- minimal or no negative environmental or social impact.
- little or no net carbon or other greenhouse gas emissions.
- protect air, land and water.
- not deplete natural resources.
- not burden future generations with unnecessary risk.
- meet the needs of people today and in the future in an accessible, equitable and efficient manner.
Green energy sources include:
- Solar Energy is the Sun’s radiant light and heat that has been harnessed by using a range of evolving technologies to produce energy. The most common technologies used are photovoltaic (creating electricity) and solar thermal (heating air and water). The energy captured by these technologies can be used to provide electricity to the grid, or to offset energy needs that would have otherwise been produced using other fuel sources.
- Biomass & Biogas are both derived from combustible plant and animal materials that can be used to produce heat and power. Biogas is processed into a gas, while biomass is used as a solid. While these fuels do emit carbon, they are considered renewable. Unlike fossil fuels, the carbon emitted by biofuels can be recaptured in a single life-cycle by re-growing the source fuel, making them carbon neutral.
- Wind Power is created by capturing the force of the wind and converting it into electricity, typically using technologies such as wind turbines. Friction caused by the wind’s forces spins the turbine and is converted to electricity.
- Water Power or hydroelectric power is typically produced by harnessing the force of falling or fl owing water to turn a turbine. Like wind power, it uses the friction created to generate electricity. Water power can also be used for peaking power, by storing water in reserves for later use. Hydroelectric power is the most widely used form of renewable energy.