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Sponsored Article


TO MEASURE, VERIFY AND REPORT IS JUST ONE STOP ALONG THE NET-ZERO JOURNEY

Sponsored: The need for decarbonization has never been greater. This six-step
pathway can help your organization plan, implement and measure the goals needed
to reach net zero.

By Bob Georgeoff

March 24, 2023

The Colorado Mountain College/Holy Cross Energy project site. Image courtesy of
the Colorado Mountain College.

This article is sponsored by Ameresco. 

Whether you are reading startling headlines about Earth’s future or watching a
film as bold as Adam McKay’s "Don’t Look Up," the tides are turning on how the
general public views the imminent threats of climate change. There’s a growing
sentiment among those who are beginning to worry for the futures of their
children and their children’s children. Companies around the world are beginning
to feel and respond to this pressure, and government administrations are taking
action as well.

Still, there’s a pretty stark difference between setting long-term clean energy
and zero-emissions goals and actually achieving them. Key stakeholders often
fail to effectively set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement
the programs needed to reach their desired climate mitigation targets. Many also
lack the budget for major clean infrastructure upgrades, on top of many other
commercial and industrial organizations not having the awareness or capability
to move forward with cleaner emission solutions.

Suffice it to say, the struggle is very real.

Yet a practical path to net zero does indeed exist. While the ways that
companies can implement sound, sustainable initiatives differ depending on their
respective histories, ongoing activities and appetite for transformative change,
organizations can effectively set off toward reaching a zero-emissions future
through the following six steps.


STEP ONE: REFLECT ON THE JOURNEY-TO-DATE TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES AND GOALS

In an ideal world, we would all be able to achieve net-zero emissions overnight.
But reaching that precipice takes years of planning and even more years to
implement successfully.

Holy Cross Energy, a rural cooperative in Colorado, aimed to source 100 percent
of its electricity for customers with renewable resources by 2030. But before
that process could begin, they needed a better understanding of sustainability
initiatives that it had put in place beforehand. Some examples of that include:

 * Examining how the company had performed in relation to the environmental
   impact metrics that regulators rely upon to measure compliance.
 * Identifying existing and potential voluntary initiatives that gained or could
   gain increased attention from investors.
 * Seeking quick wins to achieve with the lowest financial investments, then
   earmark activities that require a longer, more sustained effort.

Alongside its strategic partner Ameresco, Holy Cross Energy reached an agreement
to design, build, operate and maintain 5 megawatts of solar photovoltaics and 15
megawatts per hour of battery energy storage.

The Colorado Mountain College/Holy Cross Energy project site. Image courtesy of
the Colorado Mountain College.
















STEP TWO: ESTABLISH BASELINE VALUES FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS

Once you identify prospects and aspirations, the methodological path to reducing
emissions can take shape. Progress will be gradual, but it starts with assessing
baseline energy load under the company’s current operational structure and
evaluating where energy efficient updates can be made.

You can easily explore and implement simple improvements, such as installing
solar panels on rooftops or switching to a geothermal system for heating and
cooling, to set a meaningful foundation toward becoming a sustainability-driven
organization.


STEP THREE: DEVELOP A ROADMAP WITH MILESTONES AND AUDIT DEMAND-SIDE AND
SUPPLY-SIDE SOLUTIONS

While taking that initial step in the right direction is a huge move toward
achieving net zero, it’s still just one step.

The next step necessitates mapping out Steps Two, Three, Four and so on,
creating a roadmap of milestones to reach goals within a realistic timeline and
budget. Strategic milestones should reflect your near-term, mid-term and
long-term goals, with each focusing on reducing the three major types of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:

 * Scope 1: Emissions from sources directly owned or controlled by a company.
 * Scope 2: Indirect emissions linked to energy purchases.
 * Scope 3: All other emissions associated with a company’s activities,
   including its supply chain.

For the near term, this first phase should focus on Scopes 1 and 2 with an
emphasis on supply, conservation and GHG reduction measures. These lay a firm
foundation for a dramatic reduction in each scope by the mid-term point. A few
ways to achieve this include evaluating efficient combined heat and power (CHP)
opportunities, generating your own renewable energy (such as photovoltaic, solar
thermal or wind) and participating in anticipated carbon pricing programs.

Ultimately, the long-term focus should largely be on reducing and offsetting any
remaining GHG emissions related to the building’s energy consumption and Scope 3
supply chain activities, such as deploying commuting and vehicle reduction
strategies and expanding onsite or offsite to offset emissions.


STEP FOUR: BUILD AND COMMISSION

Once it becomes time for full-scale implementation to take place, including
organizing work crews, hiring subcontractors and establishing clear lines of
communication, working with an experienced strategic partner can smooth the
delivery of the overall project.

Take John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, for example. Through several phases
of work with the London District Catholic School Board in Ontario, Natural
Resources Canada and Ameresco, it became Canada’s first school to be retrofitted
as carbon neutral. By helping the school implement advanced geothermal heating
and cooling, solar panels, EV charging stations and an efficient battery energy
storage system integrated into all building controls, John Paul reduced GHG
emissions from 277 tonnes each year to near 0 annually while still providing
resiliency services for extreme weather-related power outages.


STEP FIVE: MEASURE, VERIFY AND REPORT

Now that all of the hard work is over, your company, customers and community as
a whole can reap the benefits of installing a new efficient energy methodology
across the board. Next, proactive monitoring and ongoing maintenance ensure that
maximized equipment life and minimized downtime.

In addition, consider an energy as a service (EaaS) contract, in which an energy
partner takes responsibility for operating and maintaining energy assets
efficiently while reporting the results. With that, your organization can
capitalize on the long-term value of reducing emissions and mitigating risks of
price volatility in energy markets while maintaining your true focus — your own
day-to-day responsibilities within your role.


STEP SIX: CONTINUOUS INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT

While this technically may be the final of six steps, the real work of reaching
net zero is never truly complete. It requires ongoing opportunity analysis,
continuous measurement against milestone goals and a commitment to making net
zero more than just a destination, but a home.

The process involves measuring progress against carbon reduction milestones,
analyzing needs, leveraging new technologies, adjusting your mid- and long-term
strategies and cooperating with strategic partners.


MEASURING PROGRESS AND ADDRESSING BARRIERS

The path toward net zero will be different for each company depending on various
factors. However, those that trust a strategic partner to reach their goals with
an agnostic approach to problem-solving are likely to be successful.

EaaS is an emerging trend in energy markets that allows companies to outsource
the complexity of the process and develop a net-zero and resiliency strategy
with a solutions provider. This approach can help companies overcome barriers to
achieving net zero and benefit from long-term cost savings and risk reductions.

For more information on how to begin your organization’s journey to net zero
emissions in 2023, read more in our white paper: "Destination: Net Zero - 6
Steps to Carbon Neutrality."


Show comments for this story.



MORE ON THIS TOPIC

 * Emissions Reduction
 * Sponsored
 * Ameresco


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BOB GEORGEOFF

Executive Vice President
Ameresco




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