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What Is Green Power? Green power is electricity generated from renewable resources like geothermal, solar, wind, some kinds of biomass and hydroelectricity that is low-impact. Customers in deregulated markets can add a small amount to utility bills to support renewable energy sources that are cleaner. Renewable energy sources are typically less harmful to the environment than oil drilling or coal mining. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar Energy Solar energy is a popular green energy source. Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is never depleted. It is a safe and efficient energy source, which reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas. This energy source is also a good alternative to nuclear power, which requires the extraction and mining of uranium and long-term storage of radioactive waste. The sun's radiation can be used to generate electricity in a variety ways such as photovoltaic (PV) panels as well as concentrated solar-thermal power (CSP), and solar thermal collectors. Solar power can be distributed directly to businesses and homes or to grids which distribute power to others. Certain consumers have the option of selling their surplus energy back to the utility company which helps reduce electricity bills and even offset rising utility costs. Solar energy does not produce pollution or emissions to the air unlike fossil fuels, which emit harmful carbon dioxide and harmful gases during combustion. Solar energy can be used to power satellites spacecraft, boats, and other devices in areas where accessing the grid is either difficult or impossible. On a smaller scale solar can also be utilized to power buildings. Many homeowners install PV cells on their roofs to produce electricity. Passive solar home design lets these homes receive the sun's warmth during the day and retain it in the evening. Solar-powered homes also have the benefit of needing minimal maintenance. Another form of solar power is hydropower, which utilizes the natural flow of the water in streams, rivers and dams to produce electricity. Hydropower, just like biomass and wind is a renewable resource because it can be replenished. Look through the EPA's list for third-party certified hydropower options if you want to add it to your office or at home. Geothermal Energy A geothermal energy plant harnesses heat from the Earth's interior in order to produce electricity. The process uses steam and hot water that naturally occur a few kilometers beneath the surface of the earth. It is a sustainable and renewable energy source that generates electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Geothermal energy is a great way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and is among the most eco-friendly forms of power generation. The most well-known type of geothermal power plant is a flash-steam power station. It uses water that is heated to 182degrees C or 360deg F to power turbines and produce electricity. Steam can be utilized to heat industrial processes or buildings. Iceland, for example, relies on geothermal energy to melt snow and heat its sidewalks, streets and parking spaces during the cold Arctic winter. Another geothermal energy source is the hot dry rock (HDR) power plant, which taps underground reservoirs of hot dry rocks that are heated by natural or man-made activities. HDR plants are simpler to construct and operate since they require less infrastructure. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, there is enough HDR resources in the United States for all of our electrical needs currently. Geothermal power stations that produce steam can be utilized as a source of power by using a steam turbine generator or in conjunction with gas-fired turbines to increase efficiency. The mixture is able to be converted into natural gas, and then burned in a boiler to produce electricity. Geothermal energy isn't just reliable and clean, but it also has the lowest carbon footprint of all renewable energy sources. Binary-cycle plants that utilize an engine to convert steam into electricity produce minimal or no nitrous oxide methane, sulphur, or methane oxide. However, despite mobility power , geothermal energy isn't without its difficulties. Drilling required to build geothermal power stations can cause earthquakes and pollute the groundwater. Injection of high-pressure streams in geothermal reservoirs can cause subsidence. This is a gradual sinking that could damage roads, buildings, and pipelines. Biogas Biogas is an energy source made of renewable gaseous substances that produces green energy. It can be made from manure, agricultural wastes plants wastewater food wastes, municipal garbage, and other organic wastes. Biogas can be converted into transport fuels, electricity heat and energy, combined heat and energy, or electricity using the Fischer-Tropsch method. Biogas is also a great resource for generating renewable hydrogen to be used in fuel cells, which are expected to play a significant role in the future of energy systems. The most commonly used method for valorisation of biogas is to generate electricity through a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The heat generated by the CHP process is used to support the process of fermentation of organic waste and the electricity generated is then fed into the grid. Alternatively, it can be converted into natural gas, and then incorporated into existing natural gas distribution networks. Biogas can also be used as a replacement for natural gas imported from mines in ground transportation, commercial and residential constructions. In addition to generating renewable energy, biogas can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants from cooking conventionally. The CCAC is working to provide tools to measure, report and verification (MRV) of the clean cooking practices in communities and households in low-to-middle income countries in order to assist the 67 countries that have included clean cooking targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Biogas can be used as an alternative to traditional natural gas for heating and cooling, and to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced. Biogas is also a viable substitute for oil, coal, and other fossil fuels in the production of liquid transport fuels. Recovering methane from food and animal manure waste stops the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, while also stopping nitrogen runoff that could otherwise pollute water resources. Plessis-Gassot is a non-hazardous waste disposal in Claye-Souilly (France), for example is a biogas capture facility that converts into a sustainable source of energy for homes that are connected to the system. Small-scale biogas facilities may also be constructed in cities, allowing for the collection and utilization of organic waste from local sources. This will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transportation and treatment. Hydroelectric Power Hydropower is a renewable energy source that uses the kinetic energies of flowing water. It is the most powerful and cheapest renewable energy source in the world. It does not emit direct greenhouse gases, but it has significant environmental impact. It is a flexible type of green energy that can be adapted to meet fluctuating demand and supply. It is able to last a life of more than 100 years and can be upgraded for better efficiency and performance. Most traditional hydropower plants harness energy of water falling through dams. A series of turbines converts water's kinetic energy into electricity at a speed that is proportional to its velocity. The electricity is then transferred to the electric grid for use. Hydroelectric power plants require an enormous investment in reservoirs and pipes. However the operating costs are minimal. These plant types can be used as backups for other renewable energy technologies that are intermittent such as solar and wind. There are two main types of hydroelectric plants that are run-of-river and storage. Storage plants have large impoundments that can store more than a season's worth of water. Run-of-river plants draw streams and rivers that flow freely. Hydropower facilities are typically located near concentrations of population, where there is a high demand for electricity. The environmental impact of hydropower is dependent on the size and location, the amount of water that is displaced, as well as the wildlife and habitats affected by decomposition and inundation. These effects can be minimized and reduced through the use of Low Impact Hydroelectricity Standards (LIHI) for the construction and operation of a hydropower projects. The standards include measures to safeguard the river's flow, water quality passage for fish and protection and watershed protection, endangered and threatened species, recreation, as well as cultural resources. Certain hydropower plants are the world's biggest “batteries” because they can produce renewable energy by pumping water from a lower pool uphill to a larger reservoir. When there is a demand for electricity then the water in the lower reservoir is released to power generators, and the water in the upper reservoir is then pumped back downhill via a turbine to create more electricity.