Choosing Green Energy for Residential Utilities: Energy Storage Technology Articles: Eco20/20

Choosing Green Energy for Residential Utilities

Due to more public awareness of the need to preserve energy and the rising cost of energy, the number of utility companies that offer green energy is on the rise. Homeowners are choosing cleaner and greener ways to heat and cool their homes. Green energy companies are more than eager to offer consumers this more eco-friendly choice. Wind, solar, water and biomass are common green energy resources. Most green electric utility companies offer energy made from these sources because they are clean, renewable and sustainable. Depending on the area, there can be several options available to purchase green energy.

One Texas energy project, founded in 1997, is devoted to changing the way power is made. In addition to offering green energy from wind and water, the company encourages their customers to purchase power from their company as well as across the nation. The company initiated the development of solar and wind power across the nation. To prove their commitment to clean energy, this energy project has put its "money where its mouth is" by buying over six billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy. The carbon emissions reduced is equivalent to over 285 trees being planted.

Texas is one of the top states in the nation to offer renewable energy. Another green power company in Texas is one of the country's biggest (not surprising in Texas) community owned green energy business. The publicly owned company provides 100 percent pollution free energy generated from wind, biomass and solar resources. The energy provider returns its profits back to the community in the form of funding programs such as EMS, parks and libraries in addition to offering electricity. The company operates a green energy subscription program sponsored by the utility.

As green energy becomes more affordable and available, increasing throngs of homeowners choose to change from traditional energy. In Puget Sound, Washington 300 million kilowatt hours in renewable energy was purchased by homes and businesses last year. This is enough electricity to provide power to around 25,000 homes. Initiatives that offset the expense of installation of renewable energy systems purchased by customers contribute to this success. These initiatives include rebates and locked in utility rates.

Communities across the nation are adopting a new approach to encourage the use of green energy. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a system which lets cities and counties take more control of the energy supplied to their communities. With this system in place the community can solicit competitive electricity suppliers. In addition, under CCA municipal revenue bonds can be used to pay for development of green energy resources in the area. This innovative solution is increasing in popularity as more states place the system on their books by signing it into law.

There are a large number of utility companies that offer green energy in many areas across the country. This number could increase with a larger demand for these utilities. On average, an American household uses 1,379 billion kilowatt hours of energy per year. Imagine the positive impact to the planet if more people chose to use green energy to heat and cool their homes.