Energy Solutions Are More Renewable

RPA Energy is a renewable energy supplier that aims to provide customers with comprehensive energy plans that fulfill their needs in a way that is both environmentally-friendly and affordable. Companies concerned with renewable energy like RPA Energy are at the forefront of research and discussion as to what makes energy truly ‘renewable,’ as the definition of green energy changes the options such companies can offer consumers.

The term ‘renewable energy’ is well-known in the mainstream but the exact definition of renewable is debatable and not always obvious. The basic definition of renewability that most scientists and energy companies operate on is simply that the carbon produced by the process is absorbed into the biosphere (i.e. the parts of Earth where life exists) rather than the atmosphere (which would accelerate climate change). However, this definition does not account for how long it takes for carbon to be absorbed, which creates a grey area that some forms of supposedly renewable energy sources sit in.

While burning wood biomass releases less carbon than burning coal, it is pertinent to consider the timeframe in which it takes to reabsorb that carbon and replace the harvested trees. A tree planted to replace one that has been cut down might take 50 to 100 years to grow, and burning a tree to make coal makes more carbon per kilogram than fuel. Energy sources such as hydro or solar power do not have this flaw, making it all the more important for consumers to choose their energy supplier carefully if they want to go green.

Green Energy Progress in the Northeastern

A major player in the deregulated sustainable energy market, RPA Energy connects natural gas and electricity customers to affordable energy options derived from renewable sources. RPA Energy serves seven states across the northeastern United States.

The Northeast region has put considerable effort into reducing carbon emission levels and increasing reliance on clean energy. Overall, Americans in the Northeast hope to derive more than 50 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. This can be achieved through several major infrastructure projects.

Between 2015 and 2017, the Northeast established its first offshore wind farm. Planned expansions will increase the region’s wind capacity by more than 600 megawatts. During the same period, the number of solar-energy grids nearly tripled. A massive transmission project approved in early 2021 will connect the Massachusetts grid to a hydropower plant in Quebec, Canada.

The Role of Renewable Energy in Carbon

RPA Energy provides energy products derived completely from renewable sources to customers in seven states. Part of RPA Energy’s mission is to increase access to sustainable energy to help reduce greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide.

Concerns over rising global temperatures due to high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have driven the development of renewable infrastructures, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy plants. Many countries have pledged to lower their carbon emissions within the next few decades and have heavily invested in sustainable energy. As of 2017, nearly a quarter of the world’s power production is derived from renewables.

Since the cost of solar and wind infrastructure has also dropped considerably, renewable energy is becoming more popular with consumers. While a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency projects that renewable energy grids can reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent within the next 30 years, converting to sustainable energy sources is not a cure-all. Economies with the highest rates of energy consumption must also focus on energy efficiency to achieve carbon neutrality.

How Do Carbon Offset Programs Work?

Founded in 2011, RPA Energy is an environment-conscious energy supplier that serves seven states. In addition to supplying sustainably sourced electricity, RPA Energy offers carbon offset credits with its natural gas services.

Carbon offset programs allow companies, cities, and consumers to reduce their overall carbon footprint by reducing an equal or higher rate of the emissions they produce. For example, companies that produce carbon emissions in their manufacturing process can contribute the amount of money needed to plant enough trees to absorb the company’s annual carbon emission. This effectively gives the company a neutral carbon output.

Other ways to offset carbon emissions are by investing in renewable energy projects or energy-efficient buildings and vehicles. Installing residential solar panels or purchasing an electric car can also offset carbon at the individual level. Studies have shown that carbon offset programs can slow climate change and provide financial incentives for companies to invest in environmentally friendly practices.