If you’re already a renewable energy business the chances are you’ll know much of this. If you haven’t already done so, you should think about joining the REA.

Renewables to reduce your carbon footprint (and to make money)

For most businesses, energy usage is the largest contributor to their carbon footprint. There are two primary ways of improving this:

• Energy efficiency, to reduce the energy usage and ensure that which is used is more productive. If you want help with this, talk to the Carbon Trust.
• Sustainable energy – buying or producing renewable energy to cover most or all of your needs.

Many businesses have now realised that so-called ‘green’ tariffs may not do as much to increase the use of renewable energy as they had anticipated. Some are now looking at installing and operating renewable power and heat generation facilities for themselves.

When considering renewables on buildings, the main options and considerations will be similar to those for consumers (though typically at a larger scale).

For a more thorough evaluation of the options, it may be best to have an audit undertaken by a specialist consultant or to talk to potential suppliers from the renewables industry. Both can be identified in the Members section.

Renewables as a supplementary business stream

Adopting the approach above can lead companies to new business opportunities in the renewable energy sphere. The REA has established a Sector Group for companies like this for whom renewable energy is not their main business.

Agricultural and forestry businesses

See the farmers and landowners page.

Identifying partners in the renewable energy industry

If you need to work with experts in the renewable energy sector to meet your business plan objectives, we can help you identify suitable partners.

As a start, the Members section of this website enables you to search our hundreds of members against a variety of criteria including:

• Their type of business (developers, consultants, generators etc)
• The renewable technologies they deal in
• Their geographic coverage

Investing in and funding renewables

Many parts of the renewable energy industry are growing at an explosive rate. There are a huge number of opportunities for investments of all types including corporate equity, IPO’s, project financing, R&D support amongst others.

The REA works for all its members so wouldn’t get directly involved in such financial transactions. We do however offer events where potential funders can meet members of the industry, including the Financial Network for Sustainable Energy.

Most of the leading banks and professional firms, with a significant activity in renewables, have joined the REA.

Using renewable transport options

You may finally wish to consider the use of renewable fuels in your company vehicles. There are several options:

• Biofuels can be blended in low concentrations (typically under 10%) into established transport fuels, both diesel and gasoline. This is becoming increasingly common; indeed you probably often use this without even realising.
• Higher blends of biofuels (e.g. an 85% blend of bioethanol in gasoline) can be used in specially adapted vehicles. Some of these are so-called flex-fuel vehicles which can also run on standard gasoline.
• Some vehicles can also be converted to operate on gas, including biogas produced from renewable sources.

More questions answered

See also the Frequently Asked Questions and other parts of this website.