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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
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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
Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions Source: Environment Canada, National GHG Inventory Report 2009
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? • Efficiency • Electrify • Renewables • Heat + Power 9
Wind is a cost effective option New Electricity Supply Costs in Alberta Source: Solas Energy Consulting
Integrating Renewables (NREL study) Net: CO2 ↓ 31.5% Net: NOx ↓ 19.5% Net: SO2 ↓ 18.5%
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
Ross Island Wind/Diesel • 60Hz • 60Hz • 50Hz 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