Drafting vs. Engineering: Choosing the right partner for commercial projects

RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, has today launched its first Canada Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a four-year framework (2025–2029) that sets out clear commitments to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across the country.

The plan builds on RES’ two decades of working alongside Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada and outlines five core pillars – Educate, Engage, Empower, Celebrate, and Illuminate – designed to deliver meaningful and measurable actions.

These include advancing Indigenous awareness training for RES employees, co-developing engagement plans with Indigenous communities for all new projects, increasing employment and contracting opportunities, supporting cultural events, and publishing biannual progress reports.

Peter Clibbon, Senior Vice President, RES in Canada, said “RES’ RAP reaffirms our commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The renewable energy business takes us directly to where Indigenous Peoples have a unique and long-lasting connection to the land and waters. We are committed to nurturing deeper relationships with Indigenous communities and dedicated to recognizing Indigenous histories, diverse cultures, and unique perspectives as vital.”

RES has already demonstrated the value of Indigenous-led partnerships through projects such as the 200 MW Bekevar Wind Project in Saskatchewan, developed in collaboration with Cowessess First Nation. The project secured 17% equity ownership for Cowessess Ventures Ltd., as well as employment, training, and contracting opportunities, creating long-term economic benefits for the community.

Developed with input from Indigenous partners and RES employees, the RAP is closely aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG).

Douglas McAlpine, Chair, Americas, RES, said: “True reconciliation requires long-term commitment, transparency, and respect. At RES, we see our Reconciliation Action Plan as an opportunity to lead by example in the renewable energy industry, demonstrating how meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples can drive both social and environmental progress. This is about ensuring the projects we deliver today create enduring benefits for generations to come.”

The RAP’s visual identity was created by Cree artist Chris Chipak of Red Pheasant Cree Nation, whose design incorporates cultural symbolism to reflect the plan’s five guiding pillars and the shared journey of reconciliation.

RES will report publicly on the RAP’s progress every two years, ensuring transparency and accountability as it continues to build long-lasting partnerships with Indigenous Peoples across the country.

RES employs nearly 100 people across Canada, with expertise spanning both development and construction. The company established its Canadian presence in 2005 with the hiring of its first local employee to support the development of the Talbot Wind Farm in Ontario. It has since developed and or constructed 18 per cent of all wind projects in Canada.

RES has developed and/or constructed more than 3.9GW of wind, solar, and energy storage projects nationwide and has a 9.9GW portfolio of renewable energy projects under development.

Access the RAP in full here: https://bit.ly/3Km2dFO

RES | https://www.res-group.com/

The Net Zero Conference, brought to you by Verdical Group, convenes climate leaders to collaborate on global solutions for change in the built environment. The event is a hub for people in the industry to gather, bridge knowledge gaps, and inspire a net zero future. The annual one-day conference returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 1, 2025, featuring industry leading keynote speakers, educational sessions and industry networking opportunities:

• World-Class Education Sessions — Featuring content on: Biomimicry, Biophilia, Built Environment, Design, Energy, Health & Wellness, Materials, Technology, Transportation, Urbanism, Waste, Water 
• Networking Opportunities — Past attendees have come from 54 countries and 45 U.S. states spanning all industries. Mingle at our Happy Hour in the Hall, Women in Net Zero Mixer, and more.
• Inspiring Keynotes — World-class speakers from multidisciplinary backgrounds hold our conference stage. Previous Keynote speakers from XPRIZE, Edison International, NASA, Seventh Generation, Zero Hour, and more.

For over a decade, the Net Zero Conference has been convening climate leaders to re-envision a decarbonized and net zero built environment. We showcase the latest on: Climate + Net Zero + ESG + Equity + Carbon + Resilience with 100+ speakers, 80+ partners around the globe and thousands of annual attendees.

Take Part in Climate Action

There’s never been a more exciting time to join the ranks of those taking climate action. The latest 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report reinforced and accentuated the challenge that we face and the urgency that is necessary concerning the climate crisis. Over the last 11 years, the Net Zero Conference has brought together those who understand it takes all of us to overcome climate change.

Transparency Report 

We’re committed to making a positive impact through the Net Zero Conference each and every year. In line with that goal, we are pleased to introduce the NZ24 Transparency Report, which shares insights on our attendees, speakers, environmental impact, and more. Learn more: https://netzeroconference.com/transparency-report/

Main Conference & Expo

Wednesday, October 1  |  7:30am – 6:00pm

The Net Zero Conference & Expo will be hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center! Join us for zero carbon learning opportunities across all industries, exciting keynotes, and networking in the Expo Hall. 

Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall
1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Register to join at https://netzeroconference.com

Verdical Group | https://verdicalgroup.com/

Cool Down, the innovative thermal transfer system that uses naturally stable ground temperatures to cool homes more efficiently, announced the release of the newest version of its Smart Control Unit. The upgraded unit introduces new modes that expand the system’s functionality and provide even more ways for homeowners to cut energy costs and improve comfort—year-round.

The Cool Down system is known for its ability to reduce air conditioning use by up to 67% per season by leveraging the consistent temperatures found in basements. With the new Smart Control Unit’s  release, the system now offers enhanced heating and dehumidification functionality, as well as new energy-saving modes designed for varied climates and user preferences.

“The Smart Control Unit is about putting more control—and more savings—in the hands of homeowners,” said Damien Semel-DeFeo, founder of Cool Down. “These new modes allow the system to be customized for any home, climate, or energy-use goal.”

New Features in the new Smart Control Unit:

• Estimated Savings Display: Users can now view their estimated energy savings in real time—helping track ROI and optimize system use.

• Basic Heating Mode: In addition to summer cooling, Cool Down can now be used in the winter to capture and circulate heat from areas with wood stoves, pellet stoves, mini-splits, or south-facing windows.

• Dehumidification Mode: Enables your AC or heat pump to dehumidify unfinished basement spaces just like the rest of your home—cutting cooling costs while improving indoor air quality.

• Power Boost Mode: Temporarily prioritizes cooling and dehumidification performance over energy savings—ideal for extremely hot or humid days.

• Eco Boost Mode: Maximizes energy savings by preventing the AC or heat pump from activating. Especially effective in shoulder seasons or for homes with moderate cooling needs.

• Standalone Mode: For homes without ductwork, Cool Down now functions as a central cooling solution on its own. While slightly less powerful than traditional AC, it offers dramatically lower operating costs.

Cool Down is a practical, low-cost alternative or supplement to traditional cooling systems—especially important as electricity rates rise across the country. Designed to be installed by professionals in just a few hours, the system integrates seamlessly with or without existing HVAC equipment and requires no refrigerants, compressors, or external condensers.

Cool Down | https://www.getcooldown.com/

Emobi, North America's largest EV charging roaming and JustPlug infrastructure, and Curo, a pioneering Virtual Depot platform that enables leasable, existing EV charging for fleets, today announced a strategic partnership designed to help fleets electrify faster, cheaper, and more seamlessly across the U.S. Through this collaboration, Curo gains seamless charging access to Emobi's vast network of charging point operator partners in North America, while Emobi benefits from increased utilization of its chargers as Curo parks and manages more fleet customers across their locations. Together, the companies are creating a smarter path to electrification that benefits fleets, while also driving new utilization for CPOs and opening revenue opportunities for commercial real estate partners.

For fleet operators, Curo enables both gas and electric vehicles to scale without the burden of building new charging infrastructure. By tapping into Emobi's existing resources, Curo's customers can deploy electric fleets more quickly and cost-effectively, while their drivers benefit from a seamless charging experience. The result is less operational uplift for fleet managers, more reliability for drivers, and stronger economics for operators already working to navigate the EV transition. The partnership is currently live and delivering results.

"Fleet operators need solutions that simplify electrification, not add to their burden," said Lin Sun Fa, CEO of Emobi. "By integrating with Curo, we're making it easy for fleets to tap into chargers already in the ground, while giving our CPO partners higher utilization. It's a win-win."

"It's great to innovate together with another YC alumnus and enrich the experience for our fleet customers," said Kieran White, CEO and Co-Founder of Curo. "Through Emobi's partner referrals, we're able to rapidly expand our growing parking and charging network."

Emobi | www.emobi.ai

Curo Charging I www.curocharging.com

Foss & Company, a leading tax equity syndicator, announced the successful closing of a $54.4 million tax credit transfer for Hale Kuawehi Solar and Storage Project, a newly commissioned solar and battery energy storage facility developed by Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. located on the Island of Hawaiʻi. The project features a 30-megawatt AC photovoltaic solar array co-located with a 30.7 MW / 122.8 MWh (four-hour) battery energy storage system.

Hale Kuawehi represents Foss & Company's third successful transaction in Hawaiʻi, reinforcing the firm's leadership in structuring innovative tax equity solutions for clean energy infrastructure in complex and remote markets.

"The Hale Kuawehi project showcases our ability to deliver seamless execution even under evolving circumstances," said Bryen Alperin, managing director at Foss & Company. "This transaction affirms our commitment to enabling energy resilience in island communities through flexible and scalable financing."

Innergex served as the project sponsor, responsible for its development, commissioning, and ongoing operations. CRC-IB served as exclusive financial advisor to Innergex on the transaction.

"We are pleased to partner with Foss & Company on the Hale Kuawehi project," said Michel Letellier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex. "By combining solar energy with advanced storage technology, we are helping Hawai'i transition to a resilient and carbon-free electric system."

The tax credit transfer was executed under the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) direct transfer provisions, which allow clean energy developers to monetize federal investment tax credits (ITCs) more efficiently.

Hale Kuawehi also reflects Foss & Company's expanding role in Hawaiʻi's evolving grid landscape, where dispatchable storage is vital and land constraints require integrated solar-plus-storage systems. Foss & Company continues to be a trusted partner in delivering scalable clean energy solutions in challenging markets.

Foss & Company | www.fossandco.com

Innergex | https://www.innergex.com/en

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP CEO Jason Grumet after a preliminary injunction was granted for Revolution Wind, allowing the project to resume construction: 

“This ruling puts 1,000+ American workers back to work, finishing what they started and unlocking the energy potential of the region. This is how smart energy investment creates lasting value—good jobs today, affordable and reliable electricity for New England families at a time when it’s needed most.”

American Clean Power Association | cleanpower.org

DENIOS Canada has launched a new website, with all text in French, to better showcase their hazardous material storage containers, spill containment pallets and sumps, spill control products, facility maintenance and workplace safety products. The intuitive design, faster loading time, attractive graphics, and succinct descriptions allow users to quickly locate and purchase items of interest. A search function permits searching by term or product number, and a chat function, manned by French speaking personnel during normal business hours, is available from all pages, for immediate assistance. Users can save products to a personal notepad section then print them, forward them to colleagues, or request additional information or pricing from DENIOS. 

The new site, which features thousands of workplace safety products including a “best sellers” section which identifies the most popular products, can be viewed at https://bit.ly/New_DENIOS_Canada_website .  

While the site is designed to allow users to find products quickly, it also offers in-depth information on a wide range of workplace safety topics. A link to DENIOS Magazine allows one-click access to detailed articles, case studies, and FAQs from industry experts on topics such as hazardous materials handling and storage, workplace safety, and more.  Viewers can also sign up for the DENIOS newsletter to stay informed on industry events and company news.  

“Now our customers in Quebec and other areas can more easily find the workplace safety and environmental compliance products they are looking for,” said DENIOS representative Shannan Jones.  “This new site was designed to allow users to quickly find the best product solutions as well as detailed information, white papers, and reference materials if desired. A convenient chat feature connects users to immediate assistance.”

The new site lists thousands of workplace safety and environmental protection products for sale, with new items added weekly.  

DENIOS Canada | www.denios.ca