Table of Contents. Grid-Source Renewable Energy. The Problem

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1 Table of Contents Grid-Source Renewable Energy Lauren Newsom, LEED AP Renewable Choice Energy April 2, 2009 Electricity Production Today Renewable Energy Sources Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Common Misconceptions Applications in the Voluntary Market The Grid System Climate Change According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the way we produce electricity to power our buildings is the number one cause of air pollution U.S. power plants emit: 70% of the sulfur dioxide 40% of carbon dioxide 33% of nitrogen oxides 28% of particulate matter 23% of toxic heavy metals The Problem Problems associated with the current U.S. energy generation infrastructure: Climate change Air pollution and smog Mercury in water Toxic gases and metals in the air Respiratory problems in children Mountaintop removal 1

2 Renewable Energy Technologies What are the Alternatives? Wind Small Hydro Solar Biomass Geothermal Common Misconceptions Ways to Utilize Renewable Energy Generate On-Site Purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) 2

3 Purchasing Wind Energy The Grid System Most organizations lack the ability to install green energy generation systems for a variety of reasons: Zoning Restrictions Lack of Natural Resources Capital Limitations RECs allow businesses to circumvent these issues The Green-e Standard Governance board includes members from Environmental Defense, NREL, NRDC, and the Union of Concerned Scientists, among others Guarantees that RECs: Originate from 100% new renewable facilities Are produced in the stated calendar year Go beyond existing government mandates Pass a process audit by an independent certified public accounting firm What are the Costs and Impacts? Sample Office Building Am I Just donating to a cause? Commercial Office Space 100% Green Power for a 10,000 square foot office building *Based on 11.7 kwh/sf as a DOE default value Estimated Annual Use: 117,000 kwh Price/kWh Electricity: $ 0.06/kWh Annual electricity cost: $ 7, Estimated Annual Use: 117,000 kwh Price/kWh Clean Source: $ 0.005/kWh Annual investment for $ % offset: No! Renewable Energy Credits are a product that help real, long-term infrastructure projects get built. The voluntary market helps make these projects viable. 3

4 2008 Brought Record Growth in the U.S. Voluntary Purchases are Critical 8,358 MW of new wind generating capacity was installed in % increase in a single calendar year Generated over $17 Billion investment in the US Economy Wind accounted for 42% of new power-producing capacity added in 2008 Capacity is now at 25,170 MW Enough to power 7 million homes Voluntary purchases of Wind RECs represented OVER 50% of all wind sales in Voluntary buyers are making as big or bigger of an impact as state-level requirements! Source: AWEA 2008 Market Report Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory Environmental Impact of Green Power Your purchase of 117,000 kwh of wind power would avoid 156,195 pounds of CO 2 from being released into the atmosphere Why Do Businesses Buy RECs? That s equivalent to not driving a car 159,383 miles that s the same as 6 trips around the world in a car! It would take 643 mature trees one year to soak up this much CO 2! Return on Investment Fortune 500 Wind power announcement was the largest single media story in Whole Foods Market s history Wind power commitment is now pillar of Whole Foods Market brand Whole Foods Market named Green Power Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency Rolled out first-of-its-kind retail product: The Wind Power Card 4

5 Retail Locations Green Building Industry Store signage Customer Outreach Program LEED Projects Contact Information Thank you! Lauren Newsom, LEED AP Senior Sales Director Renewable Choice Energy