What in the ‘REC’ is a Wind Turbine?

A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. It consists of a tower, rotor blades, and a generator.

The rotor blades capture the wind's energy and turn a shaft that powers a generator, which produces electricity that can be used to power homes, businesses, and other electrical systems. Northeastern Power offers renewable energy from sources such as wind in the form of RECs.

Renewable energy credits (RECs), also known as green tags or tradable renewable certificates, are a type of market-based incentive that represents the environmental benefits of generating electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. Each REC represents one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from a renewable energy source. RECs are bought and sold separately from the actual electricity, allowing consumers to support renewable energy without physically using it.

For example, a company can purchase RECs to offset their carbon emissions and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. RECs can also be used to meet renewable energy requirements mandated by government policies or regulations. The purchase of RECs helps to encourage the growth of renewable energy sources and reduce the use of fossil fuels, which in turn can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.