Reader and retired engineer Pat McCutcheon pays close attention to energy matters, particularly the advances in clean renewables and the efficiency of energy use. He contributed the material below the separator line.
By the way, if you don’t follow Energi Media, consider doing so. Working independently, founder Markham Hislop has become Western Canada’s foremost energy reporter..
I recently watched the YouTube video below featuring Markham Hislop and Mark Jacobson and thought it was worth sharing. Oxford Professor Nick Eyre‘s work on energy is mentioned in the video
They dive into the rarely discussed fact that the electric economy is significantly more efficient than the fossil fuel economy, and therefore, less energy is required to power it.
For example, ICE vehicles are only 24-35% efficient while EVs are over 90% efficient. Also, heat pumps are twice as efficient as gas furnaces. The net result is that we need far less energy to power an electric economy than a fossil fuel economy.
Of course, Jevon’s paradox comes into play. Seldom do we reap 100% of the efficiency gain due to tech breakthroughs.
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Categories: Energy, Uncategorized
in-sights.ca 
Markham Hislop says, “Engineers are the bane of my existence because they keep telling me what can’t be done, and it’s already being done, you know, somewhere else.”
I think the Chair of BC Hydro might be listening to those same engineers. Watch this video and then consider some of his very recent comments.
Does that sound encouraging? What we seem to be getting is lame excuses for past failures to plan and keep up with emerging technology, along with a reluctance to embrace what Mark Jacobson rightly calls a “no-brainer”.
Especially given the ravages of climate change, we need leaders at BC Hydro listening more to the Hislops, Jacobsons and Eyres of the world instead of invested in-house engineers. Otherwise, they should get out of the way.
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… “they keep telling me what can’t be done, and it’s already being done, you know, somewhere else”
Actually it’s weirder than mere strawman arguments.
Because new large energy projects are being built in Canada. But on the Other Coast.
Aside from a Danish Ph.D no one in Canadian media seems interested.
You might be…
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On the road back to BC my girlfriend expressed discontent over being ignored during a spectacular rant. This event occurred near a sun-baked, hot, dessicated desert region outside Osoyoos.
The car stopped. She exited and sailed straight into the dunes. From the driver’s seat I could see a coiled rattlesnake nearby. Probably it had friends, relatives, offspring, rivals for turf.
I hollared, “If rattlers take after you I’m not coming in there to haul you out!”
Shortly afterwards she relocated to Mexico to teach sign language to deaf people. In some modest way I may have been helpful.
https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Canada/British-Columbia/sunshine-annual-average.php
On the annual sunlight hours idea. Note this…
Abbotsford Hours 1887 Days 285
Victoria Hours 2109. Days 308.
Insufficient? Besides what could small regions do with solar power? Local solar power.
After Katrina and other disasters southern states realized that dependency on a statewide grid might not be as sane as once imagined. The grid went down! – My iron lung stops working!
What to do? Create microgrids.
https://egretconsulting.com/microgrids-in-the-united-states-a-technological-turning-point-in-energy-resilience/
“At their core, microgrids are self-contained power systems that can operate independently or connected with the main utility grid. This ability to “island” during grid outages, combined with the integration of renewable energy resources, has made microgrids indispensable for critical infrastructure, vulnerable communities, and organizations aiming for energy autonomy. With over 10 gigawatts of microgrid capacity already deployed in the United States and a projected market value surpassing $30 billion by 2030, the growth trajectory is undeniable.”
“At the start of 2023, the United States had 692 microgrids installed, with a total capacity of nearly 4.4 gigawatts. More than 212 of those with a capacity of more than 419 MW has come online in the last four years.”
Speaking of New Orleans..
https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/10/26/louisiana-microgrids-funding-biden
“Louisiana snagged $250 million from the Biden administration to create a community-driven energy plan and “resilience hubs” as part of a national grid strengthening initiative.”
[cue heroic overture]
Imagine a day when oppressed Victoria residents finally break free from the Iron Grip of BC Hydro! Imagine paying power bills and the money stays right here! Not Burnaby!
[end overture]
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About using LNG on ocean liners? A new market? Or what?
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/msc-world-europa-cruise-power-cut-italy-b2814877.html
“MSC Cruises’ first natural gas-fuelled ship loses power off coast of Italy”
“…MSC World Europa reportedly got into trouble off the coast of Ponza, Italy, due to a “technical issue” at around 7.25am on Monday (25 August).”
“More than 6,500 passengers were on board the seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Sicily when the ship lost propulsion on its way to Naples.”
[distance between Genoa and Naples by sea 122.3 nautical miles]
Using LNG to power ocean liners for the first time? There’s bound to be problems. Using LNG for the first time in countless other situations? Same problems?
Maybe not.
“Separately, Havila Voyages has outlined plans for an industry-first 12-day climate-neutral cruise later this year.”
“The Norwegian cruise line’s ships can already sail emission-free for four hours using battery packs, but the brand is now working with marine technology provider HAV Group to ensure its coastal route fleet that sails round-trips from Bergen to Kirkenes will be climate neutral.”
“MSC Euribia completed a five-night climate-neutral sailing from St Nazaire to Copenhagen in 2023. Havila Voyages is hoping to use biogas and larger battery packs to be ready for a 12-day climate-neutral voyage along the Norwegian coast this autumn.”
Huge ocean liners at sea for 12 days powered only by batteries and biogas? For five days already in 2023.
[distance from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay – 37.3 miles]
So, hypothetically BC Ferries could retrofit existing ferries with this tech for short trips back and forth to Vancouver Island? But BC can’t. It would cost too much compared to building 4 new ships from the keel up? In China… For only a billion dollars?
Last century one of the main arguments supporting Planned Obsolescence (product failure engineered into product design) was that it was good for the economy to make products inoperable..
“(EurActiv, 15 Jun 2023) The European Parliament’s environment committee has adopted its position on the EU’s proposed ecodesign regulation for sustainable products, supporting an EU-wide ban on planned obsolescence as well as the destruction of unsold goods like textiles.”
Go figure.
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Certain American politicians have a credibility problem.
Or…
“Few states have embraced wind power the way Iowa has.”
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/09/theres-mean-wind-blowin-iowa-marianne
“Hailing from a state that gets nearly two-thirds of its electricity from wind turbines while paying some of the lowest power bills in the nation, Miller-Meeks has been a leading GOP champion in the House for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy supporting the growth of renewables alongside fossil fuels. But she also cast a crucial vote for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which wiped out billions of dollars in wind’s economic incentives — throwing Iowa’s 50-plus wind-related companies into uncertainty.”
“At an average electricity rate of just 9.19¢ per kWh, Iowans pay just about a third of what Californians pay for electricity, but Miller-Meeks would put that in jeopardy, all to serve Trump.”
“The Representative behaves as a dutiful Trumper at some times, and like a dutiful Iowan at others. For example, last week, she sat for an interview with a Des Moines media outlet, and decreed “Wind works. Iowa has proved that.” And the next morning, she traveled to Ames, IA, and stood immediately to the right of Trump Energy Secretary Chris Wright as he decreed renewable energy to be “nonsensical.” (Which sort of makes as much sense as putting someone from the fracking industry in as your Energy Secretary, but I digress.)”
California’s energy rate? Approximately $0.30 per kWh
Alberta’s energy rate? Approximately $0.258 per kWh
BC’s energy rate? Approximately $0.114 per kWh
Iowa’s energy rate? 9.19¢ per kWh,
But Iowa using wind power just doesn’t make any sense?
Which states have the lowest cost p0er kWh?
Nebraska (average cost of 9.85 cents/kWh)
North Dakota (average cost of 9.88 cents/kWh)
Louisiana (average rate of 11.57 cents/kWh)
Idaho (average rate of 10.35 cents/kWh)
Washington (average rate of 10.32 cents/kWh)
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