If you're at all interested in preserving the planet, you've probably heard the term "green energy" used by builders, homeowners, and power companies. But just what is green energy, and what differentiates it from "standard" energy? Here's a closer look.
Green energy comes from renewable resources.
For many years, the primary sources of energy in the United States have been fossil fuels. Coal and oil are burned, and the heat generated is captured and turned into electricity. Fossil fuels are not renewable resources; when they're gone, they're gone. Green energy, on the other hand, is obtained from resources that are renewable or available in unlimited supply. Sunlight, wind, tides, and geothermal heat are all sources of green energy.
It has a smaller impact on the environment.
The other main differentiating factor between green energy and traditional energy has to do with environmental impact. Burning fossil fuels releases a lot of pollutants, including copious carbon dioxide, which works as a greenhouse gas and promotes climate change. Producing green energy has less of an impact on the environment. For instance, spinning wind turbines do not release any pollution, and no gasses are generated when solar radiation is converted to electricity.
Energy generating equipment can be located anywhere and owned by individuals (or small companies).
To burn coal and oil to generate electricity, one needs a large power plant. This is not the case for a lot of green energy generation equipment. Individuals can take matters into their own hands by installing solar panels or wind turbines on their property. Small businesses can also own power generating equipment, allowing them to have a hand in an industry that was once monopolized by big utility companies.
Waste can be used to generate green energy.
Another way to generate energy that's considered "green" is to combust items that would otherwise go to waste. For instance, wood scraps like sawdust and agricultural waste like corncobs would just decompose and go to waste if they were not burned to create heat and energy. Individuals can even take advantage of wood-burning stoves and combustion heaters to utilize this form of green energy to heat their homes.
If you want to help preserve the planet, make sure your power comes from a company that supports green energy. To learn more about the benefits of going green, read "4 Ways Going Green Can Improve Your Life."