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Renewable Energy is often called clean energy, comes from renewable resources, such as wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, biomass energy ( such as ethanol), and geothermal energy. The advantages of renewable energy resources are a fuel supply that never runs out, zero-carbon emissions, cleaner air, and water. But the most significant advantage of renewable energy does not leave a carbon footprint which is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds due to the consumption of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing materials that once formed underground from the remains of dead plants and animals. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. At Thatcher Energy, we understand the importance of transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy. We are in the business of searching for the best natural gas rates for our clients. Just know that burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of all types of fossil fuels. Natural gas accounts for 34% of the United States energy consumption.
Renewable Energy is essential to help reduce air pollution, and this occurs when fossil fuels produce energy. The Energy produced from fossil fuels is not clean by any means, and fossil fuel emissions are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. These emissions affect the planet significantly as greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere, and these gases cause global warming and eventually climate change. Heatwaves, droughts, storms, and wildfires are the endgame to greenhouse gases. We must subsequently pivot to renewable clean energy, but until that science is understood, we must use the purest means of energy consumption.
The Benefits of Renewable Energy are unmeasurable. Renewable Energy provides significant and growing numbers of jobs worldwide. Hydropower, Solar Energy, and wind energy produce little or no air pollution. Air pollution has become a critically important issue in many developing countries where up to 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, and charcoal for cooking and heating homes. Renewable Energy is very cost-effective, and energy consultation companies like Thatcher Energy negotiate with different utility providers to find a plan based on your budget, either for residential or commercial use. Renewable Energy comes from naturally occurring and virtually inexhaustible sources such as the sun, wind, and water.
Renewable Energy is not the same as clean or green energy. While many renewable sources of Energy are considered clean Energy, that term refers explicitly to the environmental impact of a power source. Nuclear Energy, for example, is clean but not green Energy. Green Energy is a subset of renewables, representing the most environmentally beneficial resources. Solar Energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biogas energy, biomass energy, and low-impact hydropower are green energy examples. Renewable energy sources not considered green are large-scale hydropower and Energy for burning solid waste.
Renewable Energy reduces harmful air pollutants. When fossil fuels burn to create electricity, they react with oxygen to form nitrogen oxide, a dangerous greenhouse gas. Not only can this gas create smog and acid rain, the gas chemically reacts to produce ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant. The ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. Ground-level ozone, however, can cause a variety of health problems. Including coughing, throat irritation, airway inflammation, reduced lung function and damaged lung tissue. Ground-level ozone combines heat, sunlight, and volatile organic compounds — specifically human-made chemicals used and produced in paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.
Renewable Energy and water usage, traditional electricity, such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear power, is generated by heating water and creating steam to turn turbines. For coal and natural gas, electricity generation requires approximately 60,000 gallons of water per MWh of electricity.2 Wind and solar Energy do not need water to generate electricity.
Additionally, while hydropower relies on water, electricity is created by falling or flowing water from a river, dam, or stream instead of generating steam through burning materials. Water is a vital element on our planet, and we must do everything possible to conserve and keep our water supplies clean and unpolluted.
Renewable Energy has many economic benefits. More than 13 million people work in the renewable energy sector worldwide. And that number will rise as many countries transition to Renewable Energy. It should be understood the preservation of our planet comes first before anything. Still, as this renewable energy sector allows many to become financially stable and provide the essentials for their families, it equally enables those workers to sleep soundly, knowing they're giving part to preserve our planet. Additionally, farmers and landowners can make extra income by hosting wind farms on their property. Farmers can also grow crops to convert to biofuels.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are a market-based instrument that certifies the bearer owns one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from a renewable energy resource. Once the power provider has fed the Energy into the grid, the REC received can then sell on the open market as an energy commodity. Renewable Energy Certificates can eventually be sold for profit to those looking to offset their carbon emissions or speculators betting on the value of energy credits. A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) acts as a tracking mechanism for solar, wind, and other green energies as they flow into the power grid. Since electricity generated from renewable energy sources is unrecognizable from any other source, tracking is required.
Many states require power utilities to purchase or generate renewable solar power. These requirements are called solar carve-outs. Moreover, many states have a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires power services to create a certain amount of renewable power that increases every year. These RPS requirements are a significant driver of the Renewable Energy Certificate trades. A power company may purchase these certificates from the homeowner to meet the state's renewable requirement.
In conclusion, the importance of Renewable Energy is beyond measure. At Thatcher Energy, we long and strive to preserve Earth, and renewable energy is the future. As science and engineering develop new ways to store renewable energy to be used later, we take a step closer towards leaving our dependency on fossil fuels. And until that day comes, rest assured our consultants here at Thatcher Energy will work endlessly to negotiate the best rates on your energy needs, be it electricity or natural gas for your home or business. We have you covered.
