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Alternative and Renewable Energy Alternative and Renewable Energy January 2014 Electricity • In Alberta, more than 45 per cent of the province’s electricity generating capacity comes from alternative and renewable energy sources, including wind, hydroelectricity, biomass generation and gas cogeneration. (January 2014) Percentage of Installed Total Installed Technology Capacity (MW) Capacity (MW) Natural Gas Cogeneration 4,034 28% Wind 1,113 8% Hydroelectric 900 6% Biofuels 414 3% Total Alternative and 6,461 46% Renewable Natural Gas Cogeneration • Environmentally efficient cogeneration uses an input fuel, such as natural gas, to simultaneously produce electricity and steam/heat for industrial processes. • The majority of gas cogeneration projects in Alberta are in the oil sands, where both steam and electricity are required. Producers also value the added reliability of on- site generation. Wind Energy • Alberta has been recognized as a global example of excellence for the integration of wind generation into the grid, and there continues to be strong investor support for building wind generation capacity in Alberta. • The Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement Project, which is under development, will enable up to 2,700 MW of new wind generation in southern Alberta to connect to the grid. Micro-Generation • Alberta’s Micro-generation Regulation allows individuals to generate their own environmentally friendly electricity and receive credit for any excess power they send into the grid. The majority of micro-generation installations are solar energy. • Since implementation in January 2009, there have been 888 micro-generation units installed, representing more than 4.5 MW. (January 2014). January 2014 Bioenergy and Biofuels • Over 90 per cent of the bioenergy feedstocks (about 20 million tonnes in total) currently used in Alberta are from forestry mills and agricultural waste. • Biomass capacity could be further supported by forestry, agricultural and municipal waste, which annually creates a combined 20 million tonnes of waste. • Alberta mitigates the food versus fuel debate seen in other jurisdictions by using waste products. • There are currently two facilities in operation that produce ethanol from biomass feedstock. • Alberta has the capacity to produce approximately 85 million litres of biofuels annually. • There are three biofuel facilities soon to be commissioned, and one other under development, which will increase Alberta’s biofuel capacity to approximately 525 million litres of biofuel annually. Bioenergy Production Support • Alberta’s Bioenergy Producer Credit Program provides incentives to producers of a wide variety of bioenergy products, including renewable fuels and electricity from biomass. Since the program began in 2011/2012, $440 million over five years has been awarded to 30 companies. This program will continue until 2016. • The Alberta government also supported the development of bioenergy infrastructure. Prior to 2011, more than 75 bioenergy projects were provided with grants totalling approximately $150 million. Renewable Fuels Standard • Since April 2011, Alberta’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) requires an annual average of two per cent renewable diesel in diesel fuel and five per cent renewable alcohol in gasoline sold in Alberta. • The renewable fuel must have at least 25 per cent less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than the equivalent petroleum fuel. • Alberta is the first jurisdiction in Canada to set a GHG emissions threshold for renewable fuels supporting an RFS. • Preliminary data from 2011 and 2012 shows the RFS is reaching its target of reducing GHG emissions by at least one million tonnes per year – the equivalent of removing more than 200,000 cars from Alberta roads. For more information, please visit http://www.energy.alberta.ca/Electricity/539.asp. .
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