Partnerships Key to Advancing Sustainability, Providers Say
BALTIMORE — Some providers of energy efficiency management and technology say partnerships are key to advancing sustainability.
At a session of the Clean Technology Conference and Expo in June titled “Green Building: Corporate Needs & Partnering,” Danfoss Vice President of Public Affairs Robert Wilkins emphasized the importance of partnerships in the advancement of sustainable technologies and strategies. 
The company manufactures high-efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and motion systems, and through its EnVisioneering partnership program, focuses on the development of new technologies for sustainable business growth.
“There is an urgent need for collaboration among manufacturers, utilities, engineers, and end users to develop and implement the systems that will help catapult the use of clean technologies and improve energy efficiency and the health of the power grid, buildings, and our homes,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins identified energy efficiency, the development of renewable energy, and the Smart Grid as solutions to energy demand challenges created by three “megatrends” — an increase in the U.S. population, urbanization, and a finite supply of fossil fuels.
“Market-driven innovations can help move us faster toward a more energy-efficient future,” he said.
Examples Wilkins noted were the development of variable-speed technology, which is designed to make systems more efficient by precisely matching operation to demand, and oil-free, magnetic-bearing, variable-speed centrifugal compressors, which require less energy and deliver improved long-term performance and reliability.
“Energy-saving technologies are available today, but they are massively underutilized,” he said. “Taking a step forward will require complete cooperation among manufacturers, utilities and state and federal governments.”
Wilkins added that together stakeholders can provide the education, policies, incentives, and utility programs necessary to deploy efficient, renewable, and clean technologies that offset energy demand, costs, and environmental impact and create a sustainable energy future.
Jim Newman, founder and principal at Linnean Solutions and vice chair of the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of the USGBC, moderated the session, which also included presentations by Domenic Armano, regional project development manager at Johnson Controls, and Paul Hamilton, senior vice president of energy efficiency at Schneider Electric.
Armano and Hamilton also emphasized the need for partnerships to overcome obstacles to the growth of green building initiatives, according to a statement from Danfoss.