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NEWSLETTER
15 May 2013
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Story1

WindMade brings together large wind energy users for inspiring debate

Chicago panelThe audience at this year's  WINDPOWER conference in Chicago (6-8 May) witnessed an inspiring panel discussion on the motivations of large corporates to procure wind power for their own operations and manufacturing processes. Speakers on the panel included high-profile renewable energy advocates such as Google, Walmart, Bloomberg, Motorola and Beckton, Dickinson & Co, which all invest heavily in wind power and other renewables. The panel was moderated by WindMade's CEO Henrik Kuffner.

 

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has set the bold goal of running on 100 percent renewable energy worldwide. For Greg Pool, Senior Manager for Renewable Energy and Emissions, there are many benefits to this strategy: "Renewable energy is good for business, it's good for the environment, and it's good for communities. For Walmart, energy is our second biggest controllable expense, so it has a direct impact on the bottom line."

 

Lee Balin, Sustainability Manager of Bloomberg's Global Sustainability Group, agreed, reporting that his company had saved $48 million since 2008, thanks to its renewable energy purchases and efficiency programs. "I want to dispel the myth that being a green company costs more money - it saves us money and makes good business sense," he added.

 

"Pioneering is a mantra at Bloomberg, and so we are proud to be the first news organisation to have received the WindMade label for 58% wind power and 25% biomass in the US."

 

"Wind power is a very good deal for our company," confirmed Bill Olson, Director of Motorola Mobility's Office of Sustainability and Stewardship. Motorola is another WindMade pioneer, with a wind power share of 66% for its US operations.

 

"We believe in renewable energy as a hedge against rising fuel prices in the future," said fellow panelist Greg Butler, Global Supply Chain Stewardship Director in the Office of Global Sustainability at medical technology company BD, and, directed at the wind power professionals in the room, he added that BD was looking to work with utilities to conclude long-term renewable power purchase agreements. "We also want to communicate our environmental credentials to our stakeholders and socially responsible investors around the world, and the WindMade label is a powerful tool to achieve that," he added.

 

Walmart's Greg Pool said the world's largest retailer was also ready to discuss possible power contracts directly with wind project owners. "Walmart is open for business to do wind deals," Pool announced. He said the industry should look beyond utilities to diversify its customer base.

 

Fellow panelist Gary Demasi, Google's director of operations for data center location strategy and energy, also emphasized availability of renewable power as a key factor in strategic corporate decisions. The tech giant has entered into PPAs for wind and even invested in own projects, and now has over 260 megawatts of wind secured through long-term contracts and utility agreements. Google seeks to locate its data centers in close proximity to renewable energy and renewable resources. "Renewable energy is an economic development issue, and it is becoming an increasing consideration on where to go and where we grow," he said. 

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Public Consultation on Product Standard launched

Product label illustrationWindMade has launched the proposed WindMade Standard for Products and Services, setting out the technical requirements for the label to be used on individual products. This draft has entered a one-month public consultation period, which will close on 2 June 2013.

 

The proposed standard requires participating companies to source a minimum of 75 per cent of the electricity used for manufacturing a product (or producing a service) from wind power and other renewable energy sources. A cradle-to-gate approach was adopted, which means that the label will cover the entire power consumption for all product components, from the extraction of the raw materials all the way to the product leaving the factory gate.

 

The introduction of the WindMade Product Label has been eagerly awaited by market participants, and it completes the portfolio of WindMade labels for companies and organizations, as well as events.

 

With introducing the Product Label, WindMade has reached another milestone, and interest in the market indicates that the uptake of this label will be considerable.

 

To participate in the Public Consultation process, please use the following documents:

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Annual General Meeting and change in WindMade Board of Directors  

MirellaWindMade held its second Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2013 in Chicago. During the meeting, WindMade's successful development in 2012 and the work plan for 2013 were revised and unanimously approved by the voting members.

 

At that meeting, a new Board member from Lead Sponsor Vestas was appointed. Mirella Amalia Vitale, Vice President, Global Marketing & Brand Management, is replacing Board Member Bragi Fjaldall. 

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 WindMade submits project proposal to Intelligent Energy Europe

 

IEE logoWindMade has submitted a proposal for funding by Intelligent Energy Europe. Launched in 2003 by the European Commission, the program is part of a broad push to create an energy-intelligent future, supporting the EU's energy efficiency and renewable energy policies.

 

In cooperation with an international consortium of six partners, WindMade's proposal is entitled "Aconsumer label to boost corporate renewable energy use", and it aims to enlarge the existing WindMade labels to include a broader variety of renewable energy technologies.

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Wind Energy Foundation launches WINDFORCE

Windforce logoThe US Wind Energy Foundation has launched WindForceTM, the Foundation's community of environmental professionals for a wind energy workforce, dedicated to supporting and growing the wind energy workforce through education, training, grants, and scholarships.

"We are preparing for tomorrow by training, educating and developing the next generation of wind energy professionals," said Darlene Snow, Executive Director of the Wind Energy Foundation.

 

Donations to WindForce, however large or small, will be put to work creating new programs in workforce development, training, and college scholarships for careers in wind energy.

 

For more information, see www.windenergyfoundation.org

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Make a donation to WindMade

As a non-profit organisation, WindMade relies on funding through membership fees and donations, including the generous support of individuals, businesses and foundations.

 

Individuals, companies or organizations can become donors of WindMade and support corporate environmental sustainability and renewable energy usage.

 

These funds go towards developing and administering the WindMade labels, educational programs for companies as well as awareness raising activities towards the general public.

 

For more information, see www.windmade.org/donate.aspx.

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Join

Upcoming events

 

WindMade will be present at the following events in the coming months. Come and meet us at our booth!

 

Sustainable Brands 2013, 3-6 June 2013, San Diego

 

Green Corporate Energy 2013, 26 June 2013, London.  

 

BSR Conference 2013, 5-8 November 2013, San Francisco.   

 

UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, 19-20 September, New York

 

GoGreen New York, 26 September 2013, New York

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Join

Join us!

Is your company committed to renewable energy use?

Are you looking for a tool to communicate this effectively to your customers?

 

WindMade provides you with a credible and intuitive label, certified by an independent organisation with the backing of WWF, the UN Global Compact and many more.

 

To find out more about WindMade membership and requirements to qualify, please see www.windmade.org or contact [email protected].
 

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Contact Information:

Angelika Pullen [email protected]

Tel: +32 2 230 1677

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