Today, Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE Institute) convened a conversation hosted by the Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) in Cleveland to discuss the role of advanced energy for businesses in Ohio. The roundtable discussion included lawmakers and advanced energy companies. A centerpiece of the conversation was the investments and upgrades in renewable energy and energy efficiency that GLBC has made in their brewery and production line to significantly reduce operating costs. Participants also noted obstacles—such as continued uncertainty about the state’s renewable portfolio standard, energy efficiency standard, and wind siting standard—that businesses in Ohio face when trying to power their operations with secure, clean, affordable energy.
“Today’s conversation demonstrates that there is significant interest by the business community in adopting a range of advanced energy technologies,” said Ray Fakhoury, State Policy Associate, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business group affiliated with AEE Institute. “Businesses throughout the state are seeking out technologies that allow them to manage their energy use, reduce their energy costs, and meet their sustainability goals. Policy certainty on energy efficiency and renewable energy development would make Ohio a more attractive place to do business, and turn the state into an economic powerhouse.”
The discussion highlighted successful energy projects completed by GLBC, led by its sustainability manager Saul Kliorys. These projects have helped GLBC reach its sustainability and renewable energy targets while reducing its cost of operations, making the company more competitive.
“At Great Lakes Brewing Company, we’ve tried to model for our consumers and other businesses that investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency can save money on energy costs while reducing impacts on the environment,” said Saul Kliorys, Sustainability Manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company.
“Many companies are looking for the right signals from lawmakers to grow or expand their business in Ohio. Stable, forward-looking energy policies would ensure Ohio remains a competitive market to attract companies with renewable energy goals,” said Ted Ford, President of Ohio Advanced Energy Economy. “Some of the largest companies are increasingly seeking to power their facilities with cost-effective technologies like solar and wind, and we need to make it easier for them to get the type of energy they want.”
Participating in the forum were officials from Apex Clean Energy, Coronal Energy, Sustainable Energy Solutions, BT Solar, and GLBC. Additionally, Senator Matt Dolan (R-Cuyahoga) and Representatives Nickie Antonio (D), Stephanie Howse (D), and Kent Smith (D) were in attendance.
Innovative technologies like solar, wind, and battery storage represent a portion of the total $200 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which is equal in revenue to pharmaceutical manufacturing and approaching that of consumer electronics. The advanced energy industry employs more than 3.3 million people across the nation. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s 2017 Energy & Employment report,there were 89,000 people in Ohio working in advanced energy jobs including energy efficiency, solar, wind, and advanced fuels.
For more information on the role and size of the renewables and energy efficiency sectors in the United States, download Advanced Energy Economy’s Advanced Energy Now 2017 Market Report. To learn more about the full range of advanced energy technologies, download This Is Advanced Energy, a comprehensive technology directory with descriptions, photos, and case study examples.
