Alberta’s renewable energy future

On March 31, 2017, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Lois Mitchell, signed Order in Council O.C. 120 / 2017 which recognized under SCHEDULE Clause G “the Government of Alberta’s objectives of providing clean, affordable and reliable energy to Albertans.” climate. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has 86 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. A leakage rate of three per cent to four per cent can nullify any advantage of generating electricity with ‘clean’ natural gas which emits 370 kg CO2e / MWh.

WHAT IS CLEAN ENERGY?

Canada exhibits a ‘clean’ electricity grid due to the utilization of 83 per cent low-carbon generation via hydro 60 per cent, nuclear 17 per cent, and renewables such as wind and solar six per cent. The April 2021 Canadian National Inventory Report (NIR) for year 2019 documented that Canada’s grid GHG emission intensity was 120 kg CO2e / MWh. But Alberta’s grid is not clean; GHG emission intensity in 2019 was 620 kg CO2e / MWh (five times that of the Canadian average).

In June 2021, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) released their Long-Term Outlook for the years from 2021 to 2041. AESO’s Clean Tech scenario for Alberta assumes renewable energy would supply only 26 per cent of total generation by 2030 while 74 per cent would be powered by natural gas. However, emissions from venting, flaring and leakage of methane in the gathering and distribution systems for natural gas are extremely detrimental to our

Canada exhibits a ‘clean’ electricity grid due to the utilization of 83 per cent low-carbon generation via hydro 60 per cent, nuclear 17 per cent, and renewables such as wind and solar six per cent.

CAN ALBERTA ATTAIN A CLEAN GRID WITH RENEWABLE GENERATION?

“Yes”. But a far higher build out of wind, solar, geothermal and energy storage will have to be set in government policy immediately. In 2020, renewable energy in Alberta represented 12 per cent of total generation. If renewable energy comprised at least 50 per cent of generation in 2030, GHG emissions would drop to 14 million tonnes CO2e from 24 million tonnes emitted in AESO’s Clean Tech scenario. And the GHG emission intensity of Alberta’s grid would be reduced to a far ‘cleaner’ 150 kg CO2 / MWh.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERMITTENCY OF WIND AND SOLAR?

Short (hours) and long term (days) storage of electricity generated from wind and solar must be deployed to guarantee reliable supply of power at all times, especially during the long Alberta winter. Batteries can provide cost effective short-term storage up to four hours. Pumped hydro and geothermal power can generate electricity during extended periods when wind and solar are absent. Electrolytic hydrogen from water can be produced from surplus wind and solar power, compressed, and stored for days for subsequent use in hydrogen powered electricity generators. As well, interconnections between provincial grids must be strengthened to ensure higher sharing of clean energy resources.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

The Alberta Renewable Energy Alliance estimates that 13,000 MW of new renewable energy and storage will

Short (hours) and long term (days) storage of electricity generated from wind and solar must be deployed to guarantee reliable supply of power at all times, especially during the long Alberta winter.

foster capital investment of some $25 Billion through to 2030. Notably, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (which includes capital, operational, and fuel costs) of natural gas generation now exceeds that of wind and solar power. An increase in the price of natural gas coupled with an escalating carbon price to $170 per tonne by 2030 will stress the economics of new and existing large gas turbine generation.

WHAT ARE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES?

IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) released the Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review in 2021. If IRENA metrics of Direct and Indirect Jobs per MW of new Renewable Capacity were applied to Alberta, there will be well in excess of 100,000 jobs opening up between now and 2030.

An important parallel effort must be made to educate people on how to reduce their energy use in their daily lives. Conservation is the most effective way to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions. Government policies and incentives must promote energy optimization for consumers and commercial entities, and our national building code must be upgraded to make all buildings more energy efficient.

ALBERTA’S TIME TO LEAD THE TRANSITION

Alberta could lead Canada by transitioning to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. A multitude of inspiring jobs requiring new and upgraded skills for workers in the Energy sector offers hope and optimism for a low-carbon future for Alberta and Canada.

To learn more about the Alberta Renewable Energy Alliance, visit www.abrenewableenergy.ca.

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