Think You're Ready To Start Doing Green Power? Take This Quiz

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 green power products that are branded by utility companies and can find third-party-certified options for each state here. Warehouses, superstores and factories can put solar panels on their roofs to provide their own renewable energy. Businesses with large fleets of vehicles could opt to switch to electric vehicles. Renewable Energy Sources Renewable sources of energy include sunlight, water, wind and Earth's heat (geothermal). They are replenished in the course of time by nature, in contrast to fossil fuels like coal and oil which are limited and will eventually end up being exhausted. Renewables are a greener option to generate electricity since they don't release harmful greenhouse gases. Hydropower plants are the most popular source of green energy. Water covers 71 percent of Earth's surface. When it travels through a process of rain and evaporation, it produces natural energy. This process can be harnessed by controlling the flow of water through turbines, which then generate electricity. Other forms of renewable energy sources include geothermal, solar wind, biomass and wind. Green energy can also be produced by using solar energy to warm the water in boilers and other appliances. It can also be produced by generating biodiesel or ethanol out of crop and plant waste. Many communities are now relying on renewables to supply more of their electricity, from large offshore wind farms to solar panels for homes that sell surplus energy back to the grid. There are a variety of renewable energy sources, however not all of them are equally good. To be green, a source has to be zero-emissions, low-emissions, or not emit greenhouse gasses during its entire lifecycle (i.e. manufacturing, installation, and land use). A good way to make sure you're choosing green power is to select renewable electricity that is certified by a third party. This kind of power is produced through wind, solar geothermal, biogas, some forms of biomass and low-impact small hydroelectric sources. It is accessible in all markets and provides consumers with an easy and efficient way to have a positive impact on the environment. This kind of electricity is a great 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 goods and services. This includes reducing the amount of waste produced during manufacturing processes, and improving the design and construction of buildings, vehicles and household appliances. Energy efficient methods can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, dependence on fossil fuels, pollution of the air and water. They also aid in separating GDP and energy use growth. DNREC offers a number of energy efficiency programs for companies, schools and local governments. They include the Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF) and the Energy Efficiency Industrial (E2I) Program. These programs offer grant money and low-interest loans to promote non-residential energy efficiency upgrades. DNREC provides tax credits and rebates for residential energy efficiency upgrades. When paired with renewables and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency is an important element in achieving ambitious climate goals. According to IEA scenarios, if cost-effective measures of energy efficiency were put into place in all sectors that could make a significant impact in the global GHG emissions would peak before 2030 and would peak by 2040. This would be more than 40% the total GHG reduction needed to keep temperature rises to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the near future, it will be crucial for nations to concentrate on doubling the annual energy efficiency improvement rate. This is the only way to achieve the climate mitigation targets laid in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. This will require integrating energy efficiency into all plans, policies, and major investment decisions, as well making it an absolute priority for businesses, consumers and investors. Energy efficiency is an essential element of green power, which blends renewable energy sources with energy efficiency to offer a clean and carbon-free alternative to traditional electricity. Renewables include solar and wind power, geothermal energy biomass that is eligible, and small hydroelectric systems with low impact. Renewable energy has to be paired with energy efficiency, whether in the form of a product or service. Green power companies are available online, and the procedure to switch is quick and easy. Some providers even offer a two-week 'cooling off' period to allow customers to consider whether they would like to switch suppliers. Greenhouse Gas Emissions When fossil fuels are burned greenhouse gas emissions are released which include carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing climate change. Human activities account for a substantial proportion of greenhouse gas emission. Climate change poses a major environmental and economic threat according to numerous studies. The reduction of fossil fuel energy consumption is one way to cut down on greenhouse emissions. You can also generate electricity using renewable energy sources. green mobility scooters is the largest source of greenhouse gases. In the United States, more than half of our energy is generated by coal-fired power stations. Electricity produced from renewable sources like wind, geothermal solar, small hydro with low impact produces considerably less greenhouse gases. Other sources of greenhouse gas emissions include residential and commercial buildings, as well as transportation. Residential and commercial buildings use huge amounts of energy for heating air conditioning, ventilation as well as lighting, appliances and plug loads; and other purposes. “Green” techniques for building and retrofits can help buildings use less energy, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation activities generate greenhouse gases due to burning fossil fuels that power cars trains, trucks as well as planes, ships and ships. Reduced emissions is possible by replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with hybrid, electric, electric or hydrogen fuel cell automobiles. The improvement in fuel efficiency can lower transportation emissions. In addition, reducing emissions can be achieved through the use of renewable energy sources to power transportation, like electric, biofuels, or low-carbon natural gases. Methane is produced by agricultural and waste disposal practices. It is a potent greenhouse agent. Methane can be produced from livestock and other animal farming practices, land use, and the decomposition of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills. Reducing these sources of methane emissions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Utility Green Power Products Many utilities offer green options for their customers. These options are available in the range of 50 to 100% renewable energy and are offered as an alternative to standard energy supply options. Contacting your utility will provide more information to customers. These products are a great way to aid in the development of cleaner, greener energy sources. Renewable Energy Costs The cost of alternative energy sources continues to decrease as the world strives towards a goal of 100% renewable power by 2050. Wind and solar energy are some of the most affordable sources of electricity. Furthermore, the cost per unit of energy, or LCOE, is expected to fall as technology improves and more projects are created. The upfront costs of renewable energy sources may be higher than fossil fuels but the long-term savings will offset the initial cost. Renewables can generate cheap, clean energy that has considerably less environmental impact than traditional fossil fuels. They can also lower the risk to health associated with respiratory illnesses caused by coal and create jobs that boost the economy. Additionally, they provide stable energy prices for consumers. While the initial cost of building renewable facilities is usually higher than those for fossil-fuel plants, they operate at very low cost once built (as their “fuel” is free). Studies show that the average home's electricity bills will be lower once they switch to renewable energy. This is due to the fact that renewable energy sources require less infrastructure than conventional power plants and can be rolled out rapidly across the nation. Additionally the ongoing capital cost for renewable energy could be reduced by government incentives and rebates. The high interest rates have substantially increased the cost of capital-intensive renewable projects. However, Morningstar estimates future interest rates to be lower, which could reduce the cost of renewable energy. An exhaustive analysis of the costs and benefits of a 100 percent renewable electricity system has yet to be done however preliminary research suggests that it could offer significant advantages. For instance, a study by Jesse Jenkins for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that limiting renewables to non-dispatchable sources like onshore and solar wind will result in higher costs for policy than merely a low-carbon electricity objective. Customers who are in favor of cleaner energy can choose green power in New York. A typical green power plan consists of sources of energy like renewable biomass, wind, hydroelectricity and solar. Although these options aren't currently used to provide all of the electricity in the State however, they could provide a substantial portion. By utilizing green energy sources, New York can create a more sustainable and resilient energy mix.