17 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring Green Power
What Is Green Power? Green power is electricity derived from sources that are replenished naturally and don't release pollutants. Many households have access to utility-branded green power products and can find third-party-certified options by state here. Solar panels can be erected on the roofs of warehouses, superstores and factories to generate their own energy source that is clean and renewable. Companies with fleets of vehicles can switch to electric vehicles. Renewable Energy Sources Renewable sources of energy include sunlight, water, wind and Earth's heat (geothermal). They are replenished periodically by nature, unlike fossil fuels like coal and oil, which are finite and will eventually be exhausted. Renewable energy is a greener choice to generate electricity, since they don't release harmful greenhouse gases. Hydropower plants are the most common source of green energy. Water covers 71 percent of Earth's surface. As it moves through a process of rain and evaporation, it generates energy from nature. This process can be harnessed by controlling the flow of water through turbines, which in turn generate electricity. Other types of renewable energy are geothermal, solar wind, biomass and wind. Green energy can also be produced by using the sun's rays to warm water in boilers and other devices, and also by producing biodiesel and ethanol using crop and plant material which would otherwise go to landfill. Many communities depend on renewable energy for electricity. This includes large offshore wind farms and solar panels for homes that can sell surplus energy back to the grid. There are a myriad of renewable energy sources that can be used to produce green power, not all are created equal. To be considered green the source must be zero-emissions, low-emissions, or not emit greenhouse gases throughout its lifecycle (i.e. manufacturing installation, installation, or land use). One way to be sure that you're using green power is to use third-party certified renewable electricity. This kind of electricity is produced through wind power, solar power, biogas, geothermal energy certain types of biomass and other small hydroelectric sources with minimal impact. It's available in all markets and offers consumers an easy and effective way to make a positive environmental impact. This kind of power is a fantastic way to replace traditional energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency refers to technologies and practices that use less energy to produce the same amount of products and services. This includes reducing waste in production processes, and improving the design of vehicles, buildings, and appliances. Energy-efficient technologies can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence as well as pollution of the air and water. They also aid in separating the growth in GDP and energy consumption. DNREC offers a number of energy efficiency programs for businesses as well as local authorities, schools and. The Energy Efficiency Industrial (E2I) and the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEIF), are two of the programs that DNREC offers. These programs offer grants and low-interest loans to encourage non-residential improvement in energy efficiency. In addition, DNREC also offers rebates and tax credits for improvements to energy efficiency in homes. When combined with renewable energy and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency is a key element in achieving ambitious climate goals. According to IEA scenarios, if cost-effective methods of energy efficiency were implemented in all sectors that can make a substantial impact, global GHG emission would peak before 2030, and by 2040. go green mobility scooters would account for more than 40% of the total GHG abatement required to limit temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the future, countries are expected to double their rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Only then can the Paris Agreement's goals of reducing climate change and Sustainable Development Goals be achieved. This will require integrating the energy efficiency into all plans, policies, and major investment decisions, as well making it the top priority for consumers, businesses and investors. Energy efficiency is an important part of green energy, which blends renewable energy and energy efficiency to produce a green, carbon-free option for traditional electricity. Renewables include wind, solar, geothermal, eligible biomass, and small hydroelectric sources with low impact. Renewable energy has to be paired with energy efficiency, either as products or services. Green power companies are available online, and the procedure to switch is fast and simple. Some providers offer a cooling-off period of two weeks to allow customers the chance to consider whether they want to switch suppliers. Greenhouse Gas Emissions When fossil fuels are burned greenhouse gas emissions are released, including carbon dioxide. These gases absorb heat from the atmosphere, causing climate change. Human activities account for a large percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change poses a major environmental and economic risk according to numerous studies. Reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy is one way to cut down on greenhouse gases. Another option is to generate electricity using renewable energy sources. Electricity generation is the most significant source of greenhouse gases. In the United States more than half of energy is generated through coal-fired power stations. Electricity generated from renewable sources like geothermal, wind solar, small hydro and geothermal with low impact generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial and residential structures, as well as transportation are also sources of greenhouse gas emission. Residential and commercial buildings use significant amounts of electricity to provide heating and ventilation as well as air conditioning. Lighting, appliances and plug load; and many other functions. “Green” building techniques and retrofits may help these buildings use less energy, which results in less greenhouse gas emissions. Transport activities release greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels to power vehicles trains, trucks, ships and planes. The reduction in emissions can be accomplished by replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell or hybrid electric vehicles. Efficiency in fuel use can also decrease transportation emissions. Utilizing renewable energy sources to power transportation (such as biofuels, electric or natural gas with low carbon) can further reduce emissions. Activities related to waste disposal and agriculture produce methane, an extremely greenhouse gas. Methane is produced by livestock and other livestock farming, land use, and decomposition of organic waste in municipal waste landfills. Eliminating these sources of methane emissions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Utility Green Power Products (Green Pricing) Many utilities offer green energy options to their customers. These options are available from 50 to 100 percent renewable energy, and are available in addition to the traditional energy supply options. Contacting your utility will provide additional information to customers. Purchasing these products is a great method to aid in the advancement of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Renewable Energy Costs As the world strives towards the 2050 goal of achieving 100% renewable energy, the price of alternative energies continues to fall. Wind and solar power are some of the most affordable electricity sources. The levelized cost or LCOE is also predicted to continue decreasing as technology improves and new projects are created. In comparison to fossil fuels, the upfront costs for renewable energy sources are higher, but the long-term savings could offset these initial expenses. Renewables can generate clean, affordable energy with significantly less environmental impact than traditional fossil fuels. They also lower the risk of respiratory illnesses caused by coal and create jobs that help boost the economy. They also provide consumers with stable prices for energy. The upfront costs of renewable energy sources are typically more expensive than fossil fuel plants however, they can be operated at a very low cost (since their “fuel” is free). Studies have proven that switching to renewable energy will reduce the average household's energy bill. Most renewable energy technologies are more affordable and require less infrastructure than conventional power plants. Government incentives and rebates could aid in reducing the ongoing costs of capital for renewable energy. The high interest rates have disproportionately increased costs for capital-intensive renewable projects. However, Morningstar estimates future interest rates to be lower, which could reduce the costs. It is not yet feasible to conduct a complete analysis of the costs versus benefits of a 100% renewable power system, but preliminary research suggests that it could have certain advantages. For example, a study by Jesse Jenkins for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that limiting renewables to non-dispatchable sources, such as onshore and solar wind will result in higher costs for policy than simply a low carbon electricity objective. Customers who support cleaner energy can choose green power in New York. A typical green power plan includes sources of energy such as renewable wind, biomass hydroelectricity, solar and wind. These alternatives can be used to supply a large portion of the electricity consumed in New York. By utilizing green power, New York can create a more sustainable and resilient energy mix.