Green Electricity

Where does electricity come from?

About two thirds of the electricity in the UK is generated by burning coal and gas in power stations. This releases millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, the main gas responsible for climate change.

What is green electricity?

Green electricity is electricity produced from sources that don't impact the environment in such a negative way. All types of electricity generation will have some effect on the environment but there are some sources that are much greener and cleaner than others.

The cleanest sources of electricity are those which use natural energy from the earth and are often called renewable energy sources. Green electricity is from renewable energy sources.

Can I get green electricity for my house?

Yes you can get green electricity for your home. There are several providers of green electricity for the home. Many energy providers offer green tariff but they don't always get their green tariff electricity from renewable sources.
Good Energy and Ecotricity are two companies that NEF recommends to both householders and businesses seeking green tariffs.

Good Energy is the only UK supplier that supplies only 100% renewable electricity to its customer. Many other companies offer a 'Green Tariff', but no one else obtains all of the electricity they supply from renewable sources. More information about Good Energy

Ecotricity is an electricity company that takes some of the money paid by customers for their electricity and invests it in clean forms of power like wind energy.

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About Green Tariffs

There are three main types of green electricity tariff:

Green supply - the electricity company ensures that for every unit of electricity you use a set proportion of green electricity is generated. However, supply companies have a Renewables Obligation set by the Government to supply a minimum level of renewable electricity (currently around 7%) some companies use the renewable electricity they sell as a green tariff as part of their obligation or through certificate trading - which is selling it to other suppliers to meet their obligation. This can mean the green tariff customer get renewable electricity but standard tariff customers don't.

Green Fund - this tariff is fulfilled by the electricity company investing some of what you pay into renewable energy projects. However companies may already by doing this to meet their obligation or for marketing and CSR reasons - so in some cases the green tariff doesn't achieve any additional environmental results.

Carbon Offset Tariff - this tariff is fulfilled by the electricity supplier paying for the CO2 your create by using electricity through offsets. The offsets can include: renewable projects in developing countries, or planting trees in the UK or the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It is best to check the source of the carbon offset used you the supplier.

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Green or Renewable energy sources include:

Wind power - The wind that blows across the UK can be harnessed by turbines to provide electricity. Wind turbines are also being built at sea.

Solar power - Solar can be used to produce energy in the UK as well as other parts of the world. A solar photovoltaic (PV) panel works by converting sunlight directly into electricity - even when it is cloudy! The PV panel can even be made into roof tiles.

[Solar energy can also be used to heat water using a different type of panel often called evacuated tubes or flat plates. This technology though very effective in heating water does not generate green electricity.]

Wave power - As the wave hits the shore they are channeled into a large tube to power a special turbine.

Tidal power - has been used in the UK for over 1,000 years. Under water marine current turbines can be used or is to build a barrage across an estuary, store water behind it as the tide rises then release the stored water through turbines at low tide.

Geothermal - This energy comes from hot rocks deep underground. In some places steam comes to the surface and can be used to run steam turbines to produce electricity. Alternatively water can be pumped down and heated by the rocks to make steam, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity.

Biomass - Agricultural wastes or specially grown plants can be used as a fuel to run small power stations. This can be carbon neutral as when plants grow they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2)- the main gas responsible for climate change - which discounts the CO2 released when the biomass is burnt for energy.

Landfill gas - As waste decomposes in landfill sites it gives off methane gas - this gas can be captured and burnt in a gas turbine to produce electricity.