7 types of renewable energy to support commercial sustainability

July 16, 2019

Learn about SunPower's "beneficial by design" philosophy




There are several types of renewable energy suitable for commercial applicationsMany private enterprises and public entities (such as government agencies and educational institutions) are looking for clean, renewable commercial energy sources to meet their sustainable energy solution needs. The motivation can be financial, driven by regulatory mandates, a desire to be more socially responsible or all of the above. Sustainable energy solutions are literally found in the air, deep underground and in the oceans. Each of the following options can be tapped directly or indirectly by organizations that want to go green.

Options for direct use of sustainable energy

  1. Bioenergy
    What is it? This is a type of renewable energy derived from biomass to create heat and electricity (or to produce liquid fuels used for transportation, such as ethanol and biodiesel). Biomass refers to any organic matter coming from recently living plants or animals. Even though bioenergy generates approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide as fossil fuels, the replacement plants grown as biomass remove an equal amount of CO2 from the atmosphere, keeping the environmental impact relatively neutral. There are a variety of systems used to generate this type of electricity, ranging from directly burning biomass to capturing and using methane gas produced by the natural decomposition of organic material.
    How can an organization use it? Depending on your operation, there are many ways to incorporate bioenergy into your sustainable business practices:
    • Organizations can convert to fleet vehicles that use biofuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel
    • Manufacturing facilities can burn biomass directly, producing steam captured by a turbine to generate electricity; in some cases, this process can power the facility as well as heating it (for example, paper mills can use wood waste to produce electricity and steam for heating)
    • Farm operations can convert waste from livestock into electricity using small, modular systems
    • Towns can tap the methane gas created by the anaerobic digestion of organic waste in landfills and use it as fuel for generating electricity
    Learn more about bioenergy:

  2. Geothermal
    Harnessing the earth as a source of geothermal energy What is it? Geothermal energy, as the name implies, is derived from the heat of the earth itself. This heat can be sourced close to the surface or from heated rock and reservoirs of hot water miles beneath the surface. Geothermal power plants harness these heat sources to generate electricity. On a much smaller scale, a geothermal heat pump system can leverage the constant temperature of the ground just ten feet under the surface to help supply heat to a nearby building in the winter, or help cool it in the summer.
    How can an organization use it? Geothermal energy can be part of a commercial utility energy solution on a large scale or part of a sustainable business practice on a local level. Direct use of geothermal energy might include:
    • Heating office buildings or manufacturing plants
    • Helping to grow greenhouse plants
    • Heating water at fish farms
    • Aiding with various industrial processes (e.g., pasteurizing milk)
    Learn more about geothermal energy:

  3. Hydroelectric
    What is it? The most familiar type of hydroelectric power is generated by a system in which dams are constructed to store water in a reservoir. When released, the water flows through turbines to produce electricity. This is known as “pumped-storage hydropower”—water cycles between lower and upper reservoirs to control electricity generation between times of low and peak demand. Another type, called “run-of-river hydropower,” funnels a portion of river flow through a channel and does not require a dam. Hydropower plants can range in size from massive projects like the Hoover Dam to micro-hydroelectric power systems.
    How can an organization use it? Direct use of hydroelectric power is naturally dependent on geographic location. Assuming a dependable waterway source is accessible and available, it could be used in the following ways:
    • Micro-hydroelectric plants can supply electricity to farm and ranch operations or small municipalities
    • Small towns can harness the energy of local waterways by building moderately-sized hydroelectric power systems
    Learn more about hydroelectric energy:

  4. Hydrogen
    Hydrogen fuel cells demonstrate how hydroelectricity worksWhat is it? Hydrogen is the simplest (composed of one proton and one electron) and most abundant element in the universe, yet it does not occur naturally as a gas on the earth. Instead, it resides in organic compounds (hydrocarbons such as gasoline, natural gas, methanol and propane) and water (H2O). Hydrogen can also be produced under certain conditions by some algae and bacteria using sunlight as an energy source. Hydrogen is high in energy, yet produces little or no pollution when burned. Hydrogen fuel cells convert the potential chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity, with pure water and heat as the only byproducts. However, practical and widespread commercialization of these fuel cells will likely be limited until costs decrease and durability improves.
    How can an organization use it? Almost all the hydrogen generated in the United States is used in industry to refine petroleum, treat metals, produce fertilizer and process foods. In addition, hydrogen fuel cells are used as an energy source wherein hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine to generate electricity. Currently, there are a few thousand hydrogen-powered vehicles operating in the United States. This number could increase as the cost of fuel cell production drops and the number of refueling stations rises. Other practical applications for this type of renewable energy include:
    • Large fuel cells providing emergency electricity for buildings and remote locations
    • Marine vessels powered by hydrogen fuel cells
    Learn more about hydrogen power:

  5. Ocean
    What is it? Two types of energy are produced by the ocean: Thermal energy from the sun’s heat and mechanical energy from the motion of tides and waves. Ocean thermal energy can be converted into electricity using a few different systems that rely on warm surface water temperatures. Ocean mechanical energy harnesses the ebb and flow of tides caused by the rotation of the earth and the gravitational influence of the moon. Energy from wind-driven waves can reduce business electricity costs. There are also lesser-developed technologies that leverage ocean currents, ocean winds and salinity gradients as sources of power conversion.  
    How can an organization use it? Ocean energy is an evolving sector for alternative energy production, but with over 70 percent of the surface of the earth covered by oceans, the future looks promising. Commercial and public applications for this energy resource are limited to geography and regulatory guidelines. Practical uses for energy derived from the ocean include:
    • Cold ocean water from deep below the surface can be used to cool buildings (with desalinated water as a common byproduct)
    • Seaside communities can employ the methods to tap natural ocean energy described above to supplement municipal power and energy needs
    Learn more about ocean power:

  6. Solar
    The benefits of commercial solar power can be realized in many waysWhat is it? Except for geothermal and hydrogen energy sources, the sun plays a significant role in each of the other types of renewable energy listed here. The most direct use of this commercial renewable energy source, however, is achieved by capturing the sun’s energy directly. A variety of solar energy technologies convert the sun’s energy and light into heat, illumination, hot water, electricity and (paradoxically) cooling systems for businesses and industry. Photovoltaic (PV) systems use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar hot water systems can heat buildings by circulating water through flat-plate solar collectors. The sun’s heat can also be concentrated by mirror-covered dishes that are focused to boil water in a conventional steam generator to produce electricity. In addition, commercial and industrial buildings can leverage the suns power for larger-scale needs such as ventilation, heating and cooling. Finally, thoughtful architectural designs can passively utilize the sun as a source of light and heating/cooling.
    How can an organization use it? Public and private entities can gain the benefits of solar power for business in a wide variety of ways: Learn more about solar power:

  7. Wind
    What is it? Wind can be considered a form of solar energy because winds are caused by the uneven heating and cooling of the atmosphere by the sun (as well as the rotation of the earth and other topographical factors). Wind flow can be captured by turbines and converted into electricity. On a smaller scale, windmills are still used today to pump water on farms.
    How can an organization use it? Wind is one of the renewable energy types that plays an increasingly larger role in how companies go green. In particular, it can be incorporated to reduce business electricity costs. Commercial-grade, wind-powered generating systems can meet the renewable energy needs of many organizations:
    • Single wind turbines generate electricity as a supplement to an organization’s existing electrical supplywhen the wind blows, power generated by the system offsets the need for utility-supplied electricity
    • Utility-scale wind farms generate electricity that can be purchased on the wholesale power market, either contractually or through a competitive bid process
    Learn more about wind power:


Indirect participation in sustainable energy solutions

Indirect alternative energy sources can provide commercial utility energy solutions

Sustainability in business can play a key role in how your organization embraces corporate social responsibility. In fact, utilizing sustainable business practices can improve both your reputation and bottom line. But there are indirect ways to go green as well, such as investing in renewable energy that does not require the construction or maintenance of any equipment. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that confirm electricity was generated by a renewable energy resource and fed into a shared power grid. A certifying agency assigns a unique identification number to each REC produced by a green energy provider. The REC can then be sold on the open market. Electric utilities, businesses and public entities can purchase these certificates to fulfill clean energy regulatory requirements or to otherwise reduce their environmental impact. RECs allow buyers to support commercial renewable energy initiatives while also allowing market forces to spur the further development of green energy. Depending on where you are located, you might also be able to purchase renewable energy directly from an offsite power generating facility.

Learn more about indirect participation in renewable energy sources:


Learn about SunPower's "beneficial by design" philosophy


Related links:

INFOGRAPHIC: 7 types of renewable energy for business

What's the best renewable energy for you?

INFOGRAPHIC: The triple bottom line: A sustainable model for success

10 simple ways to reduce business energy costs

How sustainability in business can improve your brand reputation—and your bottom line

7 types of renewable energy for your business
7 types of renewable energy for your business


