Renewable energy

Renewable energy is generated by wind energy, hydro power, solar energy, heat pumps, hot-cold storage and combustion of biomass. Renewable energy is converted into electricity and heat. The use of renewable energy sources avoids exploitation of primary energy sources, like natural gas and coal.

Renewable energy is expressed as the amount of energy from primary sources that has been avoided by using renewable energy sources. In this way, the various energy sources can be compared and the amount of renewable energy can be compared to total Dutch energy consumption.

The amount of renewable energy produced is calculated according to the method of the Protocol Monitoring Renewable Energy (SenterNovem, 2002).