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Question 15
Who is the greenest renewable energy supplier?
Steve Jones: Some green suppliers sell energy from renewable generation, for example selling power directly from the new offshore and existing onshore wind farms, whilst others sell you power from 'conventional' sources and invest the premium in installing new renewable generating capacity. Either way it is an effective vote for more investment in renewables and they all have to audited to prove they are not just a rip off. So it sort of depends on your own personal priorities: read their literature and make an informed choice.
There are lots of interesting developments in energy markets, for example in Wales where I live, we have some of the first community-owned wind turbines. These have been invested in and are owned by the surrounding community, who also get dividends on their investment. This is the greenest option of all in my book.
In Austria there has been a proliferation of independent energy supply companies, usually powered by biomass (like woodchip) that are co-operatives set up by the same farmers who supply the fuel. Many communities and big public buildings are heated by super clean, efficient units like these. Energy markets are changing and renewable power opens up lots more options as the technology can be small, localised, is safe and is relatively cheap to install. Not like a big power station.
Simply having solar water panels on your roof makes your house a sort of mini power station. The future will be full of changes; renewables will open up so many opportunities for small scale and local energy production, we might all end up involved in our local energy economy. That way we can ensure it is as green as possible.
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