Renewable Energy - General Information
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is energy generated by low-impact sustainable sources — resources that are replenished naturally and with minimal harm to the environment.
Generating renewable energy is cleaner than producing conventional energy because it produces little or no air, ground or water pollution. This means that it also has minimum negative impacts on human health and social sustainability.
» More on renewable energy sources
Why is supporting renewable energy important?
Much of the electricity used in Canada is generated by high-impact conventional sources of energy such as coal, oil, nuclear, large hydro-power installations or natural gas. Conventional electricity production has negative environmental impacts. It contributes to climate change, leads to poor air quality, and alters watersheds and landscapes.
By purchasing green power, you are supporting the production of renewable energy and displacing high-impact conventional energy. You can choose to reduce the impacts of your personal household or business electricity use by purchasing renewable energy equivalent to the amount of energy your household, computers or facility consumes.
» More on RE in Canada and internationally
Why does renewable energy cost more than conventional energy?
Although it isn't apparent to the average consumer, the full cost of renewable energy is actually lower than that of conventional energy. This is because the actual cost of high-impact conventional electricity is not fully reflected in its pricing. Unaccounted for costs include environmental impacts such as ground water pollution and smog, health costs related to poor air quality, and waste management and disposal costs.
The direct cost of renewable energy is higher for the consumer than conventional power for a number of reasons:
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Conventional energy producers benefit from greater subsidies than do renewable energy producers: According to the Conference Board of Canada, in 2001, 93.5% of energy subsidies went to fossil and nuclear, while only 7.2% went to renewables.
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In Canada the industry is still in the early phases and has not yet experienced enough growth for economies of scale to take effect (this is, however, quickly changing).
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There are start-up infrastructure costs with creating a renewable energy market, including administration, distribution, and the creation of certification and tracking systems.
» More on transitioning to renewable energy
Wind Power
What is wind power?
Wind energy is actually a form of solar energy. Sunlight falling on oceans and continents causes air to warm and rise, which in turn generates surface winds. Wind turbines utilize these winds using large blades mounted on tall towers that house turbines. The wind spins the blades, rotating a generator that produces electricity.
Commercial wind energy is one of the most economical sources of new electricity available today. Compared with building new coal-fired generating stations or hydroelectric facilities, wind turbines can be set up quickly and economically. Modern wind-generating equipment is efficient, highly reliable, and environmentally sound.
» More on wind power
What are the benefits of wind power?
Compared to conventional power production, wind power generation greatly reduces the environmental impacts per unit of energy produced. Wind power is not associated with negative impacts to either the environment or human health. Wind power creates more jobs per unit of energy produced than other forms of energy production.
» More on the benefits of renewable energy
Why would I want to purchase wind power?
By purchasing wind power, you are directly increasing the amount of electricity generated from low-impact renewable resources. In addition, wind power will be put into the electricity grid on your behalf. The ultimate result will be cleaner air, land and water — a healthier environment — for present and future generations.
The Pembina Institute is partnering with Bullfrog Power to offer Canadians a choice of clean, renewable energy. You can purchase green power for your computer, home or business!
Purchase green power for your home through the Pembina Institute, and receive a $10 discount.
Are birds impacted by wind turbines?
Like most large man-made structures, wind turbines are not immune from collisions with birds. Every wind farm in Canada must undergo a bird impact study as a part of its environmental assessment process to ensure it will not adverse impact avian species. Recent studies have found that bird impacts in North America tend to range of 0.2-1 bird per turbine per year. While the industry continues to seek ways to continually reduce these numbers, birds in Canada are much more vulnerable to power lines, bay windows, cats, cars and habitat loss. A 2001 study found that for every 10,000 bird fatalities in the United States less than 1 is caused by wind turbines compared to 5820 by buildings/windows, 1370 by high-tension lines, 1060 by household cats and 850 by vehicles.
Wind Power Computers
How do Wind Power Computer certificates work?
When you purchase a Wind Power Computer certificate, we calculate the energy an average laptop or desktop uses in three years. We than work with our supplier, Bullfrog Power, to ensure an equivalent amount of wind power is added to the power grid on your behalf.
Your electricity service does not change and because you continue drawing power form the grid in the same way, there is no change to your relationship with your utility provider.
For each computer that you purchase a certificate for, you will receive:
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A Wind Power Computer certificate (sticker), that you can put on your computer to let everyone know you have chosen to wind power your computer!
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A myth-busting fact sheet on computer energy use, with great tips for saving energy.
When I buy Wind Power Computer certificates, will my electricity bill be discounted by the amount of wind energy I purchased?
No. Your electricity bill will still come from your local power producer. Your purchase of Wind Power computer packages is a transaction with the Pembina Institute. Wind power computers are a separate product from your electricity consumption, and represent only the environmental benefits of renewable electricity production.
Who supplies the wind power?
The Pembina Institute is partnering with Bullfrog Power, a leading Canadian supplier of 100% clean, renewable energy. When you purchase Wind Power Computer certificates, we ensure that Bullfrog Power places sufficient wind-generated electricity onto the grid on your behalf.
Bullfrog Power sources its clean, renewable electricity exclusively from generation facilities that have achieved Environment Canada's EcoLogoM certification. All of Bullfrog's green power purchases are verified annually by Deloitte, and Bullfrog publishes its Green Power Audit on its website.
What does EcoLogoM certification mean?
Electricity generated for Bullfrog Power comes from facilities that have been EcoLogoM-certified under Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program. This designation is granted to green power sources that have superior environmental performance and meet or exceed all government, industrial safety and performance standards.
» More on Environment Canada's EcoLogoM certification
