Rivian’s Clearloop-supported new Waypoints electric vehicle charging site, with its industry-standard J1772 plug, was inaugurated in Paris
Carbon solutions platform Clearloop and US-based all-electric trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles maker, Rivian recently held a ‘first charge’ event to unveil Rivian’s new Waypoints electric vehicle (EV) charging site in Paris, Tennessee. Reportedly, these chargers will be powered by 100 per cent carbon-free renewable energy.
Notably, Clearloop and Rivian earlier announced to partner in order to support the development of one megawatt (MW) of the Paris Solar Farm project developed, owned, and operated by Silicon Ranch, Clearloop’s parent company, in Puryear.
The CEO and co-founder of Clearloop, Laura Zapata remarked: “Rivian is setting a clear example for other companies on how decarbonization investments can play a role in economic development. We’re proud to work with forward-thinking communities like Henry County and corporate partners like Rivian to ensure that the innovation and benefits of new clean energy investments continue to benefit all corners of our country, starting with those right here at home.”
With its industry-standard J1772 plug, Rivian’s new Waypoints boasts of charging any EV with renewable energy at Eiffel Tower Park. These chargers are currently located in 11 state parks across Tennessee.
Emissionality
Notably, Clearloop uses emissionality, a quantitative measurement that compares the impact of renewable energy projects on driving down emissions, to determine where new solar generation can displace the most carbon, shifting the way corporate investments avoid and reduce carbon to achieve emissions reductions.
With this common ’emissionality’ approach, Rivian and Clearloop claim to work together to expand access to clean energy in the communities that can benefit the most.
Quoting WattTime, a non-profit that tracks the carbon emissions that renewables avoid, the partners pointed out that solar power currently makes up less than 1 per cent of Tennessee’s total electricity mix, while 16 per cent of electricity in California comes from solar. Consequently, a megawatt-hour of electricity in Tennessee emits around 32 per cent more carbon than a megawatt-hour in Northern California.
Director of Renewable Energy at Rivian, Andrew Peterman commented, “Driving system-wide change goes beyond just making corporate claims. Rivian is committed to enabling pathways for customers to sustainably charge their vehicles and contribute to a better planet. We see a tremendous opportunity to drive system-wide positive impact through projects like this one here in Tennessee.
Peterman suggested that it’s just the beginning of Rivian’s evolving approach to impact-focused renewable procurement and a case study for how creative collaborations like this can expand clean energy and promote local communities in the Southeast.
Interestingly, Henry County High School students attended the event and learnt more about solar and EV technologies and careers in the renewable energy and automotive industries.
2019-born Clearloop, a Silicon Ranch company, creates carbon solutions for companies of all sizes to help decarbonize the American economy in the communities that need it the most. By bringing solar projects to regions of the country with disproportionately carbon-intense electricity generation, Clearloop plans to shift the way corporate investments offset and reduce carbon to achieve emissions reductions faster and more effectively.
A signatory to the Emissions First Partnership, US-based Rivian was founded in 2009 and it designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sells them in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian claims to complement its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships.
