Energy
efficiency and energy conservation can be the most
cost-effective and least-polluting means of reducing
our demand for energy. However, energy demand
cannot be eliminated completely. Thus, renewable
energy can be a valuable complement to energy efficiency
and conservation. Among the potential benefits of
renewable energy are:
- More secure availability because:
- it can be produced close to point of use;
- it has multiple sources such as hydro, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal.
- Efficiency gains due to less energy consumed in transmission or transport.
- More energy dollars are retained in local or regional economy, not exported.
- Renewable energy installations can create additional local jobs.
- Reduced pollution compared with fossil fuel sources.
- Can be greenhouse gas-neutral.
- Lifetime cost can be lower than for non-renewable energy sources.
- "Wastes" such as manure, sewer gas, landfill gas, and landscape
trimmings can become energy resources.
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