Electricity generated from renewable sources is becoming increasingly available. By choosing to purchase green power instead of conventional electricity, consumers, businesses, and organizations can support the development of new, clean technologies that will reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity generation and increase our nation’s energy independence.[1]
Energy sources
A wind turbine at Greenpark, Reading, England, generating green electricity for approx 1000 homes.
More controversial is nuclear energy's claim to be green. It is not sustainable, nor renewable[1]. However nuclear waste is a pollutant if released into the biosphere, and there are carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by the large amount of energy required by transport, mining and pre- and post-production. Hence, nuclear power is rarely included in official green energy schemes[citation needed]. Proponents of Nuclear Power tend to argue that the Nuclear waste is not released into the biosphere during normal operation and that the carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt hour of generated electricity is comparable to those of other green energy sources, such as wind power[citation needed].
Likewise, medium or large-scale hydroelectric power or sources of air pollution such as burning biomatter or petroleum, consume water and are often excluded from the label 'green energy'[citation needed].
Renewable energy certificates (Green certificates, or green tags) are currently the most convenient way for consumers and businesses to support "green power". Over 35 million homes in Europe, and 1 million in the United States, are purchasing such certificates.
No power source is entirely impact-free. All energy sources require energy and gives rise to some degree of pollution from manufacture of the technology.
Purchasing green energy through the electrical grid
In several countries with common carrier arrangements, electricity retailing arrangements make it possible for consumers to purchase green electricity from either their utility or a green power provider. The customer typically pays a small premium.
When energy is purchased from the electricity network, the power reaching the consumer will not necessarily be generated from green energy sources. The local utility company, electric company or state power pool buys their electricity from electricity producers who may be generating from fossil fuel, nuclear or renewable energy sources. In many countries green energy currently provides a very small amount of electricity, generally contributing less than 2 to 5% to the overall pool.
By participating in a green energy program a consumer may be having an effect on the energy sources used and ultimately might be helping to promote and expand the use of green energy. They are also making a statement to policy makers that they are willing to pay a price premium to support renewable energy. Green energy consumers either obligate the utility companies to increase the amount of green energy that they purchase from the pool (so decreasing the amount of non-green energy they purchase), or directly fund the green energy through a green power provider. If insufficient green energy sources are available, the utility must develop new ones or contract with a third party energy supplier to provide green energy, causing more to be built. However, there is no way the consumer can check whether or not the electricity bought is "green" or otherwise.
In some countries such as the Netherlands, electricity companies guarantee to buy an equal amount of 'green power' as is being used by their green power customers. The Dutch government exempts green power from pollution taxes, which means green power is hardly any more expensive than other power.
Abuses
In countries where suppliers are legally obliged to purchase a proportion of their electricity from renewable sources (for example under the Renewables Obligation in the United Kingdom), there is a danger that energy suppliers may sell such green electricity under a premium 'green energy' tariff, rather than sourcing additional green electricity supplies.[2] Where a Renewable Energy Certificate or similar scheme is in operation it is also possible for the energy supplier to sell the green electricity to the consumer, and also sell the certificate to another supplier who has failed to meet their quota, rather than 'retiring' the certificate from the marketplace. In other cases green energy tariffs may involve carbon offsetting rather than purchasing or investing in renewable energy.[3][4]
Certification schemes to minimise these and similar questionable practices are in place or are being developed in a few countries.[5]
International standards
The World Wide Fund for Nature and several green electricity labelling organizations have created the Eugene Green Energy Standard under which national green electricity certification schemes can be accredited to ensure that the purchase of green energy leads to the provision of additional new green energy resources.[6]
Purchasing green energy through the gas grid
The market for heating is mostly serviced by gas and oil rather than electric power, due to the high cost per kilowatt of electricity in many countries[citation needed]. Distribution of cheap renewable electric power via the electrical grid has made it possible in many countries for the average consumer to choose renewable electric power, and in the same manner renewable natural gas may in future be made available to the average consumer via the existing gas grid. [7][8]
Those not satisfied with the third-party grid approach to green energy via the power grid can install their own locally-based renewable energy system. Renewable energy electrical systems from solar to wind to even local hydropower in some cases, are some of the many types of renewable energy systems available locally. Additionally, for those interested in heating and cooling their dwelling via renewable energy, geothermal heat pump systems that tap the constant temperature of the earth, which is around 7 to 15 degrees Celsius a few feet underground, are an option and save money over conventional natural gas and petroleum-fueled heat approaches.
United States
The advantage of this approach in the United States is that many states offer incentives to offset the cost of installation of a renewable energy system. Individuals are usually assured that the electricity they are using is actually produced from a green energy source that they control. Once the system is paid for, the owner of a renewable energy system will be producing their own renewable electricity for essentially no cost and can sell the excess to the local utility at a profit.
