NEWS
Green Energy: Saving money and the planet
It’s no secret that we’re in a climate crisis. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we pride ourselves in offering green energy contracts to every business we work with. It’s important that we all do our bit and switching to a green energy contract or generating your own green energy is a great way to do this.
Here’s Flame Energy’s guide to green energy to give you all the information you need to make the switch to green energy.
What is green energy?
The term green energy is commonly used interchangeably with renewable and clean energy. Green energy specifically refers to energy that comes from natural sources. Green power sources will avoid mining or drilling operations as these can often cause damage to the environment and eco-systems.
What are some of the options for green energy?
There are a couple of different options available if you’re looking to switch. Some forms can be generated on a smaller scale in homes or small businesses, but some require a larger industrial scale to generate.
Solar
This is one of the most common types of renewable energy. During this process, photovoltaic (PV) cells capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. Solar panels can be placed on your site’s roof to allow you to generate your own energy.
Wind
Wind turbines have become more common over the past years and can usually be found offshore or in high altitude sites. In this process, wind is used to push the turbines around which generates electricity.
Hydropower
Sometimes referred to as hydroelectric power, hydro energy is just beginning to make its mark on the green energy scene. Through this process, the flow of water in rivers, dams and streams is used to produce electricity. The options for this type of power are varied as it can work on a smaller scale through pipes or larger scales with oceans.
What are the benefits of using green energy?
Environmentally, green energy is a better option. Having these alternative sources of power can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Non-renewable fuel sources account for over three quarters of all global greenhouse gas emissions. However, green sources usually emit little or no greenhouse gases and air pollutants. This isn’t just good for the planet but for our health too. It can also cut down the carbon footprint of your business, helping you to work towards sustainability goals and show your customers that you’re ready to make a difference.
How can green energy save your business money?
Generating your own energy can help to reduce your costs in the long run. If you’re supplying your own electricity, you won’t be liable to spikes in prices in the energy market. Even if your business isn’t fully self-sufficient, generating just a part of your business’ energy will help to keep costs lower.
There’s also the option to sell back any excess energy you’ve generated to the grid. You could store the excess energy in a battery and then use an export meter to sell this back to the grid. This is a great way to offset the initial set up costs required for generating your own energy.
There are also incentives for businesses looking to reduce their consumption and increase their reliance on greener sources. If your business is making steps to become more energy efficient, you may be exempt from the Climate Change Levy (CCL). This is a government-imposed tax aiming to reduce carbon emissions from businesses.
Is there funding available for green energy?
If you’re worried about the costs of generating your own energy, there is funding available to minimise this. For example, Salix Finance offer a government funded scheme which provides interest free loans to public sector organisations to cover the costs of energy efficiency improvements. There are also a variety of government schemes, depending on your location, such as the Low Carbon Workspaces and Energy for Business. These will provide loans and grants to cover the costs of installing energy efficiency measures.
How to choose green energy for your business
Your business probably doesn’t have the space to build a hydropower dam on site. However, smaller scale projects, such as solar panel installation, could be an option for your business. You could start even smaller by switching to a green contract. Our energy experts can advise on the best solution for your business.
Contact us
Flame Energy specialise in procuring 100% green energy contracts for your business. We can advise your business, no matter the size, on the best ways to reduce your energy consumption and your carbon footprint and work towards your sustainability goals. Contact one of our experts today to find out more about our renewable energy options for your business.