“1Souce is a specialized firm with expertise in the building sciences and industrial hygiene space, TRC will leverage that expertise, incorporating it into our already robust roster of solutions,” said, Chris Vincze, TRC CEO. “With this acquisition, we are positioned to capitalize on 1Source’s expertise in environmental health and safety as well as their strong presence in Pennsylvania. This further strengthens our strategic growth strategy and commitment to our environmental partners and clients.”
Founded in 1999 and based in Exton, Pennsylvania, 1Source has cultivated a strong client base and provides services in industrial hygiene, safety, asbestos and lead management, indoor air quality and mold, and litigation support services.
“Joining TRC enables 1Source to better serve our clients, as well as to expand our services nationally. TRC’s Building Sciences and Industrial Hygiene practice complements our offerings and provides our customers with a broader suite of solutions,” said Chris Schneider, President of 1Source. “Additionally, we felt the two companies were highly aligned in their cultures and missions. We are excited to become a part of TRC and look forward to continuing to work with our valued customers, while expanding our strategic reach and creating additional opportunities for our team.”
This acquisition brings an experienced team of certified industrial hygienists and certified safety professionals, expanding TRC’s ability to serve customers in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.
“With its expertise in safety and industrial hygiene services, 1Source is a great strategic fit for TRC. For over five decades, TRC has been known for our ability to provide health and safety compliance, control and quality related to our environmental services,” said Mark Robbins, President of TRC’s Environmental Sector. “The global pandemic has reaffirmed that our strategic focus on health and safety is paramount to our customers and the addition of 1Source’s 25 highly qualified, credentialed and talented individuals, will further bolster our ability to support those areas.”
About TRC Companies
A pioneer in groundbreaking scientific and engineering developments since the 1960s, TRC is a leading consulting, engineering and construction management firm that provides technology-enabled solutions to the power, infrastructure, environmental and energy markets. We serve a broad range of public and private clients, steering complex projects from concept to completion to help solve the toughest challenges. TRC is ranked #20 on ENR’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States. Learn more at TRCcompanies.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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What Is Energy Transition and How Can Businesses Shift to Clean Energy?
November 20, 2024
Energy transition is the goal of eliminating reliance on fossil fuels for power generation. The escalating climate emergency and urgent energy crisis indicate a breakdown of legacy systems, ushering in a new and more sustainable energy era. The energy industry has made significant changes, yet fossil fuels still dominate energy generation. The energy transition is ongoing, requiring real-time strategic updates and community involvement. With 67% of Americans agreeing that the country should prioritize developing alternative energy sources, businesses must adjust their roadmaps for maximum sustainability impact. The journey begins with understanding the destination, and the more organizations know about the transition to clean energy, the better they can align sustainability strategies with maintaining profitability and meeting consumer demands. Understanding Energy Transition Energy transition means moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources. Electricity generation is responsible for about one-third of U.S. carbon emissions, so the process is a massive undertaking. It requires short- and long-term strategies across the global energy sector. The principal goal is to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2050, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. In the short term, the aim is to halve emissions by 2030. We have already made significant progress in transitioning to a clean energy future. Renewable energy sources have become more economically viable. With almost 90% of consumers believing organizations should do more to reduce their carbon impact, societal pressure has played a considerable role. However, the transition is challenging in many respects. Businesses must change their paradigms and operating systems while maintaining an edge in competitive markets. Although energy transition is a fluid process, three main strategies have emerged that businesses can use to achieve internal and broader emissions and efficiency goals: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Promoting the use of sustainable fuels over fossil fuels. Use renewable energy: Encouraging replacing fossil fuel-generated energy sources with renewable sources such as solar or wind power. Improve energy efficiency: Integrating energy-efficient technology and protocols for businesses and energy efficiency. Energy Transition and Climate Change The relationship between energy transition and climate change includes the following elements: Mitigating the effects of climate change: Renewable energy technologies produce little to no carbon emissions and could provide 90% of the reductions in CO2 emissions. Improving air quality: The burning of fossil fuels releases more than CO2. It also releases harmful pollutants and particulate matter into the atmosphere, which can cause various health problems for the population. Shifting to clean energy sources improves human and animal health. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels: Many countries still depend on fossil fuels as their primary source of energy generation. The energy transition will reduce this dependence by investing in renewable energy infrastructure. Conserving natural resources: Fossil fuel extraction has a devastating impact, including water pollution and habitat destruction. The energy transition reduces the need for resource-intensive extractions and the accompanying environmental damage. Supporting sustainable development: The energy transition empowers communities to manage their power. Renewable energy sources are often decentralized from the grid, providing clean energy in remote areas. The transition also promotes job creation and economic growth in the green technology and renewable energy sectors. Left unchecked, climate change and traditional energy create a vicious cycle. Fossil fuel-based energy contributes to climate change, putting additional strain on the energy infrastructure. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent due to climate change, and a lack of grid resilience in the face of weather events like floods, fires and storms causes widespread blackouts. The Pillars of Energy Transition The energy transition may seem daunting for businesses balancing sustainability and profitability. Understanding the actionable steps they can take provides a roadmap for incremental change. Large-scale energy transition requires more than infrastructural change — a complete shift at every level is necessary to meet emissions and sustainability goals. The three pillars of energy transition for businesses include: 1. Understand Renewable Energy Basics The first step to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is gathering information on the different types of renewables. Many emerging technologies exist in renewable energy generation, like offshore wind and solar farms. The most common renewable energy resources include: Wind: As wind flows over the blades of a turbine, it creates mechanical power by turning the blades. A built-in drive shaft turns an electric generator to produce electricity. Solar: When light hits photovoltaic cells, it knocks electrons loose from the semiconductor material, generating electricity. Hydropower: Like wind power, water flows through hydroelectric dams, generating mechanical energy that spins a turbine connected to an electric generator. Geothermal: This form of energy generation leverages underground heat. Pipes and wells pump hot water from underground reservoirs. The water boils over into steam as it reaches the surface, rotating steam turbines. These turbines are connected to generators that produce electricity. Biomass: Biomass consists of organic plants and matter from living organisms. It’s collected and burned in a boiler, producing steam, which rotates turbine blades connected to generators. Biomass can also be converted into other liquids and gases and used as fuel for electricity generation. Nuclear: Nuclear energy is not technically renewable but is still considered clean energy. Using nuclear power plants to generate energy is a contentious issue. Many people are against it due to problems like radioactive waste, which is harmful to the environment. Weather fluctuations and climate variability are among the most significant challenges when transitioning to renewable energy sources. For example, solar panels can only produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. The energy demand is inconsistent, and people use electricity at different times. Therefore, energy storage solutions like distributed energy resources are crucial in the transition process. Lithium-ion battery storage is a standard storage solution for solar energy. These massive batteries store energy when there is more supply than demand. As demand increases or the renewable source becomes inconsistent, users rely on this stored energy, preventing it from going to waste. These solutions allow renewable energy resources to produce power even during minimal demand. Various types of storage exist, from flow batteries to pumped hydroelectricity. 2. Make Energy Efficiency Improvements As long as we rely on fossil fuels for the bulk of our electricity, any energy wastage is counterintuitive for the energy transition. Many businesses may be unable to transition entirely to renewables in the short term, but they can make incremental energy-efficiency improvements, including: Invest in energy-saving equipment: Every business has different needs and equipment requirements. Depending on the industry, companies can upgrade their equipment to minimize wastage, like using energy-efficient lighting and insulation. Power down: On average, 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted. A simple change like powering down at the end of the day makes an entire business more energy efficient. Set goals: Energy efficiency is a team effort. Businesses can set monthly efficiency goals and involve their teams in achieving them, such as not exceeding a set amount of electricity usage. Integrate renewable energy sources: Installing solar panels is the first step for many businesses. The changes can be small but can be implemented more as they become economically viable. Optimize supply chain operations: Energy transition requires considerable cooperation. Businesses can partner with suppliers with the same sustainability commitment to optimize logistics and implement sustainable practices across the supply chain. Collaborate with experts: Many businesses need help to maximize sustainability and profitability. Working with a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy transition can provide valuable insights and energy efficiency ideas. 3. Comply With Government Energy Policies The U.S. government has instituted several policies to govern and promote the use of renewable energy sources in businesses, including: The Energy Policy Act: Passed in 2005, the Energy Policy Act covers almost all aspects of energy production in the U.S. It provides tax incentives and other benefits for renewable energy production. It also offers additional loan payments for technologies that generate power without greenhouse gases. The Energy Independence and Security Act: This legislation aims to move the country toward greater energy independence and security, increasing the production of clean, renewable fuels. It identifies and improves energy efficiency in products, buildings and research. The Inflation Reduction Act: This climate legislation is the most significant in U.S. history. It offers various incentives and funding to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Technology is one of our most valuable assets in energy transition, and the impact of digital transformation on the energy sector is profound. Over 70% of the electricity grid in the U.S. is over 25 years old, necessitating upgrades to meet current power and sustainability demands. Integrating cutting-edge technologies can improve grid reliability, enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Smart grid technologies are coming to the fore, using advanced technology solutions like data analytics to boost grid resiliency and reduce emissions. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in energy transition, collecting and analyzing massive amounts of data to highlight discrepancies in the clean energy transition. Integrating significant qualities of renewable energy generation is another area where technology shines. Digital technology and machine learning can forecast and match supply and demand, reducing emissions, cutting costs and improving grid resilience. Grid decentralization is increasing across the globe as more communities transition to renewables and proactively manage their consumption. As uncertainty over energy prices and grid resilience grows, technology like smart meters provides comprehensive energy consumption data, reducing electricity costs and limiting wastage. In short, technology is the most accessible roadmap to complete energy transition. Overcoming Challenges in Energy Transition Energy transition represents a seismic shift in mindsets and operational processes — challenges are expected. Although clean energy sources reached a record of 40.6% of total U.S. electricity in 2022, we have a long way to go. Some common energy transition challenges include: Renewable energy accessibility: For businesses to adopt renewable energy sources, they must be competitive against traditional alternatives. Recent technological advancements have made it possible to transition without impacting profitability. Grid stability and resilience: Energy transition requires a stable and resilient grid to avoid negative impacts on business operations. Energy storage solutions play a massive role in establishing grid stability against the variability of renewable energy sources. Economic impact: Many communities across the U.S. rely on the financial impact of traditional energy production. Some worry that widespread energy transition will lead to economic instability. However, continued research and increasing infrastructure are making the transition more viable. Social acceptance: Despite the global shift toward prioritizing renewable energy solutions, only 31% of Americans say they are ready to phase out fossil fuels entirely. An overwhelming majority support their continued use alongside renewables. Much of their hesitancy stems from concerns over grid resilience and economic impact, and a widespread shift in mindsets is the only way to achieve total energy transition. The key to achieving energy transition is adopting a holistic approach. Working with energy experts can make incremental yet meaningful changes. A clean and sustainable energy system is only possible when taking complete advantage of technological innovations and industry expertise. For businesses, agility, peace of mind and fortitude are critical ingredients in making the shift. As compliance goalposts and industry trends evolve, end-to-end energy transition solutions will keep organizations agile in a rapidly changing landscape. How Businesses Play a Role in a Greener Future Businesses are powerful allies in the global energy transition. They must play several roles to make an impact while achieving their objectives. If organizations can balance satisfying consumer needs, remaining profitable and reducing their carbon footprint, they’ve won half the battle. The other half goes beyond the numbers, placing sustainability at the core of their mission and vision for the future. When organizations emphasize energy transition, consumers follow their example. Energy-efficient practices, principles and products filter through the population, alleviating concerns about a future built on renewable energy. Charting the Path Forward Although we have already made significant positive changes in the quest for energy transition, we still have many challenges to overcome to reach the established 2030 and 2050 goals. A melting pot of policies, market trends, technology and consumer concerns means navigating the path with care. Approaches must be agile and intentional to navigate this yet unchartered territory. Despite the challenges and concerns, businesses must take proactive steps toward energy transition, from outsourcing energy audits to educating employees. As the world focuses on sustainability, new technologies will continue to emerge, streamlining the path to a complete transition to renewable energy sources. The first steps may be minor changes, but their value will combine over time as we usher in a new era of power generation. Join TRC on Your Energy Transition Journey A successful energy transition means considerable changes in many business operations. In line with net-zero goals, the energy landscape is constantly evolving, and your organization must keep up with these rapid changes to meet its energy transition objectives. Partnering with experts who understand these industry fluctuations will help you navigate the various challenges associated with energy transition. As a trusted partner to the utility industry for over 50 years, we have our finger on the pulse of renewable energy trends and technologies. TRC’s tested practitioners can help you make informed decisions about your power systems. We will guide you through complex energy issues and help you maintain profitable operations throughout your transition. Contact us for more information and start your sustainability journey today.
TRC Earns U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Qualification to be a Provider of Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Equivalent Energy Assessments
September 24, 2024
TRC can now provide IAC equivalent energy audits to small and medium-sized manufacturing (SMM) firms, who can receive grants of up to $300,000 for implementation of audit recommendations.
Utility Carbon Data Management
May 27, 2024
We’re pleased to announce Episode 7 of TRC’s Energy Talks Podcast, where we join experts from utilities and carbon accounting solution providers to discuss how our industry is understanding, measuring, and working to improve our collective carbon footprint.
Empowering Stakeholders to Co-Create Solutions that Address Inequity
April 23, 2024
Addressing inequality and ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition are accessible to all requires close examination of long-relied-upon processes that may have hidden inequities ingrained within them.
Monetizing the Environmental Attributes of Building Decarbonization Programs
March 27, 2024
Tune in to Episode 6 of TRC’s Energy Talks Podcast, where we join industry experts from the wholesale energy and environmental commodity markets to discuss how utilities and project developers are valuing the environmental attributes of building decarbonization projects.
Webinar Replay
March 26, 2024
TRC’s panel of practitioners discuss the Hydrogen Hub (H2Hub) funding provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL).
TRC Companies, Inc. selected to participate in Department of Energy (DOE) Multi-State Clean Hydrogen Hub
October 13, 2023
TRC received an award for advancing the transition to a clean-hydrogen, low-carbon economy by supporting the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) consortium.
Download Whitepaper: 10 Years of Insights for Clean Community Microgrids
March 1, 2023
Clean, community microgrids represent a promising and timely opportunity for you to advance your customer offering and deliver meaningful societal benefits, all while modernizing your grid and providing you with load flexibility.
Carrots and Sticks for Building Decarbonization: Incentive Programs and Codes & Standards
January 11, 2023
Decarbonization of the U.S. building stock presents an enormous opportunity to enhance the quality of our built environment and combat climate change, given that commercial and residential buildings account for over 30% of GHG emissions in the U.S. This critical transition – long underway – has recently been catalyzed by the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which promise to bolster the entire clean energy supply chain, including support for the development and enforcement of building energy codes, as well as the introduction of new consumer incentive programs for electric and high-efficiency equipment. As energy utilities and governmental agencies accelerate energy efficiency and decarbonization initiatives for the communities they serve, they are successfully leveraging two important tool sets: 1) Building efficiency and electrification incentive programs 2) Building energy codes, reach codes and appliance standards. Respectively, these are the carrots and sticks of market transformation toward building decarbonization. Presently, governmental initiatives and organizational commitments to decarbonization are motivating industry practitioners to apply these toolsets more aggressively, to accelerate this transition; as a result, the legacy market interactions between these carrots and sticks are increasingly complex and at times, contested. However, our teams and partners who expertly apply both toolsets – designing and implementing incentive programs and supporting local jurisdictions in advancing their energy codes – believe that they can work together. Contact Us
Start Your Batteries: Mass Fleet Electrification is Coming (And What We Can do to Prepare)
April 13, 2022
As we plan for and make early investments for fleets, we’ll be paving the way for higher degrees of market penetration of passenger vehicles and other modes of transportation as well.
Ensuring a Just Transition: Optimizing Opportunities for All in the Low-Carbon Future
January 24, 2022
Carbon elimination of the magnitude needed to address climate change requires systems-level change that can only be reached by incremental, ground-up progress, building upon what we have achieved thus far.
Decarbonization: A Systems-Level Challenge and Actions to Address Climate Change
December 7, 2021
Carbon elimination of the magnitude needed to address climate change requires systems-level change that can only be reached by incremental, ground-up progress, building upon what we have achieved thus far.
10 Takeaways from the COP26 Climate Meeting
November 17, 2021
There are compelling reasons to be optimistic about the outcomes of the COP26 meeting. Notably, agreement among all nations that more needs to be done, by both private and governmental bodies, to contain and mitigate climate change.
The Price of Natural Gas: Onward and Upward or Just a Temporary Blip?
November 12, 2021
Most industry experts agree that weather aside, the global energy and gas markets are likely to remain uncertain with supply and market demand becoming tighter and more challenging to forecast.
On the Road to Decarbonization: The Role of All-Source Competitive Solicitations
October 14, 2021
All-Source Competitive Solicitations offer utilities an alternative to centralized planning, construction and dispatch of power supplies, helping to usher in a new era of market-driven technology innovation.
Pacific Gas and Electric Selects TRC as Program Implementer for New Construction Residential All-Electric and Mixed Fuel Programs
September 27, 2021
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) formally announced TRC as the designated lead Program Implementer for the Statewide New Construction (SWNC) Residential All-Electric and Mixed Fuel Programs following a competitive solicitation process.
TRC and Slipstream partner with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to launch energy conservation R&D project
June 24, 2021
TRC, Slipstream, and the University of Minnesota are working with controls system manufacturers and contractors to develop such a standardized and streamlined building control retrofit process leveraging ASHRAE Guideline 36
TRC Acquires New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program Contract and Assumes Program Administrator Role
January 17, 2021
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ and LOWELL, MA. – Jan. 17, 2017 – TRC Companies Inc., a recognized leader in engineering, environmental consulting and construction-management services, today announced it has acquired the contract to serve as Program Administrator of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™ (NJCEP), which has provided more than $300 million annually in support to homeowners, businesses…
City of Camarillo, California approves moving forward with Hybrid Solar Microgrids at five critical community facilities
November 6, 2020
On October 28, the Camarillo City Council unanimously approved moving forward with the design of Hybrid Microgrids at five City facilities: City Hall, the Corporation Yard, Camarillo Public Library, Police Station, and Wastewater Treatment Plant. The microgrid at the Camarillo Public Library will be designed with solar+storage only, while the other four sites will employ a hybrid design of solar+storage+diesel.
TRC Digital partners with Dominion Energy to evolve its distributed energy resource strategy
September 22, 2020
Dominion Energy, one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, has partnered with TRC Digital to evaluate, implement and integrate technology to further the utility’s distributed energy goals. TRC Digital will facilitate Dominion Energy’s strategy development and technology execution, allowing Dominion Energy and its customers to accelerate the shift to distributed energy resources (DER) and net carbon reduction.
TRC Digital and Reactive help utilities measure inertia for a more resilient grid
September 21, 2020
Together, TRC and Reactive combine TRC’s industry-leading power engineering expertise with Reactive’s machine learning software to provide utility teams with high-resolution frequency monitoring and automatic event analysis.
Strategic Electrification
February 4, 2020
As we look to spur strategic electrification across the US, it will be up energy providers and solution implementers to continue sharing ideas, insights and lessons learned
A place called home: Helping California families rebuild after wildfires
November 21, 2019
A place called home: Helping California families rebuild after wildfires
TRC and partners win $1 million grant for engineering innovative New York microgrid
April 20, 2017
TRC is proud to support Huntington, NY bolster power reliability and climate-change resiliency with a sophisticated new “community microgrid’’ combining solar energy, a fuel cell, biogas and traditional natural gas to deliver electricity and heat to local customers and institutions.