Green energy

Green energy comes from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, water, biomass, or geothermal energy. These are natural resources that renew themselves in a relatively short time and whose use does not lead to environmental degradation. Unlike fossil fuels, green energy does not cause CO₂ emissions and is environmentally neutral.

Renewable energy is widely used in industry. Companies can use photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric power plants, or biogas installations that convert organic waste into energy. Each of these solutions allows for reducing the carbon footprint and becoming independent from fluctuating grid energy prices.

Check out our articles about climate-neutral fuels:

• Use of biofuels in industry
• How does photovoltaics work, and is it still a profitable investment?
• Biogas plants – how do they work and where can they be used?

Focusing on industrial companies - access to green energy can be achieved in various ways. One of the simplest solutions is purchasing renewable energy from external suppliers. For this purpose, companies can enter long-term energy supply contracts with guarantees of origin, which confirm that the electricity comes from renewable sources. Such a solution requires no initial investments and allows for a quick transition to green energy. This is commonly called greening energy.

Also increasingly popular are so-called cPPA contracts, which are agreements to purchase renewable energy directly from its producers. Thanks to these, companies can secure stable energy prices for many years, which is especially beneficial in times of dynamic changes in the energy market.

Another approach is investing in own renewable energy installations. Companies may decide to install photovoltaic panels, build wind turbines, or set up biogas cogeneration systems, which allow simultaneous production of electricity and heat. However, the investment decision requires a thorough analysis of local technical and environmental conditions, as well as an estimation of the payback period of such a project.

The transition to green energy brings many benefits to companies. Besides the obvious ecological advantages, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening negative environmental impact, using renewable energy allows for cost reduction. Renewable energy sources are free if we consider the fuel – solar, wind, or geothermal energy. However, to harness them for energy production, an initial financial investment is necessary, which depends on the specific technology – for example, the cost of wind turbines or photovoltaic panels will be lower than the cost of building a biogas plant. Although operating costs are low and electricity from renewables is free, it should be remembered that investments in renewable sources typically have quite long payback periods – usually several years.

Green energy is also a tool for building a positive image. Companies using renewable energy sources are perceived as innovative and socially responsible, which can translate into better relationships with customers and business partners. Additionally, many investments in green transformation are supported financially by European projects and Polish institutions such as KPO, FENG, FENiKS, or NFOŚiGW programs.

Despite numerous benefits, implementing green energy in industry also involves certain challenges. Companies must carefully evaluate which solutions are most suitable for their needs and capabilities. In the case of building own renewable energy installations, both local environmental and technical conditions are important, e.g., available area or the structure of the power grid.

One of the biggest challenges related to green energy is its storage. Production of energy from photovoltaics or wind turbines depends on weather conditions, which are hard to predict and do not always match the company’s energy demand. For example, during periods of intense sunlight or strong wind, energy production surpluses may occur that are lost without an appropriate storage system. Conversely, during lower production periods, such as at night or during calm weather, companies may struggle to meet their energy needs.

The solution to this problem are energy storage systems. They still pose a challenge due to high installation costs and limited storage capacity. In the longer term, development of energy storage technology is crucial for fully utilizing the potential of renewable energy sources and achieving energy independence. Companies investing in energy storage can better manage surpluses, minimize costs related to grid energy purchases, and stabilize their production processes even under variable availability of renewable energy.

Green energy is not only an ecological solution but also an investment in the future of industry. Facing growing market demands and regulatory pressure, companies that decide to transition to renewable energy sources can gain significant competitive advantage.

When implementing green energy, it is worth keeping in mind the long-term perspective. Although investments in renewable energy may require initial capital commitment, their effects will bring benefits for many years, both in the form of financial savings and improved energy efficiency and market position. This process involves certain challenges, but the environmental, economic, and image benefits it offers can outweigh potential difficulties. Choosing appropriate solutions tailored to the specifics of the company’s operations allows building long-term energy independence. Green energy is the foundation of the future industry – ecological, efficient, and compliant with the demands of a dynamically changing market.