Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution
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Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution Tim Weis, P.Eng., Ph.D. Alberta Regional Director [email protected] 780.667.6519 May 1, 2014
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Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution. Tim Weis, P.Eng ., Ph.D. Alberta Regional Director [email protected] 780.667.6519 May 1, 2014. About Tim. Alberta Regional Director Professional Engineer M.Sc. research on ice adhesion to wind turbine blades in subarctic - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution
Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution
Tim Weis, P.Eng., Ph.D.Alberta Regional [email protected] 1, 2014
About Tim
• Alberta Regional Director• Professional Engineer• M.Sc. research on ice adhesion
to wind turbine blades in subarctic
• Ph.D. research on off-grid renewable energy
Climate change
“….could be the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”
The Lancet
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Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions
Source: Environment Canada, National GHG Inventory Report 2009
Air pollutants from electricity sector
How do we compare?
Source: Clean Air Strategic Alliance. Fine particulate matter in the capital region (2010)
PM formation - Edmonton
Costs of air pollution from electricity generation
• USA - National Research Council at request of 2005 Energy Policy Act– Effects of air pollution on human health,
grain crop and timber yields, building materials, recreation, and visibility of outdoor vistas
– Average damages: 3.2 ¢/kWh (2008)• Greenstone and Looney:
– 3.4 ¢/kWh for non-climate damage (2010)
So why wind?
• Efficiency• Electrify• Renewables• Heat + Power
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So why wind?
Wind is a cost effective option
Source: Solas Energy Consulting
New Electricity Supply Costs in Alberta
Wind can be developed at high levels
15,000
17,000
19,000
21,000
23,000
25,000
27,000
29,000
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007
Tonn
es C
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orts
and
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ture
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Emissions Resulting from Danish Electricity Production(source: Danish Energy Agency)
Wind can be developed quickly
Integrating Renewables (NREL study)
Net: CO2 ↓ 31.5%
Net: NOx ↓ 19.5%
Net: SO2 ↓ 18.5%
Integrating renewables
Denmark update• 52% wind by 2020• 100% renewable electricity by 2035• 100% renewable energy by 2050
– 171 Parliamentarians voted for 8 against.
• “The conclusion being it has a cost to make a green transformation, but it also has a cost not to do it. I think this will work out to be the best insurance Denmark has ever (bought).”– Energy Minister Lidegaard
Closer to home: Ontario
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50Hz
60Hz
60Hz
Ross Island Wind/Diesel
Courtesy of Powercorp, Australia
Conclusion
• Renewables can significantly reduce air pollution
• We have working examples of renewables being deployed quickly and at high levels
• Challenges remain – policy drives energy decision
