Renewable energy, also known as green energy, generally refers to electricity generated by resources that replenish themselves naturally, such as the sun, wind, and water. Although, the exact definition of “renewable” fuels varies depending on the governing program, law or regulations. These renewables produce none of the air pollution or greenhouse gasses associated with acid rain, smog, and climate change.
A Renewable Energy Credit (or renewable energy certificate) represents the property rights to the environment and non-power qualities of electricity that has been generated from a renewable-based generation source. Each REC represents 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) – or 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. RECs enable individuals and organizations the ability to participate and support renewable energy development and green power projects, without requiring you to install a renewable generator at your location. Each REC represents a “certificate of environmental attributes” produced from a renewable source of electricity for each 1 MWh of energy. These RECs can be retired, in order to claim the “green” benefits of the electricity produced.
When grid-tied renewable-based electricity is generated, the physical power flows to the grid and mixes with electricity from other sources. The renewable generator measures the amount of power flowing, and creates one REC for every 1,000 kWh produced. When a REC is created, the physical power is separated from the rights to the renewable attributes. Buyers can then purchase the RECs and, in turn, contribute to the development and expansion of renewable generation facilities. Starion Energy New England Green Power bundles RECs with electricity supply to make it easy for consumers to purchase environmentally superior energy.
Your participation helps support the development of renewable energy sources, which will in turn eventually help reduce our reliance on fossil-fueled power. Renewable energy benefits future generations can help keep the air we breathe clean. Conserving energy and using renewable energy helps protect the environment for the generations yet unborn and saves depleting energy resources for our future generations.
Starion Energy will periodically purchase enough renewable energy to satisfy the prospective needs of our customers by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs of New England based electricity generation. Starion Energy will report annually of the renewable energy purchased.
Starion Energy selects renewables such as low impact hydro from small, run-of-the-river facilities in Connecticut, small hydro power from New England based sources, wind power from choice wind farms in Massachusetts, and solar power from select, environmentally conscious sites in Massachusetts. See content label.
When you choose New England Green Power, there are not wires to connect. Starion Energy will purchase the local New England based renewable energy RECs on your behalf and report upon those REC purchases. The green power is then added to New England’s energy supply, so you are making a real difference.
No. You will not notice any difference in your electricity service when you sign up for New England Green Power. Whether it comes from renewable sources or conventional sources, all electricity flows into a single New England power pool. When you flip an electricity switch energy comes out of this pool. As electricity comes into this pool from these renewable sources, it displaces electricity that would otherwise come from sources like coal, gas and nuclear. What this means is as more and more green power is purchased the total energy pool will have less and less impact on the environment.
As concerns over global warming and pollution continue to grow, green energy can play a big role in preserving our resources and the future of our planet. Green energy results in few, if any, byproducts of CO2 and other pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and lead when compared with the creation of energy through fossil fuels. Rather than relying on finite resources, green energy comes from sources that will always be readily available – water, wind and sun.
Whether you’re talking wind, solar, hydro or other forms, renewable energy resources are developed right here in New England. Expanding demand for local renewable generation will further increase in the development of local renewable generation projects which adds local jobs, increases taxable dollars, and keeps millions of dollars within our local economy.
Currently, Starion Energy is purchasing wind power from the Kingston, Massachusetts. The Kingston Wind renewable energy development project has three 2 MW wind turbines that powers the equivalent of 4,309 homes a year on average. This wind generation offsets 87,221,485 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions that would have been generated by an electric plant using fossil fuel as a fuel source. This carbon dioxide amount is the equivalent of removing 8,357 cars producing emissions for an entire year.