Green Power

History
Habersham EMC and 15 other EMCs in the state joined together to form Green Power EMC in 2002. Now participation has grown to a partnership of 28 Georgia EMCs. This group works together to research and provide green electricity (that is electricity generated from renewable resources). This electricity is then offered to EMC members.

How does it work?
Current projects include Tallassee Shoals Low Impact Hydro Project and two landfill sites: Roberts Road in Fayette County and the Taylor County landfill. Another site is planned in Franklin County, where chicken litter will be used. The key to Green Power is to make the most of the resources in your area, and Georgia has a large amount of biomass (landfill gas, wood waste, and chicken litter).

When garbage decomposes in a landfill, it produces gas made up of methane (the main component in natural gas), carbon dioxide and small amounts of oxygen, nitrogen and non-methane organic compounds. Methane is considered a dangerous greenhouse gas and it typically destroyed at landfills by being burnt in a "flare", similar to a giant candle. Landfills are built with wells and underground pipes to draw the gas to the flare. Landfill power stations tap into that infrastructure, making this project very cost-effective. After the gas is collected and moisture removed, it is burnt in a combustion unit, similar to an automobile engine, which drives a generator, producing electricity. This electricity runs through a transformer to convert it to the proper voltage and then is exported onto the power grid.

How does this affect me?
Energy generated through Green Power EMC goes straight into the power grid. By purchasing a block of green power, members help cover the cost of producing the electricity and researching other green power sources in Georgia. The use and development of renewable resources for electricity serves to make our world a better place to live by reducing our dependency on coal and natural gas. In some cases, Green Power also reduces the amount of harmful elements being released into our atmosphere.

Enrollment Request
Click here to enroll.

Visit the Green Power Website
www.greenpoweremc.com

Students study solar power at a Georgia school.