Hydroelectric Power Of The Canadian Columbia - 1173 Words

Harnessing hydroelectric power in British Columbia, Canada Introduction Energy related activities are the primary source of human caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada, and electrical power generated from fossil fuels is contributing to the rise in those emissions. Hydropower as a source of electricity is a feasible low carbon alternative, as dams and reservoirs have low greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions compared to fossil fuel energy generation. Canada has harnessed this potential power source as it is the world’s third largest producer of hydropower, contributing 12% globally, behind China and Brazil (Lee, Cheng, Scheelar, 2011). Hydropower as a source of electricity has a lot of potential in British Columbia (BC), a western Canadian province. British Columbia along with Quebec comprise 2/3rds of the country’s presently developed hydropower capacity and have 50% of undeveloped capacity (Lee, Cheng, Scheelar, 2011). 90% of BC’s electricity comes from hydropower, so pushing for completely renewable sources of ele ctricity is realistic in this province (Fuamba Mahdi, 2012). This proposal aims to implement multiple small-scale run-of-river hydropower facility in BC to provide low carbon electricity for the each local region. This proposal will address the strengths and weaknesses of hydropower, the different technologies and facilities available, and economic and geographical factors relevant to British Columbia. Review There are many ways toShow MoreRelatedThe Future Of Renewable Energy2226 Words   |  9 Pagesinclude solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, ocean energy, and bio-energy. Renewable energy in Canada has as well had its environmental impacts. The outcomes pose various impacts to the environment either positively or negatively and end up affecting people’s lives. Canada has had greater embrace on renewable energy, particularly hydropower and nuclear. In 2011, it was the sixth largest wind power producer worldwide. In Ontario, there are numerous photovoltaic plants of power. A tidal plantRead MoreHydro Electric Power1518 Words   |  7 PagesHydroelectric power: The Worlds Established Renewable Energy Resource For over a century, hydroelectric power has been used to generate electricity from falling water. The capacity to produce this energy is dependent on both the available flow and the height from which it falls. Hydroelectric dams create height for the water to fall and provide storage. In general, the higher the dam, the more potential energy is available. Building up behind a high dam, water accumulates potential energy. TheRead MoreThe Bonneville Power Administration ( Bpa ) Service Territory2001 Words   |  9 PagesThe Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) service territory is in the Pacific Northwest. In 1937, BPA was established to construct facilities required to market and transmit electric power from the Bonneville Dam located on the Columbia River and to construct facilities necessary to transmit that power. BPAs mandate has been expanded to be the marketing agent for power from all of the federally owned hydroelectric projects in the Pacific Northwest, as one of four regio nal Federal power marketing agenciesRead MoreTc Case Study944 Words   |  4 PagesSite C Backgrounder In conjunction with the Site C decision, the BC Government issued a background (see Appendix 1) related to private power producers and renewable energy. Much of the information in the backgrounder is misleading and/or incorrect. This note provides a number of responses to the backgrounder. â€Å"These decisions significantly increased the province’s intermittent electricity energy supply†¦Ã¢â‚¬  †¢ IPP generation currently represents about 25% of the province’s electricity supply. ThisRead More Hydropower’s Unintended Consequences Essay1167 Words   |  5 Pagesrenewable energy, hydroelectric power is often seen as a viable and clean alternative energy source. Hydro electric has been a longstanding source of power for this and many other countries. In the 1940s dams were supplying 40% of our nation’s electricity, and now they only generate about 10% (science bulletins). Hydro power can be a clean alternative to fossil fuels; however it should not be considered an environmentally friendly alternative of energy production. Dams built for hydroelectric productionRead MoreThe BC Green Party And The BC Green Party804 Words   |  4 PagesA provincial election in British Columbia has never before left so much uncertainty. With such a close vote margin separating the BC Liberals from the BC NDP party, the BC Green party with their 3 seats were seeming ly able to shift in power in their favour. While negotiations between parties occurred last week, it seemed that of the main points on contentions separating the BC Liberals from gaining the support of the Green party was the Site C project. Site C raises a lot of important questionsRead More Canada Essay2051 Words   |  9 PagesAlaskan border. The southernmost point is Middle Island, in Lake Erie and the northern tip is Cape Columbia, on Ellesmere Island. Canada is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the west by the pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and its associated bodies of water, including Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea. Canada has an abundance of mineral, forest, and water-power resources. The mining industry has been a major force in Canadas economic development in the pastRead MoreMelting Snow Pack of Pacific Northwest2042 Words   |  9 Pagesareas such as the Rockies, Sierras, and Cascades is likely to hurt hydropower during parts of the year, and to place other stresses on the region s water supply (Serreze 35). Rivers that rely on the snowpack melt later in the spring such as the Columbia River or the Colorado River are losing large portions of their usual spring snow melt (Stewart 1). Growing demand and decreasing supply has the Colorado River running dry before the flow makes it to supply the water deprived areas of Mexico. RunoffRead MoreClimate Change and Its Effects on White Water Rafting1809 Words   |  8 PagesAngela Bueckert With the rising effects of Global warming taking its toll on glaciers and agriculture in British Columbia, surprisingly the white water rafting industry has managed to grow significantly in the last 20 years. As the global temperature continues to rise, it is predicted that the Glaciers will be reduced to nothing, thus taking its effect on water flow. British Columbia has seen it’s average temperature rise twice as fast as the global average. For rafting companies, this means shorterRead MoreCirque De Soleil Essays1608 Words   |  7 Pagesarts, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Lalibertà © toured Europe as a folk musician and busker after quitting college. By the time he returned back home to Canada in 1979, he had learned the art of fire breathing. Although he became employed at a hydroelectric power plant in James Bay, his job ended after only three days due to a labour strike. He decided not to look for another job, instead supporting himself on his unemployment insurance. He helped organize a summer fair in Baie-Saint-Paul with the help