At Constellation, we are building the clean, reliable energy capacity of tomorrow while generating power to meet the demands of today. The term "clean" or "emissions-free" energy refers to electricity generated by facilities that do not directly emit greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) or other air pollutants during the generating process.
Our world depends on the energy we produce. Clean energy generation provides the power we need while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
What are greenhouse gases? Greenhouse gases are pollutants that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Reducing our carbon footprint and using more clean energy sources helps us limit the impacts of climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
The conversation around clean energy is often limited to wind power and solar energy. However, there are other types of clean energy beyond wind turbines and solar panels. Clean energy can also be sourced from nuclear resources, geothermal and even water. Clean energy examples include:
Nuclear energy is traditionally generated through a process called nuclear fission. Atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms, creating heat. The heat that’s created is then used to boil water into steam, which powers an electricity-creating turbine. It’s one of the reliable sources of emissions-free energy available.
Hydroelectric energy, or hydropower, is created using the force of running water. As the water moves, it spins the blades in a turbine, which then powers the generator that produces energy. Hydropower also offers benefits beyond electricity generation, supporting flood control and irrigation.
Solar energy works by using solar panels to absorb and trap sunlight. An inverter then converts the sunlight into AC electricity.
Wind is another abundant and easy-to-access energy source. To create wind energy, air flows across the blades of large turbines, causing them to rotate. That motion is harnessed and converted into electricity.
Geothermal energy is produced using heat from within the Earth's core. Wells are drilled into the ground, which enables water to recirculate through wells to generate steam. The steam is then used to power turbines that generate electricity.
A clean energy center is where one or more clean, zero-carbon power generation resources may be contracted with customer load.
Each Constellation nuclear station is a clean energy center. Our clean energy centers have the potential to expand and go beyond their roles as baseload energy sources and providers of grid capacity.
At Constellation, we invest in our facilities and have a commitment to expanding the capabilities of these clean energy centers. This innovative model satisfies the growing demand for clean and reliable energy. By design, our clean energy centers are located near water, transmission infrastructure and transportation hubs, making them ideally suited to be centers of clean energy production.
Learn more about our Clean Energy Centers.
