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

Bird, L. ; Sumner, J.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Fuels;    Carbon Footprinting;    Greenhouse Gases;    Emissions Trading;    Greenhouse Gas;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1006249
RP-ID  :  NREL/TP-6A20-49938
RP-ID  :  AC36-08GO28308
RP-ID  :  1006249

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 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.