Green Energy FAQ
Here are some Green Energy FAQs that will be helpful:
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable Energy, also known as green power, is energy generated by the sun, wind, earth and water. These resources replenish themselves naturally. Renewable energy fuels include solar, biomass, hydro, wind and geothermal.
Why Should I Care About Renewable Energy?
Generating electricity is a major source of air pollution. Renewable resources produce far less pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Renewable resources can be found locally and can increase energy security, and over time they can reduce volatility in natural gas markets.
What are Greenhouse Gases and Why Should I Care?
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are components of the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect. These gases act like the glazing on a greenhouse trapping the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere. To a certain degree these gases are beneficial. They make the earth warm enough to support human life. If the greenhouse effect is too great the climate changes and serious disruptions can result. This includes the melting of Arctic ice, rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, some of which are already being recorded. Some GHG occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities such as burning of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.
What is a Renewable Energy Certificate?
A REC represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated from renewable resources delivered somewhere on the power grid. These attributes may be sold separately from the associated electricity. Attributes represented by a REC include the fuel source (wind, solar, etc.), actual emissions from the facility, the location and vintage of the facility and the date that the MWh that produced the REC was generated.
What are the Benefits of RECs?
A REC allows attributes of renewable power to be “stored”, unlike electrons which are used immediately. RECs make it easy for a buyer to purchase green power because they can be sold separately from electricity. They can be purchased from a variety of locations, and the REC purchase can be based on any amount of electricity. Buying RECs provides support to renewable resources.
What is Green-e Energy?
Green-e Energy is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and companies that use renewable energy. Green-e Energy sets consumer protection and environmental standards for renewable electricity products. Green-e Energy standards address such issues as the environmental performance of the facility, the year in which the facility began operation and the year in which the REC was generated. The Green-e Energy label certifies that the power is from an eligible renewable energy resource.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership®?
The Green Power Partnership® is a government program that encourages companies to purchase renewable energy. As part of the program, technical and analytical information is made available for participants regarding renewable energy. By joining, press and communication support, the use of the Green Power Partnership logo, and a company profile on the partnership page are provided. There are over 750 members of the Green Power Partners, accounting for over 10 billion kWh of green power purchased annually. http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/
What is the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed to act as a national benchmark in the design, construction and operation of environmentally friendly buildings. LEED provides a framework and checklist for new and existing structures desiring to meet set benchmark standards. Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum are currently the ascending levels of recognition that can be attained for buildings seeking to meet LEED benchmark standards. Green-e certified RECs can be used to gain credits under LEED. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
When you Buy Green Power, How Does the Green Power Reach Your Business?
In order for renewable electricity to benefit the environment it does not have to reach a specific end user. The important fact is that the renewable electricity is delivered to the electricity grid. The generation of zero- or low-emitting electricity has benefits to the environment no matter whether your business uses a specific, renewable-generated electron. By purchasing RECs, you help support the operation of renewable energy generation. In a typical “green power purchase” an electricity consumer pays for generic electricity from the “grid”. There is a separate purchase of RECs from one or several renewable energy facilities in an amount that matches all or a portion of the actual electricity purchase. With the purchase of RECs, the customer is buying the renewable attributes of a specific amount and type of renewable energy generation, which support green power production and builds the market for renewable energy.
