As an Energy Consultant I am all about using less of of our precious natural resources.
I am however growing a little weary of the “green power this-and-that routine” which leads me to ask how green the offered “green power” is and is there a better way to have an impact on energy use?
As a case in point, it seems to me that the Utility Companies are cashing in on green movement. I recently received a notice from my electrical utility provider indicating that I could purchase some premium “green” power from them. Of course the green power comes at a premium price. About a 15% premium!
For this increased premium, I get the satisfaction of knowing that my provider is supposedly generating and transmitting energy using alternative means (solar, wind, biofuels, etc). Truth would have it that they are likely purchasing electrical power from an outside source to put onto their electrical grid.
This a ridiculous concept. The green movement should be about behavior modification. It should be about consuming less and saving energy – not paying more so that we can go on with our lives with some false emotion that we are doing good by paying more for something “green”.
The energy I use has no color.
There are no or low cost solutions that can make a significant difference. For instance the next time you stuff clothes in your clothes dryer, consider the cost. Now consider purchasing a green rope, tie it between two poles (or trees) and hang your wet clothes over the rope.
Sit back for about an hour. Your clothes will be dry and you would have genuinely saved energy.
Now this is an example of true energy conservation.
I recently started building my own solar panels – I used some video guides I found and it’s working out excellent!