Four technologies for long-term decarbonization

Discover strategies for long-term decarbonization, including energy storage, carbon tracking, distributed generation, and sustainable EV infrastructure.

Published: November 11, 2021

If your business is going to transition to a lower-carbon model, it needs long-term strategies that balance sustainability with the need for affordable power.


Such strategies could include managing demand, deploying innovative technologies, adding on-site generation — and more.


But one thing is clear: there is no time to delay. With consumers and legislators pushing for change, the energy transition and the switch to electric vehicles (EV) is getting closer all the time.


To prepare themselves for continued success in a lower-carbon market, businesses must start work on their comprehensive, long-term decarbonization plan, now.

Four ways to start the process of long-term decarbonization

You don’t have to rely on untested technologies to begin your decarbonization journey. A mix of products, services, and technologies already exists to help power progress towards a net-zero future:

  1. Invest in EV infrastructure:
    Prepare your fleet for electrification by installing fast chargers, energy storage and other EV infrastructure.

  2. Energy storage:
    Storage provides backup power, ensures resilience, and reduces reliance on the grid at times of peak demand. It also helps you plan energy use and mitigate risk.

  3. Carbon tracking:
    By tracking and reporting carbon emissions, you can better understand not only how much carbon you’re emitting today, but also where there are opportunities for reduction.

  4. Distributed generation:
    Moving to a distributed energy grid that incorporates more renewables can help to increase energy security and build pathways to decarbonization.

Examples from the cutting edge of the energy transition

Danone North America
A leader in the consumer-packaged goods category, Danone recently chose Shell Energy to be its electricity provider.


Working together to upgrade existing wind farms, the two firms expanded the renewable energy available to Danone by 50MW. Shell Energy manages supply and demand to ensure that supply always meets Danone’s needs.


As well as being good for business, the partnership is also helping Danone meet its commitment to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.


Wells Fargo
In 2020, the financial services leader Wells Fargo signed up to buy 150,000 MWh of renewable energy, every year, from Shell Energy. This would power its properties from California to the mid-Atlantic region.


The long-term commitment enabled Shell Energy to invest in building four new solar power facilities. Although it doesn’t directly consume the power from these plants, Wells Fargo receives renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated by these sites.


In doing so, the company is better positioned to meet its environmental and social commitments moving forward.

How Shell Energy can help

The technologies we’ve considered exist now, but they’re evolving all the time. To make the right choices – that will have the biggest positive impact on sustainability and long-term business efficiency – you need a partner that understands decarbonization inside and out.


Shell Energy has ranked among the top three power and gas wholesalers in North America for the past 10 years and we rank in the top 7 non-residential retail power companies. Already, one third of our managed portfolio is from renewable sources.


Let our experts help you design the optimum decarbonization strategy: one that delivers results right now, but also sets you up for long-term sustainability and a competitive edge in tomorrow’s decarbonized marketplace.

  1. Wholesale ranking according to Platts Q1 2021 Gas & Power Rankings and Retail ranking according to DNV 2021 Market Share Landscape report

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