Google.com commands new solar system

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CoStar Green Report: Here Comes the Sun

Google is Concentrating its Corporate Efforts Offline to Bring its Environmental Initiatives Online

This week's CoStar Green Report documents why sunny days in California mean a lot more than they used to for Google and Macy's; another energy management recognition for Jones Lang LaSalle; an ambitious pledge from Dell; the latest green office tower to sprout at World Trade Center; and BOMA Austin's plan to reduce energy usage.


Google Keys In Green Initiatives

A day after hitting the switch on a new roof-mounted solar energy system at its Mountain View, CA, headquarters complex, Internet search giant Google announced a new initiative to go carbon neutral by the end of the year.

Google said it would neutralize its carbon emissions through three chief strategies: maximizing the efficiency of its data centers, which account for most of its consumed energy; increasing its use of renewable energy; and purchasing carbon offsets to offset emissions that cannot be eliminated directly.

The company calculated its carbon footprint by looking at emissions from its purchased electricity, employee commuting, business travel, construction, and server manufacturing, said Urs Hoelzle, Google's senior vice president of operations. Google then partnered with Environmental Resources Trust (ERT), a Washington, D.C.-based environmental nonprofit agency, to independently confirm the results.

"By investing in new technologies and by working in partnership with others we can make a meaningful contribution to the environment," said Dr. Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google. "This is just a start."

But with a flock of new energy saving initiatives, Google is already distancing itself from the corporate pack.

The solar energy project at Googleplex -- the company's 978,000-square-foot headquarters complex -- is now operational, with more than 90% of the planned 9,212 solar panels installed. The 1.6-megawatt project is the largest corporate solar installation in the country. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power 1,000 California homes, or about 30% of Google's peak electricity demand at its solar-powered headquarters buildings.

Google said the project is expected to pay for itself in less than eight years, and that more solar projects are planned.

The company recently partnered in programs to invest in alternative transportation projects (RechargeIT), increase energy efficiency in PCs (Climate Saving Computing Initiative), and support the commercialization of technologies for generating, storing and distributing green power (Green Power Market Development Group). Google already provides employees with commuter shuttles and incentives for fuel-efficient vehicles, and has begun retrofitting its global offices with efficient lighting and HVAC systems. It also plans to create 50 megawatts of new renewable generating capacity for its data centers by 2012, in part by setting a theoretical cost of carbon to help evaluate power options.


Macy's Tapping Sunny California Skies for Energy

Its trademark red star is everywhere following Federated's corporate rebranding to Macy's Group, but the department store chain is relying on the sun, not stars, in its latest initiative.

Macy's is installing solar energy systems at 26 stores in California in an effort to significantly reduce conventional power usage at those locations. SunPower Corp., a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of solar cells and panels, has partnered with Macy's to provide the hardware, while SunPower subsidiary PowerLight will install the rooftop solar power systems at each location under contracts totaling eight megawatts.

PowerLight will also assist Macy's in retrofitting each of those stores with energy efficiency upgrades including high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems and energy management systems.

By combining solar power with efficiency upgrades, Macy's said it expects to slash utility-provided energy at those stores by roughly 40%, offsetting 24 million kilowatt hours of energy consumption annually. Over the lifetime of the cells, Macy's estimates it will reduce its carbon footprint by more than 195 million pounds of carbon emissions.

"The move to solar shows Macy's commitment to using cleaner technologies, and in doing so we will reduce energy demand," says Macy's Inc. Vice Chair Tom Cole. "By combining energy efficiency with solar power, Macy's is taking the extra step to cut our peak load demand."

Macy's will purchase the electricity generated by the solar power systems at 15 stores, under a 10-year agreement. The company is purchasing the solar power systems outright for the remaining 11 stores.


JLL Recognized by Public Policy Group for Energy Efficiency Leadership

The energy conservation kudos keep rolling in for Jones Lang LaSalle, the global commercial real estate and money management firm that's played a big role in pioneering the energy management market.

In its latest recognition, JLL was named a 2007 "Star of Energy Efficiency" by The Alliance to Save Energy, a public policy coalition of corporations and business trade organizations that promotes energy efficiency and management. The group will also present JLL with its Chairman's Award, a special designation conferred by the Alliance's Chairman, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas.

"There is no doubt that many other companies will, or already are, learning from the firm’s sound energy management and environmental stewardship," said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

JLL is one of five organizations being recognized for its "leadership, innovation and commitment to energy efficiency," according to The Alliance. Specifically cited were JLL's Energy Management Program, which has helped decrease greenhouse gas emissions by almost 90,000 tons and saved more than $30 million in energy-related utility costs, and its establishment of mandatory compliance with the EPA's Energy Star program at all of its managed facilities.

Earlier this year, JLL was named an Energy Star Partner of the Year by the EPA, and one of the nation's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" by CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer) magazine.

The Alliance will present JLL with the award at a gala event in Washington, D.C. in September. Other award recipients to be recognized at the banquet are The Home Depot, Orion Energy Systems, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the International Energy Agency.


If Google Can Do It... Dell Launches Zero Carbon Initiative

Dell has promised to cut its carbon emissions by 15% in the next five years on its way to becoming the self-titled "greenest technology company on Earth," the computer and systems giant said this month.

Under its Zero Carbon Initiative, the company will conduct IT lifecycle assessments and closely manage its direct and indirect climate impacts to reduce its environmental footprint. Dell will also look for ways to partner with customers in energy reduction.

"Our goal is simple and clear," said Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell in a statement on World Environment Day. "We’ll take the lead in setting an environmental standard for our industry that will reflect our partnership with, and direct feedback from, our customers, suppliers and stakeholders, and we intend to maintain that leadership."

Dell has already begun a series of programs to reduce energy consumption and encourage customer interaction. A recently concluded power-management pilot program on more than 50,000 computers on its internal network resulted in savings of about 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity, or about $1.8 million in annual savings, the company said.

In a supply chain initiative, Dell is now encouraging its primary suppliers to report greenhouse gas emissions data, and said it will advise suppliers on emissions reduction methods and efficient data center design. A supplier's failure to report such data could result in a reduced volume of business from Dell.

The company has also extended its "Plant a Tree for Me" program to Europe, where consumers can now pay a small fee on Dell purchases which is donated to plant trees in professionally managed restoration projects. Michael Dell announced he would personally match donations to the program received in the next three months. Dell began the "Plant a Tree" program in the U.S. in January.


JPMorgan to Continue Greening Trend at World Trade Center

Global financial services firm JPMorgan Chase said it's seeking the highest level of LEED certification at its proposed, 40-story office tower at the World Trade Center complex.

The U.S. Green Building Council has only certified a handful of projects at the Platinum level, which is potentially more costly and complicated than lower levels of certification. "JPMorgan Chase is demonstrating extraordinary global leadership by connecting their values to their most visible asset - their buildings - and they're giving their customers financial tools to do the same," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding Chairman of the Council.

The high-profile tower, which will occupy the site of the former Deutsche Bank building, is slated for completion in 2012. It will join several other towers at the World Trade Center site that are certified or will seek certification under the LEED program. JPMorgan's total investment in the project will be about $2 billion.

The firm also said it plans to completely renovate its world headquarters building in Midtown Manhattan for LEED Platinum certification. Scheduled to take place over the next few years, the project would be the largest LEED Platinum conversion of an existing commercial building in the world.

Together, the two projects total about 2.5 million square feet.


BOMA Austin Sets Three-Year Energy Reduction Plan

The Austin Chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) has set out to reduce energy usage by 30% over the next three years in its members' 35 million square feet of commercial office space.

The chapter recently passed a resolution to begin benchmarking energy usage in member buildings, the first step in energy reductions. BOMA Austin will use the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP), a collaborative initiative with EPA's Energy Star program, to create no- and low-cost strategies to reduce energy usage. Members will track their progress through partnerships with local utilities.

"BOMA is striving to be a leader on emission reduction. Our benchmarking initiative will create a framework for reaching key goals," said John Sutton, Committee Chair of BOMA Austin.

The BOMA International Environmental Task Force recently recommended the creation of an energy conservation business plan for real estate-related greenhouse gas emissions.

"BOMA Austin's benchmarking program is a critical first step toward achieving the energy efficiency goals outlined in the Austin Climate Protection Plan," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "I applaud the move and hope other business associations and community organizations will follow BOMA's lead."

BOMA Austin, an affiliate of advocacy and networking organization BOMA International, is comprised of more than 300 members.