What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a rate that is equal to or faster than the rate at which they are consumed. There are various forms of renewable energy, deriving directly or indirectly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. They include energy generated from solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and ocean resources, solid biomass, biogas and liquid biofuels. Biomass, however, is a renewable resource only if its rate of consumption does not exceed its rate of regeneration.
A wide range of energy-producing technologies and equipment have been developed over time to take advantage of these natural resources. As a result, usable energy can be produced in the form of electricity, industrial heat, thermal energy for space and water conditioning, and transportation fuels.
With its large landmass and diversified geography, Canada has an abundance of renewable resources that can be used to produce energy. Canada is a world leader in the production and use of energy from renewable resources. Renewable energy resources currently provide 18.9 per cent of Canada’s total primary energy supply.
Hydroelectricity is by far the most important form of renewable energy produced in Canada. Wind and bioenergy also make an important contribution to Canada’s energy mix. Wind and solar photovoltaic power are experiencing the highest growth rates.
The Renewable Energy Universe
The Renewable Energy Universe
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Hydroelectricity
The natural flow of water in rivers offers kinetic power that can be transformed into usable energy. Early usages included mechanical power for transformation activities, such as milling and sawing, and for irrigation. As well, rivers have been used for transportation purposes, such as moving logs from forests to industrial centers.
Currently, hydroelectricity is the major form of usable energy produced from flowing water. To produce hydroelectricity, the water flow is directed at the blades of a turbine, making it spin, which causes an electrical generator connected to the turbine to spin as well and thus generate electricity.
The amount of energy extracted from flowing water depends on the volume of water and its speed. Usually, a hydroelectric station is built at a sharp incline or waterfall to take advantage of the speed gained by the water as a result of gravity. Dams are built at some locations to help regulate the flow of water and, therefore, the electricity generation.
Canada has many rivers flowing from mountainous areas toward its three bordering oceans. In 2014, Canada had 542 hydroelectric stations with 78,359 megawatts of installed capacity. These stations include 379 small hydroelectric facilities, that is, facilities with a nameplate capacity of 50 megawatts or less, and they together represent 3.6 gigawatts, which is about 4.6 per cent of Canada’s installed capacity.
Installed Hydroelectric Capacity by Provinces (2014, in megawatts)
Installed Hydroelectric Capacity by Provinces (2010, in megawatts)
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All the hydroelectric stations in Canada generated 378.8 terawatt hours in 2014. This accounted for 59.3 per cent of Canada’s total electricity generation. Canada is the second largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world.
Hydroelectric stations have been developed in Canada where the geography and hydrography were favourable, particularly in Quebec. Other areas producing large quantities of hydroelectricity include British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy comprises different forms of usable energy obtained from materials referred to as biomass. A biomass is a biological material in solid, liquid or gaseous form that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Excluded from this definition is organic material that has been transformed over long periods of time by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum.
Several types of biomass can be used, with the proper technology and equipment, to produce energy. The most commonly used type of biomass is wood, either round wood or wood waste from industrial activities. Wood and wood waste can be combusted to produce heat used for industrial purposes, for space and water heating, or to produce steam for electricity generation. Through anaerobic digestion, methane can be produced from solid landfill waste or other biomass materials such as sewage, manure and agricultural waste. Sugars can be extracted from agricultural crops and, through distillation, alcohols can be produced for use as transportation fuels. As well, numerous other technologies exist or are being developed to take advantage of other biomass feedstock.
With its large landmass and active forest and agricultural industries, Canada has access to large and diversified biomass resources that can be used for energy production. Currently, bioenergy is the second most important form of renewable energy in Canada.
Historically, the use of wood has been very important in Canada for space and water heating, as well as for cooking. It is still important today, as 4.6 per cent of households use wood as a primary or secondary source for space heating. Every year, over 100 petajoules of energy from wood are consumed in the residential sector, representing more than 7 per cent of residential energy use.
The most important type of biomass in Canada is industrial wood waste, especially waste from the pulp and paper industry, which is used to produce electricity and steam. Every year, more than 400 petajoules of bioenergy are used in the industrial sector. The pulp and paper industry is by far the largest industrial user of bioenergy, which accounts for more than half of the energy used in this industry.
At the end of 2014, Canada had 70 bioenergy power plants with a total installed capacity of 2,043 megawatts, and most of this capacity was built around the use of wood biomass and spent pulping liquor, as well as landfill gas. In 2014, 8.7 gigawatt hours of electricity were generated using wood refuse, spent pulping liquor, landfill gas and organic municipal solid waste. Most of the biomass-fired capacity was found in provinces with significant forestry activities: British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and New Brunswick.
Canada's Bioenergy Installed Generating Capacity, by Province (2014, in megawatts)
Provinces Total biomass
Newfoundland and Labrador 27
Prince Edward Island 2
Nova Scotia 66
New Brunswick 113
Quebec 205
Ontario 681
Manitoba 52
Saskatchewan 16
Alberta 55
British Columbia 827
Canada 2,043
Biofuels – or fuels from renewable sources — are a growing form of bioenergy in Canada. In 2013, Canada accounted for 2 per cent of world biofuels production (5th highest in the world after the United States, Brazil, the European Union and China). There are two main biofuel types produced in Canada: ethanol (a gasoline substitute) and biodiesel (a diesel substitute).
The principal agriculture feedstock for producing ethanol, in Canada includes corn, wheat and barley. Canada is a major world producer and exporter of these grains. These main feedstock types used to produce biodiesel include vegetable oils, and non-edible waste greases and animal fats.
Based on Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) program estimates, Canada produced 1.7 billion litres of ethanol and 124 million litres of biodiesel in 2013.
The Government of Canada currently has several measures in place to support the production and use of renewable fuels:
Renewable Fuels Regulations to establish minimum renewable fuel content levels of:
5 per cent renewable content based on the gasoline pool (effective Dec. 2010)
2 per cent renewable content in diesel and heating oil (effective July 2011)
Support for farmer participation in the industry – ecoAgriculture Biofuel Capital Initiative ($200 million over four years);
Support for domestic production through an operating incentive program - ecoENERGY for Biofuels program ($1.5 billion over nine years); and
Support for next-generation technologies for biofuels from non-conventional feedstocks – NextGen Biofuels Fund™ ($500 million).
There are provincial renewable fuel mandates in effect in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. British Columbia also has a Low Carbon Fuel Standard in place.
Provincial Renewable Fuel Mandates, 2014
Renewable Alternatives to Gasoline Renewable Alternatives to Diesel
Federal 5 % 2 %
Provincial
British Columbia 5 % 4 %
Alberta 5 % 2 %
Saskatchewan 7.5 % 2 %
Manitoba 8.5 % 2 %
Ontario 5 % 2 %
Quebec
5 % (target only) --
Wind Power
The kinetic energy in wind can be converted into useful forms of energy such as mechanical energy or electricity. Wind energy has been harnessed for centuries to propel sailing vessels and turn grist mills and water pumps. Today, wind is used increasingly to generate electricity. Turbines with large propellers are erected on ‘wind farms’ located in strategic areas that have good wind regimes and that are in proximity to existing electrical grids. Wind energy is captured only when the wind speed is sufficient to move the turbine blades, but not in high winds when the turbine might be damaged if operated.
Canada has large areas with excellent wind resources and therefore a significant potential for the expansion of wind-generated power. Some of the highest quality areas are offshore and along coastlines. No offshore wind farms have been built in Canada yet, and the development of coastal wind farms is limited because most of Canada’s coastline is in remote regions, away from the existing electrical grid. There are also high quality areas inland at different locations across Canada, including the southern Prairies and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Installed wind power capacity in Canada has expanded rapidly in recent years and is forecasted to continue to grow at a rapid pace due to increased interest from electricity producers and governmental initiatives. As of December 31, 2014, Canada had over 5,130 wind turbines operating on 225 wind farms for a total installed capacity of 9,694 megawatts, compared with only 60 wind turbines, 8 wind farms and 27 megawatts in 1998. The provincial leaders in wind power capacity are Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
Installed Wind Power Capacity in Canada (in megawatts)
Installed Wind Power Capacity in Canada (in megawatts)
summary this and How is this article going to help you reimage Woodbridge? (250-350 words)
This article provides an overview of renewable energy sources in Canada, including hydroelectricity, bioenergy, and wind power. It highlights that Canada is a world leader in renewable energy production and currently obtains 18.9% of its primary energy supply from renewable sources. The article emphasizes the potential for further expansion of renewable energy in Canada due to its abundance of renewable resources. It also mentions government initiatives to support the production and use of renewable fuels, such as biofuels.
In terms of how this article could help reimagine Woodbridge, it provides insights into the types of renewable energy that could potentially be explored in the area. For example, Woodbridge could leverage its proximity to rivers or lakes to generate hydroelectricity. It could also use its existing forest and agricultural industries to produce bioenergy from wood waste or other biomass feedstock. Additionally, since Ontario is a leader in wind power capacity, Woodbridge could consider installing wind turbines in suitable areas to generate electricity. By incorporating renewable energy sources into its energy mix, Woodbridge could reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and help address climate change concerns. Moreover, it could potentially create new economic opportunities by developing a local renewable energy industry. Overall, this article provides a useful starting point for exploring the potential of renewable energy in Woodbridge.
Renewable energy refers to energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a rate equal to or faster than they are consumed. This includes energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. Canada is a world leader in the production and use of renewable energy, with hydroelectricity being the most important form of renewable energy in the country.
Hydroelectricity is generated by directing the flow of water at the blades of a turbine, which causes it to spin and generate electricity. Canada has abundant rivers and hydroelectric stations, with Quebec being the leading province in hydroelectricity production.
Bioenergy is another important form of renewable energy in Canada, which is obtained from biomass materials such as wood, agricultural waste, and organic waste. Wood is commonly used for heating purposes, particularly in rural areas. The pulp and paper industry is the largest industrial user of bioenergy in Canada.
Wind power is also gaining momentum in Canada, with large areas of the country having excellent wind resources. Wind turbines are used to capture the kinetic energy in wind and convert it into electricity. Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta are the leaders in wind power capacity in Canada.
This article provides information on the different forms of renewable energy and their importance in Canada. It highlights Canada's abundance of renewable energy resources and its position as a world leader in renewable energy production. Understanding renewable energy sources and their potential can help reimagine Woodbridge by exploring the possibility of utilizing these renewable resources to meet the energy needs of the community. Woodbridge can explore options such as installing solar panels on rooftops, utilizing biomass for heating purposes, and potentially harnessing wind power in suitable locations. By embracing renewable energy, Woodbridge can reduce its dependence on traditional energy sources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.