Green Calgary

Alternative Energy in Calgary

Reader Question

I understand that most of our electricity is generated from the burning of coal and while I’d like to generate my own electricity, the cost seems prohibitive. What intermediary options exist for someone concerned about the impact of burning fossil fuels for electricity but who cannot afford to invest in a $20,000 solar array?

Thank you,

Carole

Ashley's Answer

Dear Carole,

You are absolutely right in that the majority of Alberta’s electricity is generated from the burning of coal. According to the Government of Alberta, approximately 50% of electricity is generated from coal, while another 40% is generated from the burning of natural gas. The other 10% is a mix of hydro, wind and biomass. Thermal generation – the use of coal and gas to generate electricity – as the primary source of electricity has held fairly steady since the early 1900’s, thought the tendency has been to replace aging coal plants with newer, more efficient natural gas plants. The fact remains that Alberta continues to rely on non-renewable fossil fuel energy for the vast majority of its electricity needs and most of this is consumed by industry.

In fact, more than 80% of electricity generated in Alberta is consumed by industry and the commercial sector. Residential customers consume less than 20%. From this viewpoint it appears that the needs of industry have an overwhelming influence on the type of electricity generated. This, however, is not to say that Alberta could not be powered entirely by renewable energy. According to the Pembina Institute report Greening the Grid, Alberta could be transitioned to a 100% renewable energy grid within 20 years – supplying residents and industrial and commercial users. The limiting factor is not the technology, for it already exists, but a lack of political will.

Now it is also important to understand that our consumer choices, as limited as they are, do have an impact on the state of renewable energy in Alberta. The choice to put a solar array on your roof is an option, and though it may not be the cheapest option, it is doable. Calgary-based SkyFire Energy specializes in both solar water heating and solar electric grid tied systems – options that are compliant with City of Calgary permitting. Enmax Corporation – the wholly owned subsidiary of the City of Calgary - is also moving in this direction, offering to install a photovoltatic (PV) system on homes in a lease-type agreement. You may never own the panels but you will be using your home for good, feeding clean, renewable energy into Alberta’s electricity grid.

For those not in a position to purchase panels outright, or to even lease them from Enmax, Bullfrog Power is another option. Their Pay-More-For-Electricity campaign may seem counterintuitive but it runs in the same vein as Fair Trade coffee. We are willing to pay a premium for coffee produced in a fair and ethical manner, so why wouldn’t we do the same for power. The latter case, it could be argued, should be even more compelling as it is right here in our own back yard. It doesn’t get any more direct than that.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention that any efforts to shift to renewable electricity grid are lost if we do not bring our individual electricity consumption to a reasonable level. In Calgary, the average residential household – based on 2 adults and 2 children - consumes roughly 890kWh of electricity per month. This has risen substantially over the past decade, as our lives have become increasingly gadget focused, but it is entirely possible for a family to consume half this amount simply by taking a few basic conservation measures.

If you are consuming more than the Calgary average, I would encourage you to put your efforts into conserving electricity. An investment in conservation is the best bang for your buck and only when you have gotten your demand to as low as is comfortably possible should you consider the alternatives. Simply purchasing wind-power credits is not a long term solution. If the policy makers are going to support the greening of the grid, we must first demonstrate that we are willing to waste less electricity. Once we have a handle on our own individual demands, a transition to a grid fueled by renewables is a realistic possibility.

Sign up for Bullfrog Power today, entering the promo code “GC”, and you’ll get your first month free! And if you want help conserving electricity, consider signing up for a Healthy Homes consultation. The consultation is free and includes a plethora of tips for saving energy, water and more.

Best,

Ashley

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