The power of two: Renewable energy and natural gas are the cleaner, better combination

With recent incidents such as the Australia bushfire crisis – which burned more than 20% of Australia’s forests – casting a spotlight on climate change, more and more people are seeking alternative solutions they can apply in their everyday lives to reduce their impact on the environment.

One way to drastically minimize our impact on the environment is to change the way we use and consume power. Turning to renewable energy sources, such as solar, geothermal, hydro, and wind energy is one of the main objectives. But to take it a step further and do good all the way, a combination of renewable energy and natural gas can be explored.

Partnering renewable energy and natural gas make for a cleaner and more reliable energy solution. Here are a few ways how they’re better together:

It’s the clean way to go.

By using renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, we do good for the environment. However, you can do more with the addition of natural gas, which is touted as the cleanest burning fossil fuel versus coal–emitting less carbon dioxide (up to 60%), without leaving behind by-products like sludge and ash which can be harmful to your health. As such, natural gas helps in mitigating climate change and inadvertently affects Filipinos, decreasing the probability of experiencing extreme weather conditions. Natural gas is less likely to contribute to smog and acid rain. Apart from that, it also produces less particulate matter which contributes to respiratory diseases.

In 2019, the use of natural gas in the Philippines helped avoid 8.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e) – which makes the same impact as removing 1.9 million cars from the road annually!

It helps keep the light on.

Renewable energy sources are great, however, they can be intermittent as they are largely dependent on the availability of key resources. A complementary power source is needed when there isn’t enough sunlight or wind speed to produce energy from these sources. Natural gas is flexible, making it the perfect partner to renewable energy sources to produce better and more reliable energy. Natural gas starts up within minutes – much faster than coal plants – which allows them to react more quickly in cases of unwanted power interruptions and shortages. In instances when solar or wind power is not enough, people can rely on natural gas to keep the light on. It is also efficient, which means that with the same amount of fuel, you get more power output.

It’s affordable.

Natural gas is a cost-efficient energy alternative, whether used with renewable energy or not. You’d be enjoying the same kilowatt-hour without spending more, essentially giving you more than what you pay for.

Renewable energy and natural gas are better alternatives when used together. First Gen Corporation, a clean energy provider that is committed to attaining a cleaner and decarbonized world, is pioneering the transformation in the Philippines. First Gen seeks to provide energy services that are not only reliable and cost-effective, but ultimately better for the environment. They concentrate on hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar energy, with several power plants around the country. Currently, their biggest platform is Natural Gas.

The company has used natural gas to generate clean and reliable energy for the last 20 years. As more Filipinos get on board the bid to lead more earth-friendly lifestyles and reduce their carbon footprint, First Gen encourages the combination of renewable energy and natural gas to forge a pathway to a cleaner world.

Learn more about First Gen and natural gas, or visit their official Facebook page.

ADVT