Every month we share the positive impact our customers have made through their use of CarbonBetter-certified 100% energy, which is included in every Provision clean energy supply plan. Each customer on these plans receives an email with their personal impact for the month, and this blog post reflects the impact all of our customers have made together since we became CarbonBetter-certified in October 2020.

We’re honored to be able to provide affordable clean energy that makes a real difference. Check out all of our past Impact Updates here!

Our Customers’ CarbonBetter Impact – February 2024 Update

---

Want to be included in our next impact update?

It’s easy to contribute to the positive impact we make each month. All Provision energy plans include CarbonBetter clean energy, which helps you make a difference automatically when you use energy at home.

Our customers help fund clean energy generation through renewable energy certificates, offset carbon through carbon credits, and plant trees to aid in reforestation and increase our natural carbon-capturing capabilities. It’s never too late to start using your energy for good.

---

February 2024 Featured Project: Carters Hydro Power Plant

Courtesy of Google Maps.

About the Project

The Carters Hydro Power Plant, located on the Coosawattee River in Georgia, USA, is a remarkable feat of engineering and sustainable energy production. This 500MW hydro power project, developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, began construction in 1962 and has been operational since 1975. Carters is a pumped storage project, a type of hydroelectric power generation that uses large water reservoirs to store and generate electricity. Provision purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for this project, supporting its clean energy generation.

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Explained

100% renewable electricity is included automatically in every Provision electricity supply plan, and we use renewable energy certificates, or RECs, to deliver on our clean energy promise. Homes are connected to the power grid by transmission lines, and the electricity that’s supplied is derived from a variety of generation resources, both renewable and non-renewable. This is because when clean energy is generated and put on the grid, it’s mixed with other fuel sources, making it difficult for environmentally conscious consumers to supply their homes with 100% clean energy.

Provision ensures more clean energy is put on the grid by funding renewable generators by purchasing RECs. These certificates support electricity generation equal to the volume consumed by Provision customers, thus leading to a cleaner grid and delivering on pour 100% clean energy promise. So far, Provision customers have helped fund over 70,000 Megawatt-hours (mWh) of renewable electricity using RECs.

How It Works

The Carters Hydro Power Plant operates using a pumped storage system, which is a sophisticated method of generating electricity. Here’s how it works:

Water Storage: The plant has two large reservoirs located at different elevations. Water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir during periods of low electricity demand, using excess energy from the grid.

Power Generation: During peak electricity demand, water from the upper reservoir is released back into the lower reservoir through turbines. The flow of water spins the turbines, generating electricity.

Net Head and Penstocks: The net head, which is the height difference between the upper and lower reservoirs, is 120.7 meters. The water travels through four penstocks, which are long channels with a length of 254.508 meters and a diameter of 18 meters, to reach the turbines.

Electricity Output: The turbines, supplied by Newport News Industrial and Voith Hydro Holding, convert the kinetic energy of the falling water into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then transformed into electrical energy by generators from General Electric and Voith Hydro Holding.

This system allows the Carters Hydro Power Plant to efficiently balance electricity supply and demand, making it a vital part of the region’s energy infrastructure.

Project Benefits

The Carters Hydro Power Plant offers numerous benefits. From an environmental perspective, the plant is a powerhouse in offsetting carbon emissions, delivering a clean, renewable source of energy that significantly reduces our carbon footprint. Additionally, through regulated water management, the plant ensures that the river its housed on remains vibrant and healthy, fostering a balanced natural habitat.

Locally, the Carters Hydro Power Plant creates jobs and helps build revenues for local businesses. Infrastructure development tied to the plant’s operations also contributes to the region’s growth, enhancing the overall quality of life. Beyond these practical benefits, by maintaining reservoir levels and ensuring a healthy aquatic environment, the plant opens up opportunities for activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.

Conclusion

The Carters Hydro Power Plant is a testament to the potential of hydroelectric power in creating a sustainable energy future. Its innovative pumped storage system, significant environmental and local benefits, and the support of the creation of Renewable Energy Credits all contribute to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.

Switch to Provision and make a positive impact on the planet through your energy consumption!

---

Every Provision Customer Makes a Difference

---

About CarbonBetter Impact Calculations:

*The typical home in your area uses 9,300 kWh of electricity per year.
**https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#gasoline
***https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#seedlings

Impact is calculated based on our customers’ billings in the impact month, but planting, funding, and offsetting may not happen in that month. These activities must align with planting seasons and project life cycles to be effective. If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@getprovision.com.