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Posts Tagged ‘electricity’

What is a Renewable Energy Credit?

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Renewable energy credits (RECs), also known as credits, green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates are tradable certificates of proof that one MWh of electricity has been generated by a renewable-fueled source.

Customers can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through local utility entities or a competitive electricity marketer; without having to switch electricity suppliers, thereby making REC buying and selling independent of geography.

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)/ Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)

Renewable Energy Credits are central to the RPS (also known as RES). The RPS requires all electricity generators (or electricity retailers, depending on policy design) to demonstrate, through ownership of credits, that they have supported an amount of renewable energy generation equivalent to some percentage of their total annual MWh sales. For example, if the RPS is set at 10%, and a generator sells 100,000 MWhs in a given year, the generator would need to possess 10,000 credits at the end of that year. Renewable Energy Credits are a tradable commodity and the pricing of RECs primarily vary by supply/ demand within a state/ region and how the RECs are packaged for sale.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a flexible, market-driven policy that can ensure that the public benefits from wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy. It also ensures that renewable energy generation continues to be recognized and utilized as electricity markets become more competitive. The policy states that a minimum amount of renewable energy is included in the portfolio of electricity resources serving a state or country, and — by increasing the required amount over time — the RPS can put the electricity industry on a path toward increasing sustainability. Because it is a market standard, the RPS relies almost entirely on the private wholesale and retail electricity markets for its implementation. Private market implementation will result in competition, efficiency, and innovation that will deliver renewable energy at the lowest possible cost. The RES provides a predictable, competitive market, within which renewable generators compete with each other to lower prices (as more renewable energy is generated within a state/region, this also generates more RECs, ultimately driving the cost of the RECs in that state/region to be lowered as the supply increases). Mandatory RPS policies currently exist in 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

As renewable energy generators automatically earn credits (RECs), they actually earn extra income from the sale of the credits. These credits then have to be purchased by electricity generators or retailers to compensate for the electricity that is generated from non-renewable sources (i.e. mostly fossil fuels). Therefore, a mandatory RPS directly benefits the growth of the wind power industry and also provides extra income for wind farms as the RPS requirements are increased over time. As not only existing states continue these requirements, but as states that have yet to adopt a mandatory RPS develop such guidelines, the wind industry hopes to continue to see considerable growth.

Vert Investment Group (“Vert”) is a leading renewable energy investment advisory firm focused on small to medium-sized utility-scale generation projects in strong power markets. Vert utilizes its proven methodology, the Staged Progression Model, to guide development projects to construction ready and identify investment opportunities that generate out-sized returns.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/what-is-a-renewable-energy-credit-1450653.html

Posted by GreenPowerGuy on November 12th, 2009

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Create Your Own Electricity At Home

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Are your electricity bills bothering you? Do you want to create your own electricity? Well, then you will be glad to know that creation of electricity is very easy.

Now it might not seem very easy to you but you can create your own electricity in just some simple steps. In this article, we shall discuss a few of these steps.

For the first, you will have to assess your needs. This means that you have to ascertain how important a thing is to you and if it is, do not forget to include that in your electricity plan.

You will also need to have a full fledged objective of your work planned out. Like what is it exactly that you are trying to achieve?

Are you just trying to save power or money or both?

Then after this, you need to make a list of all the things for which you need power. This may include water, lights, refrigeration and a lot of other things.

Then after you have made this list, you will have to decide how to create your own electricity.

Now you can do it easily. For instance, you can install a grid attached system on rooftop on a small scale. Then after wards you can expand it when you start using more power.

Now when you shop, you will have to make sure that the grid system you are buying can be expanded later.

Some other things that you need to buy are deep cycle batteries and a building outside your main building that doesn’t have many needs and can be run for much less electricity than your main building.

Deciding on a well pump is a good idea too, for then you will not die of thirst if your solar panel or windmill is out of work.

These are some of the things that you need to create your own electricity.

If you want to learn how to create your own electricity at home, i highly recommend Earth4Energy guide. Check out my in depth Earth4Energy review and learn how to save electricity bills and maybe even get paid to produce electricity.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/create-your-own-electricity-at-home-1419129.html

Posted by GreenPowerGuy on November 4th, 2009

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Free Electricity – Does It Really Exist?

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The belief that we all have access to free electricity for our homes and businesses to many people is somewhat farfetched. It’s a luxury many of us would like to have so is it actually possible – does free electricity really exist and if it does, how do we get it what would it mean for us?

Free electricity is available to anybody but there are of course steps which we have to take to benefit from it and this does involve some financial cost. Free electricity can be generated in several forms by simply harnessing the power of nature.

As you have no doubt guessed, I am of course talking about solar and wind power together with one other little known piece of genius technology which I will talk about shortly. These renewable and natural energy resources have the capability to generate many thousands of hours of natural free energy for our homes and there are enormous benefits to either system.

Solar power is probably the more expensive of the two but on the plus side, it can also be the most efficient. I am not talking about enlisting the help of professional solar panel builders and installers here at vast expenses. You can very easily and simply build a solar panel array for your home for well under $200 regardless of DIY experience and with parts which you can get from any good hardware store.

You can build solar roof panels as big or as small as you wish but the capability to generate 100% free electricity is a definite reality when utilizing solar energy.

Wind power can also be turned into a great free source of electricity by making your very own windmill generator. Depending on your geographic location, you could easily harness the power of the wind and use it to generate substantial amounts of natural, free, home electricity. A windmill generator should cost you approximately $120 to build and this should get you a windmill which will generate hundreds of hours of electricity. These too are very simple and quick to build at home and all of the required parts are easily accessible from a good hardware store.

Now for the little known genius technology – a Magnet Generator. This fantastic yet simple piece of technology is what the large utility companies didn’t want you to know about and it’s easy to see why. Absolutely anybody can use the natural power of magnets to build a magnetic generator and generate hours of free home electricity and the best part is that you do not need to rely on the weather conditions for this to work. They can be built within a single day and are very cheap to make, depending on the required size of your unit. Simply a genius piece of technology which is becoming amazingly popular for free electricity at home.

Free electricity really does exist to those who have the motivation and willpower to really make a difference. Following the instructions of a quality DIY guide, you have a great opportunity to generate an almost unlimited amount of free electricity for a very minimal cost.

Right now there has never been a better time to seek out alternative home energy options and free electricity can be easily had by anyone dedicated enough to make a start.

If you decide to build your own Free Electricity, you will have a satisfying and rewarding experience provided you follow instructions which have been written by the experts.

Instructions should be well structured, clear and organized and you should have access to help if you should need it.

I have reviewed the best guide available on the market today which is the clear leader in the alternative home energy market. This quality guide is available with FREE bonuses ready for you to Take Advantage Now…

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/free-electricity-does-it-really-exist-1366435.html

Posted by GreenPowerGuy on October 23rd, 2009

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Renewable Energy and You

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The topic of renewable energy has been widely discussed in recent years. Indeed, as fossil fuel supplies continue to dwindle and high energy prices are maintained, people are realising the advantages of finding alternative sources of energy. Not only that, but in light of the detrimental effects of burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – there are increasing efforts to explore more environmentally-friendly options.

Currently, there’s a worrying amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released into the world’s atmosphere. This, say many scientists, is significantly contributing to climate change and global warming. In order to protect the earth from further damage, therefore, people are looking for new, greener sources of electricity and gas, as well as ways to reduce overall energy consumption.

According to research, more than 40 percent of the UK’s man-made CO2 emissions come from the energy people use in their homes and for travel. As a result, there are many new initiatives aimed at encouraging people to personally embrace greener technology and to limit the amount of energy they use in their properties.

Generally speaking, there are two main types of renewable energy available that can be used at home: solar and wind. Solar power, which converts the sun’s natural energy into electricity and heat, is the most popular form of renewable energy and can be relatively easily installed in domestic properties. Not only does it provide people with environmentally-friendly, or green energy, but it also helps to save on bills.

Wind power is also an established form of green power and again can be employed in the home. Basically channelling the power of the wind through the use of mini wind turbines, electricity is generated, which is then fed into the property’s electricity supply. Producing energy in this way is great for the environment and it’s even possible to sell back any excess energy to the power companies: this is also true for surplus solar energy.

If it’s too expensive to install such equipment, it’s always possible to switch to a green energy plan or tariff. There are various options available, such as an energy match, whereby power companies will match each normal unit of electricity used in the home by feeding a unit of renewable energy into the National Power Grid. They may also fund renewable energy projects.

Additionally, there’s a lot that people can do at home, both to conserve energy and to save money. For example, if everyone in Britain with gas or oil central heating installed a condensing boiler with heating controls, it would be possible to save up to 6.7 million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere annually.

With a bit of thought, everyone can help in the fight against climate change. Embracing renewable energy is a great way to start, as is reducing the amount of gas and electricity being used in the home. And, thinking about this issue now will not only help the environment, but also make a difference to utility bills.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/renewable-energy-and-you-1333551.html

Posted by GreenPowerGuy on October 14th, 2009

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Solar Energy – Living in a Net Metering World

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The future of solar energy is so bright that I’m not even going to use any clichés about sun glasses or what have you. I will say, however, that the full brightness can’t be appreciated until you factor in the concept of net metering.

There are many environmental and political reasons for going solar. This clean energy also presents us with a platform that is not reliant on coal, foreign oil or fossil fuels. It seems like a natural choice for energy production, but the cost of installing solar systems is not cheap. Fortunately, the tax incentives and favorable loan options have gone a long way to overcoming this problem. The real cherry in the pie for some people, however, is the concept of net metering.

How much did your utility charge you last month for electricity? Go ahead and dig out the bill or just make an estimate. Now, what if you could get that figure eliminated or reduced to next to nothing month after month? Consider how much money you would save over 1 year, 10 years or 30 years. Well, that is what net metering is all about.

What is net metering? It is a glorious thing. At its core, it refers to the reduction of your electrical bill by selling electricity generated by your solar panels back to the utility company. Huh? Think the process through. How much electricity do you use during the day on say Wednesday? The usual answer is not a lot because most of us are at work while the kids are at school. During this time, the energy produced by the solar panels on the house can be fed back into the electrical grid automatically. When this happens, the electric meter on your home actually runs backwards. When you need electricity at night, the meter then runs forward. Each month, you pay for the net meter reading which is the difference between what you use and what you put back in the system. This is often nothing or a few bucks.

Is there any downside to net metering? Yes and no. The only real downside is some states don’t offer it, so you need to check before you rush out to buy a system. The second downside is very minor. While you can reduce your bill to nothing, you cannot actually generate money from the utility by selling them more energy than you use. If that occurs, your bill is simply zeroed out.

There are a lot of benefits to going with solar energy. That being said, don’t forget the often overlooked cash savings associated with net metering.

(ArticlesBase ID #1238591)

Thomas Ajava writes for SolarCompanies.com – learn more about solar energy as an energy solution and application.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/solar-energy-living-in-a-net-metering-world-1238591.html

Posted by GreenPowerGuy on September 17th, 2009

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