Electricity Evolution: Modernizing the Canadian Grid
Canada’s electricity landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, but there are significant challenges to overcome in order to truly modernize our grid. The shift towards clean, renewable sources of energy is becoming more apparent, with the potential to revolutionize not only Canada’s grid but also to set a global example. But how exactly is this change happening? What are the key elements to consider? And what does the future hold for Canada’s electrical grid?
The Current State of Canada’s Electrical Grid
Canada’s electrical grid, like many others around the world, is facing growing demands for electrification to support economic and population growth. However, it is also grappling with an array of challenges. According to the Canadian Electricity Association, the current grid is impacted by over 90 regulations across different statutes at the Federal level, and similar hurdles exist at the provincial level.
The approval processes for projects are often long and complex, requiring substantial capital investment without certainty of approval. This complexity can lead to missed opportunities and delayed project implementation.
The Need for Regulatory Efficiency
Efficiency in regulatory procedures is crucial for the rapid and effective transformation of the electrical grid. This efficiency needs to permeate all layers of government, from the federal to the provincial and even municipal levels.
Government support is crucial in the transition to a cleaner grid. Historically, industries such as coal, natural gas, and hydropower have been heavily subsidized because they were deemed to be in the national interest. Similar support is now needed for new technologies and sub-sectors of the energy industry.
Embracing Technology Solutions
Renewable energy technologies have been rapidly evolving in recent years. Wind turbines have become larger and more efficient, and solar panels continue to increase their output per square foot.
A recent development in solar technology is the solar tower from Three Sixty Solar. These towers go up instead of out, reducing the land required for large-scale deployment by as much as 90%. This innovative approach allows developers to put solar closer to where it’s needed and also offers the opportunity for additional technology deployment, such as broadband internet and telecommunication equipment.
The Economics of Grid Modernization
While there is an economic argument for maintaining the status quo, the reality is that most of the new technologies cost more than generating power with traditional methods. However, with government support and financial incentives, the cost of these technologies can decrease, making them naturally competitive with old technologies in power production.
The Three Ds of Power Generation
The future of power generation lies in three key areas, commonly referred to as the ‘Three Ds’: Decentralization, Decarbonization, and Digitalization.
Decentralization
Decentralization involves the growth of distributed energy resources such as solar and wind farms. These resources can produce cleaner power but can be expensive and difficult to implement in remote areas. Therefore, microgrids — decentralized, small-scale electrical grids — are being seen as an alternative.
Decarbonization
Decarbonization refers to the move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. However, decarbonization also involves addressing a lesser-known issue: the use of Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a gas used in electricity transmission and distribution, which is a potent greenhouse gas. While the use of SF6 cannot be entirely eradicated with current technologies, existing alternatives like air insulation can drastically reduce its usage.
Digitalization
Digitalization is the implementation of digital technologies into the energy sector. These technologies can help energy providers adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, such as extreme weather events that can cause outages.
The Role of Electric Federalism
Electric federalism involves provincial, territorial, and federal governments pulling their respective policy levers to transform electricity systems. It requires coordinated efforts to drive the energy transformation in Canada.
The Big Switch: Pathways to a Cleaner Grid
The Canadian Climate Institute’s report, The Big Switch, outlines the changes needed in Canada’s electricity systems to align them with net-zero goals. These changes include making electricity systems bigger, cleaner, and smarter.
Making Electricity Systems Bigger
Growing electricity systems involves increasing their capacity to meet the increased demand from widespread electrification.
Making Electricity Systems Cleaner
Making electricity systems cleaner involves phasing out unabated fossil fuel generation, accelerating the growth of solar and wind, and maintaining hydro and nuclear power’s significant role.
Making Electricity Systems Smarter
Making electricity systems smarter involves making them flexible enough to support more variable energy from solar and wind and ensuring that they’re resilient to the effects of climate change.
Looking Towards the Future
With aging infrastructure and increasing urbanization, Canada needs a balanced approach to upgrading its transmission equipment as demand for electricity rises. Transitioning to a cleaner, more efficient, and smarter grid is not just a necessity but an opportunity to create a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Canada.
Modernizing Canada’s electrical grid is not just an option, but a necessity. With the right policies, regulatory efficiency, and technological advancements, Canada can not only meet the growing demand for clean electricity but also set a global example in the transition towards a sustainable energy future.
In the words of Brian Roth, CEO at Three Sixty Solar, “Canada and governments around the world sit today on the precipice of an incredible opportunity. Most of the world’s electrical grids are insufficient to support growing demand for electrification that will be necessary to support economic and population growth in the decades to come. Forward-looking governments can create an environment wherein new businesses and new technologies can thrive while meeting the needs of their constituents.”
Finally, as we embark on this journey of modernizing our electrical grid, we must remember that this is not just about technology or economics. It’s about creating a sustainable future for our planet and for generations to come. It’s about making the big switch and powering our world with clean, renewable energy. It’s a challenge, but it’s one we can and must rise to.
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