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Clean Currents Wind Power at Home Product Content:
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Product
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| 50% National Wind |
Standard mix of PJM electricity offset by national wind RECs to match 50% of the customer's electricity load
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| 100% National Wind |
Standard mix of PJM electricity offset by national wind RECs to match 100% of the customer's electricity load
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Clean Currents Wind Power at Home Product Overview:
Transporting electricity over long distances is very inefficient. For this reason, electricity is most often consumed relatively close to where it is generated. Unfortunately, the Mid-Atlantic lags behind other regions of the country that have larger and more mature renewable energy generation. The solar panel fields of the SouthWest and the vast wind farms in the Mid-West have achieved economies of scale, where their large size enables them to compete on price with traditional carbon energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas). Click here to see where wind farms are located across the country.
Because of the inefficiencies of transporting electricity across the country and because Clean Currents is dedicated to providing our customers with the best value green power, Clean Currents utilizes national wind RECs in our Wind Power for Home product. By combining national wind RECs with standard power from the PJM grid, you support domestic renewable energy production, enjoy the green benefits of wind power, and continue to experience dependable and reliable power and service through the grid.
It is impossible to discern exactly where the electrons that power your home came from, but by switching to Clean Currents wind power, you know that you are directly supporting wind power production across the United States.
National Wind RECs:
Clean Currents utilizes RECs from national wind sources for our Wind Power for Home Product. Clean Currents does this for two reasons:
First, from a climate change perspective, it does not matter where renewable energy is generated (regional, national, or international). Climate change is a global problem that we need to address by building renewable energy in as many places as possible. That said, Clean Currents works exclusively with domestic wind farms located within the contiguous United States.
Second, Clean Currents is committed to providing the most competitive green energy solutions to our customers. Our goal is to bring in as many consumers as possible into the "green fold"; not just committed environmentalists. By utilizing national wind RECs, Clean Currents can offer a product that is not only green but also of great value. We hope that we can be the first step to a more sustainable lifestyle for everyone.
What is a REC?
A REC stands for a Renewable Energy Credit. RECs were created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , as tools to track the clean energy being placed on the grid. One REC is equal to the amount of 1000 kWh of renewable energy produced. When a clean energy generator such as a wind farm produces electricity, it places that electricity onto the electric grid. The electric grid collects electricity from all power generators (coal, oil, and natural gas power plants, wind farms, nuclear reactors, hydro dams, solar panel fields, etc). This aggregated electricity is then transmitted through wires to homes and businesses.
RECs represent the environmental benefits of clean energy sources:
When you purchase RECs, you are taking ownership of the electrons that the clean energy generator placed onto the grid. These RECs, can be "bundled" with your electric usage through a power contract (one contract price included on your electric bill) or they can be purchased separately from the electric bill to balance (offset) your energy consumption. Either way, their positive impact in fighting global warming and supporting renewable energy is the same.
When a wind farm is operational, the world is receiving measurable environmental and health benefits in terms of displaced air pollutants and global warming gases that are not being emitted into our air. Selling RECs is a vital way for clean energy generators to finance further development. For example, a wind farm earns revenue by selling the electricity it produces as well as by selling the associated RECs. When you buy RECs you are helping to directly reduce global warming and air pollution, and support further development of renewable energy sources.
Carbon offsets and RECs:
The environmental benefits of RECs can also be used to offset the negative "footprint" of other polluting activities. Each REC produced offsets carbon and other greenhouse gases. One wind power REC offsets approximately 1350 lbs. of Carbon Dioxide. As a result, it is one of the preferred "carbon offset" mechanisms for businesses and governmental organizations due to the transparency in their production and measurement. These RECs can help offset the footprint for automobiles, airplanes or other hydrocarbon burning vehicles. To see how to offset your own car or other carbon producing items through our "Carbon Calculator"click here.
Solar RECs (SRECs):
RECs are generated from numerous renewable energy sources, including solar electric (PV) power. Residents and businesses who install solar panels on their property generally have a "grid tied" system. This means that the power is tied to the meter and grid, reducing what comes through the meter or even making the meter spin "backwards." As your solar power production is decreasing what you take from the gird, the green effect on the overall grid is the same as purchasing from a wind farm. Maryland, Delaware, and Washington DC have programs where the RECs produced from a solar system can be sold back to load serving entities (LSE) that supply the power that comes through the grid. These jurisdictions have mandated renewable portfolio standards (RPS) that are in place to push for more renewable energy, including energy produced on our homes! If you have a solar PV system, or are looking to install one, Clean Currents Solar installs systems and Clean Currents Exchange purchase SRECs to then aggregate and supply to the LSEs.
Transparency and third-party verification:
To manage the production and sales of RECs, there are governmental, grid, and third party organizations in place to insure transparency. Depending upon the location of the wind farm and where the purchaser resides, one or more methods may be employed. The best known nationwide system is the "Green-e" certification process, managed by the Center for Resource Solutions. These certified RECs are the standard required for LEED building registration.
Clean Currents is a certified seller of "Green-e" RECs for commercial customers and is a member of the US Green Building Council, the organization that developed and manages the LEED building certifcation process. To learn more about LEED building, click here.
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