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What Is Green Power? Green power is electricity derived from sources that are replenished naturally and do not emit pollutants. Many households have access to utility-branded green power products and can find third-party certified options for each state here. Solar panels can be erected on the roofs of superstores, warehouses and factories to generate their own clean energy. Companies with large vehicle fleets could consider switching to electric vehicles. Renewable Energy Sources Solar energy, wind energy and water are all renewable sources of energy. They replenish themselves in a natural manner over time, unlike fossil fuels, such as oil and coal which are limited resources that will eventually run out. Renewables offer a much cleaner option for electricity generation because they do not produce harmful greenhouse gases when they are burned. Hydropower plants are the most popular source of green energy. Seventy-one percent of surface of the Earth is covered with water and as it goes through a continual cycle of raining and evaporating, it creates natural energy. This process can be harnessed through the use of turbines that generate electricity. Other types of renewable energy are geothermal, solar, wind and biomass. Green energy can also be produced by using the sun's heat to warm the water in boilers or other devices, as well as by making biodiesel and ethanol from plant and crop material which would otherwise go to waste. Many communities depend on renewables for power. This includes large offshore wind farms and solar panels for homes which can sell excess energy back to the grid. While there are a variety of renewable energy sources that can be used to create green power however, not all are in the same way. To be green an energy source, it must be low-emissions or zero-emissions or not emit greenhouse gases during its entire lifecycle (i.e. manufacturing installations, installation, and land use). Choose renewable electricity that has been certified by a third-party. This kind of power can be produced through wind power, solar power biogas, geothermal energy, certain types of biomass and small hydroelectric sources with low impact. It's readily available in all markets and provides consumers with a simple and effective way to make a positive environmental impact. This type of electricity is a great option to replace traditional energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency refers to the use of technologies and practices that require less energy to produce the same quantity of goods and services. This includes reducing waste from production processes, and improving the design of vehicles, buildings and appliances. Energy efficient methods can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, dependency on fossil fuels and pollution of water and air. They can also help decouple GDP and energy use growth. DNREC offers a range of energy efficiency-related programs to schools, businesses and local authorities. 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 energy efficiency improvements. DNREC offers rebates and tax credits for energy efficiency improvements in homes. Energy efficiency is an essential element in achieving ambitious goals for climate change when paired with renewable energy. According to IEA scenarios, if cost-effective methods of energy efficiency were adopted in all areas where they could make a significant impact globally, GHG emissions would peak before 2030 and then by 2040. This would amount to more than 40% of total GHG reduction required to keep temperature rises to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the near future, countries will need to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. This will be the only way to achieve the climate mitigation goals laid in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. This requires including energy efficiency in plans, policies, and investment decisions at all levels of society and government and also making it a priority for business as well as investors and consumers. Energy efficiency is an essential element of green power, which blends renewable energy sources with energy efficiency to provide an environmentally friendly and carbon-free alternative to conventional electricity. Renewable sources include solar, wind, geothermal, eligible biomass and small hydroelectric sources with low impact. Renewable energy should be combined with energy efficiency, whether in the form of a product or service. Green power companies are available online, and the procedure to switch is fast and easy. Some companies even provide cooling off periods of two weeks period to allow customers to decide if they really want to change their supplier. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, are released when fossil fuels are burned. These gases absorb heat and cause climate changes. Human activities account for a large proportion of greenhouse gas emission. Climate change poses a major environmental and economic threat according to numerous studies. Reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy is one method to reduce greenhouse emissions. Another 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 all energy is produced by coal-fired power plants. Producing electricity using renewable sources, such as geothermal, solar, wind and small hydro with low impact creates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions. Other sources of greenhouse gas emissions include commercial and residential buildings and transportation. Residential and commercial buildings use huge amounts of electricity for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Lighting; appliances and plug load; and many other functions. Retrofits and “green” building methods can make these buildings use a lot less energy. This will result in fewer greenhouse emissions. Transport activities release greenhouse gases due to the burning of fossil fuels used in cars, trucks and trains and ships and planes. The reduction of these emissions can be accomplished by replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with hybrid, electric, hydrogen or electric fuel cell automobiles. Fuel efficiency can also reduce transportation emissions. Further reducing emissions can be achieved by using renewable energy sources to power transportation, like biofuels, electric power, or natural gas with low carbon. Methane is a byproduct of processes for removing waste and agriculture. It is a potent greenhouse agent. Methane can be produced from livestock and other practices of animal farming including land use, as well as the decomposition of organic garbage in municipal landfills for solid waste. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved through cutting down on these methane sources. Utility Green Power Products (Green Pricing) Many utilities offer green alternatives for their customers. These vary from 50 to 100 percent renewable energy, and are available in addition to the regular energy supply options. Contacting your utility for more information to customers. These products are a great way to help support the development of cleaner, greener energy sources. Renewable Energy Costs The price of alternative energy continues to drop as the world tries to reach an objective of 100 renewable power by 2050. Solar and wind power are among the most affordable sources of electricity available. The levelized cost, also known as LCOE is also predicted to decrease as technology advances and new projects are proposed. Compared to fossil fuels, the initial costs of renewable energy plants are higher, but the long-term savings can offset these initial expenses. Renewable energy sources can provide inexpensive, clean energy with significantly fewer environmental impacts than traditional fossil fuels. They also decrease the health risks associated with respiratory illnesses caused by coal, and create jobs that boost the economy. They also provide consumers with stable prices for energy. The upfront costs of renewable energy plants are often higher than fossil fuel power plants however, they can be operated at a affordable cost (since their “fuel” is free). Studies have shown that switching to renewable energy can lower the average household's energy bill. Renewable energy technologies are generally more affordable and require less infrastructure to deploy than conventional power plants. In addition the ongoing capital costs for renewable energy could be reduced by government incentives and rebates. power mobility scooter have also significantly increased the costs of capital-intensive renewable projects. However, Morningstar estimates future interest rates to be lower, which could reduce those costs. It's not feasible to conduct a complete analysis of the costs and benefits of a 100% renewable power system, but preliminary research suggests that it could have certain advantages. For instance, a research 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 simply a low carbon electricity objective. In New York, where the majority of households purchase their electricity through competitive electric markets, green power options are available to customers who want to promote sustainable energy options. A typical green power plan consists of energy from sources such as renewable biomass, wind hydroelectricity, solar and biomass. While these options aren't currently being used to supply all of the State's electricity, they can provide a significant amount. Selecting a green power option will create a more sustainable and resilient energy mix for the State of New York.