Author Archives: Marc Karell

An Improved Way to Recycle Silicon in Solar Panels

Solar panels to generate electricity or hot water is increasing in popularity. It is now becoming economically viable as the cost to make solar panels have dropped in recent years, incentive programs are reducing projects’ costs, and concern over and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are growing again. However, one concern that may hurt the solar panel industry is a potential future shortage of silicon and the resulting high cost in the future.

One future source of solar for the increasing market for panels is old panels themselves. Solar panels tend to undergo a reduction in their efficiency in producing electricity over time, making it economically feasible at a certain point (usually 25 to 30 years) to take down operating panels and replace them with new, more modern, and efficient ones. However, silicon waste management is a controversial issue. Can silicon be retrieved from old, degraded panels and recycled and re-used again to replenish the supply and control costs?

Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow have developed a methodology to convert silicon into silicon oxide nanoparticles, which can then more easily be recycled and avoiding significant waste. Their findings were published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Bulk silicon from used panels is converted into nanoparticles using hydrothermal synthesis in an aqueous (ammonia) environment in a relatively simple, controllable, and inexpensive process. Temperature and hydrolysis time to form the nanoparticles are the key parameters of the method.

This research, which the researchers believe can be operational by the end of this decade, allows the elimination of a controversial waste management of silicon by developing an environmentally safe recycling of silicon and creating silicon oxide nanoparticles which can be used to create new, effective solar panels or other uses.

CCES has the experts to help you assess whether renewable power is cost-effective and a plus for your company and project manage the implementation of whatever strategy you choose to ensure you get good workmanship and the full energy benefits of the technology. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

New Commercial Designs In Response To COVID-19

Of course, we all know that “necessity is the mother of invention.” COVID-19 has certainly caused a need for new or redeveloped commercial space that reduces the transmission and health risks of COVID-19 and potential future viruses and bacteria. In addition, with the realization during the pandemic that people can work as effectively remotely, commercial building owners must be able to demonstrate why a centralized office setting is still critical for growth. Therefore, several New York City developers are currently addressing these issues with newly constructed or redeveloped spaces or buildings soon to hit the market.

One example is combining buildings to give tenants more space to spread staff out to allow social distancing. This example will also invest in enlarging elevator banks and elevators, as that is seen as a bottleneck in terms of office employees getting to their desks. Traditionally-sized elevators can be ideal for virus/bacteria transmission, so larger ones are needed. Additional changes being implemented include larger stairwells, individual washrooms, and outdoor terraces.

Another example is the renovation of an old retail store to an office complex that will host a school to train young people in the high-tech skills of the tenants elsewhere in the building. Staff can assist in training without leaving the building. Entering this building will be a touchless experience with personal phone apps signaling the elevators needed to get to the right location.

Another item that developers are considering and instituting is additional bicycle parking and showers, anticipating the biking trend will continue after the return to “normal”.

Another item being instituted is the return to something seen in old buildings and that is every floor having and operating its own heating and air conditioning system so that no air is circulated with other floors to temper spread of viruses. The trend of the last few decades of centralized air circulation may be ending. Each tenant is free to add MERV filters or a bipolar ionization system if they wish.

Another potential trend is the “groundscaper”, a low-to-the-ground building that stretches an entire block to minimize time in elevators and spread staff out on the same floor for easier communication.

CCES is not an architectural firm or construction contractor, but we have the experts to help your firm assess the climate change and sustainability factors and optimize them for your benefit, including reducing your carbon footprint and improving worker satisfaction and productivity. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

Follow The Money To Reach Climate Change Goals

2021 ushers in a new Administration in the US, whose leader declared on his first day in office the importance of Climate Change and that the US will quickly re-enter the Paris Accords and attempt to be a leader in the movement. Perhaps an even stronger movement for addressing Climate Change has happened gradually over the last couple of years, the movement of major corporations and money managers to understand the business risks of Climate Change and the need to address the issue. Laurence Fink, the head of the major global money management firm, BlackRock, which manages about $9 trillion, wrote letters to the world’s C.E.O.s with the urgent message that Climate Change will be “a defining factor in companies’ long-term prospects.” And “We are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance.”

The letter had a quick impact, as a number of major firms developed and communicated strong Climate Change goals within months, such as Microsoft becoming carbon negative by 2030 and Delta Air Lines, impacted greatly like the whole airline industry by the pandemic, announcing its goal to be carbon neutral in 10 years even though they believe this to be a $1 billion effort.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have been an excuse to ignore these warnings about Climate Change and encouragement to be sustainable, but instead investment in companies perceived to be “green” or will help others be more sustainable grew, such as sustainability-oriented mutual funds. This is making “green” investing more profitable.

Mr. Fink went further, requesting companies develop specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions greatly and be more sustainable, hinting that BlackRock may shift investment monies or even request changes in leadership of companies that are not sufficiently engaged in the process.

BlackRock is looking to develop a metric for public equity and bond funds to evaluate their companies and whether they have feasible, explicit Climate Change goals and the degree funds invest their money in “green” or in fossil fuel enterprises. For example, a number of large pension funds have, in recent months, divested billions of dollars from fossil fuel-oriented assets.

Mr. Fink’s letters have encouraged companies to plan for and work toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While achieving net-zero is terrific, this cannot be achieved without purchasing carbon offsets, investing in greenhouse gas emission reductions elsewhere. Unfortunately, the carbon market system is currently sketchy with few reliable auditing programs to confirm whether the reduction was really achieved and will continue in the future. This needs to be addressed.

The BlackRock letters have been criticized as showcase marketing, a shield against future actions, and hypocritical (BlackRock still invests tens of billions of dollars in coal-related companies). However, they certainly have and will have the impact of changing the topic of conversation in major corporations to seriously discuss their sustainability and Climate Change programs with serious planning and execution. Certainly if “big money” joins the movement to be more sustainable and properly address Climate Change, this will have a major positive impact on the movement worldwide.

CCES has the experts to help your company assess its greenhouse gas emissions and develop strategies to not only lower your your “carbon footprint” economically, but incorporate other sustainability operations to further save costs, improve efficiency, and benefit the planet. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

Air Pollution Recorded as Cause of Death in UK

The World Health Organization has estimated that 7 million people per year suffer a premature death due to some physical malady related to air pollution, such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. Yet many are unmoved because the number is so large and does not have faces and names associated with it.

In December, a coroner in London ruled that a specific person’s death was directly linked to air pollution and had that written in the death certificate. A 9-year-old girl who suffered a fatal asthma attack became the first person in Great Britain to officially have air pollution listed as a cause of death.

This landmark ruling puts a face and a name on the problem of toxic air pollution which leads to the large global death toll. It is hoped that such associations will lead the public to demand more regulation and resources be put into reduction of air toxic emissions and to be able to monitor progress based on different strategies.

The girl, Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, lived near a major road in London and died in February 2013. She suffered numerous asthmatic seizures and had been taken to the hospital nearly 30 times in less than 3 years. Her mother, unaware of the link between air pollution and asthma, said that if she had known, the family would have moved.

In the ruling, London’s assistant coroner said that air pollution from heavy traffic near her home had significantly exacerbated Ella’s asthma, adding that monitors indicated she had been exposed to levels of NOx and particulates greater than WHO guidelines.

Numerous public health studies demonstrate that polluted air, whether caused by cars and trucks, power plants, or industrial sources, affects billions of people across the world. Studies of recent severe wildfires in California show health effects of air pollution exposure: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/26/climate/california-smoke-children-health.html. Other studies show potential development delays of children.

Legal and health experts hailed Wednesday’s ruling as a landmark because it directly linked air pollution to a specific death for the first time ever. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made air pollution reduction a major goal. In October, his office stated that the number of Londoners living in areas exceeding the legal limit for NOx had fallen over 94% from 2016 to 2019. He stated that Ella’s death engendered a lot of knowledge and support to reduce urban air toxic emissions.

In addition, this could open a new door to lawsuits by pollution victims or their families.

CCES can help your company assess your toxic air pollution rates and – from a technical point of view – whether you comply with local, applicable air pollution rules. CCES experts can recommend cost-effective strategies to reduce emissions to potentially comply and reduce impacts on your workers and the neighboring community. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

USEPA Announces 2020 ENERGY STAR Top Cities

The USEPA recently unveiled its annual ENERGY STAR Top Cities list of 2020, showing which US metro areas earned the most ENERGY STAR-certified buildings in 2019. They ranked the Top 25 Cities overall, the Top 10 Mid-Size Cities, and the Top 10 Small Cities. See: https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/topcities

In 2019, the USEPA updated its ENERGY STAR scoring models to make them more stringent, partially as they reflected the improved energy performance of the overall US commercial buildings. ENERGY STAR scores are based on a 0 to 100 median system. Despite the more stringent criteria, over 5,600 buildings earned ENERGY STAR certification. According to the USEPA, they saved over $1.4 billion in energy costs and prevented the emissions of nearly 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. The tough standards caused a number of previously ENERGY STAR-certified buildings to drop out of ENERGY STAR status, as many dropped below the criteria of 75. The USEPA noted that many such buildings went on to incorporate upgrades to enable them to go back over 75 again and bring back their ENERGY STAR status.

Los Angeles earned 1st place with 546 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings. Washington, D.C. finished in 2nd place; San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York came in 3rd through 7th place this year, the latter with 200 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings in 2019.

Among mid-sized US cities, the top 5 ENERGY STAR metropolitan cities were San Jose, CA, Provo, UT, Des Moines, IA, Raleigh, NC, and Louisville, KY with 274 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings between them. The top small US city was Jackson, MI, with 50 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings by itself, 1 building for every 670 people. These buildings saved their owners over $1.1 million in energy costs.

In total, nationally, since 1999, over 36,000 buildings have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Their energy upgrade projects implemented to earn the award has brought their owners significant, continual energy costs savings for many years.

CCES has the experts to assess whether your building may already merit the ENERGY STAR award. If it does not meet the criteria, we can recommend strategies to be more energy efficient and earn the award, what each strategy costs, and what the cost savings will be. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

6 Skills To Get Your Ideas Implemented in 2021

You are probably a smart person and perhaps head up a group or department and have put together a program to advance the group or your company in 2021, based on that knowledge of yours. But getting the program actually implemented may take a different set of skills from what you learned in school. However, much of your experience can be adapted to enable you to do better in these “soft” skills. Developing these skills and using them to get your ideas implemented may well dictate how 2021 goes for you.

1. Think Outside the Box, suggesting novel ways to implement a project, is sometimes scary to the environmental or energy professional. But this can be achieved by really understanding the concepts you wish to implement and seeking alternative ways to meet the goals. What do other businesses or industries do in similar situations? Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts with others who you believe think creatively and work with their ideas to see if it can work to meet your final goals.

2. Persuasion. It is normal that any idea – novel or conventional – will have naysayers worried about its effects. Convincing them to go along (or at least not oppose) a project is part of implementing an idea. While there is no successful standard method, studies show that demonstrating reciprocity and consensus are most successful. Put another way: people do not like to be sold on something, but they do like to buy.

3. Honest Communication. It is critical to communicate your idea to all those that may be impacted by it and honestly show the benefits for the individuals involved and the company as a whole, as well as the “warts”, some of the growing pains in implementing the idea and the risk of downside or failure. Glossing over the negative will not only raise suspicion of others about your idea and cause you to lose future credibility.

4. Communicate by Story. Not only is it important to communicate and do so honestly, but also how one gets a point across most effectively. Studies show that story telling is a powerful way to communicate and motivate your stakeholders. Instead of saying: “This is where we are in the project today. Last week we did this….”, try to describe the process with stories about how the equipment was purchased, how the contractors did their work, why the project will be successful, what the benefits will be, etc. You still are communicating the timeline; yet you are doing so in an engaging way that will get the audience involved and root for a positive outcome.

5. Ability to Adapt; Resilience. Perhaps the greatest constant in the future is change. Your ideas developed in 2020, accepted for incorporation in 2021 may have to change due to many factors (the pandemic, the election, the economy, etc.). You need to be able to anticipate changes – even from month to month – and be resilient to modify your idea or its implementation so that it seamlessly works and still benefits all.

6. Passion vs. The Steady Hand. It is important that you be a passionate advocate for your idea, demonstrating your belief that it will benefit your company or people. If YOU don’t have the passion, how can you expect others to? On the other hand, it is critical to show a steady hand, that this idea was well thought out, negative outcomes anticipated, risks lowered, and potential benefits maximized. You need to anticipate and address change, risks, and time snags so as to constructively move forward on your idea.

These 6 items are not easy to master. However, improving in these areas will make it easier to implement your idea and further your ideas in the future and bode well for your and your firm’s future.

CCES has the experts to help you implement many good energy and environmental projects. Besides the technical expertise, our experience in project management allows projects to be implemented smoothly with proper communication among all stakeholders. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

IRS Section 179D Tax Deduction For Energy Upgrades Made Permanent

It took some time, but Congress finally passed and the President signed into law the permanent extension of IRS Code Section 179D as part of the recent COVID relief bill. Owners of commercial buildings can again and permanently receive federal tax deductions for approved, successful energy upgrades. See: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26%20section:179D%20edition:prelim)

Section 179D first went into being in 2006, offering federal tax deductions for commercial building owners who implement upgrades of interior lighting, building envelope, and/or HVAC systems, at a rate of $1.80 per square foot (sf) for all three or $0.60 per sf for any one of these. The code lapsed at certain points and Congress was slow to reauthorize it several times, resulting in gap years during which such deductions were unavailable and general confusion about its effectiveness. In recent years, this federal tax deduction for energy upgrades was not in effect.

However, effective now the $1.80 per sf tax deduction for energy upgrades is permanent, will not need to be reauthorized, and will grow each year by the inflation rate. This tax deduction is available to owners of existing commercial buildings who upgrade the interior lighting, building envelope, or HVAC systems that reduce the building’s total energy and power cost by 50% or more in comparison to the minimum requirements set by ASHRAE 90.1-2001 (for buildings and systems placed in service before January 1, 2016) or 90.1-2007 (for such buildings and systems after that date). Energy savings must be modeled and calculated using approved software. See: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/qualified-software-calculating-commercial-building-tax-deductions Federal tax deductions of up to $0.60 per sf are available to building owners which meet the criteria for any one of these three areas. And this tax deduction is retroactive to upgrades that occurred before the 179D was reauthorized.

In addition, the ASHRAE standard for which a reduction will be compared will change. A project will be compared to the ASHRAE standard that was in existence 2 years prior to the start of construction.

For more information on Section 179D and any potential tax deduction, speak to your tax professional. CCES has the experts to perform the technical elements of an energy upgrade that may be eligible for the Section 179D tax deductions. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

New Year’s Resolutions at Work

It’s a new year, which means new beginnings, change, and resolutions. In the past, I have written about how to include energy efficiency and clean energy in your company’s resolutions, but in this article I will discuss New Year resolutions for you personally to progress in your career, for your company, particularly in these challenging times.

For this I have gotten help from Mr. Kevin Perlumutter of Limbic Brand Evolution (www.limbicbrandevolution.com). Kevin has spent his career researching and helping people put into practice habits that will progressively evolve one’s career or business. It seems counterintuitive, but while we are all smart, professional people, most decisions we and others make are not based on common sense and intellectual analysis, but, instead, on emotional motivation. Harnessing your actions to stir your own and other’s emotions can inspire and lead to progress for your business and your career.

Kevin describes 5 “Dream Job” principles, which will help you be more productive for your company and progress personally.

1. Be Courageous – Change is not easy, and courage is not about taking the easy path forward…

2. Seek Inspiration – Surround yourself with talented people who push you to challenge yourself…

3. Be a Specialist – Create a role or position yourself in a way that enables you to make big contributions in areas where your unique skills are considered valuable – to your clients as well as to the evolution and growth of your company…

4. Make it Meaningful – Seek opportunities that have real meaning and impact…

5. Stay Authentic – Nothing is more important than knowing who you are and being patient enough to find the right fit…

For more information, read: https://www.limbicbrandevolution.com/views-blog/how-to-design-your-dream-job-kevin-perlmutter

Here are examples of living these principles as, personally, I can say that I try to follow them. Certainly, the energy and environmental fields change often, whether due to new regulations or policies or technologies, and one must be open to re-learn and pivot to benefit clientele. I surround myself with great colleagues in a back-and-forth relationship. I learn and am challenged by them and, hopefully, I do the same for them. I believe I know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. A number of times clients have asked me to do work in areas I’m weak in. I always say no, even at the risk of losing the whole project. I want to know inside of me that I am providing the best service I can, doing the work I know well, and will deliver – and not worry I may come up short and disappoint. I always dig to stay focused on what my clients express that they need, whether it be compliance with a regulation, energy savings, greenhouse gas reductions, reduced air toxic emissions, or something else. While I often try to show a client that a project has additional benefits beyond the immediate needs, I always focus on ensuring the main, meaningful goals of the client are met and communicated. Finally, I am very honest with clients and focus in on their needs. If the client wants to become “friends”, great. But the main thing is to focus on the needs of the client and be a problem solver.

CCES can help your firm solve its problems when it comes to energy or environmental matters, whether it be technical regulatory compliance, reducing energy or O&M costs, being a better environmental steward, or any other such problem. We are small and motivated and laser-focused to help your specific needs. Contact us today with any questions at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

Will 2021 Be the Year Big Finance Goes Forward on Climate Change?

In a recent report, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve acknowledged for the first time the impacts of Climate Change on financial markets and overall stability, doubling down on a recent statement by Chairman Jerome Powell that the Federal Reserve is “actively … getting up to speed” on Climate Change risks and its impacts to the financial system. The Federal Reserve distinguishes between sudden shocks to financial conditions and long-term, gradual changes. The recent report notes that Climate Change risk is a combination of shocks that result in economic vulnerabilities over time, which are difficult to research and measure.

In the Federal Reserve’s view, acute hazards, such as storms, floods, droughts, or wildfires, can quickly change future economic conditions or the value of assets which could result in significant financial instability. In addition, public perception of risk could affect perceived values, too.

The Federal Reserve proposes several changes to address Climate Change risk, such as:

• Insisting on increased measurement and disclosure within financial markets and investors to improve climate risk pricing and reduce asset price volatility

• More research on the relationships between climate, the economy, and markets to improve predictability of Climate Change events and effects

• More planning on adapting to the physical effects of Climate Change through technologies and policy changes, to reduce physical risks of Climate Change.

2020 is also the year that momentum rose in the Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) to take more seriously Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues of private companies. SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee wrote in an op-ed that the SEC is obligated to consider Climate Change in investment decisions, as it affects “… the livability of the planet.”

The first step in effectively addressing these issues is to develop consistent reporting standards for ESG. Recently, the International Federation of Accountants proposed a board – expected to be formed in 2021 – to develop new international sustainability standards to determine necessary measurements and reporting standards for different industries or company types.

It is likely that President Biden-selections to replace senior officials in the Federal Reserve and SEC in 2021 will likely push this process along more vigorously.

CCES has the experts to help you form and execute a useful Climate Change program to determine goals and progress and inform your stakeholders. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

3 Overlooked Areas To Maintain Proactive Systems

Last month, I wrote that having a viable energy program is like going to the doctor. The general practitioner may not solve your problem, but he/she will tell you if you may have a problem which should be addressed early on. Catch a potential problem and solve it before it becomes serious and costly. Have as a goal for 2021 the practice of examining your energy and/or environmental compliance program – even if they seem to be functioning fine and shows you are in control. Such a review may reveal problems that will only get worse, risky for compliance, and costly in the future, if not addressed. Therefore, pay attention and react to:

• Process changes. Even a small change in one area or a need to make more of a certain product in another can have significant impacts on energy and environmental compliance. Many changes in processes impact environmental compliance. For example, changes made to the procedures to make certain chemicals to, say, reduce water usage, may result in changes in emissions of critical air toxics or changes to energy usage. These need to be estimated and, if necessary, modify applicable permits and determine whether compliance is maintained and additional (or saved) energy usage. All probable process changes or new equipment should be evaluated for environmental compliance and energy usage. This should not only go for process changes at the individual step level, but larger impacts, too, such as the number of batches of compound run. While you may focus on controlling big energy or greenhouse gas emitting processes, using a “run of the mill” process more can net out significant reductions made elsewhere, costing you much.

• Regulatory and policy changes. It is tempting to keep your energy and environmental compliance systems which are working well, at the status quo. But things change, and one of the things that affects either the most are new or revised regulations. So, make the time to follow regulatory changes in your jurisdiction. However, do not just follow new regulations, but also new policies and cultural changes that affect requirements and agency or public expectations.

• Technology and infrastructure. It is important to keep up with changes in technology or applications to assure the ongoing effectiveness of your environmental compliance or energy program. Keep track of not only new equipment and its uses, but also their complex relationships to determine potential upheavals when it comes to environmental compliance and energy usage. New technologies are usually “cleaner” than the ones being replaced, but not always so or not in all aspects (for example, some, while reducing air toxic emissions, may use more energy). So perform a thorough analysis of how it affects your current permits and energy usage.

Over time, developing a system to monitor changes in these seemingly “innocuous” areas can help strengthen your environmental compliance and energy systems and ensure that your facility does not unknowingly float into non-compliance or suddenly raise energy usage that might result in shortfalls or higher costs.

CCES has the experts to help you strengthen your environmental and energy systems to detect issues before they become costly and risky. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.