Making coal phase-out easier
New wind farms in Chatham-Kent-Essex are helping Ontario phase out coal production while adding renewable hydro to the grid, says MPP Pat Hoy.
“Ontario has sufficient electricity generation and transmission resources available to maintain reliability over the next year and a half, according to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in its latest 18-Month Outlook,” said Hoy.
“With 3,400 megawatts (MW) of new generation expected to come online, and a transmission system adequate to meet expected demands, Ontario will have sufficient generation and transmission resources available to support the reliable operation of the electricity system over the next 18 months,” said Hoy, pointing out “this new supply includes over 1,200 MW of new wind generation which will more than double the existing installed wind capacity.”
Over 600 MW of gas-fired generation will also be completed in the next 18 months. The remaining 1,500 MW will come from two refurbished nuclear units at the Bruce A Nuclear Station that are expected to return to service in the third and fourth quarters of 2011.
The Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP said as a result of Ontario’s healthy supply situation, the move to eliminate coal-fired generation by 2014 will continue as planned with the de-commissioning of four units later this year.
“We’re in the best supply situation in a decade as a result of the new generation and transmission facilities added over the past five years and we’re making good progress towards removing coal from the fuel mix,” said Bruce Campbell, Vice President of Resource Integration at Ontario’s IESO. “We’re now focused on adapting system operations to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
Electricity consumption in Ontario is expected to show modest growth in 2010 and 2011 with increases of 1.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively as the economy picks up. In particular industrial demand has increased every month since the start of the year. Peak demand is expected to remain fairly flat as growth is offset by targeted conservation and demand response programs.
The IESO regularly assesses the adequacy and reliability of Ontario’s power system. The 18-Month Outlook is issued on a quarterly basis and is available at www.ieso.ca/18-month.outlook.
The IESO is responsible for managing Ontario’s bulk electricity power system and operating the wholesale market. For more information, please visit www.ieso.ca.
Chris Lozon
August 25, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Why are we pinning our future environmental and economic hopes on marginal (and outdated) wind power technology while allowing others to get ahead of the game with ground-breaking advancements?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091210162222.htm
And for the record, natural gas (not the wind) will phase out coal.
Jim in Wallaceburg
August 26, 2010 at 10:45 am
Renewable energy comes in many forms – wind, solar, biomass, biofuel, geothermal, tidal and even traditional hydroelectric.
Globally, wind power is growing at a rate of 30% annually.
Chris Lozon
August 26, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Jim, political convenience aside…unless we ban coal mining altogether, we in all likelihood will consume every ounce known to man.
Now, knowing this, would you rather buy technology (wind power) that typically produces electricity counter to when coal generation is needed (ie. for peaking capacity) while tying up otherwise valuable (and limited) lakeside property OR would you rather develop, own and sell technology that makes coal more environmentally sustainable by reducing or even nullifying its CO2 footprint while rendering wind power virtually obsolete?
Renewable is good…no doubt…but it must be tempered and balanced with practical and economic considerations in mind…we’ve lost these elements in the ‘renewable’ discussion…and we’re being led astray by politicians who know too little about Energy.
Jim in Wallaceburg
August 27, 2010 at 9:58 am
According to the Ontario Power Authority, our energy mix to 2025 will see the generation of electricity from natural gas remain fairly static, from 7% today to 6% in 2025. Natural gas will be used to meet peak demands – not coal.
Renewables will double by 2025 and biotechnology (similar to what was referenced in your link) will increase ten-fold.
Cleaner and greener economies are irrefutable. De-commissioning four coal units (including the dreadfully filthy units 1 & 2 at Lambton Generating Station) is not political convenience, it is realism agreed to by every reputable political party in the province.
Conservation is the most practical and economical consideration for Ontario households. We completed an energy retrofit of our home two years ago, purchased energy efficient appliances and switched to compact fluorescent bulbs – all while taking advantage of every subsidy available. Sometimes it is just as simple as FLICK OFF.
I have realistic expectations that the present and future municipal councils will have the foresight to capitalize on these trends. I will be very disappointed if Chatham-Kent is not announced as the location of new Siemens wind blade plant next month. I would be content with any site in our municipality however since port access is a consideration then Wallaceburg might just be the ideal location.
Chris Lozon
August 28, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Jim,
I suggest you follow the links provided in the article re: http://www.ieso.ca/
The IESO also monitors and records hourly output by generation type.
http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/marketdata/genEnergy.asp
If you follow this information over time, you will see that wind does little to offset coal-based electricity generation. So while natural gas capacity may not increase (all this would mean is there is sufficient slack in the system to absorb the shortfall), its share of actual generation will undoubtedly and dramatically increase due to increased reliance on wind.
Higher demand for gas will ultimately lead to higher prices (for electricity and heating), which simply adds to the overall cost of wind power.
Jim in Wallaceburg
August 28, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Thanks Chris. I have been following the Independent Electricity System Operators online for years and often review the generator capacity and output reports.
What is missing from the IESO web site is the environmental and health cost associated with each fuel type. Air pollution is a public health crisis in Ontario, killing 5,800 people per year while costing Ontario tax payers an additional $7.8 billion per year in health care expenditures (Ontario Medical Association).
Wind is just a small part of a bigger solution. The east-west grid will bring in clean renewable hydroelectric power from Quebec and Manitoba to meet peak demand and then there is the smart grid. The key is to reduce peek demand.
Chris Lozon
August 28, 2010 at 10:03 pm
The IESO also doesn’t take into accout the opportunity cost of lakefront property devaluation and foregone residential development opportunities…but I suppose that’s what intelligent people like you and I are supposedly here for
And actually Jim, the grid must get more localized…not expanded. The variability and intermittency of renewables encourages more localized distributed generation…not a larger grid..and the President of Ontario’s Sustainable Energy Association agrees on that issue.
http://www.financialpost.com/Labour+shortages+loom+over+Canada+clean+power+sector/3328500/story.html
As for wind…well it really is irrelevant to the solution. Solar actually makes much more technical sense, but is unfortunately much more costly.
Chris Lozon
August 28, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Back to my original question…why are we concentrating on committing our beautiful lakeshore to dated technology instead of focusing our efforts on developments like the ‘magic’ CO2 consuming bacteria and algae?
I know I’d much rather be selling than buying…
Jim in Wallaceburg
August 28, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Colleges and universities are already ramping up for the impending skilled labour shortage. Lambton College has the three-year co-op Alternative Energy Engineering Technology program and St. Clair College has the three-year Energy System Design Technology advanced diploma program. I am optimistic that our local youth will able to secure gainful and rewarding careers in the clean energy sector right here in Chatham-Kent.
The smart grid that I was referring to is part of that distributed generation grid that will replace one designed 40 years ago for large generation plants.
Air quality is a real health issue here in Chatham-Kent though 90% of our problem comes from south of the boarder. Ontario’s most effective means to convince those in the Ohio Valley and other hot spots to clean up their act is to lead by example.
Chatham-Kent has immense prospects to benefit from the changing economic landscape. I’d hate to see us miss out on this opportunity. Green jobs and clean air is something that our municipality should strive for.
Chris Lozon
August 29, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Jim, aside from the ‘super-size grid’ you’re alluding to, I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said. However there are many more (and better ways) to get there than to erect massive wind turbines on prime lakeside property we could be using for community expansion and population growth.
And why do we need 400+ turbines in order to attract green investment? In the final analysis we will see many jurisdictions being awarded ‘green jobs’ that may not have hosted any turbines at all.
Wallace Burger
August 27, 2010 at 11:00 am
Valid points by all, I think this is an agree to disagree point! Nice insight Chris, you seem to have your finger on the pulse of the environment, you will be an asset to the Council Chambers given its current make up!