November's Top Partner Solutions have arrived! Explore this month's real-world solutions to see how organizations across various sectors are saving energy, cutting emissions, and minimizing waste to achieve their sustainability goals.
City of Norfolk’s Watts Going Down Energy Efficiency Campaign
To increase awareness of City of Norfolk’s participation in the Better Buildings Challenge and to expand sustainability efforts, the City’s Environmental Sustainability Division came up with the Watts Going Down, Norfolk campaign. Within six months of the launch, the campaign engaged nearly 90% of City staff and identified more than 70 Energy Champions across 26 unique departments and divisions. Read more.
Vornado Realty Trust Implements Innovative Zero Waste Strategies, Plus Emission Reduction
Vornado Realty Trust is paving a path to zero waste by implementing innovative waste reduction strategies and training opportunities throughout its portfolio. Diverting nearly 2,000 tons of food waste from landfills portfolio-wide in 2023, Vornado Realty Trust avoided 13,598 MTCO2e in emissions. Read more.
Valley Children’s Healthcare Enhances Resilience with Renewable Microgrid
Valley Children’s Healthcare is the largest pediatric hospital based in Madera, California, serving more than 1.3 million children. To meet energy demand, Valley Children’s is building a renewable energy microgrid to enhance operational resilience, financial efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This microgrid will help reduce over 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions, covering 80% of the hospital's energy needs, and saving $15 million over 25 years. Read more.
Marriott Improves Emissions Reporting with AI
Marriott International improved its scope 3 emissions reporting by automating data management with AI tools. The automation has decreased the amount of time spent on data and enhanced Marriott's sustainability reporting. The new AI solution streamlines emissions tracking and applies accurate emissions factors, resulting in an estimated 250 work hours saved and a 5-10% reduction in scope 3 emissions. Read more.
RING Container Technologies Waste and Energy Reduction Projects
RING Container Technologies operates 17 plastic bottle and container plants across the United States. The company has implemented an energy and waste efficiency project at its Decatur, Illinois facility to reduce electricity usage and plastic waste by incorporating best practices to address chiller energy use and compressed air leaks. As a result, the company has diverted 100% of its waste and saved 483,000 kWh annually of electrical use. Read more.
Bullitt County Public Schools Boosts Energy Efficiency with Building Upgrades
Bullitt County Public Schools partnered with Trane Technologies on two separate Energy Savings Performance Contracts in 2008 and 2018 in the face of increasing utility rates and failing building equipment. The partnership provided the opportunity to enhance data tracking procedures and building automation systems, install high-efficiency lighting fixtures, and upgrade HVAC and boiler equipment, avoiding $10.9 million in utility costs. Read more.
Foundation Communities Highlights Lessons Learned for Energy Saving Heat Pump and Solar Strategies
Foundation Communities saw an opportunity to pilot two technologies at its all-electric multifamily property, Homestead Oaks, as part of its broader decarbonization goals. Foundation Communities leveraged a centralized heat pump and individually metered solar arrays to distribute solar credits to tenants, achieving nearly 40% energy and water savings – equivalent to energy cost savings of roughly $60,000 a year. Read more.
Community College of Allegheny County’s Energy-Saving Computer Power Management
Community College of Allegheny County targeted energy savings by managing its computer network usage. By implementing a power management system that would automatically put idle computers to sleep across the campus’ 4,000 personal computers and data center, the college reduced energy consumption by 74%, saving $60,000-$75,000 annually. Read more.