As research mounts on the importance of a school’s physical infrastructure to the performance and well-being of its students, administarors, parents and the community expect facility managers to make the best use of often-limited resources.  

    By Facilities Dive staff
  • Shot of Data Center With Multiple Rows of Fully Operational Server Racks.
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    Getty Images
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    Intersect Power, Google, TPG partner on up to $20B renewable energy push for data centers

    Intersect Power will develop “powered land” that allows Google-anchored data centers to run most of the time on carbon-free electricity produced nearby, its founder and CEO said.

    By Brian Martucci • Dec. 18, 2024
  • Image of Data Center With Multiple Rows of Fully Operational Server Racks.
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    Getty Images
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    HVAC coating boosts energy efficiency in 36 Verizon urban data centers, saving $1.28M annually

    The coating, which is applied to HVAC condenser coils, could save these data centers an additional $16 million over the next decade, Ener.co says.   

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference on February 01, 2023 in Sacramento, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California to ease enforcement action on climate rules for first year of reporting

    The California Air Resources Board said it would “not take enforcement action” on companies subject to Senate Bill 253 for incomplete reporting during the first reporting cycle due 2026.

    By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 16, 2024
  • Northern Illinois University's main campus at DeKalb, Illinois
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    Retrieved from Northern Illinois University on December 16, 2024
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    Trane, Northern Illinois University partner for energy infrastructure improvements

    The upgrades, which include LED lighting, EV charging stations and solar photovoltaic installations, can cut greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by 11% and over 26%, respectively, Trane Technologies says.

    By Dec. 16, 2024
  • An aerial view of the Manhattan skyline at sunset.
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    Getty Images
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    92% of large NYC buildings meet 2024 carbon emission limits: report

    Site energy use in buildings over 25,000 square feet dropped for the fifth year in a row, with 50% of office buildings set to meet Local Law 97’s stricter 2030 targets, the Urban Green Council says.

    By Dec. 13, 2024
  • A worker installs a plastic window indoors
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    Getty Images
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    New York state authority, union partner on energy efficiency worker training

    The effort will help train apprentice, pre-apprentice and journey worker glaziers in energy-efficient building envelope technologies, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said. 

    By Dec. 12, 2024
  • Calgary's skyline with skyscrapers and office buildings
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    Getty Images
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    Canadian buildings lack a strong business case for decarbonization: report

    To advance low-carbon or zero-carbon buildings, the Canadian Green Building Council and its coauthors make 10 recommendations that include boosting capital access and extending a clean tech tax credit.

    By Dec. 11, 2024
  • A front reception desk at a CBRE office.
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    "CBRE reception" by EG Focus is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    CBRE’s climate transition strategy targets supply chain, efficiency actions

    Measures to decarbonize include working with clients and suppliers to reduce emissions, which would help decrease its large share of scope 3 emissions, the firm says. 

    By Dec. 9, 2024
  • The Inter&Co stadium in Orlando, Florida
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    Retrieved from Major League Soccer on December 09, 2024
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    37 major stadiums in US, Europe face $800M in potential climate-related losses by 2050, study finds

    U.S. venues face significantly higher hazard exposure risks, according to Climate X’s analysis, with three of the six most exposed venues in Florida.

    By Dec. 9, 2024
  • Constellation NewEnergy wins nearly $120M contract for energy-saving measures at five federal facilities

    The upgrades, which include building envelope enhancements and LED retrofits, are expected to save $2.2 million in annual utility costs, the U.S. General Services Administration said.

    By Dec. 4, 2024
  • A view of business towers with a green, lush tree in front.
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    Getty Images
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    Schneider Electric tool helps hotels calculate building decarbonization ROI

    Users can look at individual properties or an entire portfolio for cost estimates and compliance with local emissions laws. The company plans to roll the tool out for hotels “more widely” in 2025, an executive said.

    By Noelle Mateer • Dec. 3, 2024
  • A facade of NYC Health + Hospitals' Queens Hospital in Jamaica, Queens in New York City.
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    Courtesy of New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services
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    $8.2M upgrade at NYC health system facility expected to save over $400K in annual energy costs

    The project at NYC Health + Hospitals’ Queens facility could slash roughly 1,500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity consumption annually, a city agency said.

    By Dec. 3, 2024
  • An aerial view of the Manhattan skyline at sunset.
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    New York makes $10M available for building heating and cooling tech

    HVAC manufacturers and building owners can apply for the funding to develop and demonstrate cold climate heat pumps, NYSERDA said.

    By Dec. 2, 2024
  • An aerial view of the 200-MW Big Elm solar project in Bell County, Texas
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    Courtesy of MIT Office of Sustainability
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    11 Boston-area institutions partner on renewable energy virtual power purchase agreements

    Harvard, MIT and the Mass General Brigham health system anchor the Consortium for Climate Solutions, which will help develop renewable energy projects in Texas and North Dakota.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 27, 2024
  • A person in a suit and tie stands behind a partially transparent podium with a microphone attached to it.
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    Ysabelle Kempe/Facilities Dive
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    AI could help cities tackle climate change, but only if it solves ‘real problems’: NYC climate chief

    Poor building management and funding hurdles for decarbonization required by Local Law 97 are problems AI could potentially help address, Rohit Aggarwala said at Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Summit last week.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 27, 2024
  • Donald Trump, center, with his hands up, facing the crowd. He's standing next to Melania and son Barron.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Inflation Reduction Act changes “not a Day 1 priority” for Trump, Congress: Crux

    Though a full repeal of the 2022 climate law is unlikely, a Republican-controlled legislature could repeal or phase out some of its individual provisions beginning next year, policy experts said.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 26, 2024
  • A Freightliner eCascadia at Electric Island
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    Courtesy of Daimler Trucks North America
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    Duke Energy, Electrada launch microgrid-integrated EV fleet charging hub

    The charging hub can serve light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles with 100% renewable energy from Duke’s integrated microgrid.

    By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2024
  • An HVAC technician is seen at work on a ventilation system.
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    Building owners must implement retrofit, reuse strategies quickly to tackle obsolescence risks: JLL

    With about $1.2 trillion needed globally to retrofit older office assets, building owners must address building age, design, regulatory pressure and locational factors to mitigate these risks, a report says.

    By Nov. 22, 2024
  • A sign reads "Wells Fargo" outside of a Wells bank branch.
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Wells Fargo’s latest innovation cohort to focus on building decarbonization

    Three startups were each awarded $250,000 to help tackle energy management and emission reduction efforts in buildings.

    By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 22, 2024
  • Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright speaking for a LinkedIn video
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    Retrieved from LinkedIn on November 21, 2024
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    What Trump’s energy picks could mean for commercial building sustainability

    The nominations point to potential impacts on federal support for renewable energy, energy efficiency and other building decarbonization efforts.

    By Nov. 21, 2024
  • Engineers in helmets install a solar panel system on a roof.
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    Getty Images
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    IRS finalizes direct pay rules, increasing access to IRA’s clean energy tax credits

    Under the rules released Tuesday, direct-pay-eligible entities like local governments, public school districts, churches and hospitals can invest in clean energy projects more easily. 

    By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 21, 2024
  • Paired Power's EV charging stations in a Santa Clara University parking lot.
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    Courtesy of Paired Power
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    Solar, batteries to power electric fleet charging at Santa Clara University

    The chargers will support the facilities department's more than 30 electric vehicles used for landscaping, recycling and custodial activities.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 21, 2024
  • Aerial shot of roads running through a dense urban area on the waterfront
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    Getty Images
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    Thermal energy networks can decarbonize neighborhoods. Meet the US cities giving them a shot.

    With federal dollars, cities want to leverage heat from waste sources and the ground to move buildings away from burning fossil fuels on-site.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 20, 2024