January 2023 CarbonBetter® Impact Update
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 November 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 – January 2023 Update
95.5k
mWh
Provision customers have funded 95,496 mWh of clean energy generation, which could power 10,268 homes for a year.*
60.9k
tons
Provision customers have offset 60,880 tons of carbon, which is like avoiding over 151 million miles of driving.**
68.9k
trees
Provision customers have funded planting 68,854 trees, which may sequester 1,135 tons of carbon in their lifetime.***
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.
January 2023 Impact Update: Foote Creek I Project
About the Project
This month’s featured project is The Foote Creek I Project, a wind farm located in Wyoming, USA with a total capacity of 41.4 megawatts (MW) generated by 60 wind turbines. The project was developed by Invenergy LLC, a renewable energy company based in the United States, and it began operations in 2009. It has helped to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase the amount of clean energy available in the region. Provision purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for this project, which generates an average of 41.4 MW of electricity annually, enough to power around 15,417 homes.
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 mWh of renewable electricity using RECs.
How It Works
The turbines are typically constructed on tall towers with three blades rotating in the wind. The blade connects to a generator, which converts the wind’s kinetic energy into electricity. Once the turbines are in place, they are connected to the electrical grid. It is typically done through a series of underground power cables that connect the turbines to a substation. The substation is responsible for collecting the electricity generated by the turbines and transmitting it to the electrical grid.
The speed and direction of the wind are constantly monitored by the turbines’ control systems, which adjust the angle of the blades to optimize the amount of electricity generated. The electricity is then sent to the substation, which is converted to the appropriate voltage level and sent to the electrical grid. The project has prevented the release of around 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking approximately 40,000 cars off the road.
Project Benefits
Generates electricity using wind power, a clean and renewable energy source. According to Invenergy, the project has prevented the release of around 200,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking about 40,000 cars off the road. Wind turbines do not produce emissions or pollutants and do not require mining or drilling. It means that they do not harm wildlife or the environment. The project is not open to the public and is generally not used for recreational activities. However, the area surrounding the project may provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Conclusion
The Foote Creek I Project is a 90-MW wind farm in Wyoming, USA and consisting of 60 wind turbines spread over around 16,000 acres. The project creates several environmental and local benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting wildlife, creating jobs, providing an economic boost for the local community, and increasing access to clean energy. It is an essential contributor to the state of Wyoming’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and increase the amount of clean energy available to its residents.
As a Provision customer, you help fund projects like this. We make it simple for you to offset your carbon footprint and support projects like these that aid in preserving our planet. Switch to Provision today and put your energy to good use!
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.
