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Environmental Fundamentals of Alternatives

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 andrewp@pembina.org http://www.pembina.org. Pembina Institute.

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Environmental Fundamentals of Alternatives

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  1. 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 andrewp@pembina.orghttp://www.pembina.org

  2. Pembina Institute • Pembina Institute • Policy research and analysis • Confidential consulting services • Public interest advocacy and intervention • Public and school education • Sustainable Energy Program • Aims 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Greenhouse Gases

  6. 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

  7. 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 project • enhances the design-for-sustainability • Pembina Institute service tothe private and public sectors

  8. Environmental Assessment

  9. Environmental Assessment • 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

  10. 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

  11. 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 Electricity • BC Hydro “Green Criteria” • Low-Impact Hydropower Institute guidelines being adapted to Canadian context • Ownership of environmental attributes under debate

  12. Drivers for Certification • Green Power Marketing • Consumers pay a price premium for electricity that demonstrates superior environmental performance • Highest quality product required • Portfolio Standards • Legislated 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

  13. 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 Guidelines • Different stakeholders have presented different cases for the role of the eco-logo • Need to clearly identify social purpose for certification

  14. “Shades of Green” Proposal • Bright green resource • Best overall environmental performance • Suitable for green power marketing purposes • Bundling many environmental attributes • Forest green resource • Demonstrate broad environmental benefits • Suitable for portfolio standards for renewable energy • Olive green resource • Resource which demonstrate net reductions in GHGs • Suitable for meeting emission regulations • Must clearly communicate differences to consumers

  15. 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

  16. 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

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