The Role of Energy Management in Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Reduce Carbon Emissions with Smart Energy Management

Tightening regulations and increasing consumer pressure are pushing construction and facility managers to reduce their carbon emissions. But what if generators — traditionally seen as carbon culprits — could actually be part of the solution when utilized with effective energy management strategies?

Key Takeaways

• Built environments generate 40% of annual global CO2 emissions, making sustainable construction practices essential for our future.
• Understanding and addressing all three emission scopes (1, 2, and 3) is crucial for effective decarbonization planning.
• Optimized generator systems can achieve peak efficiency at 80% power rating, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
• Our rental solutions and Energy Management as a Service (EMaaS™) make sustainable power accessible without major capital investment.

The Carbon Challenge in Construction and Facility Management

The push to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint isn't just a trend. Whether you're running a construction site or managing a facility, it's starting to become a fundamental requirement. Construction equipment alone produced 1.1% of global CO2 emissions in 2022, while the total built environment generates about 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. Built environments are all the man-made/modified structures that provide people with living, working, and recreational spaces. And with 2.6 trillion square feet of new floor area expected by 2060, the pressure to adopt sustainable practices has never been greater¹.

Building owners and consumers increasingly demand low-carbon construction methods, whether to meet LEED standards or align with their own corporate sustainability goals. This shift goes beyond environmental responsibility. These companies know that it's also about remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Effective carbon reduction requires understanding different types of emissions. Scope 1 emissions — those directly from your equipment and operations — often represent the most immediate opportunity for improvement. Generator optimization can play a meaningful role in reducing Scope 1 emissions as they are directly controlled through your equipment choices and operational strategies.

Scope 2 emissions, relating to purchased electricity, and Scope 3 emissions throughout your supply chain, present additional challenges. Sunbelt Rentals can help organizations address these through comprehensive energy management strategies and sustainable solutions that reduce overall energy consumption while maximizing the efficiency of necessary power generation.

Many organizations are targeting net-zero emissions by 2035 and zero emissions by 2050. While this might sound daunting, there are practical steps you can take today. Companies with aggressive goals could be targeting net-zero emissions by 2035 through reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

Smart Power Solutions for Your Next Project

To help target emissions goals, Sunbelt Rentals is helping transform how various industries approach power generation and energy management. When run continuously regardless of demand, traditional generators waste fuel and generate unnecessary emissions. But what if instead you could combine advanced generator technology with smart energy management systems to match power supply specifically to the demand?

To start, you will need to understand how generators operate at peak efficiency. Modern generators achieve optimal performance when running at 80% or greater of their power rating. However, your power needs will fluctuate throughout the day. This is where our integrated solutions can help make a real difference.

Advanced Generator Technology

Our rental fleet includes the latest Tier 4 Final generators, representing a significant leap forward in emissions reduction technology. Tier 4 Final standards are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and mandate that generators be operated with enough load to clean the exhaust. While they do not reduce CO2 or greenhouse gas emissions, these advanced units employ advanced engine designs and exhaust after-treatment systems that can reduce more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions than older models.

Rightsizing for Maximum Efficiency

Oversized generators typically run at 20-30% capacity, leading to poor fuel efficiency and increased emissions. Undersized units strain to meet demand, potentially causing power fluctuations and reduced lifespan of the equipment. Rightsizing can lead to substantial reduction in fuel consumption, making it an impactful and cost-effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Through our load bank testing and power monitoring services, Sunbelt Rentals can help determine your exact power requirements and match them with the most efficient generator solution for your needs. This might mean deploying multiple smaller units that can be cycled based on demand rather than a single large generator or incorporating load-on-demand technologies that automatically adjust output to match current needs.

Hybrid Power Management

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can operate in hybrid auto-power management mode when integrated with traditional generators. When a generator or utility power source supplies power to a site, excess power is used to charge the BESS. When the generator is switched off, the power seamlessly transitions to the BESS. The generator will restart when the battery supply is depleted or when the power load exceeds support. This approach eliminates the need for oversized generators or multiple units running below optimal capacity and significantly reducing fuel consumption compared to traditional setups.

Energy Management as a Service (EMaaS™)

Energy Management as a Service (EMaaS™) is a comprehensive approach that creates custom power ecosystems for each application. This customization helps optimize your energy use to reduce waste. A core part of EMaaS is real-time monitoring and advanced telematics which offer unprecedented visibility into power consumption patterns.

With EMaaS, you'll discover that the benefits to your operations go beyond just the environmental impact. When generators run at their optimal efficiency, fuel consumption is decreased. This reduction leads to not only a reduction in carbon emissions but also lower operating costs.

Our Approach to Your Sustainability Goals

Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, the Sunbelt Rentals Power & HVAC Services team begins by understanding your specific needs and challenges. For example, construction sites have unique power demands that can vary by project phase, weather conditions, and equipment requirements. Our experts analyze these factors to design systems that maintain productivity while also minimizing environmental impact.

The process starts with a thorough assessment of your power needs and existing equipment efficiency. We then develop a customized strategy that might include:

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) running in standalone, hybrid, or parallel mode
• Smart load management systems that optimize power distribution
• Real-time monitoring for continuous performance optimization
• Flexible rental equipment contracts that adapt to changing project needs

The path toward sustainability is a continuous process, but the journey for many decisions makers will require innovative thinking and proven solutions. The technology to make significant improvements in how we power construction sites and manage facility operations exists today. As we look toward meeting increasingly ambitious environmental targets, efficient power generation plays an even more important role.

Sunbelt Rentals is committed to leading this transformation in the rental equipment industry through continued innovation and practical solutions. Our nationwide network is here to support your sustainability initiatives, providing access to the latest technologies and expert assistance whenever and wherever you need it.

Summary

The path to reduced carbon emissions doesn't have to be complicated or costly. Optimizing the efficiency of your existing technologies is a great start. Whether you're managing a construction site or running a facility, Sunbelt Rentals can help make sustainable power management accessible, practical, and effective through our comprehensive range of solutions and expertise.

Let's work together to develop a customized power solution that meets your sustainability goals and operational needs.

Want to dive deeper into ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Read Part 2 of this series for generator optimization tips, or jump to Part 3 to discover how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can revolutionize your power management strategy.

¹ Wilton, Mark, and Jason Thompson. "Decarbonization Through Energy Management: Supporting Your Sustainability Goals." Power Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023. Webinar. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.