Using Renewable Energy Purchases to Achieve Institutional Carbon Goals. A Review of Current Practices and Considerations

Bird, Lori¹  Sumner, Jenny¹ 

[1] National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

关键词: green power;    carbon offsets;    greenhouse gas;    GHG;    emissions;    carbon dioxide;    renewable energy certificates;    REC;    EPA;    Climate Registry;    carbon footprinting;    renewable energy;    wind;    water;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1219194
RP-ID  :  NREL/TP--6A20-49938
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1219194
Others  :  Other: 5113

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

With organizations and individuals increasingly interested in accounting for their carbon emissions, greater attention is being placed on how to account for the benefits of various carbon mitigation actions available to consumers and businesses. Generally, organizations can address their own carbon emissions through energy efficiency, fuel switching, on-site renewable energy systems, renewable energy purchased from utilities or in the form of renewable energy certificates (RECs), and carbon offsets. This paper explores the role of green power and carbon offsets in carbon footprinting and the distinctions between the two products. It reviews how leading greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting programs treat green power purchases and discusses key issues regarding how to account for the carbon benefits of renewable energy. It also discusses potential double counting if renewable energy generation is used in multiple markets.