BP And Microsoft Corporation Have Signed A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) To Collaborate As Strategic Partners Using…
Their Combined Capabilities To Accelerate Progress Towards Their Sustainability Goals And Help The World Decarbonise.
Their co-innovation effort will initially be focused on four areas that combine Microsoft’s digital expertise with BP’s knowledge of energy markets:
smart and clean cities – identifying synergies between Microsoft’s “Smart Cities” initiative and BP’s “Clean Cities” vision, with a goal of identifying areas for strategic collaboration to help cities achieve their sustainability aims
clean energy parks – co-development of innovative, clean energy parks with an ecosystem of low carbon technologies such as carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) to prevent or reduce emissions
consumer energy – exploring innovative ways to harness the power of data-driven, personalised, actionable insights to empower energy consumers to manage their home energy use and reduce carbon emissions
Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions – delivering an “intelligent edge” of capabilities to BP production and operations facilities.
Earlier this year, BP announced its ambition to become a net zero emissions company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world reach net zero.
Low carbon investment
By the end of the decade, it aims to have developed around 50 gigawatts of net renewable generating capacity – a 20-fold increase on what it has previously developed, increased annual low carbon investment 10-fold to around $5bn and cut oil and gas production by 40 per cent.
In January 2020, Microsoft announced its goal to be carbon negative by 2030 and remove more carbon from the environment than it has emitted since its founding by 2050.
In line with this, the strategic partners’ collaboration includes a co-innovation effort focused on digital solutions, the continued use of Microsoft Azure as a cloud-based solution for BP infrastructure and BP supplying renewable energy to help Microsoft meet its 2025 renewable energy goals.
“BP is determined to get to net zero and to help the world do the same. No one can do it alone – partnerships with leading companies like Microsoft, with aligned ambitions, is going to be key to achieving this,” said William Lin, executive vice president for regions, cities and solutions, BP.
“By bringing our complementary skills and experience together, we are not only helping each other achieve our decarbonisation ambitions but also creating opportunities to support others on their journey towards reducing carbon emissions.”
Renewable energy projects
Microsoft and BP have also signed a framework agreement for renewable energy projects that aims to provide renewable energy to help power Microsoft’s datacentres. BP will supply renewable energy to Microsoft across multiple countries and regions including the US, Europe and Latin America. The agreement contributes to Microsoft’s 100 per cent renewable energy goal by 2025.
“BP shares our vision for a net zero carbon future, and we are committed to working together to drive reductions in carbon emissions and fulfil demand with new renewable energy sources,” added Judson Althoff, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business.
“A strategic partnership such as this enables each organisation to bring its unique expertise for industry-leading change and the potential to positively impact billions of lives around the world.”
This news was originally published at smartcitiesworld.net