Last Updated on December 17, 2024 by Anne Brock
How is a leading global manufacturer of mechanical seals planning for the future with its energy choices? In a first-of-its kind solar plus storage project by a global corporation in Tennessee, AESSEAL Inc.’s North American Headquarters is supporting its NetZero sustainability efforts. This project is the focus of a new Energizing Tenneessee podcast by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council.
AESSEAL Inc.’s Head of Operations Chris Staackmann shared insight during the podcast as to how solar along with large battery storage benefits his company in the long run. The company enlisted Solar Alliance to design a 526-kilowatt rooftop solar array on the North American Headquarters in Rockwood, Tennessee, in the Stock Creek Industrial Park. AESSEAL Inc. hired a United Kingdom partner to bring over the 500-kilowatt battery, which Solar Alliance helped coordinate into the solar and storage system.
Staackmann explained, “Energy investments aren’t just about sustainability. They’re about long term profitability and resilience. By investing in renewable energy and efficiency projects, we’ve not only reduced our environmental impact, but also significantly lowered our operating costs. These savings add up over time, providing a clear financial return.”
TAEBC Executive Director and podcast host Cortney Piper asked Solar Alliance US General Manager Jon Hamilton to explain how this private business investment benefits the larger grid. “What we know from the TVA territory is demands on the power grid are going to increase. They are not going to decrease. And what you have here is a project that’s benefiting the local power company and TVA as it relates to that demand.”
Hamilton explained, “My day job is not to solve TVA’s challenge. But it is a real challenge because I think from the standpoint of electrification and particularly not so much in just electric vehicles, although that is a real component of, I think, our near term future.
But also you look at AI, you look at data centers and if we’re going to continue to provide low cost power in the region, with the potential for that to be, even larger growth rates than we’ve, in some cases projected or anticipated. There’s only so many tools that we have in our kit, and in this case, this is a tool that the business themselves is deploying.
AESSEAL is investing in this. They’re investing in this resource, this solar resource that is allowing them to benefit, clearly. But I do think that there is an aggregate benefit when we look at it. on the whole of the region…
I think it can help contribute to retaining low cost power solutions, here in the Valley, which has been fundamental to our economic development and our growth. And it will be even more important to our economic future, I think.”
“This is a highly strategic investment,” added Solar Alliance CEO Brian Timmons about the AESSEAL Inc. project. “The significance of energy, particularly in manufacturers, can’t be overstated. And as Jon has mentioned, the onset of AI and the opening of data centers all over the place is creating real stress on price and supply, and as it happens investment in cost reduction is one of the lowest risk investments that a company can make.”
TAEBC recently awarded AESSEAL Inc. with the 2024 Tom Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award for its innovative energy project. See details about this award here.
You can hear the entire Energizing Tennessee podcast for yourself at this link below:
How could solar or solar with storage benefit your company’s bottom line? Begin the process of exploring your advanced energy options here with Solar Alliance.
Does your company need to save more water and energy by upgrading its systems involving mechanical seals? AESSEAL Inc. has the expertise you need to get started.
Want to learn more about TAEBC? It explains on its website how it defines advanced energy: “Advanced energy is a relatively new term but refers to any technology that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and more efficient. It includes manufacturers and companies that use advanced energy technologies, as well as professional service providers, researchers and entrepreneurs.”
Solar Alliance is a long-time member of TAEBC and recommends it for other growing businesses. More here about joining TAEBC for your business.
More highlights from the podcast: