Renewable Energy: A Solution to Pollution

Tim Weis, P.Eng., Ph.D.Alberta Regional Directortimweis@canwea.ca780.667.6519May 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?

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

9

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

O2

(adj

ust

ed fo

r exp

orts

an

d te

mpe

ratu

re)

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

18

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

Thanks

Tim Weistimweis@canwea.ca

780.667.6519