renewable energy

Renewable energy is power generated from the sun, wind, earth, vegetation and water. These power sources are replenished naturally and reduce the dependence on fuels such as natural gas and oil. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, landfill gas, and fuel cells.

Renewable energy generation eliminates or greatly reduces the amount of pollutants related to power generation. Biomass and landfill sources emit much lower levels of nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide, while solar, wind and hydroelectric power do not generate any greenhouse gas emissions.

Buying renewable energy shows a commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gases and other hazardous emissions. Businesses can be seen as leaders in clean energy and reduce their carbon footprint.

TransCanada’s Kibby Wind Power Project

• A 132 megawatt wind farm located in the Boundary Mountains of Maine along Kibby Mountain and Kibby Range.
• Businesses have the opportunity to purchase a piece of this output through specific Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) related to this TransCanada renewable energy project.
• Once fully operational in late 2010, Kibby will be the largest wind power development in New England.

Connecticut River and Deerfield River Hydro Facilities

• 567 megawatts of clean electric power generated by 13 hydroelectric stations and associated dams and reservoirs.
• In June 2009 TransCanada achieved Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) certification for several of its hydro facilities in New England.
• Beginning in January 2010, businesses will have the opportunity to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) associated with TransCanada’s LIHI certified hydroelectric generation.

How it Works
Qualifying renewable energy projects receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for the generation and delivery of renewable energy to the power grid. The RECs are then sold to individuals or businesses, allowing them to claim a certain renewable energy source. The REC includes the attributes associated with its generation such as the type of project, facility emissions and the date of energy production. 

• Can be purchased from qualifying renewable resources as defined by your state legislature.
• Each New England state has different requirements for what qualifies as being a renewable resource.
• On your behalf, TransCanada will purchase REC’s from renewable resources that will qualify where your business is located.

Demand Response

TransCanada partners with leading Demand Response providers in New England. These programs allow customers to reduce their energy usage and get paid for doing it. It allows businesses to be seen as energy leaders in contributing to grid reliability, while reducing the amount of pollutants by utilizing less energy.

How It Works
The Demand Response Program was instituted by ISO New England with the intent of increasing grid reliability by reducing the amount of load during times of extremely high demand. The reduction of energy usage during these periods would decrease the chance of inconvenient and often costly blackouts and brownouts. The program provides a financial incentive for energy users to curtail their energy usage during periods of peak demand.

Compensation
The customer will receive a recurring capacity credit for being enrolled in the Demand Response Program. The larger the usage reduction, the larger the capacity credit.

Requirements
The minimum required amount of system demand reduction is 100 (kilowatts) kWs, which can be accomplished by reducing consumption or by using on-site generation. Load reduction can be aggregated over various sites in order to maximize the amount of energy reduced.