Clean Energy Optimizers: Scaling Sustainability for Profit and Resilience

At the Adopter phase of the Clean Energy Maturity Model, businesses have enough clean energy projects to see results and effectiveness. But as you progress through that phase, the momentum of your clean energy investments propels your organization into a new phase: Clean Energy Optimizer.

Optimizers recognize that the interest and the evidence are available now, allowing your company to make the most of this business initiative more widely.

Understanding Key Characteristics of an Optimizer Organization

At their core, Optimizers transition from pilot projects to sustained initiatives that drive both immediate and long-term results. If your organization is in the Optimizer phase, you are likely experiencing the following:

• Expanding Multi-Asset Integration
  Optimizers move beyond limited clean energy projects to adopt a multi-asset strategy. For example, a company may enhance solar arrays with integrated battery storage to optimize time-of-use electricity or install EV chargers to expand sustainable infrastructure.
• Leveraging Real-Time Data Monitoring
  Initial clean energy efforts may have relied on software for essential energy management, but Optimizers fully utilize data through active, ongoing monitoring. This allows organizations to make real-time adjustments that maximize energy efficiency, cost savings, and production.
• Establishing a Dedicated Sustainability Team
  Optimizers embed sustainability into their organizational structure. Dedicated teams are empowered to set and achieve emissions reduction goals, moving beyond Scope 1 (operational emissions) to address Scope 2 (purchased electricity emissions). These teams are also tasked with securing financing and incentives for continued expansion.

Optimizers and the Eight Core Areas of Clean Energy Progress

As the Clean Energy Maturity Model lays out, sustainability initiatives are often being advanced on many fronts. You're likely in the Optimizer phase if you are reaching the following milestones and facing the following challenges in these eight core areas.

1. Strategy
   Clean energy is embedded into standard operating procedures, and initiatives are planned to scale across additional locations or expand current offerings.
2. Financial Considerations
   Organizations maximize incentive programs such as federal credits and EV rebates while exploring monetization opportunities for clean energy assets.
3. Funding
   Optimizers reinvest savings from existing projects into new initiatives supported by diversified funding sources.
4. Technology
   Complementary technologies like solar, energy storage and EV charging are integrated and supported by energy management systems for peak performance.
5. Advocacy
   Organizations move from internal support to external advocacy, sharing lessons learned and growing their reputation as industry thought leaders.
6. Organization & Culture
   Clean energy initiatives become part of the organization’s DNA, driven by leadership and embraced at all levels.
7. Environmental Impact
   Optimizers make measurable progress on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, advancing toward net-zero carbon goals.
8. Business Operations
   Integrated clean energy assets reduce grid dependence, enhance resiliency, and streamline business operations.

Tackling Optimizer Challenges

Even with widespread support and adoption, challenges arise as organizations scale. Optimizers must navigate:

• Managing Complexity
  As more technologies become involved, organizations face increasing complexity. Prioritizing streamlined management and integration ensures optimal performance.
• Aligning Teams
  Cross-functional alignment is essential to avoid silos. Clear goals, shared metrics, and collaboration help scale projects effectively.
• Balancing Immediate Wins with Long-Term Goals
  Optimizers must celebrate short-term victories while investing in sustainable, long-term improvements.

Case Study: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente, the first national healthcare system to achieve carbon neutrality in 2020, illustrates the power of optimization:

• Key Actions: Invested in over 1,500 PowerFlex EV chargers across multiple states, complementing solar efforts.
• Impact:some text
  • 80,000 EV charging sessions annually.
  • 1.5 million miles of electric driving supported.
  • $200,000 in annual charging revenue offsets energy costs.
• Lesson Learned: Strategic integration of clean energy technologies delivers significant environmental and financial returns.

Case Study: Target Corporation

Target’s strategic approach to clean energy highlights the benefits of scaling initiatives:

• Key Actions: Installed solar panels at over 500 store locations and paired solar with battery storage in key regions.
• Impact:some text
  • 95.7 million kWh of clean energy annually
  • Equivalent to powering 7,800 homes each year
• Lesson Learned: Pairing technologies like solar and battery storage amplify impact, providing resilience and revenue generation.

What's Next for Optimizers? The Leader Phase

The Leader phase represents a natural evolution for Optimizers who have successfully integrated clean energy assets and operationalized their sustainability efforts. Transitioning to this level involves scaling successes, optimizing systems across a portfolio, and driving more significant impact. Here's how Optimizers can prepare for the next step:

1. Systematize Scaling
   Optimizers must create templates and standardized processes for rolling out clean energy projects across multiple locations to scale effectively. Organizations can replicate successes more quickly and efficiently by documenting best practices and refining workflows.
2. Monetize Assets
   Leaders maximize the financial potential of clean energy by participating in revenue-generating programs. Opportunities like net metering, where surplus energy is sold back to the grid, and demand response programs, which compensate organizations for reducing grid stress, create new revenue streams. These funds can be reinvested to support future projects.
3. Optimize Performance
   Transitioning from site-level management to portfolio-level optimization is a hallmark of the Leader phase. By analyzing data across multiple assets, organizations can identify areas for improvement, track performance benchmarks, and implement adjustments to maximize energy production and cost savings.
4. Advocate for Change
   Leaders extend their influence beyond their operations, forming coalitions with like-minded organizations and lobbying for clean energy-friendly policies. By sharing insights and success stories, they inspire industry-wide progress while positioning themselves as sustainability trailblazers.

Moving into the Leader phase requires a long-term commitment to operational excellence and industry collaboration. Organizations at this level are focused on achieving complete energy independence, reducing emissions to the lowest possible levels, and monetizing clean energy assets to support ongoing innovation.

Thriving as an Optimizer

The Optimizer phase is where momentum builds for adopting clean energy. By leveraging advanced technologies, integrating multi-asset strategies, and embracing financial optimization, organizations lay the groundwork for resilience, energy independence, and leadership.

When you're ready to scale further, PowerFlex can help you expand your clean energy efforts and transition to the Leader phase. Contact us today to accelerate your journey.