24/7 carbon-free energy could be cheaper than you think

24/7 carbon-free energy could be cheaper than you think

  I often write about 24/7 carbon free energy (CFE) — the concept of matching energy use with clean energy supply in real time. I find it endlessly fascinating: it is technically feasible, incredibly difficult and critical to decarbonization. That mix of urgency and complexity has stoked friendly competition between corporate climate leaders such as…

Federal incentives can catalyze grid decarbonization by leveraging clean energy markets

Federal incentives can catalyze grid decarbonization by leveraging clean energy markets

  The incentives-led framework of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) reinforces the importance of voluntary markets for energy customers to procure carbon-free electricity (CFE) aimed at accelerating U.S. grid decarbonization. The IRA, together with the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), have set the stage for massive…

A Better Understanding of NFPA 70E: Setting Up an Electrical Safety Program (Part 10 – Incident Investigations)

A Better Understanding of NFPA 70E: Setting Up an Electrical Safety Program (Part 10 – Incident Investigations)

  Does an employee get punished when they make a mistake? Are they afraid of notifying a supervisor when something goes wrong? Is an employee who points out a safety issue sent back to work without having the issue resolved? One NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® requirement that is occasionally not…

Office market setback a national trend for Q4

Office market setback a national trend for Q4

An office market setback in the fourth quarter of 2022 saw the national vacancy rate climb to 17.1 per cent accompanied with 2.1 million square feet of negative absorption. CBRE Canada’s newly released summary of activity across 10 major urban centres reports sublets are again on the rise and now comprise 18.1 per cent of…

Applying artificial intelligence to decarbonize buildings

Applying artificial intelligence to decarbonize buildings

Artificial Intelligence Insights Researchers are working on human-interactive artificial intelligence tools that help building managers and owners with the occupancy and behavior modeling information needed to make timely heating and cooling decisions faster. In addition to using artificial intelligence techniques, the project includes pilot sites that were specifically designed through a community-informed approach to ensure…