Renewable Energy:
A Solution to Pollution
Tim Weis, P.Eng., Ph.D.
Alberta Regional Director
timweis@canwea.ca
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
• Ph.D. research on off-grid renewable
energy
Climate change
“….could be the biggest global health threat of
the 21st century”
The Lancet
3
Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions
Source: Environment Canada, National GHG Inventory Report 2009
Air pollutants from electricity sector
How do we compare?
PM formation - Edmonton
Source: Clean Air Strategic Alliance. Fine particulate matter in the capital region (2010)
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?
•
•
•
•
9
Efficiency
Electrify
Renewables
Heat + Power
So why wind?
Wind is a cost effective option
New Electricity Supply Costs in Alberta
Source: Solas Energy Consulting
Wind can be developed at high levels
Wind can be developed quickly
Emissions Resulting from Danish Electricity Production
(source: Danish Energy Agency)
Tonnes CO2
(adjusted for exports and temperature)
29,000
27,000
25,000
23,000
21,000
19,000
17,000
15,000
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
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
Ross Island Wind/Diesel
60Hz
60Hz
50Hz
18
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
Thanks
Tim Weis
timweis@canwea.ca
780.667.6519