Sep.28, 2010 posted by Renewable Energy admin

Renewable energy is an energy source that can be replenished or renewed within a human life span.¹ Canada has substantial renewable energy resources due to its vast and diverse geography. They include:  hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy and wave and tidal.

In 2008, 16.1 percent of Canada’s total primary energy supply came from renewable energy.²

A number of promising renewable technologies such as solar, geothermal and wave and tidal energy are on the horizon.

Some witnesses appearing before the committee suggested that the deployment of large scale solar generation would be limited in Canada. However, its use in distributed energy applications at the point of consumption in residences and commercial buildings holds promise particularly if costs of the technology can be reduced.³

Tidal and wave energy is abundant in Canada. The committee was told that the industry is in its nascent stage but could prove to be a valuable and reliable energy source in the future.⁴

Some witnesses appearing before the committee felt that enhanced deep geothermal energy (used to heat water to drive turbines) could be a game changing technology. This type of technology would involve high up-front costs but virtually no fuel costs during operation.⁵  

[2] Canada 2009 Review Energy Policies of IEA Countries, http://www.iea.org/Textbase/npsum/canada2009SUM.pdf

[3] Natural Resources  Canada, Economic Scan of the Energy Sector 2008

[4] The industry is turning to hydrokinetic in-stream technologies as a first step before developing ocean tidal and wave energy. Nova Scotia is inviting developers to demonstrate in-stream tidal devices through a common demonstration facility in the Minas Channel area of the Bay of Fundy.

[5] Ibid

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Apr.29, 2010 posted by Renewable Energy admin

Pollution Probe

Bob Oliver, Executive Director

The Pembina Institute

Tim Weis, Director, Renewable Energy and Efficiency

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more info    0 comments    :Climate change, Energy 101, Renewable Energy, Witnesses

Dec.03, 2009 posted by Renewable Energy admin

Dr. Robert Evans

University of British Columbia, Professor, Mechanical Engineering

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Oct.27, 2009 posted by Renewable Energy admin

Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG)

Chris Campbell, Executive Director

Centre Hydrolien Industriel Québecois (CHIQ), Marcel Boridy, Director General

Nova Scotia Power Inc., James Taylor, General Manager, Carbon Management

BC Hydro, Alex Tu, Senior Strategic Technology Specialist, Office of the Chief Technology Officer

Triton Consultants Ltd., Michael Tarbotton, President

Natural Power Consultants, Erin Harlos, Renewables Development Manager

New Energy Corporation, Clayton Bear, President and CEO

Click here to read what was discussed at the meeting.

more info    0 comments    :Renewable Energy, Witnesses