Renewables

Renewable energy: What is it and where does it come from?

There are many different terms when referring to renewable energy. Green energy, green renewable sources, clean & green, sustainable energy, low carbon, zero carbon...
These are often used interchangeably, but there are some important differences between them:

Green refers to a renewable gas or electricity made from sustainable and natural sources that are naturally replenished, with low or zero environmental impact.

Clean energy is electricity produced without emissions (carbon dioxide emissions) however it can have a cost associated with its production. A good example of this is nuclear power! While the production of nuclear power doesn't produce any carbon emissions, the uranium and plutonium used aren't renewable and so while its 'clean' it's not green.

Renewable energy is from sources that can be replenished at a higher rate than they're consumed, or a source that won't run out!

Why do we need renewable energy?

For the UK to progress with its climate ambitions and reach the 1.5°C target set out in the Paris Agreement, the use of renewable energy will be a key driver in delivering the energy transition as we move away from fossil fuels to achieve these targets.  Renewable energy sources are better for the environment as they reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the Earth's atmosphere, directly impacting climate change. In addition to achieving net zero, at a time when energy security and independence are high on the agenda, renewable energy and homegrown renewable generation play an important part in reducing the dependence on energy imports from other countries. Increasing domestic supply capacity using UK energy sources increases reliability of our energy supply, and potentially price stability and affordability. Purchasing renewable energy is at an all-time high with consumers motivated by environment and net zero commitments, cost, and regulatory changes. There is also increased interest in where the renewable energy is coming from, which asset and when it's being generated and that the renewable energy isn't just a certificate, but the supplier has also secured a contract for the power from that asset or owns it. We call this traceability!

Investments

The UK is leading the way in the renewables arena, with renewables accounting for 40% of generation in 2023, and December last year was the fifteenth month in a row where zero-carbon generation (renewables & nuclear) produced more than fossil fuels. This trend is set to continue as we see significant investment in renewable energy sources and technology, driven by government support and policy. With a new £1 billion budget for renewables, the UK will be at the forefront of positive change, leading the way in delivering reliable, clean energy! That said, there is still more to do, and it'll be interesting to see what plans are included in the major party's manifestos in what will be an election year. 

What types of renewables are there?

There are several types of renewable sources, we've given you the main ones below:

Wind: Wind power - the largest producer of renewable electricity in the UK! Offshore and onshore wind turbines spin once the wind blows, transforming kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Did you know...As a group, TotalEnergies have several major offshore wind projects both in the UK and globally. We have a stake in Seagreen 1, a major fixed-bottom offshore wind project in the United Kingdom. Featuring a generating capacity of up to 1,500 megawatts, the facility covers the energy needs of around 1 million UK homes and is one of Scotland's largest offshore wind farms. We also have a number of other schemes in development in the UK.

Solar: Our planets most abundant available energy resource. Solar panels made out of photovoltaic cells energise when hit by photons from sunlight - this is known as the 'photovoltaic effect' (PV). Soar can still be a viable option in the UK, even with our climate!

Did you know...TotalEnergies has 50 years' experience in solar power with projects spanning the globe from Chile to India all the way to Egypt, contributing to our 40 GW portfolio and we have a UK Solar business actively looking for opportunities in the UK. 

Hydro: Using the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity. This is the oldest source of renewable energy in the world!

Biomass: This is any organic plant or animal matter capable of producing low carbon energy. It's produced by the Anaerobic Digestion (controlled decomposition without oxygen) of fresh organic waste which is fermented in digesters. 

Geothermal: Heat generated from within the subsurface of the Earth, this renewable energy isn't weather dependent and is available throughout the UK at just a few meters deep.

Time to explore the options...with us

RENEWABLE POWER

Renewable power uses electricity that's 100% generated by wind, solar, hydro and biomass sources and is supported by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin certificates (REGOs).

Why opt for RENEWABLE POWER?

Report zero emissions for electricity under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards, Scope 2 with our Renewable Power as the electricity can be matched to relevant REGO certificates.

PURE GREEN

Pure Green uses electricity that's 100% generated by wind, solar and hydro and is supported by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin certificates (REGOs).

Why opt for PURE GREEN?

With Pure Green you can report zero emissions for electricity under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards, Scope 2 as the electricity can be matched to relevant REGO certificates. Pure Green guarantees that the REGOs we provide will only come from solar, wind or hydro sources.

YOUR GREEN

Your Green uses electricity that's 100% generated from wind, solar, hydro and biomass sources from renewable generators that TotalEnergies have purchased agreements with.

Why opt for YOUR GREEN?

Your Green ensures that the REGO certificates align with your consumption. These certificates are bundled with power from assets that TotalEnergies has Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with, providing enhanced traceability. Your Green also allows you to report reduced emissions for electricity under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards, Scope 2 as the electricity can be matched to relevant REGO certificates. 

YOUR PURE GREEN

Your Pure Green uses traceable electricity that's 100% generated from wind, solar and hydro sources from renewable generators that TotalEnergies has purchased agreements with.

Why opt for YOUR PURE GREEN?

Your Pure Green ensures that the REGO certificates align with your consumption. These certificates are bundled with power from assets that TotalEnergies has Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with, providing enhanced traceability. Your Pure Green also allows you to report reduced emissions for electricity under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards, Scope 2 as the electricity can be matched to relevant REGO certificates.  We'll soon be offering a product that will match renewable generation with your consumption down to an hourly level, so you'll be able to see how much of your usage is backed by renewable electricity hour by hour. 

RENEWABLE GAS

Green gas, or biomethane, is produced from the recycling of natural waste, such as plant material and organic waste. Biomethane offers a desirable alternative to natural gas as it reduces the need for fossil fuels. Renewable Gas produced is matched to your supply through Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) certificates. 

Why opt for RENEWABLE GAS?

Reduce your carbon footprint and report zero emissions in your reporting schemes for your energy supply with our Renewable Gas option. You'll be able to demonstrate to your customers that your business is environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Tracing the traceability

How can you ensure that the renewable energy you buy and use, comes from a renewable source? 

Traceability in renewable energy refers to the ability to accurately track the origin, production, and consumption of the physical electrons or gas molecules and to some customers, this is an important aspect. It involves establishing transparency to track, trace and to ensure that the energy generated from any renewable source is accounted for and can be verified throughout the supply chain.

Typically, consumers have used REGO & RGGO certificates to match their consumption with energy produced within a 12-month window, to support claims of being '100% renewable' and this is compliant with Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol Scope 2 guidance. However, more recently some customers have wanted to know that a supplier either owns the generation asset or has acquired the gas or electricity itself alongside the certificate. Now improvements in half hourly data provisions for both generation and supply is enabling matching down to an hourly level, allowing customers to see what proportion of their usage is matched with supply from renewable assets hour by hour. It's clear the market is set to evolve further, although as the grid as a whole becomes more renewable, it's unclear how big a role these new solutions will play.

How TotalEnergies can help...

Watch our latest Renewables video to see how we can help!

TotalEnergies is investing in technology which allows for the provision of traceable renewable energy at a higher level of granularity, meaning that customers will be able to closer align the renewable energy they procure with the time of their consumption. 

Hourly Matching

We will soon be offering Hourly Matching which enables supply customers to see how their energy is generated down to an hourly level.

Corporate PPAs

Corporate PPAs are agreements directly between an end user and a generator, although a supplier still has a role to play as a licensed supplier is required to act as a middleman. These are a good option for end users that want to make a statement of their low carbon credentials, but they can be complex to source and arrange. TotalEnergies will support the set up and integration of Corporate PPAs and sleeve into supply contracts.

On-Site Renewable Generation

If you've the space for on-site generation, this option is worth exploring for its benefits: 

• Lower costs: To get set up and started with your own on-site generation can require upfront investment, but you'll be paying less for each unit of electricity, and this will minimise the exposure to market prices and fluctuations. There are also options to effectively rent out your roof space and sign a long-term agreement to buy that electricity, known as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA.
• Non-commodity costs: Avoid some of these charges with on-site generation!
• Demand side response: Depending on how much energy you produce, if this doesn't fully cover your consumption, you'll still be able to reduce the amount of energy you need to buy a peak times.