Summit Hydropower, Inc.

Benefits of Hydropower
Summit Hydropower - Avon Connecticut

Hydropower provides our society and the environment with many benefits including;

reduces air pollution and global warming
reduces US dependence on fossil fuel
flood control
recreation
historical enhancements
property tax to towns
economic stimulation
removal of river trash
reduces our nation's energy problems
creates jobs for construction, operation and maintenance

Click photo to enlarge,
use back button to return to page

Summit voluntarily provides additional benefits for citizens by holding school field trips, organizing river activities and installing bridges, portages and paths for recreationists.

Most of our electricity is generated by fossil fuel burning plants. When a hydro plant comes on line it displaces electricity generated from fossil plants effectively causing them to throttle down and thus burn less fossil fuel. Not only does fossil fuel combustion pollute our air but we rely on imports from other countries for most of our oil and the world's finite oil reserves are being quickly depleted. SHI's Wyre Wynd site produces a clean energy equivalent of 17,000 barrels of oil per year. Therefore, it avoids the importation and burning of 17,000 barrels of oil per year.

Additionally, SHI contributes to the economy through the use of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). 1 REC is equal to 1,000 kWh of renewable generation. For example, a customer may buy 10,000 kWh of electricity from a non-renewable source but if it buys 10 RECs from a renewable source then it is effectively buying 100% renewable energy. SHI sells its REC's to a marketing company that markets them to Connecticut residents who choose to consume renewable energy at their homes.

Visit www.sterlingplanet.com to view options for utilizing renewable electric energy at your home.

"Best job I ever had!"

SHI employee Rick, assembling hydraulic press in workshop.
click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page

The Role of Renewables >>