26734 research outputs found
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Analysis Of Energy And Water Options For A Recreational Property Located In Lac La Nonne, Alberta
No full textThis paper analyzed the water and energy options for a recreation property located at Lac La Nonne, Alberta. Optimum water and electricity sources were chosen based on the total cost
of ownership over a twenty year period, with the costs adjusted to present value, using an inflation rate of 4%. The costs were based on vendor quotes, which were assumed to be
correct. If the cheapest option had a significant, negative impact on the environment, or required a considerable amount of maintenance over and above what the average individual
is willing to undertake, the next cheapest option would have been considered. In the case of the options analyzed, the cheapest options had no significant environmental issues or
maintenance considerations. In the case of water, it was determined that a well was the least expensive and most environmentally friendly option, offering both a significant cost savings over a twenty year period, as well as a reduced impact on the environment over the use of a cistern. In the case of electricity, it was determined that non-renewable, grid supplied power would be the cheapest source of energy. The paper also considered the heating options. Gas powered furnace, passive solar thermal and wood stove are all considered. Given that the property will be used primarily over the summer months, there are limited heat requirements for the property. As a result, the gas powered furnace is not considered a cost effective energy source. Heat will be supplied through passive solar thermal incorporated in the building design. This heat source will be supported by a wood stove in the home.
Finally, consideration is given to the energy required to heat hot water for the building. Given that a decision was made not to bring natural gas to the subject property, and to use
electricity sourced from the grid, the most cost effective means of heating the hot water is through an electric hot water heater. Should an alternate source of energy have been chosen,
there may have been a better option for the heating of hot water, such as solar thermal
Eureka!! The Archaeology of Innovation & Science
No full textProceedings of the 29th Annual Chacmool Archaeology Conferenc
Technical And Economic Considerations Of Power Generation From Solution Gas In Alberta
No full textThis research explores the potential for power generation from solution gas in Alberta, seeking to meet an increasing energy demand, contribute to the coal phase-out, and reduce flaring. Estimation of this potential is based on the analysis of technical and economic challenges associated with power generation, including volumes of solution gas available, its variability of production and quality for combustion, as well as available technologies and market conditions. The results of this study show that there is a potential for 127 MW power generation from the solution gas that is flared in the province and that gas production variability and quality do not limit its development. Current electricity pool price does not favor the implementation of the project but it still represents an economic alternative for flaring reduction when there is on-site demand or displacement of other fuels. Finally, 684 thousand tons of CO2 equivalent can be offset by flaring reduction
Environmental Impact Assessment Of Anticipated 2037 Electrical Vehicle Adoption In Alberta
No full textThis study assesses the environmental impacts of the projected adoption of electric vehicles in Alberta in 2037, evaluates receptiveness of the current regulatory environment and identifies policies to encourage adoption. Four scenarios are modeled including two electric vehicle uptake projections and two anticipated Albertan energy mixes. Findings suggest greenhouse gas reductions between 57.8% and 63% per kilometer could be achieved, with Alberta-wide reductions being between 1,910,000 and 3,120,000 tonnes GHG-100 annually. Substantial reductions of criteria pollutants can also be achieved but sulphur dioxide emissions will increase due to grid dependency upon natural gas. Policy research suggests the regulatory environment is somewhat receptive to electric vehicle adoption, but numerous potential incentives could further encourage uptake. Environmental benefits from adopting electric vehicles are currently minimal but these will become increasingly pronounced as the grid develops towards 2037 projections. Policies to encourage electric vehicle adoption should be scaled accordingly to maximize environmental benefits
Nafta And Canadian Energy Policy- Analyzing Article 605 And Exposure To International Oil Prices
No full textIn 2008, Gordon Laxer, political economist at the University of Alberta, and John Dillon, Global Economic Justice Program Coordinator for KAIROS, released a report entitled “Over a Barrel: Exiting from NAFTA’s Proportionality Clause”. The two authors believe there to exist within NAFTA a clause that threatens Canadian energy security and sovereignty in regards to accessing domestic oil and natural gas resources; the clause they refer to is Article 605 of NAFTA. This report analyzes the theoretical and practical implications of Article 605 as it pertains to Canadian access to oil. It does so through a comparative analysis of two scenarios: the first represents a Canada free from any responsibility to the NAFTA energy clause; the second scenario represents the country’s current reality, responsible and accountable to the stipulations of NAFTA and Article 605. The common unit of analysis is exposure to international oil prices – reasons for which are elucidated in the paper. The findings of the research suggest that Article 605 could, indeed, have an impact on Canadian access to oil. Perhaps more controversially, the research also indicates that the current impact of Article 605 could by be quite minimal, and that infrastructure limitations represent a greater impact in terms of Canadian exposure to international oil prices and the possibility of supply shortages
Culture and Environment: A Fragile Coexistence
No full textProceedings of the 24th Annual Chacmool Archaeology Conferenc
Development Of A Photovoltaic System For An Off-grid Commercial Complex In The Cayman Islands: A Life Cycle Carbon Footprint And Energy Payback Investigation
No full textA life cycle assessment was conducted for a commercial-scale polycrystalline photovoltaic system located in the Cayman Islands in order to determine the net carbon footprint and energy payback of the system. The carbon emissions across the life cycle stages included within the system boundaries of the study was found to range between 45 to 77 gCO2/kWh. The system possesses a substantially negative carbon footprint, offsetting much more carbon than what is emitted during its lifecycle. The gross energy requirement of the life cycle stages included within the system boundaries of the study was found to be 1,027.35 MWh. Based on the projected annual generation of the photovoltaic system, the energy payback time of the system was calculated to be 1.74 years and the energy return factor to be 17.29. The implementation of PV technology may add social value to the Cayman Islands by strengthening energy security and boosting the local economy. Overall the photovoltaic system examined was favourable for installation from both environmental and energy perspectives. It is therefore recommended for implementation in the Cayman Islands
Power Of The Individual: Saving Energy Through Conscious Consumption
No full textThe purpose of this study is to capitalize on an opportunity to become more sustainable. The points in question are: How much energy savings can be achieved through conscious consumption alone? What changes are people willing to make at their own discretion? Are there any correlations between certain demographics and energy use? Experimental results from 10 households showed that the minimum savings achieved over one month are equal to a potential annual savings of 250,000 GJ of natural gas, 43 million kWh of electricity, and 5 million m3 of water across Calgary. Water-related changes were the most commonly applied by participants. Successful households had more members, more kids, slightly higher education levels, more awareness in reality, and less awareness by perception compared to their less successful peers and the applicable statistics. Overall, energy-saving tips were deemed an effective mechanism by which to notably reduce energy consumption in an urban setting
Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Cumulative Effects Assessment (cea) In North East Alberta
No full textThis report looked at cumulative effects assessment (CEA) in the context of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) conservation in north eastern Alberta. Despite the mandate for CEA to monitor and manage impacts of development in an area, woodland caribou populations are declining across Canada. This report attempts to look at where the failing in CEA may lie. Five CEAs done for energy projects in north eastern Alberta were examined and scored using an evaluation framework developed for this study. It was found that nearly all CEAs had some departure from best practices for CEA, and one was entirely inadequate. Despite this, all had been approved by regulators. This suggests that to improve CEA going forward, regulation and policy needs to be developed to place more emphasis on cumulative effects in the review of projects, as well as improve guideline minimum standards for proponents to use when conducting CEA
A Comparison Of Grid Power And Solar Power For Electric Vehicle Fast Charging
No full textRange anxiety is a common complaint of electric vehicles (EVs). To help address this, a fast charging station was installed in Red Deer. In my study, I compared the scenarios of powering this station with the grid (Case I), solar power (Case II), or solar power paired with a battery bank (Case III) in both 2017 and 2030. This has not yet been studied for Alberta. My research answers the question: is it worth installing solar modules to power this fast charging station? Cases II and III produced less emissions and have higher gross profits than Case I. However, the capital cost and the area that the solar array takes up in Cases II and III are concerning. An issue with EV charging that was considered is demand charging. The installation of a solar array with or without a battery bank and arrangements with utility companies provide potential solutions