Apple partnering with tech giants for big clean energy buy
Apple, eBay, Samsung, and Sprint have joined forces to purchase clean power from a new wind farm owned and developed by Apex Clean Energy.
The wind farm, named the White Mesa Wind project, will be located in Crocket County, Texas. When completed in 2021, it will be capable of supplying 500 megawatts of power to the surrounding area.
Founded in 2009, Apex Clean Energy is a wind-energy company based in Virginia with 13 wind energy projects in Oklahoma, Texas, and Illinois.
Apple will be the largest purchaser in the agreement. Between the four companies, the purchase totals 75 megawatts of clean energy-- or enough to power roughly 20,000 homes. The agreement will enable those involved to access cost-effective renewable energy from Apex.
Californian energy liaison company 3degrees facilitated the agreement.
Lisa Jackson, Apple's Vice President of environment, policy, and social initiatives spoke of the agreement.
"We're proud to be powering all of Apple's operations around the world with 100 percent renewable energy and driving the private sector to support the clean energy transition. Businesses of all sizes and of varying energy needs can help bring new, renewable energy online. This collaborative agreement in Texas is a model we hope others will replicate."
Apple has been spearheading quite a few new green projects. In September, Apple brought three wind farms on the grid in China.
Apple has also helped to encourage other companies, as well as their component suppliers, to move to using renewable energy. The project, known as the China Clean Energy Fund, provides both funds and information to companies interested in utilizing green energy in their supply chain.
This is extremely important, as a majority of a consumer electronics company's carbon footprint is in manufacturing and shipping. For example, 70% of Apple's corporate carbon footprint lies in their supply chain.
Tim Cook mentioned that Apple is brainstorming new ways to encourage third-party product manufacturers, like those who make cases or accessories, to think about their energy use. In the future, it's possible that Apple may offer a special badge or certification for mindfully produced goods, in addition to culling what gets sold in official Apple Stores.
Having Samsung, Sprint, and eBay on board for the agreement could spur more changes across the industry. Consumers are beginning to expect a company to do more in terms of sustainability and environmental stewardship, and any company that eschews environmentally-friendly practices could be left behind.
The wind farm, named the White Mesa Wind project, will be located in Crocket County, Texas. When completed in 2021, it will be capable of supplying 500 megawatts of power to the surrounding area.
Founded in 2009, Apex Clean Energy is a wind-energy company based in Virginia with 13 wind energy projects in Oklahoma, Texas, and Illinois.
Apple will be the largest purchaser in the agreement. Between the four companies, the purchase totals 75 megawatts of clean energy-- or enough to power roughly 20,000 homes. The agreement will enable those involved to access cost-effective renewable energy from Apex.
Californian energy liaison company 3degrees facilitated the agreement.
Lisa Jackson, Apple's Vice President of environment, policy, and social initiatives spoke of the agreement.
"We're proud to be powering all of Apple's operations around the world with 100 percent renewable energy and driving the private sector to support the clean energy transition. Businesses of all sizes and of varying energy needs can help bring new, renewable energy online. This collaborative agreement in Texas is a model we hope others will replicate."
Apple has been spearheading quite a few new green projects. In September, Apple brought three wind farms on the grid in China.
Apple has also helped to encourage other companies, as well as their component suppliers, to move to using renewable energy. The project, known as the China Clean Energy Fund, provides both funds and information to companies interested in utilizing green energy in their supply chain.
This is extremely important, as a majority of a consumer electronics company's carbon footprint is in manufacturing and shipping. For example, 70% of Apple's corporate carbon footprint lies in their supply chain.
Tim Cook mentioned that Apple is brainstorming new ways to encourage third-party product manufacturers, like those who make cases or accessories, to think about their energy use. In the future, it's possible that Apple may offer a special badge or certification for mindfully produced goods, in addition to culling what gets sold in official Apple Stores.
Having Samsung, Sprint, and eBay on board for the agreement could spur more changes across the industry. Consumers are beginning to expect a company to do more in terms of sustainability and environmental stewardship, and any company that eschews environmentally-friendly practices could be left behind.
Comments
If these companies were genuinely concerned about “renewable” power sources, they’d back next-generation nuclear power (aka “molten salt reactors”, “pebble bed reactors”). Solar and wind power don’t even come close to the efficiency of nuclear.
And by the way, there is no way in hell I am making the drive in a electric car.
Just saying...
Also, nuclear is the only source (other than hydroelectric) which can be relied on for 24/7 power. Wind and solar only work when the winds blow and the sun shines. Power isn’t stored when these “renewable” power sources are not producing electricity. And wind power shuts down for safety if the winds are too strong.
If the Lithium-CO2 (7x energy density of current) batteries work out you could see EVs with 1000+ mile ranges. That technology is still in early development so I don't know what the charge speeds will be. There are some new ways of handling current lithium cells that allow for much faster charging, although that would take new pack designs and faster rated chargers (many 50KW around Alberta - mostly down south though, 100, 150, 200KW chargers are widespread in Europe and parts of North America).
SpamSandwich Said:SpamSandwich said: Power IS stored in the UK, Germany, Australia…
They may not be spinning “fast” when you make your drives, but they are doing their jobs if they are generating that much energy in those states. And spinning slowly is a feature of modern wind turbines versus the videos of super fast spinning wind turbines seen on TV. Their height, size and slower rotation rates eek out more energy out of the wind and are less harmful to life in terms of noise, birds, and over the grand scheme of things, less harmful for everyone.
When the offshore wind turbines are built off USA coasts, now those will be very very big. 6, 8, 12 MW turbines versus the 1, 2 To 4 MW turbines used for land-based wind turbines.
There are already billionaires backing nuclear. More power to them if they can decrease nuclear costs down by half. People would love it if the costs of nuclear went down by a quarter even. As it stands today, renewables plus storage is going to be 2x to 3x, probably 4x, cheaper than nuclear. Pretty hard to beat those economics.
I'll continue to use a vehicle with a combustible engine.
The turbines that run parallel and in close proximity to I-70 and are very visible at night, are many times idle. As mentioned, our trips vary and we have noted many times the fact the turbines are idle. We actually look forward to this portion of our trip and are disappointed when they sit there collecting dust.