Recent Developments in Renewable Energy
Today, I comment on some news about renewable energy issues in British Columbia and in other parts of Canada, and a note about the Stockholm experience:
1. Electric Cars: Earlier this week, BC Hydro announced that it has initiated a study on the for development of electric car infrastructure. This study is significant in my view because BC Hydro has for years downplayed the impact of possible future use of electric cars in British Columbia (perhaps based somewhat the market realities (ie, how many electric cars are there right now?) and somewhat on fear of the prospect (what will this mean to its aggressive DSM program). Who knows, maybe we will see Shai Agassi's Better Place set up shop in British Columbia, similar to its recent move to Ontario. Here is the Vancouver Sun's report on the subject. Stay tuned, there is certainly more to come on the subject, but kudos to BC Hydro for commissioning the study, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
2. IPP's on the offensive: Last week, I attended a lunch sponsored by the Vancouver Board of Trade, which put four prominent members of the local IPP industry on stage to discuss the development of green energy in the Province. The meeting was well attended and as the Vancouver Sun reported, the IPP industry faced the critics with their message - IPP's present huge economic opportunities for the Province but also undertake significant risk in doing so. Ratepayers do not share the risk of development and IPP's are the best option for bringing new green electricity generation to the Province. The world is embracing a new green energy regime and the Province of British Columbia is uniquely blessed with suitable and substantial natural resources, which, with the help of private sector, can become a global leader in the field. What that means is jobs, economic prosperity and lower greenhouse gas emission. What's not to love about green energy?
3. Green Energy Act: The Province of Ontario introduced legislation to enact the Green Energy Act. Ontario, primarily a fossil fuel and nuclear electricity based Province, is taking a bold new step towards renewable energy. Well done, Ontario (well, except the part about your nukes).
4. The Stockholm Story: I read an article recently in Canadian Business magazine, about the City of Stockholm and its aggressive plan to reduce GHG emissions. Amazingly, the City has reduced GHG emissions to 3.5 tonnes per person in 2008, from seven tonnes per person in the early 1990s (when the City first started measuring emissions). A very interesting story, and definitely worth a read. I wonder if something like this could happen here.
