Study Suggests U.S. Could Run Almost Entirely on Renewable Energy By 2050

The U.S. is slowly but surely making efforts to implement renewable energy nation-wide. Now, a new study has found that it may be possible for the U.S. to run almost entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050.

The Renewable Electricity Futures Study found that with current technology, an 80% renewables future is possible. The technology that could make this happen consists of wind turbines, solar power, biopower, geothermal, and hydropower.

Many areas in the United States are already investing time and money in renewable energy, which is further showing the positive impact of these energy efforts. In fact, 75 million barrels of oil are saved each year by people and businesses that use solar energy.

Researchers made sure to include results that detailed how potential for renewable energy sources would vary by region. For example, some areas in the country have substantial wind resources, while others have more solar potential. To show these results, interactive visuals were created.

The study looked at 134 regions across the country on an hourly basis. It was assessed by 140 peer reviewers and used state-of-the-art modeling to gather the data. The final report includes assessments of costs, challenges, and opportunities for the individual renewable energy technology.

By using renewable energy, the U.S. will be providing benefits for the climate, public health, and the economy. Not only does it drastically reduce global warming emissions and increase jobs, it can also reduce the necessary water amounts for power production compared to fossil-fueled power plants.

This Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study clearly shows that while an 80% renewables future is possible, it can only be achieved with the right policies in place.

What can you do to help?

With a little effort and by working alongside your local energy supplier, you can help contribute to this sustainable future. One thing you can do is look into easy ways to save energy in your home. This can be as simple as investing in a programmable thermostat, cleaning your furnace filters, and even talking to your local energy supplier about what kind of technologies they were using to supply energy to your area.

More and more energy providers are investing in renewable energy, saving themselves and their clients money. Because of this, it's important to fully understand what technologies are being used to generate your energy. With time, patience, and commitment, we could be on our way to a more sustainable future.

A Few Renewable Energy Options to Consider for Your Home

There's been a lot of talk lately about green energy and renewable energy options. While most of it may seem out of reach, the truth is that there are renewable energy options for every home.
Have you ever considered making your home a more sustainable, clean place to live? The renewable energy sources below will take you to a level far beyond installing a programmable thermostat and saving a mere 10% on cooling and heating costs.

Solar Roofing Panels
This might be one of the most obvious choices, but its benefits are practically endless. It's worth mentioning as one of the most easily accessible renewable energy sources out there, too! Depending on your roof and the orientation of your panels, it's possible to generate more than 10 watts per square foot of coverage. And solar power doesn't just mean electricity, either. In fact, you have the option of using solar power for household things like heating water and powering your air conditioning, as well. Bid your traditional electricity supplier goodbye!

Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are most typically found offshore or on large, empty plots of land, but nobody said you had to have a mammoth wind turbine in your backyard. In fact, any wind turbine powering your home would need to be scaled down to fit on your property. One of the biggest advantages here is that wind power is a bit more reliable than solar power in most cases. Where the sun may hide behind a cloud, it's a rare day that's without a good breeze.

Hydro Power
If your property houses a stream or any kind of running water, you're in luck. It may not be Niagara Falls, but a micro hydro power system can make powering your home an environmentally friendly breeze. Even a small stream can help you generate power at a price point that's lower than both solar and wind.

If you're looking to get involved in a cleaner, greener lifestyle, these renewable energy sources are excellent places to start. Who knows what other renewable energy tools may become available in the future? It's best to get started now.

Small Energy Saving Tips That Can Lead to Big Cost Savings

It seems like everyone is going green these days, and for good reason. Reducing your personal environmental impact isn't just about hopping on a trendy bandwagon, it can also be a matter of self-preservation.   

Energy reduction isn't rocket science, but energy conservation can seem complicated, especially if you're new to all things environmental. The reality is that conserving energy can be a whole lot easier than you think. You don't have to take drastic measures such as composting, buying an electric car, or completely changing your lifestyle in order to experience major energy savings! By being mindful and practicing of a few simple energy saving tips, you can save on energy costs in some pretty impressive ways.
Here are three small energy saving tips that have a big impact!

Keep up with general home maintenance
A well maintained home is an energy efficient one! Whether it's a season tune up for your furnace, regular electrical inspections, or routine plumbing maintenance, taking care of your home's air, electrical, and plumbing systems ensures they are operating efficiently at all times. Old, outdated, or damaged systems use more energy than needed and may also pose danger. Making sure your appliances and home systems are in good working order will save you money on both energy and repair costs.

Install low flow faucets and shower heads
The kitchen and bathroom provide the most water wasting opportunities, so it's especially important to be mindful of water usage in these areas of your home. Low flow faucets and shower heads take the guess work out of using less water by reducing the amount of gallons per minute without compromising performance. All you have to do is have them installed by your plumber and then watch the energy savings flow back to you. It's really that simple!

Only use energy efficient light bulbs
Here's a bright idea; stop using old school light bulbs and make the simple switch to energy efficient alternatives. Did you know that you can reduce energy usage from roughly a third to an impressive 80% just by using energy-efficient halogen incandescents, CFLs and LEDs? Not only do these light bulbs last longer – which increases their cost efficiency on top of reducing your electric bill – but they also provide better quality light. This is one the easiest energy saving tips that is an absolute must!

Global Monetary Experts Say Deregulation Can Be a Key to Boost Economies

Many believe in the spirit of competition and that it is the cornerstone of any healthy, free market economy. That's what the fight for deregulation of electricity markets and energy suppliers across the country is all about. By allowing competition among residents when it comes to choosing power suppliers, deregulated energy markets can help to lower prices and increase customer satisfaction everywhere it has been implemented. One of the world leaders when it comes to economics and monetary policy recently issued a statement supporting this notion. 

According to MarketWatch.com, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released their quarterly "World Economic Outlook Report" for April 2016 and one of the biggest suggestions they make is for governments to increase efforts to deregulate various industries. One that they specifically mention is energy suppliers and distribution. 

“A number of advanced economies still have significant room for further deregulation in retail trade, professional services and in a few network industries,” the IMF report reads. “Product market reforms should be implemented forcefully, as they boost output even under weak macroeconomic conditions and would not worsen public finances.” 

The IMF clarified "network" industries as air, rail and road transportation, energy distribution, telecommunications and postal services. 

In fact, despite energy usage being at an all-time high (it was 13 times greater in 2013 than in 1950 in the U.S.), it's fair to wonder if energy industry deregulation has already helped to decrease the cost of generating electricity. According to the Edison Electric Institute, the cost of generating electrons currently accounts for less than half of the price of electricity, compared to 1995 when it accounted for two-thirds. 

How To Save Money, And The Environment With the Way You Manage Your Energy

Among the rent or mortgage payments, the exorbitant cost of food, medical, gas, car insurance, and water bills, the monthly energy bill can really get you down, especially during the winter. If you are an average American living in an average household, chances are that your monthly electric bill will cost around $107. 

The worst part is that it may seem like there is no room to cut back in this area. However, you are incorrect. There are many ways to seriously cut back on energy bills, and there is an added bonus. The less energy you use in your house, the less fossil fuels will be burned, and the better for the Earth. 

Here are a couple of easy strategies to do something good for your pocketbook and the environment: 

1. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs 

You'll be surprised how fast you make you money back after this initial investment, especially because you'll have to replace the bulbs much less regularly than regular ones. 

2. Talk to alternative electricity suppliers 

Alternative electric suppliers and energy companies try to get their energy not from the burning of fossil fuels but from things like geothermal, wind, and water power. This can help drive down prices, since they are renewable resources, and is very good for the environment. 

3. Use Your Programmable Thermostat 

You can save 10% per year on heating and cooling costs by investing in or properly using a programmable thermostat. This way, the system won't be working while your not there -- and you can program it to kick start automatically an hour before you come home, so its cozy and warm by the time you open the door 

Another great option is to install smart meters in your home. These devices measure the amount of energy used in a week so you can better keep track of your energy budget. Power companies and renewable energy companies have so far installed 50 million meters at homes across the U.S. -- that's 43% of homes overall! 

From alternative energy companies and alternative electricity suppliers for your home to small household applications like light bulbs, you can reduce your bill and footprint at the same time!

You Could Be Overpaying for Electricity By Thousands Yearly: When to Switch

The average American household spends about $100 a month on home heating and cooling, a cost that has increased steadily since the middle of last century. Although many home appliances are much more efficient than they used to be, the average household spends up to about 40% of their heating and cooling budget just to heat water and to run their air conditioners. 

Before the relatively recent advent of deregulated energy, customers often had only one option when it came to picking local power suppliers. These large companies set their own prices and did not have any competition locally, and therefore had to reason to lower customers' costs. There was no choice when it came to power companies and no recourse for the customer if they were dissatisfied with a company's services or prices.

Nowadays, many energy suppliers are taking full advantage of the deregulation of electricity markets and are striving to help customers save on their monthly bills. Now that customers are free to choose among energy suppliers, the pressure among power companies to compete for customers is driving energy prices lower, giving providers the ability to offer perks and placing a firmer emphasis on customer service and satisfaction.

In addition to choosing lower-cost power suppliers, many Americans are choosing to upgrade their appliances and home heating and cooling systems. If the average home spends approximately $1200 yearly to heat and cool the home, the estimated savings from the simple installation of a programmable thermostat can be upwards of $120 every year.

Deregulated energy markets, coupled with appliance and home heating improvements, seem to be benefiting the American energy consumer by offering lower prices and enhanced consumer choice. A competitive energy market means that energy companies have incentives to upgrade their customer service and repair times as well as to continually improve the quality of their facilities. 

Overall, electricity customers are reporting an increased level of satisfaction, citing a wider range of choice in electric providers and overall lower costs.

3 Reasons to Support Energy Deregulation

Energy deregulation is a relatively new concept in the United States. For a long time electricity and energy companies were allowed to exist in regulated monopoly environments with the government controlling the process. However, recently more and more states have decided it's time they deregulated energy markets and gave the consumers the power to choose. Many of the changes in the industry over the last 20 years have been beneficial. In 1995 the generation of electricity accounted for about two-thirds of the price. The cost of generating electrons accounts for less than half the price today, according to the Edison Electric Institute. Here are three reasons to support energy industry deregulation to continue these developments.

1.) Antiquated System: The system of regulated power companies started at about the same time energy suppliers came into being in the 1800s. The main reason for the system being regulated and monopolies to be allowed was because there simply wasn't enough qualified people and companies to reasonably compete in the field.The government decided it would be in the best interest of the people to control distribution and prices. At the time it made sense. Times have changed. For example, the total electricity used in the U.S. in 2013 was 13 times more than in 1950. There are plenty of companies that can provide these services across the country in an efficient and easy manner. 

2.) Competitive Prices: The most important result of energy deregulation is the increase in competition. Whenever you allow competition to exist, the consumer will be better off. Even though the government regulates how much a company can make, it doesn't mean that's the cheapest rate it can be made available. All businesses are looking to maximize profits, but when you open competition you will have them competing for customers. That leads to decrease in prices and increase in service. 

3.) Increased Sustainability: Second only to the cost-effectiveness, energy deregulation can have huge benefits to the sustainability and environmentally friendly improvements in the industry. Another result of competition. When you have more people working to create something better, chances are you're going to get better results.  Now, people that are concerned about these matters can influence companies to work harder at it by giving them their business, or in turn taking it from them.