Green Energy
Green energy is energy generated from clean and renewable natural resources, the major renewable energy sources are:
- Hydro Electricity (844kw per year)
- Solar Hot Water Heating (121kw per year)
- Wind Power (74kw per year)
- Geothermal Power (43kw per year)
- Solar Power (8kw per year)
- Tidal Power (less than 1kw per year)
Hydropower is by far the largest component of green power generation, massive energy producing projects such as the Hoover Dam in the United States, the Snowy River Scheme in Australia and the soon to be completed Three Gorges Dam in China are all vast examples of the power of green renewable energy sources. There are also many rebates that governments around the world offer to encourage people to generate their own green power. Solar cells that are placed on roof tops provide power for hundreds of thousands of homes. These solar power systems provide clean, renewable and supply secure sources of power.
Wind power is one of the most exciting areas for renewable power at the moment. In 2008 there was a 28% increase in wind farm capacity across the globe. Global industrial heavyweights like General Electric and Siemens are producing economically viable green power generators and with long term fossil fuel prices predicted to remain high, wind is fast becoming a viable power alternative. In London the Thames estuary will host an offshore wind farm that will generate enough power to supply one third of all London homes with renewable, clean power. It is estimated that this project alone will save 1.9 million tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.
If you are considering purchasing renewable energy, find out if the producer is committed to funding new green power sources and whether your green electricity will come from incremental green power or be taken from existing green supply. If you are considering switching to a green energy supply from your existing power company, it is worth looking at deals from other green power suppliers. In many cases you will find you can switch to a green alternative without paying higher prices.