environmental fundamentals of alternatives presentation for cea/nrcan workshop: diversifying the mix...

Environmental Fundamentals of Alternatives

Presentation for CEA/NRCan Workshop:Diversifying the Mix - Alternatives to Conventional Generating Technology

November 25, 2002

Andrew Pape-Salmon, PEng, MRM [email protected]://www.pembina.org

November 2002, Environmental Fundamentals

Pembina Institute Pembina Institute

Policy research and analysis Confidential consulting servicesPublic interest advocacy and interventionPublic and school education

Sustainable Energy ProgramAims to shift Canadian energy policy to support a

significant expansion of sustainable energy (energy efficiency & low-impact renewable energy)

Advocates fiscal and legislative reforms which provide market recognition for the social and environmental benefits of sustainable energy


Environmental Issues for Canadian Energy Supplies

Climate Change Ground level ozone Acid deposition Reduction of biodiversity Watershed and fish impact Land-use – human and wildlife issues Toxic waste buildup Resource depletion Other social impacts Life-cycle evaluation is critical


Greenhouse Gases

Includes CO2, N2O, CH4, SF6, PFCs, HFCs, others Known link to global climate change Potential impacts: Climate Change

Sea level rise Increased intensity of weather events (rain, snow, wind) Increased forest fire events Arctic melt Reduced biodiversity Tropical diseases moving north

Significant impacts on people, society, economy, biodiversity


Greenhouse Gases


Greenhouse Gases

Kyoto Protocol: Canada committed to a 6% reduction below 1990 levels: to 571 Mt

Required reductions of about 29% or 238 Mt below expected levels of 809 Mt

Climate Change Plan for Canada sets out several concrete measures to reduce emissions

Immense opportunity for zero- or low-emission energy resources, energy efficiency and conservation


Environmental Assessment

Need to compare energy options on their site-specific environmental performance rather than arbitrary scale criteria or other generalizations

Indirect and direct impacts; varies by geography Life Cycle Value Assessment:

multi-disciplinary, systems-based business analysis and decision-making process

considers the full life cycle of a projectenhances the design-for-sustainabilityPembina Institute service to

the private and public sectors



Graph 1. Greenhouse Gases

GASAIS

WIND

0

500

1000

1500

System

kg C

O2

eq./

1000

kW

h

12 kg

1092 kg786 kg

HDPE Copper Aluminum Fibreglass Steel Paint Concrete Location Nacelle 50 1,000 1,600 750.00 16,350 - - Denmark Blades/Hub - - 250 5,750.000 2,500 - - Denmark Paint and Tower Parts

- - - - 37,000 250 - Denmark

Foundation - - - - 4,735 - 43,230 Alberta, Canada

Transformer - - - - 3,279 - - Oregon, U.S.



Ground level ozone: 0.03kg/MWh Acid deposition: 0.03kg SOx/MWh Reduction of biodiversity: minimal Watershed and fish impact: negligible Land-use: 1% footprint Toxic waste buildup: none Resource depletion: renewable Other social impacts: visual impact,

enhancement of agricultural income All categories: indirect displacement of more

impacting energy resources


Environmental Benefits

100MW Wind Farm 300 GWh/yr, Energy for 30,000 homes Permanent GHG Emissions Reductions:

150-300 kilotonnes per year Reductions equivalent to taking up to 100,000

small motor vehicles off the road Reduced smog, acid deposition,

particulate matter, mercury, other heavy metals

No impact on watersheds Reduced toxic waste Non-depleteable resource


Environmental Certification

Aims to establish a transparent standard for labeling energy products which protect the environment

Canadian standards:Environmental Choice Program “EcoLogo”

for Renewable Low-Impact ElectricityBC Hydro “Green Criteria”Low-Impact Hydropower Institute guidelines being

adapted to Canadian context

Ownership of environmental attributes under debate


Drivers for Certification

Green Power MarketingConsumers pay a price premium for electricity that

demonstrates superior environmental performanceHighest quality product required

Portfolio StandardsLegislated or voluntary targets for renewable

energy to support environmental and social objectives

Cost competitive products which satisfy jurisdictional objectives for environmental performance

E.g., BC Hydro 10% commitment


Drivers for Certification

Environmental Regulations Investments in green power driven by greenhouse

gas or local emission standards (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, Ontario emissions trading system)

Products which demonstrate a net improvement in environmental quality

Debate: Role of Eco-Logo GuidelinesDifferent stakeholders have presented different

cases for the role of the eco-logoNeed to clearly identify social

purpose for certification


“Shades of Green” Proposal

Bright green resourceBest overall environmental performanceSuitable for green power marketing purposesBundling many environmental attributes

Forest green resourceDemonstrate broad environmental benefits Suitable for portfolio standards for renewable energy

Olive green resourceResource which demonstrate net reductions in GHGsSuitable for meeting emission regulations

Must clearly communicate differences to consumers


Differentiation

Goal is to clearly differentiate resources based on their social purpose – to meet emission regulations, contribute toward resource acquisition goals, or to market to consumers as a premium product


Summary

Several critical environmental issues facing Canadian energy sector

Kyoto ratification could create an immense opportunity for alternative energy

Evaluation of environmental attributes should be done on a life-cycle basis

Certification of environmental performance should be driven by specific social purposes

environmental fundamentals of alternatives presentation for cea/nrcan workshop: diversifying the mix...

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