Grey electricity
A distinction is often made between grey electricity and green electricity. Physically, there is no difference at all between the two types. The difference lies in the way it is generated. Green electricity is generated from sustainable energy sources, grey electricity from fossil fuels. Grey electricity is not sustainable. The generation of grey electricity places a heavy burden on the climate. Fossil fuels are also slowly running out, as a result of which grey electricity can no longer be produced in the long run. Future generations are disadvantaged by this.
01Production of grey electricity
By far the largest part of total energy production consists of grey electricity. This energy is generated by using fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil. Nuclear energy is also regarded as grey electricity. Although the energy source in nuclear energy is virtually inexhaustible, it does create harmful radioactive waste. For the time being, we are not able to process this radioactive waste effectively.
Impact on the climate
Grey electricity has a very bad impact on the climate. The climate changes of recent decades are almost entirely attributable to the use of fossil fuels, directly or indirectly. To counter these climate changes, the government is actively discouraging the production of grey electricity. The government aims to be dependent on grey electricity for a maximum of 86 percent in 2020. Three years later, this must be reduced to 84 percent. By 2050, the Dutch government wants to no longer need any form of grey electricity at all.
Cheaper than green electricity
Green electricity has clear advantages over grey electricity. Nevertheless, the Netherlands is still largely dependent on grey electricity. The reason grey electricity is still so important for the Netherlands is the price. It is a lot cheaper to generate grey electricity than green electricity. In addition, the storage and transport of grey electricity is easier. Before the seriousness of climate change became clear, there was therefore no reason to switch to the production of green electricity.
Nowadays, the negative impact of grey electricity is clear and the government actively encourages the use of green electricity instead of grey electricity. Companies and private individuals are encouraged to produce sustainable energy with various subsidies, discounts and schemes. Although generating green electricity is more expensive, thanks to these measures the consumer pays little or nothing extra for green electricity. Partly as a result, three million households in the Netherlands now receive green electricity instead of grey electricity, there are various energy deals aimed at this, and it is something to take into account when deciding to switch.
Grey electricity - EnergieAanbieding.nl
A distinction is often made between grey electricity and green electricity. But what exactly is the difference?
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