EDF Climate Corps Blog: Clean Energy

  • Business is Ready for “Reforming the Energy Vision” in New York

    Jacob Robinson | October 5, 2015

    During the last year, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has continued to observe and nourish the growing appetite among America’s business community to move together on carbon reduction. This movement should not be understated, especially as New York regulators continue to move forward with the “Reforming the Energy Vision” (REV) proceeding.

  • Real Energy and Cost Savings. Right Now. Here, in Texas.

    EDF Staff | August 28, 2015

    This year, 12 Texas companies and public sector entities hosted fellows, and this got us to thinking, what kind of evolution and impact has the Climate Corps program had in Texas over the years?

  • Untapped Incentives for Energy Efficiency Projects

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | December 16, 2014

    As an EDF Climate Corps fellow back in 2013, one task that was of particular interest to me was figuring out how to help my host organization fund, in whole or in part, its efficiency upgrades. In my research, the most unique funding source I found was the energy efficiency forward capacity market. 

  • Resource Review: Guide to Procurement of Flexible Peaking Capacity

    Ellen Shea | November 4, 2014

    I recently read a white paper by Chet Lyons of the Energy Strategies Group performing a cost-benefits analysis of utility companies purchasing battery storage systems vs. simple cycle gas-fired combustion turbines (CT). These CT systems are what are typically used to regulate peaking capacity. The article shows how storage systems can be a great solution for how utilities companies can keep up to date with the changing trends in energy in the US. 

  • Schooling Demand Response in Texas Academia

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | October 23, 2014

    The Alamo Colleges began participating in local utility company, CPS Energy’s Demand Response Program in the summer of 2013. This Demand Response Program is one of CPS Energy’s strategies to achieve its 2020 goal of saving 771 megawatts of energy. The Alamo Colleges participated in the program in order to take advantage of a significant rebate opportunity, which was a maximum of $120,600 in 2013 and is $130,650 in 2014. Rebates are based on the level of participation, and in 2013, the Alamo Colleges earned rebates totaling $103,000.

  • Companies Turn to Technology to Engage Consumers in Smart Energy Management

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | September 18, 2014

    Most of us in America would argue that affordable and reliable energy access is a basic life necessity, possibly even a basic human right. However, JD Power & Associates recently reported that only 3% of consumers are actually reviewing their energy usage more than once a month. Interaction with this commodity is almost entirely passive. Utilities do whatever it is they do to keep the electrons flowing, and we pay the bill.

  • Studying Solar in Texas: Big Energy Savings Opportunities on Small Campuses

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | August 20, 2014

    Distributed generation solar has been a growing trend around the country. Home owners, large commercial entities and other facilities all have looked to their rooftops to cash in on a previously underutilized asset. 

  • Demand Response 201: Implementation at 77 West Wacker

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | August 13, 2014

    Demand response has been at the core of my work this summer as an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellow. My host company, Jones Lang LaSalle, is the property manager for 77 West Wacker Drive, a 50-story office building in downtown Chicago. Here, I am focusing on maximizing the benefits of demand response which have already been implemented through multiple technologies.

  • Demand Response 101: How it works and the incentives

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | August 11, 2014

    Demand response. It’s been called the “killer application for the smart grid” by John Wellinghoff, former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). But what is it?

  • Four Lessons in Corporate Water Efficiency

    EDF Climate Corps fellow | July 29, 2014

    I received quizzical looks from family and friends when I told them I was working on water efficiency projects at Verizon this summer. They paused, racking their brains about where water is used within the telecommunications industry. “Like in the bathrooms?” they’d ask.

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