To Invite Plug-in Cars, Cities Work on Permitting
February 28, 2011
Adding big plug-ins to the building code.
Rolls-Royce to Show Electric Car at Geneva Motor Show
February 28, 2011
We’ve all been waiting for this.
Volvo’s New Car Turns from Plug-In Electric, to Hybrid, to Diesel With a Button
February 28, 2011
Three, three, three cars in one.
Newcastle Borehole Drilling Starts in Search of Heat
February 25, 2011
Drilling in the city centre.
Nuclear Power In Canada – Facilities and Philosophies
February 25, 2011
One thing the provinces of Canada don’t share is consensus on nuclear power generation. Three provinces, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have passed legislation prohibiting nuclear generation.
Despite Saskatchewan being the third largest producer of uranium in the world, providing more than 20 per cent of global supply, it has no plans for nuclear power, but it hasn’t banned it outright.
Future projects in Manitoba include three hydropower projects in early planning stages. Nuclear power is not part of the plan.
Prince Edward Island’s (1.4MB PDF) 2008 energy strategy focuses on renewable energy sources such as biomass, biofuels and wind as well as imported petroleum products. No mention is made of nuclear power going forward.
After appointing an expert panel and conducting public consultation, Alberta decided to treat nuclear power as it does all types of electricity projects. Because the province has a deregulated electricity system, any generation project proposed by private sector is considered on a case-by-case basis. The government does not have a position on nuclear power, nor does it subsidize any type of power. Once an application is submitted, the project is subject to a rigorous approval process which includes public consultation. The government essentially has no role until an application is submitted.
Nuclear power has been a fixture in Ontario‘s energy plan (660MB PDF) since the late 1950s when Ontario Hydro and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited began planning the Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station. Douglas Point was the first commercial nuclear power station in Canada, and operated from 1968 to 1984 before being decommissioned.
The eight units at the Pickering Nuclear Power Station were put into service between 1971 and 1986. Pickering A consists of four 515-megawatt units, of which two are in safe storage. Pickering B consists of four 516-megawatt units, all of which are operational.
The eight units at the Bruce Nuclear Power Station were put into service between 1977 and 1986. Bruce A consists of four 750-megawatt units, of which two are being refurbished. Bruce B consists of one 790-megawatt unit, two 822-megawatt units and one 806-megawatt unit, all of which are operational.
The four units at Darlington Nuclear Power Station were put into service between 1982 and 1993. The facility consists of four 881-megawatt units, all of which are operational.
Nuclear power currently supplies about 57 per cent of Ontario’s total generation.
The Ontario government is committed to clean, reliable nuclear power remaining at approximately 50 per cent of the province’s electricity supply. To do so, units at the Darlington and Bruce sites will need to be modernized and the province will need two new nuclear units at Darlington. Investing in refurbishment and extending the life of the Pickering B station until 2020 will provide good value for Ontarians.
The first nuclear reactor built in Quebec, Gentilly-1, operated, somewhat problematically, from 1971 to 1977. Gentilly-2, a 635-megawatt CANDU reactor was put into service in 1983. It has operated since then, but is scheduled for refurbishment in 2012 to extend its operational life to 2035.
Gentilly-3 was planned, along with several other reactors, but a moratorium on further development was put in place in 1978 while Gentilly-2 was already under construction. The moratorium has since been lifted.
Nuclear power only provides less than three per cent of Quebec’s electricity, with hydropower providing about 97 per cent, so it has been argued that nuclear power could be replaced by renewables.
New Brunswick: The Point Lepreau Nuclear Power Station is New Brunswick’s first and only nuclear power facility. The unit is a 630-megawatt CANDU 6 reactor put into service in 1983. In recent years it generated up to 35 per cent of New Brunswick’s electricity.
Refurbishment of the reactor began in April 2008 and was expected to be completed by the end of September 2009, but is now scheduled for completion in May 2012. In the meantime, the province is investigating the feasibility of building a second reactor at Point Lepreau.
Hybrids vs. Nonhybrids: The 5-Year Equation
February 25, 2011
Major motivator might not be money.
Full Story [green.blogs.nytimes]
U.P.S. Finds a Substitute for Diesel: Natural Gas, at 260 Degrees Below Zero
February 24, 2011
Courier plans to add 48 LNG trucks to its fleets in Ontario, California and Las Vegas.
Full Story [green.blogs.nytimes]
SoloPower Lands Loan Guarantee for Solar Plant
February 24, 2011
Thin-film solar to roll onto your roof.
Opportunity Lost?
February 24, 2011
After a few years in the doldrums, the global nuclear power industry is alive and well once again. Nuclear power’s emissions-free electricity is driving a renaissance with 61 nuclear power plants currently under construction and another 158 in the planning stage.
Unfortunately Canada, a country with a long and successful nuclear history, may miss out.
The problem is the uncertain future of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). Between November 2007 and May 2009, AECL underwent a review by Natural Resources Canada to determine if “AECL’s structure as a Crown Corporation best equips it, its employees and ultimately the Canadian nuclear industry to participate fully in the expanding global nuclear market.”
The findings of the review were announced in May 2009 and in a statement, Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources at the time, said “AECL’s current mandate and structure hampers its success and development and does not maximize benefits for Canada.” As well, the review found that the CANDU division is “too small to establish a strong presence globally in the high-growth markets that are key to its success.” Subsequently, Minister Raitt, announced the CANDU division was up for sale.
Despite “significant private sector interest in AECL’s commercial operations”, after 15 months of being on the block, only two Canadian companies and no foreign companies have made bids. The Canadian bids were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, because of AECL’s in-limbo status, interest in CANDU reactors from Ontario, Argentina and Romania aren’t being addressed.
IKEA Building Its Own Personal Wind Farm
February 24, 2011
Some assembly required.
