Renewable Energy
Supporting members through education, training, and networking
MEA Energy Association recognizes the industry milestones of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. Renewable energy plays an important role in reaching these goals and, as such, MEA endeavors to support members through education, training, and networking in this area. We will do this by partnering with other like-minded organizations because we know that we are stronger when we all work together for our common goals in the renewable space.
Our ambition is to help you do your job more efficiently and effectively by sharing the most relevant renewables information. In that spirit, we are offering educational webinars centered around the different sources of renewable energy and, coming soon, we will introduce a newsletter and private community for asking, sharing, and connecting over renewable energy.
Get notifications about renewable energy offerings through MEA and gain access to the online community by signing in to your MEA profile — simply select Renewables as an area of interest on your account tab.
Upcoming Webinar
Green Hydrogen 101 – Accelerating a Carbon-Free Future
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT | Complimentary
Green hydrogen (GH2) is a game changer in the fight for our climate.
A portable, energy-dense, scalable fuel, GH2 — which can be generated from renewable electricity such as solar or wind power by electrolysis, from biogas by steam reforming, or from biomass through thermal conversion — can decarbonize energy systems and economic sectors that are difficult to electrify.
Learn more about the key role GH2 can play in supporting and speeding economy-wide decarbonization and how the Green Hydrogen Coalition, an educational non-profit organization, is building top-down momentum for scalable green hydrogen projects across the country.
Presenters
MEA is excited to offer this webinar courtesy of the Green Hydrogen Coalition, the only 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to deploying green hydrogen at scale for multi-sectoral decarbonization. GHC is supported in part by several MEA member companies.
Learn More & RegisterDefinitions and Resources
Renewable energy is available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth. They are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.
Renewable Energy Sources
- Solar
Sunlight is one of the planet’s most freely available energy resources, which you’d assume would make it the number one source of renewable energy. But of course, the amount of sunlight we get can vary greatly depending on location, season and time of day.
Additional Resources:
- Wind
Wind power is the largest producer of renewable electricity in both the UK and the US. Onshore and offshore wind farms generate electricity by spinning the blades of wind turbines. The turbines convert the kinetic energy of the spinning blades into electric energy by turning a drive shaft and gear box, which is connected to a generator. Electricity is then converted into higher voltages and fed into the national grid
- Hydro
Hydro power is created using the movement of flowing or falling water. Hydroelectric power plants are found at dams and generate electricity through underwater turbines that turn a generator. Hydro power also encompasses wave and tidal power, which rely on ocean forces to generate electricity at the mouths of large bodies of water, using similar technology.
Additional Resources:
- Tidal
Tidal energy is a renewable energy powered by the natural rise and fall of ocean tides and currents. Some of these technologies include turbines and paddles. Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides. Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy.
- Geothermal
Geothermal energy is heat within the earth. The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because heat is continuously produced inside the earth. People use geothermal heat for bathing, for heating buildings, and for generating electricity.
- Biomass
Electricity can be generated when organic matter is burned as a fuel source. These fuels are known as biomass and include anything from plants to timber to food waste. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted when bioenergy is made, but these fuel sources are considered renewable because they can be regrown and absorb as much carbon as they emit across their lifespans.
Questions? Suggestions? Please reach out to Deborah Kessler.
