National Grid's Strategic Energy Management Partnership Improves Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Use for Commercial Customers

November 12, 2020 /3BL Media/ - National Grid is supporting commercial and industrial customers across the state with energy  use planning aimed at reducing operating costs and reaching renewable energy targets. Among  customers National Grid is working with through its Strategic Energy Management Partnership, or SEMP, is Beech-Nut Nutrition in Amsterdam, which is seeking to lower operating costs and improve  operational efficiency. 

Beech-Nut also is enrolled in New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s  On-site Energy Manager program, or OsEM, which subsidizes energy management staff costs for  industrial and commercial facilities to hire a dedicated, part-time or full-time on-site energy manager. 

By enrolling in SEMP and OsEM, Beech-Nut can reap multiple benefits. NYSERDA’s On-site  Energy Manager identifies energy efficiency opportunities, provides energy team development and  management, identifies financial incentive and supports the associated documentation required by  National Grid, who subsequently provides financial incentives to undertake the energy efficiency  projects.  

“This is a great opportunity for National Grid to work with state resources and our customers  to improve energy efficiency and reduce overall demand while providing cost-saving opportunities to  large customers,” said Melanie Littlejohn, National Grid vice president for customer and community. 

Beech-Nut initiated participation in both programs earlier this year and has used the contractor  engagement On-site Energy Manager model to identify multiple natural gas and electricity use  reduction opportunities. 

“Together, NYSERDA and National Grid are helping to support Beech-Nut’s Mission “To  leave future generations with a healthier environment”. Sustainability efforts such as electric and  natural gas reduction and efficiency improvements are a major part of our Mission. These programs  have identified thousands of dollars in reduction opportunities and energy cost savings so far, and  we look forward to continuing our work to find and address additional efficiency improvement  opportunities,” said, Jeff Heiser, VP of Business Support, who is leading Beech-Nut’s Sustainability Program. 

“NYSERDA commends Beech-Nut for demonstrating leadership in combating climate  change through their efforts to increase energy efficiency at their facility and reduce electricity and  natural gas consumption. As New York works to achieve Governor Cuomo’s ambitious clean  energy and climate goals, we need private and public partners to lead the way by actively engaging  and investing to improve their energy future,” said NYSERDA President and Acting CEO Doreen M.  Harris.  

The SEMP initiative provides guidance for: 

• Decreased operating costs via energy efficiency. 
• Electric vehicle fleet conversion. 
• On-site EV charging capability. 
• Installing on-site renewable energy use. 
• Electric energy storage system deployment. 
• Sustainability goal support such as carbon reduction. 
• Cost reduction through load shifting and demand response. 

As one of the largest energy companies in the northeast, National Grid plays a vital role in  connecting millions of people to the energy that they use and rely upon every single day. The  company recently released its Net Zero by 2050 Plan, aimed at achieving net zero by 2050,  including emissions from the transmission and delivery of electricity and gas to customers. The  plan builds on the company’s Responsible Business Charter which established National Grid’s commitments to the environment, employees, customers, and communities. Over the last three  years, across upstate New York, National Grid has spent nearly $15 million on incentives for a  variety of energy efficiency projects. These projects have saved nearly 964,000 megawatt hours of  electricity which, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration, is the amount of electricity  consumed by approximately 88,000 U.S. homes in 2018. 

Those who would like to learn more about NYSERDA’s programs or National Grid’s SEMP  initiative should contact their National Grid or NYSERDA representatives. NYSERDA’s programs are  available to industrial facilities throughout the state, while National Grid’s SEMP initiative is available  to large industrial customers across National Grid’s upstate New York service area.  

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, and find our photos on Instagram.

CONTACT: Patrick Stella 518-433-3838