Pace Financing for Solar in Alberta
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing does not require public funding, removes up-front costs, and stays attached to the site address, not the original purchaser should they sell their home or building. AB PACE is lobbying to have the policy adopted in Alberta, which would make it a leader in Canadian PACE financing.
Energy Efficiency Alberta
One-stop source for information related to energy efficiency and solar energy rebates for residential and commercial customers
Alberta Green Economy Network
AGEN is a broad coalition of Labour, First Nations, environmental non-profit, and education, working together to build a solid foundation for the development of green jobs and shared benefits in the new Alberta energy economy.
Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases
A Publication of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry: Farmers Advocate Office Released February 2017.
Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
Programs include Alberta Municipal Solar Program (AMSP), Taking Action to Manage Energy (TAME+), and Climate Resilience Express.
Kick-Starting Energy Efficiency in Alberta
Pembina Institute Report, published January 16, 2017.
Economic Impact Study
The Economic Impact of Alternative Energy Projects in Southern Alberta 2019 – 2022. Primary research by Renewable Randolph Consulting.
Buffalo Plains Wind Project
An assessment of the economic impacts of the Buffalo Plains Wind
Project currently proposed for construction in Vulcan County.
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THE SAAEP REGION IS PART OF THE GREAT CANADIAN WIND-PATCH
The first utility-scale wind farms in Canada were built here. Beginning with Cowley Ridge in 1993, and Castle River in 1997, wind energy has continued to thrive as an important source of pollution-free electricity, and an important economic driver, in Southern Alberta.
Today, the province has a wind energy capacity of 1,479MW, featuring over 900 turbines from several leading manufacturers such as Vestas, Enercon, GE and Siemens. In regards to electricity prices, wind in Alberta has actually helped decrease costs for rate-payers, thanks to the “wind discount” that requires wind operators to bid into the power pool at rock-bottom prices. This however has created an uneconomic situation for windfarm operators. The last four major wind projects to be built in Alberta (Halkirk, Blacksprings Ridge, Old Man 2, and Bull Creek) were all financed through long term PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) with third parties.
The AESO Renewable Energy Program has to date, since the first awarded projects were announced in Dec 2017, now totals over 400MW of new clean wind energy in the SAAEP economic region, and over 1,300MW province-wide.
The AESO REP program offers proponents a fixed price, bid competitively, which is weighed against the floating pool price (called a Contract-for-Differences). This ensures developers have a sustainable, long-term return on investment, while keeping power costs within a reasonable long-term price range for rate-payers. The primary reason wind power is able to help achieve this is the “fuel” is not only clean, but free of charge.
SOURCE: AESO
ECONOMIC BENEFITS SNAPSHOT
The following statistics are from the CanWEA Vision 2025, published in 2014.
“Wind energy development pays significant economic dividends. Every 150 MW of new capacity represents:
$316 million in investment
140 full-time equivalent jobs in construction
10 permanent jobs in operations and maintenance
$17 million in lease payments to landowners over 20 years
$31 million in property tax payments to municipalities over 20 years”
KEY REPORTS AND RESOURCES
Alberta Wind Energy Supply Chain Study The Delphi Group for CanWEA, Sept 2017
AB Wind Workshop Summary Report, September 2017 Pembina Institute with Capital Power, Sept 2017
CanWEA Operations & Maintenance Summit Sessions 2017 (Audio)
Pan-Canadian Wind Integration Study Findings (Alberta) CanWEA 2016
Recommended Wildlife Land-use Siting Guidelines (Alberta Environment)
Renewable Energy in Alberta: A Landowner’s Guide, (Farmers Advocate Office) 2017
AROUND THE WORLD, SOLAR POWER IS NOW THE FASTEST GROWING ENERGY SOURCE, PERIOD. BY 2050, THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY PREDICTS OVER 30% OF GLOBAL ENERGY NEEDS WILL BE MET BY SOLAR ENERGY (IEA).
Solar Energy is harnessed in two ways: Electric and Thermal. Solar photovoltaic systems convert the energy in photons of light to electricity. Solar thermal systems transfer heat from the sun’s infrared rays to water, or to a fluid such as glycol.
GENERAL RESOURCES
MUNICIPAL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION CENTRE
Includes the Alberta Municipal Solar Tool-kit, application forms, new solar rebate information, and more.
THE SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY OF ALBERTA
Since 1976, SESA has provided comprehensive guidance regarding solar regulations, contractors, incentives and more.
ALBERTA COMMUNITY SOLAR GUIDE: ORGANIZING AND OWNING COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECTS
Published by the Pembina Institute, this is a definitive guide for community-led solar development, and its application in Alberta
CANADIAN SOLAR INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
Canada’s national organization for the solar industry
Leading online solar calculator, provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
ALBERTA MICRO-GENERATION
Fortis Alberta: Get Connected - A simple, infographic-based guide to the micro-generation process with Fortis
Ministry of Energy - Contact information, application forms, and the official Micro-gen regulation
Epcor: Apply for Micro-Generation - Micro-gen steps to success for Epcor-connected customers
SOLAR FINANCING
UTILITY-SCALE DEVELOPMENT
Wildlife for Solar Energy Projects - Interim guidelines to help industry minimize environmental impacts of large-scale solar development in Alberta
Jurisdictional Reviews: Solar, Wind, Geothermal Energy Development - Published by the Miistakis Institute
SAAEP’S BIO-ENERGY BACKGROUND
Between 2006 and 2010, SAAEP was successfully involved with market feasibility studies for bio-energy in Southern Alberta. In collaboration with senior levels of government, and industry, three studies detailing the potential of biodiesel, waste-to-energy, and associated supply chain development were released.
Opportunity Identification for the Biofuels Industry in Southwest and South-central Alberta, published April 2008
Feasibility Study; Integrated Biodiesel Refinery published July 2007
Waste-to-Energy Treatment Alternatives in Southwest and South-central Alberta, published January 2008
BIO-ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SAAEP REGION
A very solid foundation for expanded bio-energy development exists in Southern Alberta. Lethbridge County, and the city of Lethbridge, contain Western Canada’s largest biodiesel refinery, and biogas power plant, respectively. The entire area produces an abundance of agricultural and livestock waste suitable for bio-energy uses.
INVIGOR BIOENERGY CORPORATION: A 71 million liter per year biodiesel facility, commissioned in 2013. The company is currently raising capital towards plant upgrades which will allow handling of waste fats (animal tallow) and oils (Used Cooking Oil – UCO) to achieve ASTM spec biodiesel.
LETHBRIDGE BIOGAS: The Lethbridge biogas/cogeneration plant processes organic residues such as agricultural manures and food processing by-products. It uses the biogas generated in two 1.4MW combined heat and power units (CHP) to produce green and renewable electricity for the Alberta grid.
GROW-TEC:Grow The Energy Circle operates an on-farm biogas facility, producing electricity to off-set electricity consumption on its potato operations near Coaldale.
PROVINCIAL RESOURCES
ALBERTA’S BIOENERGY PRODUCER PROGRAM: This short-term program is meant to support bioenergy production while a bioenergy industry review is conducted to inform long-term policy options that would support a sustainable sector in Alberta
ALBERTA’S RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD: The AB RFS requires an average of five per cent renewable alcohol in gasoline and two per cent renewable diesel in diesel fuel sold in Alberta
BIOENERGY PRODUCERS GROUP REPORT CARD & PROVINCIAL MAP: Status of the industry in Alberta. Plus locations of biomass, biofuels, and biogas facilities. Coordinated and produced by the Waterfall Group
FEDERAL BIOENERGY RESOURCES
ADVANCED BIOFUELS CANADA: Canada’s primary industry relations group on biofuels such as bio-diesel and ethanol
THE CANADIAN BIOGAS ASSOCIATION: Since 2008, the CBA’s membership has grown to over 100, including farmers, municipalities, technology developers, consultants, finance and insurance firms, and more
FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AT CANMETENERGY
Scientists and engineers at CanmetENERGY are at the forefront of innovative technology developments that will enhance the sustainability of bioenergy for Canada’s future.
Their research focuses on the conversion of biomass to energy and fuels that can be used to meet energy needs in industry, transportation, agriculture and residential heating. Through collaborations with industry and in-house research, Canmet is exploring biogas (gasification and anaerobic digestion), biofuels (2nd generation biofuels and pyrolysis), biomass resources (biomass to gas, catalytic conversion and biomass densification), combined heat and power and air emissions reduction.
RECENT BIOENERGY ADVANCEMENTS INCLUDE:
converting wastes such as restaurant grease to high-quality diesel fuels
diesel blending stocks that can operate at low temperatures
techniques for combustion of difficult, high ash, low melting point agricultural residues
a “Super-7” set of guidelines for improving industrial boiler efficiency and reducing emissions
anaerobic digestion processes for the pulp and paper industry
testing of microturbines and Stirling engines with liquid and gaseous biofuels
INFORMATION FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA WEBSITE
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY HARNESSES THE HEAT OF THE EARTH. AT LEAST TWO WELLS INTO HOT ROCK CONTAINING A WATER RESERVOIR. THE WATER IS CIRCULATED UP THROUGH A STEAM TURBINE, AND THEN RETURNED TO THE RESERVOIR. WATER MAY ALSO BE INJECTED INTO A FORMATION OF HOT, DRY ROCK.
TWO OF CANADA’S LEADING GEOTHERMAL COMPANIES ARE BASED IN ALBERTA.
SPECIAL REPORTDeep Dive Analysis of the Best Geothermal Reservoirs for Commercial Development in Alberta, published May 2017, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association is the collective voice of Canada’s geothermal energy industry with a focus on the power generation from geothermal energy resources and industry-scale direct use. As a non-profit industry association, represents the interests of our member companies with the primary goal of unlocking the country’s tremendous geothermal energy potential.
Calgary-based company, working in partnership with the Town of Hinton to develop a Geothermal energy district.
Terrapin Geothermics is an Alberta based geothermal technology firm that has developed a unique engine capable of converting end of life cycle oil and gas wells from a costly remediation liability into a long-term electricity production asset.
Borealis Geopower is a team comprised of world – class geoscientists, engineers, and project developers, working to enable geothermal power and heat production as a major player in the Canadian energy market.
Deep Earth Energy Production Corp is based in Saskatoon, and is actively developing geothermal heat and power opportunities on a property in southern Saskatchewan.
Alberta is preparing for a lower emission future.
The Government of Alberta has produced a Hydrogen Roadmap as a key part of that future and Alberta's Recovery Plan. The roadmap is our path to building a provincial hydrogen economy and accessing global markets.
Check out www.alberta.ca for more information.
Batter and storage technologies are an important component to renewble energy proejcts as a way to provide instant electricity to the power grid.
Check out www.transalta.com for more information.
KEY CONCERNS IN RELATION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA
The following topics are the most common concerns that are raised, when communities evaluate the opportunity and potential impacts of hosting a renewable energy facility in their area. Here you can find related research from both the renewable energy sector and qualified third party sources.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Survey of Complaints Received by Relevant Authorities Regarding Operating Wind Energy in Alberta, published July 2013, Pembina Institute webpage | PDF
COMPENSATION
Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases, published February 2017, Farmer’s Advocate Office, Alberta Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry webpage
Landowner’s Guide to Wind Energy in Alberta, published Sept 2010, Pembina Institute webpage
CONSTRUCTION
Important considerations for municipalities when working with developers on the construction plan for a new project may include:
Traffic (including speeding, parking, and related bylaw exemptions or enforcement)
Local access across or around construction-impacted areas
Public Safety
Local Employment
Community relations (examples include night-life, policing, rental housing stock, participation in local events)
CONSULTATION
Capital Power, in partnership with the Pembina Institute, is currently engaging Albertans in consultations to understand the best ways to continue building social support for wind energy development in the province. webpage | PDF
DECOMMISSIONING
Decommissioning wind and solar facilities involves some uncertainty, as this has not yet occurred given how new most of these projects are, and the long-term value of the contracts involved. However, recently the decommissioning of Canada’s first wind farm took place here in Southern Alberta. The process was expertly handled by the site owner, TransAlta, and its contractors.
Canada’s first wind turbines to be dismantled this April, published March 2016, Pincher Creek Echo
Decommissioning Canada’s oldest wind-farm, published March 2017, Wind Engineering & Development
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Environmental Impacts of Wind Power, updated March 2013, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists webpage
Nature Canada: Impacts of Wind Energy on Bird Populationswebpage
Wind Energy Bird & Bat Monitoring Database, a joint initiative of CanWEA and Environment Canada webpage
Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects, published January 2017, Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks PDF
HEALTH
Wind Turbine Syndrome; A Communicated Disease, published 2017, Simon Chapman and Fiona Chricton, Sydney University Press PDF
The Potential Health Impacts of Wind Turbines, May 2010, by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health PDF
Wind Turbines and Health; A Critical Review of the Scientific Literature, published Nov 2014, Journal of Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine webpage
Wind Turbine Noise & Health Study; Summary of Results, published 2015, Health Canada webpage
More resources related to wind energy and health at CanWEA.ca
IMPACT ON VIEWS
Wind Energy Landscapes, published 2012 by Macalester College, Minnesota webpage
Are Aesthetics a Good Reason Not to be a Fan of Wind Power? Scientific American, webpage
PROPERTY VALUES
The Effects of Wind Turbines on Property Values in Ontario, published May 2015, University of Guelph/ Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics Report
(Related University of Guelph press release)
