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| Map Showing Canada's Power Generation Plants Photo Courtesy of http://www.centreforenergy.com |
A total of 125 TW-h or 22% of Canada's Electricity consumption was generated from 136 petroleum fired plants, 114 natural gas fired plants, 22 Coal fired plants, and 33 biomass (wood scraps, etc.) fired plants. This means that a total of 22% of Canada's energy usage is provided from non-renewable energy source. According to http://www.electricity.ca/ in 2008 16.1% or 118 of Canada's 734 Mega tonnes of Greenhouse Gas (GHG). This means roughly that Canada's 22% non-renewable electricity sources are mostly responsible for 16.1% of Canada's total GHG. That is almost a 1 to 1 ratio. The impact of our fuel based energy sources does not stop there. We have to obtain the fuel from the earth, and this most likely means that it will be mined. In 2001 oil and coal production accounted for another 7.5% of GHG in Canada according to http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-201-x/16-201-x2004000-eng.pdf. So by using a a non-renewable source of electricity we increase the impact since you have continually mine for your energy.
A total of 82 TW-h or 15% of Canada's electricity consumption was generated from 5 nuclear plants, with 95% of Canada's nuclear power being generated in Ontario. Nuclear is better source of energy in terms of emissions, as nuclear plants do not have any emissions except for steam. However nuclear power has the same problem as fossil fuel plants in that its fuel needs to be continually mined from the earth, and thus nuclear power does have a substantial impact on our environment. Nuclear power also has a with the disposal of its radioactive waste which is poisonous and lasts for several decades before it becomes stable again. Nuclear waste most often is stored in large cement bunkers deep in the earth. |
Map of Canada's Coal, Petroleum and Natural Gas Fired Power Generation Plants Photo Courtesy of http://www.centreforenergy.com |
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| Canada's Nuclear Power Plants Photo Courtesy of http://www.centreforenergy.com |
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| Canada's Hydro Power Plants Photo Courtesy of http://www.centreforenergy.com |
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| Canada's Wind Farms Photo Courtesy of http://www.centreforenergy.com |
Well that's it, those are all of Canada's electricity sources. I am sure you have noticed the glaring exclusion...where is Canada's solar power? Canada does not have any solar plants, yet we have more potential than Solar power giants such as Germany. As the below figure shows the majority of Canada's land mass has at least 1000 kWh solar capacity. Solar is the ultimate renewable source, it does not have any emissions during operation as it comes from our Sun, and our Sun isn't going anywhere for another billion years. Solar power does not have any major impacts towards animals or ecosystems, does not have major infrastructure needs, and thus does not produce a large amount of emissions during construction compared to other sources. Solar power does have the drawback of losing power generation during cloudy days or at night, however if we develop ways to store energy these challenges can be overcome.
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| Canada's Solar Power Potential Photo Courtesy of https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/pv/index_e.php |
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| Solar Power Surface Area to provide Energy for the Whole World Photo Courtesy of http://www.treehugger.com |
Canada really needs to step up its game and eliminate the 22% non-renewable energy sources with solar and other alternatives, especially solar.
excellent information ! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe also have some geothermal potential.
ReplyDeleteBut I completely agree on the way that we can move away from non renewables and even nuclear. I too was astonished to find how much power we would generate if all of the single detached houses in Canada, assuming a surface area of 60 square metres (6 by 10 metres) had solar panels on them. We'd have to electrify most of our transportation network but even that wouldn't use that much more power, especially if we all went vegetarian or especially vegan.