Microgrids and energy transition technology loom large in TIME magazine’s new “Most Sustainable Companies of 2024” list.
French-based microgrid and energy management firm Schneider Electric topped TIME’s 500 for corporate sustainability. Schneider Electric is a longtime Microgrid Knowledge contributor.
TIME highlighted the company’s global decarbonization approach both with customers and inside its own operations. The non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project has graded Schneider Electric with an “A” for 12 years running.
“It has its own sustainability impact program to track its performance, and has also reduced emissions across its supply chain,” the TIME Most Sustainable Companies article reported.
Schneider Electric scored 88.86 out of a possible 100 on the rankings compiled by TIME and research partner Statista. The company is working toward carbon neutral operationally by 2025.
"Our ranking reflects our commitment to sustainability and our pivotal role in driving #decarbonization for our customers," Aamir Paul, president of North America for Schneider Electric, wrote in a post on LinkedIn. "Let's keep working together to prove that we can both 'do good and be good.'"
Close behind Schneider Electric was a host of energy sector companies in construction, equipment, development and software. Engineering and manufacturing giant Siemens was ranked 11th, while project consultant Stantec was three spots behind at 14.
Italy’s global energy utility and renewable project developer Enel was ranked 36 by TIME and Statista. ABB, which produces energy management, sensoring, metering and EV charging infrastructure, was tabbed at 51.
Earlier this month, ABB announced it was contracted to supply synchronous condensers in the Canary and Balearic Islands to strengthen the self-contained grids as the islands take on more intermittent renewable energy assets. Many island grids are forced to generate electricity with diesel generators for backup or primary power, so they are working to decarbonize with increasing solar installations.
Also making the TIME Most Sustainable 500 Companies list at No. 54 is consulting firm Accenture, which recently held its International Utilities and Energy Conference stressing the potential of generative artificial intelligence to help decarbonize and streamline operations.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which is partnering with equipment firm Danfoss on data center energy efficiency and heat recovery projects, was ranked 56. Danfoss itself was 443.
Others making the TIME Most Sustainable Companies was EV infrastructure developer Prologis at 132, workplace automation firm Salesforce at 284, on-site power engine maker Wartsila at 315. Salesforce recently committed to a series of renewable virtual power purchase agreements and carbon removal.
Microgrid and energy management firm Eaton was ranked at 355. Eaton is undertaking microgrid development in Puerto Rico and other parts of the world.
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