By PR-Tech (Portland, Or.)
Green energy, not long ago considered an emerging trend, is quickly taking over non-sustainables as an energy source of choice. Consider major projects announced in recent weeks of expanded solar programs in New York and California, along with a plan to develop large-scale wind farms along the coast of the United States. Here is how utilities are becoming green utilities.
Green, Renewable And Clean Energy Types
First, let’s define these types of energy as they have slightly different meanings although they are often used interchangeably.
“Green” means energy derived from natural sources; “clean” means that it doesn’t release pollutants like fossil fuels do; and “renewable” means that it comes from sources that are being constantly replenished. Often the terms overlap, of course.
The most widely used and cost-effective forms of green energy are solar and wind power. Other sources of sustainable energy are hydroelectric energy, which harnesses the natural flow of moving water; nuclear power, which uses nuclear reactions to produce electricity; geothermal energy, which is thermal energy stored under the earth’s crust; and wave energy, which uses the motion of waves to create energy.
Why a Greener Grid Is Better
Climate change is a top concern – and with good reason. Just witness the acceleration of severe weather events the United States has endured recently, everything from unpredictable temperatures in the form of extreme heat and cold; to out-of-control wildfires, floods and hurricanes, which are often attributed to climate change.
These abnormal cycles have raised the alarm on the need to lower greenhouse gases, which trap heat and make the planet warmer. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.” These include coal, crude oil and natural gas.
By switching to green energy, users can replace the negative effects of fossil fuels since it doesn’t produce pollution, which contributes to better air and water quality and an overall cleaner, safer environment.
In addition, as mentioned, many sources of green power, such as wind and solar, are “renewable” in that they are continually replenished. That can lead to less reliance on other countries that have access to the fossil fuels we need. It can also lead to more stable pricing since they are sourced locally and are more predictable. Green power also benefits the economy by creating family-wage jobs in areas where these production facilities are being built.
And, green power is thought to play a role in reducing wildfire risk for reasons that go beyond its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Because green power is typically produced closer to the places it’s needed, it reduces a utility’s reliance on the current aging electrical infrastructure, including outdated power lines which are widely considered to be a potential culprit in wildfires.
How Utilities Are Evolving To Offer Greener Sources
There are a number of ways that utilities are upgrading their facilities to offer greener power, and one is by encouraging customers to select renewable electricity. According to Energy.gov, at least half of U.S customers are currently able to purchase directly from their regular power supplier, and others can purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from outside suppliers.
As an example of one way utilities are encouraging customers to choose green sources, Madison (Wisconsin) Gas and Electric’s “Green Power Tomorrow” lets consumers designate a certain amount of their households’ power needs, from 1% to 100%, to be from green sources at a cost of just one cent more per kilowatt hour than regular power.
In another recent announcement, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) is tasking electric utilities with using community solar projects to make rooftop solar energy available to lower-income citizens or those whose roofs are not amenable to panels. That enables everyone to have access to the benefits of solar power.
One exciting development is related to electric vehicles (EVs). Once assumed to be a drag on electricity, as car owners plug them in en masse in the evening, a more creative solution is helping ease the energy crush. In many areas, utilities are offering rebates or cash awards to car owners who enroll in smart-charging programs that let them charge the car at times where there is less demand or when they can take advantage of greener energy sources. For example, Madison Gas and Electric in Wisconsin has a program that allows EVs to use renewable energy generated overnight by wind farms. One study found that an EV owner in California could save about $600 a year charging at off-peak times.
And many corporations are doing their part independent of local utilities. Amazon, for example, has 232 renewable energy projects globally, that it uses to help power its corporate offices, fulfillment centers and data centers. These include 85 utility-scale wind and solar projects and 147 solar rooftops on facilities and stores worldwide, which it reports brings its total renewable energy investments to 10 gigawatts (GW) of electricity production capacity.
The benefits of green power are indisputable, and utilities are embracing it as a way to contribute to the safety and well-being of consumers and the community. No matter what actions you are taking – whether your programs are established or just emerging – it’s important to communicate your actions to your customers so they can partake in the programs you offer. In addition, make sure to keep them informed of other changes you make to upgrade your infrastructure, such as keeping power lines safer by adding bird diverters, a power line monitoring network, and other power line markers.
Another energy-friendly option is P&R Tech’s Solar FAA Obstruction Lights, a solar-powered solution for tower and grid projects. Tapping into solar power is a greener solution that keeps lights off the grid while saving money, and SunPOWR obstruction lights from P&R Tech meet or exceed the specifications of the 2008 FAA Bulletin on Solar Power Obstruction Lighting.
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To find out more about how P&R Tech can contribute to your power line safety and green energy solutions, contact us today.
