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What Is Green Power? Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable sources and doesn't emit any pollutant emissions. Many households have access to green power products that are branded by utility companies and can find third-party-certified choices for states here. Warehouses, superstores and factories can be fitted with solar panels on their rooftops to provide their own renewable energy. And companies with vehicle fleets can convert to electric vehicles. Renewable Energy Sources Renewable energy sources include sunlight, water, wind, and Earth's heat (geothermal). They are replenished naturally over time, unlike fossil fuels like coal and oil, which are finite resources that will eventually run out. Renewables are a cleaner option to generate electricity, since they don't release harmful greenhouse gases. The most common form of green power is produced by hydropower plants. Seventy percent of Earth's surface is covered in water, and as it moves through a continual cycle of evaporating and raining it creates natural energy. This process can be harnessed by redirecting water through turbines which in turn generate electricity. Solar, geothermal and wind are also types of renewable energy sources. Green energy is also produced by using the sun's heat to warm the water in boilers and other devices, as well as by producing ethanol and biodiesel from plants and crops that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Many communities are now relying on renewables to provide 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 myriad of renewable energy sources that can be used to generate green power however, not all are in the same way. To be green, a source has to be low-emissions, zero-emissions or not emit greenhouse gasses throughout its lifecycle (i.e. manufacturing, installation, and land use). A good way to make sure that you're using green power is to select renewable electricity that has been certified by a third party. This kind of electricity can be generated by wind power, solar power biogas, geothermal energy, specific forms of biomass, and small hydroelectric sources with low impact. It is accessible in all markets and provides consumers with an easy and efficient way to have a positive impact on the environment. This type of electricity can replace traditional forms of energy and reduce carbon emissions which is an important step towards an environmentally sustainable future. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is the use of technologies and practices to produce the same amount of products and services using less energy. This means reducing the amount of waste created in production processes, and improving the design and construction of vehicles, buildings, and household appliances. Energy-efficient technologies can also reduce greenhouse gases as well as dependence on fossil fuels and pollutants in the air and water. They can also help to break the link between growth in energy consumption and GDP. DNREC offers a variety of energy efficiency programs for companies, schools and local governments. The Energy Efficiency Industrial (E2I) and the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEIF), are two of the programs offered by DNREC. These programs offer grant money and low-interest loans that encourage non-residential energy efficiency upgrades. DNREC offers rebates and tax credits for upgrades to residential energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is a key element in achieving ambitious climate goals when it is combined with renewable energy. According to IEA scenarios if cost-effective measures of energy efficiency were put into place in all sectors that they could make a significant difference globally, GHG emissions would peak before 2030 and would peak by 2040. This would amount to more than 40% the total GHG reduction required to keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the future, nations will need to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Only then will the Paris Agreement's goals for climate mitigation and Sustainable Development Goals be achieved. This will require integrating energy efficiency into all policies, plans and major investment decisions, while making it a top priority for consumers, businesses, and investors. Energy efficiency is a crucial part of green energy, which blends renewables and energy efficiency to produce an environmentally friendly, carbon-free substitute for traditional electricity. recommended you read include solar and wind power as well as geothermal energy, biomass that is eligible as well as small hydroelectric systems that have a low impact. Renewable energy has to be paired with energy efficiency, whether as products or services. Online, you can find green power companies. The procedure of switching is simple and simple. Some companies offer a cooling-off period of two weeks, which gives customers the chance to consider whether they want to switch suppliers. Greenhouse Gas Emissions When fossil fuels burn greenhouse gas emissions are released which include carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat and trigger climate changes. Human activities account for a large portion of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Numerous studies have proven that climate change poses environmental and economic dangers. Reduced fossil fuel energy consumption is one method to reduce greenhouse emissions. You can also generate electricity using renewable energy sources. Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gases. In the United States more than half of the energy produced is generated by coal-fired power stations. Electricity generated from renewable sources such as geothermal, wind solar, small hydro with low impact generates substantially less greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial and residential buildings, along with transportation, are also major sources of greenhouse gas emission. Residential and commercial buildings consume significant amounts of electricity to provide heating and cooling, as well as ventilation conditioning. Lighting, appliances and plug load; and other functions. “Green” building techniques and retrofits can help buildings use less energy, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation activities generate greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels that power cars, trucks, trains aircrafts, ships, and ships. The reduction of emissions can be achieved by replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with hydrogen or electric fuel cell or hybrid electric cars. Fuel efficiency can also reduce transportation emissions. Utilizing renewable energy sources to power transportation (such as biofuels, electric or low-carbon natural gas) can further reduce emissions. Agricultural and waste disposal activities produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Methane is generated by livestock and other livestock farming, land use, and the decomposition of organic wastes found in municipal waste landfills. Eliminating these sources of methane emissions can aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Utility Green Power Products Many utilities offer green energy options to their customers. These products 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. Purchasing these products is a great option to help in the advancement of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Renewable Energy Costs As the world works towards the 2050 goal of 100 renewable energy sources, the cost of alternative energies continues to decrease. Wind and solar power are now some of the most affordable sources of electricity available. The levelized cost or LCOE is also predicted to decrease as technology improves and new projects are developed. The initial costs of renewable energy plants may be higher than fossil fuels, but the long-term savings will offset the initial cost. Renewable energy is a fantastic method of producing green energy at a low cost and with less environmental impacts. They can also reduce the health risks that are associated with respiratory diseases caused by coal and create jobs to boost the economy. They also provide consumers with stable prices for energy. The upfront costs of renewable energy sources are typically higher than fossil fuel power plants however, they can be operated at a very affordable cost (since their “fuel” is free). Studies have proven that switching to renewable energy will reduce the average household's energy bill. The majority of renewable energy sources are less expensive and require less infrastructure to deploy than conventional power plants. Government incentives and rebates can also help to reduce the ongoing capital costs of renewable energy. The high interest rates have significantly increased the costs of capital-intensive renewable projects. However, Morningstar estimates future interest rates to be lower, reducing those costs. A thorough 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. Jesse Jenkins, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conducted a study that showed that limiting renewable energy sources to non-dispatchable sources such as onshore and solar energy results in higher cost for policy than an easy low-carbon electricity goal. In New York, where the majority of households buy their electricity via competitive electric markets, green power options are available to customers who want to support cleaner energy solutions. A typical green power plan uses energy from renewable sources like wind, biomass solar, hydroelectricity, and solar. Although these options aren't currently used to provide all the electricity used in the State, they can provide a substantial portion. By utilizing green power, New York can create a more sustainable and durable energy mix.