Apple powers forward in new renewable power options
A new energy storage project marks the next frontier in Apple’s efforts to become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030
Apple recently announced that over 110 of its manufacturing partners around the world are moving to 100 percent renewable energy for their Apple manufacturing. Almost 8 gigawatts of planned clean energy should go online. After completing these commitments, more than 15 million tons of CO2e will be avoided annually – this corresponds to an annual decrease in more than 3.4 million cars.
The company is also investing directly in renewable energy projects to cover some of the upstream emissions and in a large energy storage project in California to test new renewable infrastructure solutions.
“We are determined to help our suppliers become carbon neutral by 2030 and we are delighted that companies that have joined us span industries and countries around the world including Germany, China, the US, India and France “said Lisa Jackson. Apple’s Vice President for Environment, Politics and Social Initiatives.
“In a year like no other, Apple continued to work with a global network of colleagues, companies and advocates to help our environmental efforts and everything we do for the good of people – and to work with the communities hardest hit on climate change. “
In July last year, the company announced its plan to become carbon neutral across its entire business, supply chain and product lifecycle by 2030. Since that announcement, Apple has significantly increased the number of its suppliers switching to renewable energy.
Apple is already climate neutral for its global corporate activities. This new commitment means that by 2030, every Apple device sold will have no climate impact. The company recently shared new details on its $ 4.7 billion spending on green bonds to support environmental projects around the world.
Apple is constantly developing new tools for its suppliers to meet their renewable energy goals and provide new clean energy to communities around the world. In Europe, the wind energy purchase agreement from DSM Engineering Materials brings new clean energy to the grid in the Netherlands, and the solar carport from STMicroelectronics in Morocco supports regional energy generation.
Companies like Solvay are now expanding their use of renewable energy to their broader businesses after joining the Apple Supplier Clean Energy Program five years ago. In the United States, Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, Marian, The Chemours Company, and Trinseo recently signed up for the program. In China, 15 suppliers have joined the Apple program since July 2020.
The company shares Apple’s experience of transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy with its suppliers and introduces suppliers to resources and training materials with country-specific information to help them transition to renewable energy.
Apple also trains suppliers through advanced and bespoke training with leading experts. And the company supports the creation and growth of renewable energy industry associations that its suppliers can join to learn about local opportunities.
In many of the markets in which the company operates, suppliers have limited opportunities to access clean energy. To break this barrier, Apple launched the China Clean Energy Fund, which allows Apple and its suppliers to invest in clean energy projects with a total volume of more than one gigawatt of renewable energy in China. Apple is also offering suppliers the option to purchase renewable energy direct from developers and utilities when these models hit global markets.
Looking ahead, Apple’s collaboration with its suppliers will include sharing lessons from the next frontier of Apple’s renewable energy efforts: investing in storage solutions for renewable sites.
Apple is building one of the largest battery projects in the country, California Flats – an industry-leading, grid-scale energy storage project that can store 240 megawatt hours of energy and enough to power more than 7,000 homes for a day. This project supports the company’s 130 megawatt solar farm, which provides all of its renewable energy in California by storing excess energy generated during the day and using it when needed.
Wind and solar power represent the most cost-effective new power source in many parts of the world. However, the temporary use of these technologies has hampered widespread adoption. One solution for the interruption is the energy storage system, which can store the generated energy until it is needed. Apple is investing in utility-scale storage in California and exploring new energy storage technologies, including those based on distributed storage capacities in the Santa Clara Valley and via the Apple Park microgrid.
Overall, Apple was able to steadily reduce its carbon footprint despite the increased net sales. The company’s footprint has been reduced by 40 percent, which is a steady advance towards its 2030 goal. Initiatives to use low carbon materials, increase energy efficiency and switch to clean energy have avoided more than 15 million tonnes of emissions.
