Log In Sign Up

Search for any green Service

Find green products from around the world in one place

Window cleaning

Singapore Safety Glass

Tag: Global renewable energy

Solar Farms Help Bees: Solar Installations for the Bees

Posted on by dishanth
Solar Farms Help Bees: Solar Installations for the Bees

Solar farms help bees: Solar farms emerging as sanctuaries for declining wild and honey bee populations.

In an unexpected turn, solar farms help bees and are emerging as potential sanctuaries for declining bee populations, providing a secondary purpose beyond clean energy generation. A recent study reveals that strategically planting native flowers and grasses around solar installations significantly enhances the population and diversity of crucial pollinators like bees, offering a promising avenue for both clean energy expansion and environmental conservation.

Research conducted by scientists from the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab, focused on assessing the impacts on insects from two large solar installations situated on retired farmland in Minnesota. Enel Green Power North America, the operators of these solar sites, undertook the initiative to plant wildflower mixes alongside the panel arrays during construction in 2018. The researchers then conducted comprehensive year-round insect surveys at these facilities from 2018 to 2022.

The findings from the study are nothing short of remarkable; solar farms help bees. Over the five-year observation period, both native bee and monarch butterfly populations increased more than twenty-fold. The areas surrounding the solar panels transformed into thriving, prairie-like habitats abundant with essential flowering nourishment. The overall insect populations tripled, surpassing initial expectations. Additionally, these flourishing hubs of pollinators are extending benefits to vegetation in nearby agricultural areas, as evidenced by satellite imaging.

Dr. Lee Walston, an ecologist at Argonne and the lead author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about the scale of positive influence managed solar landscapes can have on insect biodiversity and abundance. The strategic integration of natural ecosystem elements adjacent to renewable projects, as demonstrated in this study, could potentially offer a win-win scenario, supporting the expansion of clean energy infrastructure while addressing the decline in insect populations.

The research underscores the concept of “solar sharing” – a departure from the traditional approach of isolating solar infrastructure from its surroundings. By allowing vegetation to thrive around solar facilities, solar farms help bees, and a new haven is created to support fragile bee colonies. The collapse of global bee populations poses a severe threat to agriculture, as over $500 billion in crop production relies on natural pollination annually.

But it doesn’t have to be only about the bees. Agrovoltaics refers to co-locating agriculture and solar photovoltaic systems on the same land. The solar panels are elevated and spaced out to allow crops to be grown underneath while allowing sunlight to reach the crops. The partial shade created by the solar panels can benefit certain crops by providing shelter, reducing evapotranspiration, and lessening weed pressure. The crops benefit the solar infrastructure by reducing heat under and around the panels.

Some bee-friendly crops and flowers that could thrive under the partial shade of solar panels include potatoes, cabbage, kale, carrots, Brussels sprouts, celery, spinach, onions, garlic, lettuce, arugula, strawberries, asparagus, leeks, swiss chard, parsley, oregano, green beans, sunflowers, cosmos flowers, marigolds, clovers, borage, and many varieties of wildflowers. These provide nutrient-rich pollen and nectar that support diverse bee populations.

These findings open the door to a new perspective on the relationship between solar power and ecological conservation. Instead of erecting barriers, solar infrastructure can be designed to coexist harmoniously with the environment. The success observed in this study suggests that solar farms help bees and can play a crucial role in aiding declining bee populations, offering hope for preserving essential pollinators.

As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable practices amid the climate crisis, the authors hope these groundbreaking findings will inspire further research. Exploring habitat-friendly solar blueprints to integrate nature into the urgent climate transition could be a transformative step forward. Dr. Walston emphasized the potential symbiosis between solar power and ecological conservation, envisioning bees flocking to blossoms beneath solar panels, which may reveal surprising pathways to advance sustainable energy and agriculture concurrently.

In conclusion, solar farms help bees. Once seen solely as agents of clean energy, they are now emerging as potential allies in the crucial mission to preserve and protect bee populations. This unexpected synergy between renewable energy infrastructure and environmental conservation opens doors to innovative solutions that could redefine the future of sustainable energy and agriculture.

 

 

 

 

Source   Happy Eco News

Water Based Battery Safer than Lithium

Posted on by dishanth
Water Based Battery Safer than Lithium

A novel water based battery is said to be safer than lithium at half the cost.
A Boston-area startup called Alsym Energy has introduced a rechargeable water based battery that could match lithium-ion batteries’ performance at a fraction of the price.

In addition to using inexpensive, easily accessible materials like manganese and metal oxide, the novel battery is based on water, according to an initial report from Fast Company.

Being a water based battery means it avoids some of the main drawbacks of current batteries, such as the potential for lithium-ion battery fires and the negative impact of mining on the environment. And thanks to the use of non-toxic materials, the water based battery design is simpler to recycle, which is always a bonus.

Electric vehicles are becoming more important as the world’s nations step up their efforts to decarbonize the grid. That’s because they can aid in decarbonizing both transportation and supply of electricity through reduced tailpipe emissions and offer flexibility. Naturally, many automakers are tapping into the market by producing luxurious EVs; however, the expensive price tag remains to be a problem to this day. The costs are partly due to the lithium-ion batteries that are used in electric vehicles, which are too costly to make EVs that can compete in price tag with cars that run on fossil fuels.

This is where Alsym Energy, which recently emerged from stealth and secured $32 million from investors, comes in. According to a press release, with its first partner being an automaker in India, the startup wants to make it possible for manufacturers to produce cheaper electric vehicles.

“Our motivation was to make it affordable so that it could be widely deployed as opposed to niche,” Mukesh Chatter, CEO and co-founder of the startup, told Fast Company.

The Alsym Energy water based battery is inexpensive enough that it might be used in developing countries to store off-grid solar power. This is especially crucial for individuals who do not currently have access to energy.

 

What Makes the Water Based Battery Special?
The water based zinc battery makes use of other affordable, easily accessible components like manganese and metal oxide. Crucially, it does not contain cobalt, an expensive critical component of lithium batteries that also contributes to supply-chain health and environmental issues due to unethical mining practices. It also doesn’t use lithium at all, which requires resource-intensive salar brine extraction methods, mainly concentrated in conflict-prone regions of South America. Avoiding lithium and cobalt reliance is incredibly important as both metals have seen extreme price increases recently amid surging EV demand.

Lithium carbonate prices have skyrocketed over 750% in the last two years. And cobalt more than doubled in cost since 2020. These unstable dynamics will likely drive up prices of lithium-ion batteries for the foreseeable future. By swapping water for expensive, ethically fraught raw materials, the aqueous zinc batter stands to radically transform the energy storage calculus in terms of affordability, local manufacturing potential, and stability of supply chains.

According to the team behind Alsym Energy, the new design has “lithium-like performance.” But unlike the latter, Alsym Energy’s batteries are not flammable. This saves money as it doesn’t require special protection to avoid fires and gives the batteries additional applications, such as use in ships, where the industry is particularly concerned about fire risk.

If all goes to plan, Alsym Energy will start beta testing with its first customers in early 2023, with high-volume production beginning as early as 2025. The novel battery design will surely make waves globally; however, the company’s priority is to first make it affordable in low-income regions.

 

 

 

 

Source  Happy Eco News

How manufacturers can transition to 100% renewable electricity

Posted on by dishanth
How manufacturers can transition to 100% renewable electricity

Manufacturing and other industrial users account for around a third of the world’s energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency(1). Electricity is a central element of that. If all the power consumed by factories and industrial plants came from renewable sources, it would make a sizeable contribution to tackling climate change.

It is a tough target, but one that companies are increasingly signing up to. The RE100 initiative, for example, has seen more than 400 corporations commit to 100% renewable electricity use across their operations. How they reach that goal will depend on many factors, including what they are making and where.

 

Switching to renewable electricity

“Organisations with lighter electricity needs and stable finances will be best positioned to transition to renewables. Companies with high electricity demand, like furnaces for glass, smelting or other large-scale heating applications and companies with very large footprints – such as expansive warehouses and assembly operations – may have more difficulty,” says Paul Holdredge, Director for Industrials and Transport at consultancy Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).

COP28 president-designate Dr Sultan Al-Jaber told the Adipec conference in Abu Dhabi in early October(2) that heavy industries may be hard to decarbonise but added “We know that solutions exist, and all industries can and must respond.”

The prospect of switching to renewable electricity has become far easier due to recent dramatic cost reductions. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the price of solar photovoltaic power in 2010 was typically 710% higher than the cheapest fossil fuel, but by 2022 it was 29% cheaper(3). Currently electricity accounts for around 20% of final energy use in manufacturing, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and this is only expected to increase.

 

The manufacturing challenge

But it is not just the price of renewable energy, low as it is, that dictates a manufacturer’s ability to move to 100% renewable energy. Both the required initial capital investment and first-mover disadvantage—where it costs pioneers more than those that follow them to deploy new technologies—can significantly slow down a fully renewable transition. Not to mention the lack of availability of certain renewables in certain geographies and the fact that the appropriate infrastructure must be in place for this energy to be delivered—something no one company can do on its own.

Manufacturing requires an enormous amount of electricity in comparison to offices. In some countries or regions where the supply of renewable electricity is limited, like Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, it is much more expensive than electricity produced by traditional means, placing a significant future cost burden on companies that purchase renewable electricity.

Epson is working to popularize the use of renewable electricity, despite the certainty of short-term cost increases. The company is advancing investment in sustainability to enrich communities and invest in future generations to create social value.

 

Going local

Wherever they are in the world, with whatever types of renewable energy available to them, companies need to adapt to local, national, and global circumstances. Seiko Epson, based in Japan, has done just that. Having switched to 100% renewable electricity for all its sites in Japan in 2021, it will complete the transition to 100% renewable electricity globally by the end of 2023(4). This goal has been made achievable through steady implementation of decarbonization targets and the use of renewable electricity since 2018.

In Nagano Prefecture, Japan, for example, where water sources are abundant, it relies on hydroelectric power. But in the Tohoku area, where it has a semiconductor fabrication plant, it uses hydropower and geothermal heat from the Ou mountains.

It is taking a similar approach outside Japan. In the Philippines, it taps into local geothermal and hydroelectric sources. While in Indonesia, it uses yet another renewable source—biomass power.

“We have used locally produced energy wherever possible,” says Junichi Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer General Administrative Manager, Production Planning Division, whose role encompasses the promotion of Epson’s procurement strategies in the supply chain, including the use of renewable electricity. “Rather than using energy generated in faraway countries, using a particular region’s abundant renewable resources brings many benefits, such as improving energy self-sufficiency and creating jobs.”

In addition to purchasing renewable electricity, Epson co-creates and develops other power sources through continuous renewable electricity purchases. In partnership with Nagano Prefecture and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Company, Inc., the company began support of hydroelectric power plants in Nagano Prefecture. Two are already in operation (totalling 5,770 kilowatts) and another is scheduled to begin operation in 2024. That number is expected to increase to five by 2025.

Such targets can help a company stand out from the crowd. “Based on our research, setting a near-term goal for 100% renewable electricity use is an example of leadership and a differentiator. Some companies also have roadmaps to transition over longer time periods,” says Holdredge.

 

Among the practical methods companies should consider are:

• Sourcing renewable electricity from local suppliers via contracts with electricity suppliers – the ability to do this will depend on the rules in a particular country but, if it is possible, a company can be confident its electricity is only coming from renewable sources.

• Generating electricity on-site, via rooftop solar panels or, if space allows, wind turbines. Even if they do not generate all the power needed, they can still make a useful contribution.

• Develop battery storage facilities. A common concern about renewable electricity is the risk of supply being interrupted when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining, but storage technology offers a viable way to address that.

 

When it comes to solar power generation systems, Epson’s sites also decide whether to adopt self-investment or power purchase agreement (PPA) based on the individual circumstances of each country or region. The solution will vary from company to company. But most manufacturers are likely to find a combination of these elements will go a long way to reaching their renewable electricity goals.

What’s more, many manufacturers like Epson realize that their indirect GHG emissions from their entire value chain (Scope 3) are much greater than the GHG emissions from their own electricity use (Scope 2). As such, by reducing the sector’s Scope 2 emissions using renewable energy—something the sector can do independently—is likely to have a far greater impact on society. Setting goals early and demonstrating a company’s stance toward solving climate change is the key to co-prosperity with suppliers and a sustainable society.

“For large companies the return on investment is there to make the case for investment in renewables. For smaller companies this can also be true, but it depends on the geography. Government incentives can only speed up transition which is sorely needed,” says Christy Slay, Chief Executive Officer of The Sustainability Consortium.

 

The future for greener manufacturing

There are big gains for humanity if climate change can be addressed, but for manufacturing companies and their shareholders the best approach could also deliver commercial gains.

Consumers and investors are increasingly likely to reward companies with greener credentials, making it an essential part of long-term market positioning. In addition, greater use of renewables and greater self-generation can make a company more resilient to volatile electricity prices on the open market.

“Reaching 100% renewable is tough but pushing to get as close as possible, as soon as possible should be every company’s focus right now,” says Slay. “Epson has managed to stay one step ahead of the industry and is setting an example not only to Japan but to the world.”

 

 

 

 

Source  Reuters

New York State’s Largest Rooftop Solar Installation Ever

Posted on by dishanth
New York State’s Largest Rooftop Solar Installation Ever

New York State has taken a big renewable step forward with its largest rooftop solar installation yet. Recently, the state unveiled its largest rooftop solar project stationed atop the Medline Industries distribution center. This landmark achievement not only fortifies New York’s commitment to green energy but also serves as a beacon for other states to follow.

Tucked away at the expansive Medline Industries distribution center, this massive project is a testament to clean energy’s tangible benefits. With the capability to power an impressive 1,600 homes annually, the project is undeniably significant; it is the largest rooftop solar installation in New York state. This initiative boasts a production capacity of 7.2 megawatts to break down the numbers derived from its 17,000 solar panels.

Furthermore, the environmental implications of this largest rooftop solar installation project are profound. New York State expects to reduce its annual carbon footprint by 6,000 metric tons by harnessing the sun’s energy. To contextualize this, it’s akin to removing several thousand cars from the roads each year, paving the way for cleaner air and a healthier environment.

While individual projects like the one at Medline Industries are pivotal, they form part of a much grander scheme in New York’s green energy blueprint. Under the New York Climate Act Goal, the state has set its sights on an ambitious target: generating 6 gigawatts of solar energy by 2025. The largest rooftop solar installation in NY goes beyond just energy production—it’s about redefining the state’s relationship with power consumption and making clean energy an accessible commodity for all.

No significant venture comes to fruition without solid financial backing, especially the state’s largest rooftop solar installation. With its $8 million price tag, the Medline project required considerable investment. PowerFlex, a renowned entity in the clean energy domain, took the lead with a hefty $5 million investment. Their faith in the project’s potential was echoed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which further infused $3 million through its NY-Sun initiative. Such investments underscore the belief that sustainable projects are ecologically beneficial and economically viable.

Solar energy, while beneficial, remains elusive to many due to the upfront costs associated with panel installation and maintenance. This is where community solar projects step in as game-changers. These initiatives eliminate the need for individual households to install their own panels. Instead, they allow consumers to benefit from solar power by tapping into a shared grid, which receives energy from community-based solar installations.

By integrating solar power into the local grid, residents, irrespective of their housing situations or financial standings, can access clean energy. This communal approach democratizes solar energy access and fosters a sense of community collaboration towards a sustainable future.

New York’s endeavors in solar energy have solidified its reputation as a frontrunner in the U.S. community solar market. The statistics are telling: since 2012, the state has witnessed an astonishing 3,000% surge in solar access. Beyond the environmental accolades, this growth trajectory has ushered in economic prosperity. Over 13,400 individuals now find employment in the solar sector in New York. Additionally, as technologies and methodologies have improved, there’s been a notable 72% decrease in costs associated with solar energy, making it even more accessible.

The unveiling of Medline Industries’ largest rooftop solar installation is not merely a testament to New York State’s green ambitions; it’s a clarion call for other regions to intensify their renewable energy pursuits. As New York strengthens its renewable energy portfolio, its strategies and successes offer valuable insights for broader national and global adoption.

For stakeholders, investors, and the general public, there’s never been a more opportune time to delve deeper into the realm of solar energy. By understanding its intricacies and potential, one can contribute to and immensely benefit from the burgeoning solar sector.

 

 

 

 

Source   Happy Eco News

Transparent Solar Panels: a Powerful Alternative to Glass

Posted on by dishanth
Transparent Solar Panels: a Powerful Alternative to Glass

In the foreseeable future, transparent solar panels hold the potential to take the place of conventional windows, although several challenges must first be overcome. Transparent solar panels are crafted from materials that permit visible light to pass through while capturing the sun’s energy to generate electricity. This unique feature grants them an aesthetically pleasing advantage over traditional, bulky, and opaque solar panels.

However, the best technologies still have lower efficiency than their traditional counterparts, resulting in lower electricity generation per square meter. Moreover, the cost exceeds that of traditional ones, making them less economically viable for the majority of consumers.

Transparent solar panels are made of a transparent material, such as titanium dioxide or amorphous silicon. These materials allow visible light to pass through while still absorbing some of the energy to generate electricity. This makes transparent solar panels more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels, which can be bulky and opaque.

They are still in the early stages of development, but they have the potential to revolutionize the way we generate electricity. They could be used to power buildings, cars, and other devices without taking up any extra space. For example, transparent solar panels could be used to create solar-powered windows that would allow natural light to enter a building while also generating electricity. They could also be used to create solar-powered car roofs or windows that charge the car’s battery whenever it is exposed to sunlight.

 

They will make economic sense in larger applications despite their lower power-generating capacity. For example, a large high-rise building with good solar exposure could have all the windows facing the sun made with solar panels instead of glass. On a large surface area, this would provide a significant amount of power to run the systems in the building. When combined with high-efficiency LED lighting, regeneration from elevators, and energy storage, the building could become energy neutral or even a net producer.

 

Numerous companies are vigorously working on enhancing the efficiency and affordability of glass solar panel windows. Successful advancements in this direction could potentially position transparent solar panels as a practical alternative to traditional windows in the future.

Here are some companies actively involved in developing transparent solar panels:

  1. SolarWindow Technologies: Pioneering the field, SolarWindow Technologies has created a transparent solar panel utilizing a thin film of titanium dioxide. This material absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. The company claims its transparent solar panel boasts 90% transparency and has the capacity to generate up to 10 watts of electricity per square meter.
  2. PolySolar is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of transparent solar panels. PolySolar’s transparent solar panels are made of a thin film of cadmium telluride (CdTe), which is a semiconductor material. CdTe is a very efficient material for absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity. PolySolar’s transparent solar panels are also very transparent, allowing up to 80% of visible light to pass through.
  3. Onyx Solar is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of transparent solar panels. Onyx Solar’s transparent solar panels are made of a thin film of amorphous silicon (a-Si), which is a semiconductor material. a-Si is a very transparent material, allowing up to 80% of visible light to pass through.

These companies represent just a glimpse of the ongoing efforts to develop solar panel windows. With continued research and development, it remains promising that glass solar panels will eventually emerge as a compelling option for replacing windows in the future.

 

 

 

 

Source  Happy Eco News

The Air-gen Device that Converts Humidity into Energy

Posted on by dishanth
The Air-gen Device that Converts Humidity into Energy

What if it were possible to create energy out of air? A purely sustainable and renewable source of energy that wouldn’t require towers or panels. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed just that. It turns out that air humidity is a vast, sustainable reservoir of energy that is continuously available. The researchers claim that just about any surface can be turned into a generator by replicating the electrical properties of storm clouds. A storm cloud is a mass of water droplets, all of which contain a charge. When the conditions are right, the cloud can produce a lightning bolt. The researchers have used similar properties to build a small-scale cloud that can produce electricity predictably and continuously.

So how does it work? Their air generator (Air-gen) relies on microscopic holes smaller than 100 nanometres (even more minuscule than a strand of a human hair). The small diameter of these holes is called a “mean free path”, which is the distance a single molecule can travel before it collides with another molecule of the same substance.

Water molecules float all around the air, and their mean free path is around 100 nanometres. As the humid air passes through Air-gen’s minuscule holes, the water molecules will directly contact an upper and lower chamber in the film. Because each pore is so small, the water molecules would easily bump into the pore’s edge as they pass through the thin layer. This interaction creates a charge imbalance and results in electricity.

The researchers claim that their product could offer kilowatts of power for general usage as long as there is any humidity in the air. Their Air-gen device could be more space efficient and blend into the environment compared to other renewable energy options such as solar and wind power. Moreover, humidity exists at all hours of the day and night, rain or shine, to provide non-stop energy.

The researchers also claim that harvesting the air and water droplets could be designed from all kinds of materials, which offers many opportunities for cost-effective and environment-adaptable designs. The Air-gen device is so small that thousands of them could be stacked on top of each other, increasing the amount of energy it gives off without increasing the environmental footprint of the device.

This device stems from the researcher’s previous inventions of generating an electric current using moisture in the air using a microbe called Geobacter. Their device produced a sustained voltage of about 0.5 volts for about 20 hours and could light up small LED bulbs. However, they couldn’t get the microbe to create enough nanowires (the small holes that generate the electric charge) to scale up the technology further.

Their new Air-gen device has never been discovered before, and it opens up many possibilities for effectively using renewable resources to create energy. It’s incredible to think we could harvest energy from the air around us. This discovery and invention could be scaled up. They could make renewable energy more accessible to people around the world. They could reduce the negative environmental impact we see with some existing forms of renewable energy (solar panels or wind turbines).

 

 

 

 

Source Happy Eco News 

Solar panel efficiency to increase 50% with “miracle” cells

Posted on by dishanth
Solar panel efficiency to increase 50% with “miracle” cells

A South Korean company has made a groundbreaking achievement as they unveiled the world’s first production line dedicated to perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. These innovative solar cells have the potential to boost efficiency by 50-75% compared to standard solar panels.

The commercialization of perovskite-based solar cells marks a significant milestone after years of advancements with the mineral. It has widely been regarded as a “miracle” material capable of revolutionizing various industries, including renewable energy.

.

The next-generation solar cell technology

Qcells, based in Seoul, has committed a substantial investment of US$100mn to bring this next-generation solar cell technology from the realm of lab tests and academic research to practical application.

A pilot production line to be operational by late next year will be funded by the investment at a factory in Jincheon.

“This investment in Jincheon will mark an important step in securing technological leadership,” said Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells.“With a global R&D network spanning from Korea, Germany and the US, Qcells will ramp up its efforts to produce high-efficiency advanced tandem cells.”

 

Improving sufficiency

Tandem solar cells offer a significant enhancement to the efficiency of conventional solar panels, by dividing the light spectrum and optimizing energy extraction from each segment to generate electricity.

In fact, the world record for solar cell efficiency stands at 32.5%, achieved with a perovskite-silicon tandem cell. In contrast, traditional silicon-based solar cells typically reach only around 22% efficiency.

This signifies that nearly one-third of solar radiation can be efficiently converted into electrical energy.

The development of tandem solar cells represents a promising leap forward in harnessing solar energy more effectively and surpassing the limitations of conventional silicon-based technologies.

 

 

 

 

Source Sustainability

 

Green energy – Learn more about green energy sources

Posted on by dishanth
Green energy – Learn more about green energy sources

Green energy: What it is and how it works

Green energy is electricity with substantially less carbon dioxide output than fossil fuels. Sources that cause little-to-no impact on the world’s carbon footprint are considered green.

Green electricity sources include:

  • Geothermal energy
  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Hydro energy
  • Biomass energy

More Americans are looking favorably at green energy companies and green energy plans to help the environment. Plus, with President Biden’s current initiatives of “achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035,” the push toward reducing carbon dioxide, also called greenhouse gas emissions, is at an all-time high.

Most scientists today agree that the world is getting warmer due to carbon dioxide production. The good news is that the U.S. was the second leading country “in installed renewable energy capacity worldwide in 2020,” following China in the top spot, according to Statista.

Within the U.S., Texas, California, and Washington are typically among the top five green-energy producing states. These states have a strong command of renewable energy, excelling at wind and solar generation.

 

Green energy vs. renewable energy vs. conventional power

Green energy and renewable energy often are used interchangeably, but the terms aren’t the same. All green electricity sources of power are renewable, but certain renewable energy sources are not green. For example, burning wood to produce electricity generates carbon dioxide. So, while wood is renewable, many scientists debate whether it is truly green.

Similar arguments can be made about other green energy sources. Solar and wind energy are often considered the best renewable energy; however, both aren’t necessarily green. Solar panel materials and manufacturing produce waste. Wind turbine blades can stay in landfills long after they’ve been used. Hydro energy can damage the environment by destroying habitats.

However, all renewable energy sources, including biomass, can reduce our dependence on the conventional power supply of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Here are a few examples of renewable or green energy sources available right now.

 

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy uses hot water and steam that comes from underground reservoirs. It can reach as far as the magma layer of the earth. Green electricity providers and power plants using this type of energy convert the heat and steam and use it to drive a turbine, which produces electricity.

The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of alternative electricity from geothermal energy. California, Nevada and Utah are some of the top states producing geothermal energy. Texas is also considered an untapped resource when it comes to geothermal. The Energy Information Administration says billions of barrels of water as hot as 200 degrees are produced annually as part of crude oil and natural gas production and could be used in geothermal generation.

Solar energy

Solar energy is a small but growing part of the nation’s energy puzzle, producing 3.3% of the electricity generated in December 2021, the most recent month available from the EIA. Most people have seen solar panels on rooftops or in large solar farms, mostly in rural settings, but few know how they work.

The solar panels act as semiconductors, with positive and negative layers. A conductor attached to both layers creates an electric circuit and turns electrons from sunlight into electricity. Finally, a solar inverter converts direct current into alternating current for residential use.

California, Texas, and Florida generated the most solar electricity in December 2021, at 29.1%, 12.6%, and 8.5%, respectively.

Wind energy

Across the U.S., total wind generation increased almost 25% year over year. Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma lead the nation in wind energy production. However, Texas is responsible for more than 28% of the nation’s electricity generation, which is over three times as much as any other state.

Wind energy, in general, accounts for about 11% of the nation’s energy. Here’s how it happens: Wind causes the huge turbine blades to spin, causing a rotor inside to turn as well. The rotor, in turn, is hooked up to a generator, which turns the motion of the rotor into electricity.

Hydro energy

Electricity generated by hydroelectric projectsaccounts for about 7% of the country’s electricity.Washington, Oregon, and New York are three of the top-producing hydro energy states. However, hydropower fell by as much as 14% in 2021 due to droughts across California and the Pacific Northwest, according to the EIA.

Dams are the key component for this form of green energy. The dams allow hydroelectric plants to channel water through turbines, again feeding generators that turn the kinetic energy into electricity.

Biomass energy

Biomass is organic material from plants and animals. The material can be burned as is or converted to liquid or gas biofuels. Examples of biomass include wood, other plants, and wastes. Wood and ethanol make up the largest energy sources of biomass, which produces about 5% of the country’s energy, with California, Georgia, and Florida as three of the top-producing states.

 

How to get a green energy plan

Renewable energy is part of every Texas energy plan. The percentage of renewable energy can be found on a plan’s Electricity Facts Label. Most retail electric providers in Texas also offer plans with higher percentages of green electricity, including plans that are 100% green.

Some providers are green energy companies that only sell 100% green energy, such as Gexa Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Chariot Energy.

Green energy plans and programs

Here’s how green energy providers in Texas operate to give their customers access to renewable energy.

Green energy companies like Gexa Energy purchase renewable energy credits (RECs)from alternative energy generators in the amount to offset your energy usage. These renewable energy sources are a combination of wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass outputs.
The energy you use at your home isn’t from these sources directly, because the power grid is a blend of electricity from all sources (renewable and conventional power sources). However, your green energy provider is purchasing the equivalent amount of energy you use from renewable sources.
If you want to use renewable energy directly at your home, having a solar panel system at your residence is a popular choice. Otherwise, your electricity will be a blend of sources.

Get a green energy plan

Uncertain of how to proceed? That’s understandable, given that there are different term lengths and options to purchase no-deposit or prepaid plans. Our buying guide offers useful tips on how to decide on a plan. Check out our green electricity rates page for more information on purchasing a green energy plan.

 

 

 

 

Source SaveOnEnergy.com

 

COP27: UK’s Miliband works towards clean power ‘anti-Opec’

Posted on by dishanth
COP27: UK’s Miliband works towards clean power ‘anti-Opec’

With one eye on the halls of power in Westminster and one eye on the hallway at COP27, British Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero Ed Miliband has said that, under a Labour government, the UK would be prepared to form an ‘anti-Opec’ alliance that would be established to serve the interests of the renewable energy industry.

In the event of an alliance being created, countries would be able to source components more cheaply, increase the use of alternative forms of energy, and increase the export of electricity across increasingly sophisticated grids.

Miliband has pointed to Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Costa Rica and Kenya as potential partners.

The former leader of the Labour Party – a party that is committed to 100% low-carbon electricity by 2030 – is due to spend the coming days at this year’s UN Climate Conference, which is currently being held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Among other sundry tasks, he will be spending his time gauging support for this new idea.

Pooling resources

“The potential clean power alliance is like an anti-Opec,” said Miliband to The Guardian. “I say anti-Opec because Opec is a cartel, a group of countries that works together to keep prices high. This would be a way in which countries join together to be the vanguard and say, ‘We’re going to deliver on clean power and it will help to cut prices, not just for us but for others.’”

Among the greatest sources for optimism in this proposal, so Miliband has said, is the decline in prices for renewables seen over the last decade. “It is now cheaper ro save the planet than to destroy it,” he said.

The Labour Party platform already has a number of policies on it that will help alleviate the burden of the climate crisis on both the UK and the world, among these being a promise to lift a ban on onshore windfarms that has been in effect since 2015 as well as a cessation to the granting of oil and gas licences in the fossil fuel-rich North Sea.

 

 

 

 

Source Sustainability

 

Sri Lanka’s first ever agrivoltaic solar power plant opened

Posted on by dishanth
Sri Lanka’s first ever agrivoltaic solar power plant opened

Solar Universe, the 10MW solar power plant in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa was declared open today.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced the opening of the 10 MW Ground Mount Solar Power Plant.

Minister Wijesekera said that invested and developed by WindForce PLC, Vidullanka PLC, and HiEnergy Services (Pvt) Limited, it is the 1st Agrivoltaic Power Plant in Sri Lanka.

The Minister further said that the new 10MW solar power plant in Vavunathivu will add 20 GWh annually to the National Grid. (NewsWire).

 

 

 

Source NEWSWIRE