How Does Renewable Energy Get To My House or Business?

Imagine the electric grid as a giant bathtub that is constantly being filled from many different faucets — each one representing a different energy source such as coal, natural gas, nuclear and wind. Turn on a light, and you drain a little water from the tub.

Most of the water entering the tub is from faucets connected to traditional energy sources. But some of the water comes from a growing number of faucets from clean, renewable sources, which contribute pure, clean water.

 

As demand for renewables increases, more clean water goes into the tub — and less of the traditional sources. In fact, this demand means more renewable energy is produced in the traditional system mix as well.

Buying renewable energy does not mean that electricity is coming directly from wind farms or other clean sources to your home or business — it is impossible to direct an electron that travels through the grid. However, it does mean that the electricity entering the grid on your behalf comes from pollution-free, renewable sources.