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Customer Story

EnerSys puts Ambition into Action with Enterprise Decarbonization Program focused on Electrification

EnerSys, a leader in climate technology, is committed to decarbonizing their operations. They are collaborating with Trane for a comprehensive program to reduce emissions and increase electrification across their facilities.

Industry: Industrial

Topic: Decarbonization, Electrification, Customer Spotlight, Energy Services

  • 1,900+ mtCO2e operational emissions reduction
  • $250,000 anticipated annual energy savings

EnerSys is an industry leading battery manufacturer with a broad global manufacturing footprint.  As a critical supplier of battery technology that supports the growing need for clean energy storage, EnerSys plays an important role in the climate transition. “Though we haven’t always been seen this way, our products are truly ‘climate technology’ and we have a long history of reliably delivering innovation in energy storage and charging solutions,” explained Sam Shiroff, Senior Director of Global Sustainability at EnerSys.

Collaboration to drive emissions reduction and electrification

Beyond innovations in battery technology, EnerSys is on a mission to lead its sector toward a net zero carbon future with ambitious plans to achieve Scope 1 carbon neutrality – elimination of direct fossil use – by 2040.  To support this commitment, they have earmarked $20M for sustainability projects to be implemented from 2023-2028.  “We are focusing on Scope 1 emissions because we understand that electrification is a key to decarbonization and that the batteries we make can also play a key role in decarbonizing electricity by increasing the amount of renewable energy that can be used,” shared Shiroff.

Such a bold target has required EnerSys to look at every area of its operation to understand the use of fossil fuels and find opportunities to drive near-term efficiencies while ultimately transitioning to alternative fuel sources.  The longstanding relationship between EnerSys and Trane – as a trusted HVAC and energy solutions provider – became even more fruitful as the two companies collaborated on a comprehensive program designed to address emissions reduction and electrification opportunities across their facilities portfolio. Acting as a trusted advisor, Trane has been able to help EnerSys identify and prioritize the opportunities with the highest return on their investments from both a financial and a carbon reduction perspective.

Customized solutions for a holistic approach

Through an extensive evaluation of the facilities and operations at EnerSys, Trane is helping to design a decarbonization roadmap to provide EnerSys with a glidepath to achieve their 2040 ambition.  “Trane’s biggest advantage is our platform, which is a centralized group of resources arrayed to support a customer in their mission,” said Trevor Joelson, Energy & Decarbonization Services Account Executive at Trane. “We customize the delivery of those resources to create unique decarbonization and efficiency programs for our customers: programs made up of several mission-aligned solutions that we can do on a timetable of the customer’s choosing. The best part for the customer is that program design and advisory phases come at no cost, so it makes for an easy first step.”

Designed as a multi-phase series of projects to help EnerSys systematically and cost-effectively reduce their emissions and strategically transition to electrified equipment, the program kicked off with a comprehensive automation and controls upgrade at the EnerSys battery manufacturing plant in Warrensburg, MO that will result in in over 1,900 mtCO2e operational emissions reduction and approximately $250,000 in annual energy savings. Future projects include boiler, compressed air and domestic hot water upgrades at their Richmond, Kentucky facility, a comprehensive energy optimization project at their headquarters in Reading, PA, and efficiency and electrification upgrades across several other sites.

Sustainability as a catalyst for innovation and growth

While these facilities improvements and enhancements are designed with emissions reduction in mind, efficiency-related projects are also providing substantial energy savings that Trane has helped EnerSys incorporate into the overall project financials. Additionally, by collaborating with the local utility for the Warrensburg controls project, EnerSys was able to capture a substantial utility rebate to support the controls implementation.  As a result of this holistic program, EnerSys expects the improvements they are making to provide benefits for production, safety, and indoor environmental quality in their facilities, as well as a positive impact to their overall brand promise as a climate technology innovator. “We’re proving that sustainability isn’t a trade-off, but rather a strategic advantage and a smart business strategy. By prioritizing our carbon reduction goals, we’re unlocking a world of efficiencies and savings previously unseen, proving that sustainability isn't just a commitment—it's a catalyst for innovation and growth,” said Christina Sivulka, Global Sustainability Manager at EnerSys.

“It’s going to be very exciting to watch this multi-year, multi-decade, program gain steam,” said Joelson. “We expect this engagement is going to be a model for other long-term decarbonization programs as more and more manufacturers realize that if they want to reach their net zero goals by 2040 or 2050, they had better start now. The electrified, low-carbon, sustainable future isn’t coming someday, it’s here now. Trane can help turn their decarbonization commitments into reality.”

Overall, the EnerSys journey to Scope 1 neutrality by 2040 is a testament to their commitment to supporting the clean energy transformation, not only with innovative technologies, but also through their actions to decarbonize their facilities and prepare for the future of clean energy with electrified equipment. “We are proud to support our customers in their journey to meet their sustainability commitments with holistic programs that generate high-impact projects that both help them meet their emissions reduction targets and support their operations today and into the future,” said Joelson. 

Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements
This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, which include, but are not limited to, statements regarding  product developments, projections, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions to reduce emissions and emissions intensity; ability to influence, control and change the environmental impact of business activities; the development of future technologies, and other statements that relate to decarbonization initiatives, sustainability commitments and the anticipated impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in EnerSys’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, in Trane Technologies Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as well as subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings made by EnerSys and Trane. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible to predict these events or how they may affect each company.  Neither EnerSys nor Trane assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.