Energy is the basis for all life processes, which is the ability or capacity to do work that is required to sustain and keep biological processes alive (Ali, 2016). Transforming energy from whatever form it takes to a way us humans can use and make purpose of, is necessary to provide the population’s basis of living and develop. Just like many other countries in the world, Canada’s energy demand is expected to increase in the future and there are a number of potential options to optimize and shift towards more renewable alternatives such as hydroelectricity, solar and turbine energy to keep a sustainable environment and supply the necessary demand. In this essay, I will discuss the potential renewable energy options that may be available to meet Canada’s future energy need. First I will discuss Canada’s current and future energy demand, review possible alternative options, strategies and drawbacks. Finally I will conclude and advocate with why hydroelectricity is a sound option due to the supply/demand, later comes wind energy leaning a sustainable, renewable energy resource given the fact it would project the highest growth in regards to non-hydro renewables.

Whether it is fossil fuels, nuclear plants, dams, or other types of power, Canada along many other countries must arrange and sustain their supply of energy to the population in order to maintain the economy and social structure, creating jobs; providing highest level of living standards. There are a number of things to consider when applying renewable energy methods to supply the population electricity demand such as pricing, environment and social impact. Different alternatives have different outcomes and requirements such as the transportation, sustainability or availability of the material. Before listing potential renewable energy, I would like to mention Canada’s National Energy Board predictions and approximations of future energy supply and demand. In reference to “Energy Future 2016 : Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2040” ; quote “ total Canadian energy production grows substantially over the projection period” (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Chair and CEO Peter Watson states “as long as there is demand for energy, markets will function to provide, domestic or international”. Oil production of the oil sands particularly is leading the growth, then natural gas having a 22% increase from 2014 levels (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Similarly, high-end use energy demand increases at an annual rate of 0.7% in regards to the projected years (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Thus, with the given projections, Canada’s supply and demand for energy will increase in the future.

There are a number of potential renewable energy options available along with the “steadily grow” projections such as hydroelectricity which does play a significant role, in 2014 producing 55% of the total electricity generation capacity in Canada (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Natural Gas, Coal, and Nuclear plants provide the rest of the supply, leaving only 9% capacity towards non-hydro renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). This overview shows that the hydroelectricity does play a big role in supplying energy and will be a big factor over the projection period given its advantages of “flexibility, relative affordability, lack of Co2 emission and cost-stability” (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Nonetheless, the environment and water quality and flow may be impacted as a result of hydropower plants (Ali, 2016).

Hydroelectricity seems to be the best “readily” option available but non-hydro renewables such as wind, solar, biomass, tidal, wave and geothermal are also projected to increase to 15% within 2017 (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Over the projection period, wind power is the most contributing non-hydro renewable energy (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). The non-hydro renewables will account for almost 16% of capacity in 2040, but generate only 8% of total electricity; thus will not be enough to fully sustain the country’s energy demand. “Integrating solar generation with existing grids presents both challenges and opportunities such as Infrastructure upgrades may be required to maintain grid safety and reliability” (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). A drawback for solar and wind energy is that it is dependent on the weather conditions and sudden changes in weather can disrupt the availability of the supply (Natural Resources Canada, 2016); thus we can’t be completely dependent on them. By 2040, Almost all forms of non-hydro renewable capacity will increase such as solar 1% or biomass from 2.2 GW to 3.8 GW.

According to Natural Resources Canada, hydroelectricity in 2014 consists of 59.3% of Canada’s total electricity generation; “the second largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world” (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Overall Canada will not simply stop extracting fossil fuels or depend fully on non-hydro related options because it will not be able to fully provide and supply the required energy demand of the country. Fossil fuel extraction and use will increase by up to 22% from 2014 to 2040 , due to the sector demand and electricity generation (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Wind and solar facilities have lower capacity utilization factors than hydro, nuclear, or natural gas plants due to the intermittency of wind and sunshine (Natural Resources Canada, 2016); thus Canada’s best option is Hydroelectricity given the fact it is already producing over 50% of its current supply and will account towards the large percentage of the capacity in the future. Non-hydro renewables were the fastest growing generation source in percentage terms between 2010 and 2014, with an annual growth rate of 20% (Natural Resources Canada, 2016), with wind taking the lead producing the highest, similarly “declining the share of hydroelectricity generations by 2040” (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). Canada can sustain and maintain the populations energy supply and demand, plus compete globally. Weather conditions may effect some renewable energy programs and scheduled infrastructure upgrades, thus hydro related fuel is the best option, then wind in regards to renewable energy.

 

References :

Ali, F. (2016, June 06). Energy Use and Demand Management. Lecture presented at Geography 102 in Simon Fraser University, Vancouver.

Natural resources canada. (2016). About Renewable Energy. Retrieved 25 July, 2016, from http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/renewable-electricity/7295

Natural resources canada. (2016). Canada’s Energy Future 2016: Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2040. Retrieved 25 July, 2016,  from https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/nrg/ntgrtd/ftr/2016/index-eng.html

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