Green energy and everything you need to know about it

Unfortunately, conventional methods of generating it lead to serious pollution of the natural environment in the form of emissions of huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The destructive consequences of this phenomenon have long been observed in poorer quality of air and in global warming that causes, for example, an increase in the frequency and intensity of floods and hurricanes, the melting of the polar ice caps, and the extinction of many plant and animal species.

No wonder, then, that for years national governments and international organizations have been placing such a strong emphasis on the promotion and use of renewable energy sources by industry.

How is green energy created and what should you know about RES (renewable energy sources)? Take a look at our guide, dedicated entirely to the production of energy from renewable sources.

In this article we try to answer the following questions:

• what is green energy?
• what renewable energy sources are used in Poland’s and the world’s economies?
• why is production of energy from RES so important?
• why is green energy called the energy of the future?
• what are the certificates and guarantees of origin for green energy?
• how is the energy transition process going in Poland and in the rest of the world?
• does PCC Group use green energy from RES in its operations?

Happy reading!

What is green energy?

The term ‘green energy’ refers to energy generated from renewable sources. The popularity of this issue, stemming from development of ecological trends in industry, has turned the abbreviation RES into one of the key slogans in the strategies of companies that pursue the goals of sustainable production and consumption going hand in hand with the EU’s Taxonomy and the UN’s Global Agenda 2030.

Renewable energy sources (RES) are a group of natural resources from which electric and thermal energy are produced. Long-term exploitation does not significantly deplete such resources, or they are renewed within a short period of time. Renewable sources from which green energy is produced are: wind; solar radiation; water; geothermal sources; ocean waves, currents and tides; biomass; biogases, and bioliquids.

The most popular sources of ecological renewable energy are:  wind, sun, and water.

In many countries around the world, including Poland, the vast majority of electric energy is still created by burning fossil fuels, primarily coal. It is common knowledge that energy-producing processes using conventional methods generate huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and many other harmful substances, which effectively pollute the air, soil, and water both above and under the ground. RES (renewable energy sources) have therefore become an excellent alternative to traditional methods of energy production, mainly due to the fact that using them to generate electricity creates many times fewer pollutants.

What renewable energy sources are used in Poland’s and the world’s economies?

For several years now, both in Poland and worldwide, a transformation of the energy market towards renewable energy sources has been clearly visible. RES are becoming increasingly popular, especially in highly developed countries.

Dynamics of the global energy transformation are influenced not only by obligations of the governments of individual countries in light of European Union directives or the laws introduced in other regions of the world, but also by industry’s growing environmental awareness and financial benefits brought by the use of green renewable energy.

Besides, the rapid development of the RES sector is essential to ensure energy security for Poland and other countries in the context of the geopolitical situation related to the war in Ukraine.

The economic repercussions that Europe is facing show just how important it is for individual countries and regions to have energy independence. So, Poland’s energy security depends not only on contracted supplies of raw materials, but also on the diversification of their sources. This is why investing in technologies based on energy from renewable sources is crucial.

What are the most popular sources of green energy in Poland and worldwide?

Renewable energy sources are an excellent alternative to non-renewable raw materials such as hard/brown coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

The most popular sources of renewable energy used in Poland and in the world are:

• sun,
• wind,
• water,
• geothermics,
• biomass.

Shares of the above-mentioned kinds of RES in the energy mixes of individual countries are the most significant. It is worth devoting a few words to each of them in order to gain an even better understanding of the specifics of renewable green energy sources.

Solar energy

The most popular type of renewable energy today. Energy can be derived from the sun thanks to photovoltaic systems and solar thermal collectors. The former extract the sun’s heat to convert it into electricity, while the latter convert it into thermal energy that can be used, e.g., for preparing hot water in domestic or industrial systems.

Wind energy

Another pillar of green energy are wind farms. They consist of efficient turbines and equipment that convert kinetic energy into electricity. Obviously, production of renewable energy using wind farms is the most profitable in places with high windiness.

Hydropower

The power of water is harnessed from the natural currents of inland waters. Hydropower is obtained mainly from rivers with a sufficiently strong current or steep gradient. Electricity is generated at hydroelectric power stations equipped with special turbines that convert mechanical energy into electricity.

Geothermal energy

The next source of green energy is geothermal heat, which is present in groundwater and in plutonic rocks. Often called ‘energy from inside the Earth’, it is used primarily as a heating resource. It less frequently serves to generate electricity. Geothermal heat can be used to produce energy in two ways – indirect and direct.

Energy from biomass

Yet another renewable energy source already mentioned in this article is biomass, that is, substances of plant or animal origin. Waste and residues from both farms and households can be subjected to incineration, gasification, or esterification processes.

Each of the above sources for the production of green energy obviously requires investing in properly designed systems and industrial plants. Ensuring the right technical conditions is a key challenge with respect to efficient preparation, processing, and use of renewable energy resources.

RES in Poland – key regulations

It ought to be noted that green energy production, both for household needs and on an industrial scale, necessitates relevant legal regulations that take into account, among others, the natural conditions, the individual situation of a given country (the so-called ‘energy mix’), and the stage of technological advancement. Key provisions concerning green energy can be found in the Renewable Energy Sources Act of 20 February 2015 (as amended).

The document, which is the basis of Poland’s national legislation adapted to the requirements of the European Union, sets out, inter alia, the principles and conditions for energy production using RES as well as national plans for development in this strategic area.

Energy transition. How to switch to renewable energy sources?

The challenge of significantly increasing the share of green energy in the energy mix and, in the future, completely replacing non-renewable sources with RES, concerns all countries in the world. Countries that, like Poland, for decades have based their economies primarily on coal and other fossil fuels are in a particularly difficult situation. Said countries are known to have the share of RES in total energy production significantly lower than that of leaders taking advantage of green energy. These include Germany, Canada, and the Scandinavian countries.

In the energy transition, the role of the state cannot be stressed enough – it should coordinate processes resulting in an increased significance of RES in the energy sector and stimulate individual actions, e.g., by introducing relevant legal regulations and creating favourable conditions for investments in renewable energy sources.  Integration of renewable energy sources into industry can significantly reduce the burden on the national energy system, which will undoubtedly reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions thus benefitting the environment.

Guarantees of origin for RES energy

Guarantees of origin for electricity are documents that certify to the recipient the actual environmental values that result from avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. RES guarantees of origin also certify that specific amounts of electric power supplied into the distribution/transmission network have been produced from renewable sources.

In other words, guarantees of origin confirm that the electricity used by the consumer has been produced from renewable energy sources, that is, wind, water, sun, biogas, or geothermal sources.

Those documents are a relatively inexpensive, effective, and internationally recognised way of guaranteeing up to 100% green energy consumption by manufacturing and service companies in any sector of the economy.

Guarantees of origin for electricity from renewable energy sources and electricity generated in a process of high-efficiency cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power, CHP) are traded on the Polish Power Exchange (TGE). In accordance with legal regulations, guarantees of origin are issued in electronic form and submitted to the Register of Guarantees of Origin.

Thanks to international cooperation, guarantees of origin can also be the object of commercial transactions.

Green energy is the energy of the future! 

Even though Polish industry is still based primarily on coal-fired power generation, it is clear that the share of green energy in industrial production will increase over time. This is already happening – companies more and more often produce energy from renewable sources themselves or buy it. Many industrial companies buy guarantees of origin for RES energy, which correspond to part or all of their energy needs for their operations.

In view of the intensive exploitation of natural fossil fuel resources and the exponentially increasing costs (including environmental costs) of their extraction, today green energy plays an increasingly important role in the global economy. All this means that there is no ‘escape’ from the energy transition, and the future of renewable energy looks very promising.

Environmental awareness in our homes!

The energy transition not only can, but should begin in our immediate surroundings, that is, in our homes, farms, and businesses. Today, the eyes of the whole world are on ecology. Sustainable development, which results in conserving natural resources and reducing emissions of harmful pollutants, is the priority of countries and international organisations alike. All applied energy-efficient pieces of equipment and RES systems such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic systems, and heat pumps are important steps towards reducing the exploitation of fossil fuels. It is worth taking such a step today since we know that our actions are not without impact on the environment.

Guarantees of origin for RES energy at PCC Group

PCC Group is one of the chemicals producers who have well-defined environmental goals. By purchasing guarantees of origin for energy from renewable sources, the Group’s production companies act towards climate neutrality in support of the Paris Agreement on Climate Protection. Today, global environmental goals must translate into effective action by each and every sector of the economy, including the chemical industry.  An example of such action is PCC EXOL SA purchasing green energy guarantees of origin that will cover almost 100% of the energy needed for the production of surfactants over a period of 5 years.

The purchased guarantees of origin cover primarily energy from renewable, non-fossil sources, mainly but not only wind and solar energy.

The purchase of guarantees of origin for green energy makes it possible to lower the carbon footprint of both the surfactants company itself and the products it makes. In this way, the company, as a participant in the supply chain of manufacturers that operate in various sectors of industry, will have a real impact on their environmental footprint.