What is Renewable Energy?

Published: November 2, 2018.

Renewable Energy Sources - Northmore Gordon

Renewable energy is power collected from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, sunlight, rain, waves, tides and geothermal heat. In most cases, it is a source of power that will never run out. We recognize renewable energy as a critical component of decarbonization strategies for industrial businesses and the built environment, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint while meeting operational energy needs through sustainable sources.

Renewable energy is a source of power that is collected from natural resources and replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, sunlight, rain, waves, tides and geothermal heat.

In most cases, it is a source of power that will never run out. Many of these renewable energies support renewable energy technologies that in turn, aid the reduction of climate change.

Renewable energy provides power that can be segmented into four important areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and other off the grid energy services. These four segments produce some of the most popular technologies such as solar, wind power, and hydropower, but we can't forget to include, bioenergy, geothermal and ocean energy.

What are the benefits of Renewable Energy?

Much is said about climate change, but it is clear that moving to more renewable energy sources will not only become a cheaper option for many Australian homes and businesses to implement but overall decrease the need for carbon-based power, which will overall reduce carbon pollution.

The Australian Government and state bodies continue to introduce and improve grant funding schemes that allow individuals and businesses to access financial incentives for energy and carbon projects. These will continue to assist the country in becoming more energy efficient by using renewable energy technologies.

How can Wattly help?

Wattly helps businesses unlock funding for energy and carbon projects from government schemes. We work directly with our customers and partners and aim to make it easier for them to comply with scheme requirements and be rewarded for their effort.

Scheme and certificate context

Before using a certificate or grant figure, confirm the current scheme method, eligible activity, effective date, evidence requirements, price date and registration or application process.

What is renewable energy according to Northmore Gordon?

Renewable energy is power collected from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, sunlight, rain, waves, tides and geothermal heat. In most cases, it is a source of power that will never run out. We recognize renewable energy as a critical component of decarbonization strategies for industrial businesses and the built environment, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint while meeting operational energy needs through sustainable sources.

How does renewable energy relate to climate change and emissions reduction?

Renewable energy technologies support the reduction of climate change by displacing carbon-based power generation, thereby reducing carbon pollution. Moving to renewable energy sources is becoming a cheaper option for many Australian homes and businesses to implement. We assist organizations in developing carbon and energy strategies that integrate renewable energy procurement and generation as part of comprehensive transition planning, helping businesses understand how renewable electricity attributes contribute to their Scope 2 emissions accounting and climate commitments.

What are the main renewable energy technologies that Northmore Gordon works with?

We work with solar, wind power, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal and ocean energy technologies. We provide feasibility assessments for renewable energy and storage integration at industrial facilities and utilities, evaluating how generation and storage fit within site loads, network limits and operating needs. Services include renewable heat assessments for planned gas reduction through electrification, renewable certificate procurement through moREnewable100, and support for solar projects with measurement and verification of energy savings and certificate eligibility.

What is bioenergy and how is it used in renewable energy applications?

Bioenergy involves biomass—plant or animal material used to produce electricity or heat. Examples include forestry by-products, crop waste, animal waste and food processing waste. Biomass is considered a renewable energy fuel if it comes from a sustainably managed source. We assess biogas utilization and the commercial case for biomethane in industrial applications, particularly in food and beverage, animal processing and waste treatment sectors, helping businesses evaluate whether bioenergy aligns with their operational and decarbonization objectives.

How do renewable energy certificates support renewable electricity claims?

Renewable energy certificates record renewable electricity attributes and can be purchased and retired to support renewable-electricity claims and market-based accounting under frameworks like GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance. Our moREnewable100 service enables organizations to procure renewable energy certificates without changing existing electricity supply contracts, providing multi-site coverage, procurement flexibility and technology due-diligence support. We ensure clients understand that electricity attributes, carbon credits and physical energy savings serve different accounting purposes and require separate evidence tracking.

What role do government schemes play in supporting renewable energy adoption?

The Australian Government and state bodies have introduced grant funding schemes and regulatory frameworks—including the Renewable Energy Target (containing small-scale and large-scale pathways ending in 2030), REGOs (Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin), and various state-based schemes—that provide financial incentives for renewable energy projects. We assist organizations in assessing scheme eligibility, navigating funding pathways, and managing environmental certificates to access available support. We help businesses understand timing requirements and evidence obligations to preserve funding options and optimize project economics.

How can businesses assess the viability of renewable energy projects?

Businesses should start with a project brief documenting site location, existing and proposed equipment, operating constraints, project timeline and available energy data. Our six-stage delivery approach—Assess, Build the Case, Capture Value, Deliver, Procure and Perform—connects technical assessment with commercial decisions. We conduct feasibility studies evaluating renewable heat and electrification options by examining temperature requirements, process profiles, electrical constraints and fuel use. This structured approach helps organizations compare alternatives against consistent assumptions and identify unresolved evidence before investment commitment.

What is Northmore Gordon's moREnewable100 service and how does it work?

moREnewable100 is our renewable energy certificate procurement service that allows organizations to acquire renewable electricity attributes without replacing existing supply contracts. It provides multi-site coverage, procurement flexibility and RE100-aligned sourcing with technology and due-diligence support. The service helps businesses make renewable-electricity claims consistent with their accounting framework and reporting requirements. We ensure clients understand the distinction between renewable-electricity attributes purchased for accounting purposes and physical energy reductions, and manages certificate ownership, transfer and retirement evidence correctly.

What measurement and verification support does Northmore Gordon provide for renewable energy projects?

We deliver measurement and verification services including project-boundary selection, baseline modelling, savings calculation and reporting. These services establish credible evidence of renewable energy generation and associated environmental benefits. For solar and other renewable projects, we provide certificate-related support and measurement planning to demonstrate compliance with scheme requirements. This verification work is critical for accessing funding, creating eligible certificates and supporting environmental claims, ensuring that renewable energy projects produce defensible outcomes that stakeholders and regulators can rely upon.

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