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Top 5 Things to Look For in a Sustainable Energy Partner

Organizations worldwide are prioritizing renewable energy as a path to achieving increasingly ambitious sustainability goals. Keep reading to find out about the top 5 things to look for in a sustainable energy partner.

Many organizations are committing to 100 percent sourced renewable energy through initiatives like RE100. When sustainability goals are publicized, the stakes for achievement are high. Increasingly, consumers and stakeholders want details about environmental impacts. Setting sustainability targets coincides with the rapid evolution of conventional energy supply.

However, the complexity of renewables and their potential impact on business operations remain a primary concern. Successfully navigating this new landscape calls for more than just a power supplier; an energy partner who understands your needs and commitments is essential.  

If you want to make renewables part of your energy management strategy, look for a partner with these must-haves. 

1. Understands Customer Needs 

The renewable energy world can be challenging to navigate.

Significant execution and pricing complexity can lead to unforeseen outcomes and ultimately buyer’s remorse. An appropriate renewable energy partner should clearly explain what options are available and how much each option will cost. Moreover, they will align recommendations to your budget, sustainability goals, risk tolerance, efficiency objectives and preferred timeline.

Ultimately, the right partner will have a robust understanding of your business needs in order to deliver the best solution for you. 

2. Solutions & Service Options

Energy management is not one-size-fits-all.

Building renewables into your energy approach might include both greening-up supply and managing demand to increase efficiency. Make sure your energy partner offers supply and demand management, including solutions ranging from Renewable Energy Credits to offsite and on-site generation. Many large organizations require a combination of supply solutions to meet aggressive targets, so a partner with several options is key.

  • Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are an easy way to offset a specific quantity or percentage of the conventional power you use. 
  • Carbon offsets compensate for carbon dioxide emitted from natural gas, vehicle emissions or any other type of fossil fuel energy usage. They help companies make immediate progress toward reducing their carbon footprint. 
  • Energy efficiency solutions are a win-win that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower costs. A trustworthy supplier can help you complete an energy audit of your facility to identify inefficiencies, then offer solutions like lighting retrofits, timed controls or energy recapture to address them. 
  • Renewable Choice™ comes directly from a specific renewable asset. You can choose the specific resource like wind or solar and support regional development of clean energy. 
  • Green power purchase agreements (PPA) allow you to buy energy from a renewable power developer and directly participate in greening up the grid. 
  • On-site solar generation means creating your own power through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Surplus energy can be stored for future use or transferred to the grid for additional business revenue.

Oftentimes ambitious sustainability goals can only be achieved by adopting multiple solutions and a good partner will help you develop a customized solution that best fits your requirements. For example, businesses may want to buy clean energy that supports green energy jobs and the local economy. Organizations can use renewable buying power as an opportunity to invest in the community or region where they operate, and their customers live. 

3. Industry Expertise

Every organization has unique challenges based on their size, industry and budget. Find a partner who can address yours by negotiating complex energy agreements and integrating renewables into your energy portfolio. A diverse portfolio helps boost reliability and reduce market risk. The right experts can navigate the energy market and continue to serve you during ups and downs. 

4. Risk Management

Optimal energy companies manage risk and solve complex problems on behalf of their customers. For example, if you sign a wholesale contract directly with a wind farm developer, you could be left paying a market-based rate to cover your supply needs during times when wind power supply is low. A retail supplier can guarantee renewable energy delivery and manage variable market risks that affect price like supply, demand and weather. This protects your budget and ensures that you always receive the energy you need to power your organization.

5. Credibility

The foundation for a successful long-term partnership is built on financial stability and reliability. Your energy partner will be around for the term of your contract, so choose a solid one. An established supplier, with experience in the wholesale markets and diverse regions, can typically provide more supply options and flexibility. When you select mature and experienced partners, a customized renewable energy approach for your business is within reach.

Your energy partner plays a pivotal role in designing a reliable clean energy solution for your business. Choose a credible expert with the industry expertise and custom service options to achieve your sustainability goals.

About Direct Energy Business

Your energy needs are unique. It’s time you had an energy supplier that treats you like it. From small businesses to large enterprises, organizations need solutions to buy and use energy in ways that meet their unique needs. Direct Energy Business is the energy supplier with tailored plans and solutions for operations of every size.

They are committed to leveraging their size and strength to deliver solutions that help make their customers’ businesses better across North America’ energy markets. Direct Energy Business serves commercial and industrial customers in 24 U.S. markets and eight Canadian provinces, providing electricity and natural gas supply and energy management services. They are part of Direct Energy, North America’s largest competitive retail energy supplier, serving more than five million customers across North America.

About Broker Online Exchange

Broker Online Exchange (BOX) is the largest and most flexible retail energy network in North America. We satisfy the needs of commercial customers, energy brokers, and affiliates by providing direct access to North America’s top suppliers, markets, personalized support and payment plans.

For commercial energy customers, BOX offers access to the largest and most experienced broker network in the country. We connect customers to professional, specialized energy brokers will help satisfy your energy needs with the industry’s best prices. With over 47,000 customers served across every market and industry, we know how to help each customers’ specific industry and market combination like no one else.

If you have any questions about our industry-leading energy consultant partnership, referral partner opportunities, or have a commercial property and are looking to save on energy bills, please contact us today!