Agreement marks another milestone toward commitment to decarbonize operations by 2030 With an eye toward achieving their global decarbonization goals, Danfoss North America recently signed a power purchase agreement with CIG Capital, a U.S.-based project financing firm, to purchase about 75 MW of solar power from a solar farm in Texas, starting in 2025. The Read more
solar energy
Agreement marks another milestone toward commitment to decarbonize operations by 2030
With an eye toward achieving their global decarbonization goals, Danfoss North America recently signed a power purchase agreement with CIG Capital, a U.S.-based project financing firm, to purchase about 75 MW of solar power from a solar farm in Texas, starting in 2025. The initial agreement term is 12 years, allowing Danfoss to fully replace its annual electricity usage in North America with green energy through at least 2037.
The new agreement will provide Danfoss with green certificates, signifying that they are supplying the North American electrical grid with the full amount of green electricity needed to power all 24 factories and 36 locations in North America, and will reduce Danfoss’ carbon footprint in the region by 75%.
Danfoss Solar project: L to R: Rodney Mumm, head of Danfoss Global Services in North America; Soren Revsbech Dam, Head of ESG, Global Services Real Estate; and Leart Berisa, Category Manager, Global Services are excited to announce the solar power purchase agreement for Danfoss’ North America facilities as part of the company’s ESG commitment.
Soren Revsbech Dam, Head of ESG and Decarbonization, Global Services Real Estate, at Danfoss says: “As part of our ESG goals, Danfoss has committed to achieving carbon neutrality across our global operations by 2030. This agreement to secure green energy for our North America operations will reduce our global emissions by 21%. This is not only a significant step in our journey to becoming carbon neutral, but it also demonstrates that we are serious about putting sustainability at the heart of our business.”
CIG Capital will be building the six square mile farm in the panhandle region of Texas. Groundbreaking is scheduled for November of 2023, with the farm becoming fully operational by the spring of 2025. The solar farm capacity is projected to be 509 MW of solar power, of which Danfoss will utilize 15 percent.
The next focus for Danfoss in its decarbonization journey will be on reducing and reusing energy across its North America locations, employing various Danfoss technologies, such as oil-free, variable-speed compressors and other heating and cooling solutions that support heat recovery and energy efficiency.
Rick Sporrer, President of Danfoss North America says: “Danfoss is committed to playing a leading role in the energy transition. Meeting our ESG goals and living up to our commitment to combat climate change means developing innovative solutions.”
As part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Danfoss is committed to become carbon neutral in its global operations (scope 1 & 2) by 2030 and says it will reduce its value chain emissions (scope 3) with 15% by 2030. This commitment is included in the targets of Danfoss’ three step-change initiatives on Decarbonization, Circularity, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Already Danfoss has seen progress in decoupling environmental impact from business growth by delivering 7% decrease in scope 1 and 2 emissions while growing 15% organically in 2022.
Additionally, the 250,000 sqm Danfoss headquarters campus site in Denmark became carbon neutral in 2022. Carbon neutrality was achieved through energy saving projects, utilization of excess heat from processes and data centers, sourcing of green energy, and offsetting residual emissions.
Irving, Texas—The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) has renewed its commitment for financial and technical support for the 2020 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon – Design Challenge. PPI is the major North American trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry. This is PPI’s sixth year supporting this DOE program, formerly Read more
Irving, Texas—The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) has renewed its commitment for financial and technical support for the 2020 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon – Design Challenge. PPI is the major North American trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry. This is PPI’s sixth year supporting this DOE program, formerly known as Race to Zero.
The 2020 Solar Decathlon Design Challenge will take place at DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado on April 17-19, 2020. Lance MacNevin, P.Eng, director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction, will return as a juror.
A student from the University of Missouri – Columbia shows a scale model for the Mixed-Use/Multifamily category at the 2019 Solar Decathlon – Design Challenge in Golden, Colo. Photo credit: DOE Solar Decathlon
According to MacNevin, “Buildings in the United States represent 4o% of our country’s total energy consumption and 70% of our electricity use, so there are many opportunities to utilize existing technologies in smart ways to reduce energy costs. At these events, we see future architects and engineers collaborate and compete to design houses and buildings that are so energy efficient that their annual energy use can be offset with renewable energy.”
DOE’s website states, “Qualifying teams complete a design project and attend the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge Weekend, where they present their designs to a panel of industry expert jurors, compare their projects to those of other teams, learn from presentations by thought leaders and collegiate peers, and engage with a variety of organizations about energy careers. Winning teams are recognized at an Awards Banquet, and winning project presentations are published on the website.” https://www.solardecathlon.gov/event/challenges-design.html
PPI President David Fink said, “PPI encourages design teams to incorporate innovative plumbing and mechanical systems to improve the health, safety and welfare of building occupants and the efficiency of buildings. This includes technologies such as hydronic radiant heating and cooling, ground source geothermal, hot- and cold-water plumbing using plastic piping solutions, and fire protection for occupant safety. These systems can benefit the entries in practically all categories of judging, including energy performance, engineering, architecture, market appeal, financial affordability, operation, comfort & environmental quality, and innovation.”
Added MacNevin, “It’s always so exciting to see the creative designs and technological ideas of the student teams from around the world. We can’t wait to see what they’ll present at the 2020 event!”
PPI has developed resources to help students design their projects available at https://plasticpipe.org/building-construction/bcd-2020-solar-decathlon.html
For additional information, also visit the Plastics Pipe Institute’s website at: www.plasticpipe.org.