Making the Business Case for Renewable Energy
One of the core values of the contract manufacturing company I worked for, was doing our part to reduce carbon footprint and incorporate green manufacturing practices. It is a selling point that looks good in a pitch deck and to potential clients; but implementing sustainable business practices comes at a price. While that price can be justified over the long term in various ways, it often requires an immediate cash investment that for small businesses or new companies can be difficult to come up with. During my time at Evergreen Innovations, I made it my goal to convert the facility to using 100% renewable energy, and to switch out all of the lighting from fluorescent to LED. The project required research, multiple bids from contractors, and a detailed financial analysis to help make the business case for converting to renewable energy and installing LED lighting throughout the facility.
Roles + Responsibilities
Collected multiple bids from electricians to perform the work, ensuring fair prices and transparent disposal and recycling of our fluorescent bulbs and housings
Orchestrated phases of lighting updates to transition all fluorescent lighting in our facility to LED within in one year. The phases allowed us to cash flow the installation over time vs. needing to finance the project
Found ways to increase our renewable energy usage and temporarily offset short term energy cost increases by reallocating aspects of marketing budget to energy. Allowing us to promote our renewable energy switch to our clients
Converting to LED lighting throughout the space greatly improved visibility in the production areas, and saved $700 a year on the electric bill. Saving the company over $4000 on the balance of their commercial lease
Made switch from using 25% renewable (wind) energy to 100% over course of one year, offsetting costs with various energy rebates
