Energy

BC Hydro must prioritize low-impact renewables

China is the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, largely because it is the biggest consumer of coal, some of it shipped from BC. The second and third worst polluters are the United States of America and India.

However, China leads the world in renewable energy deployment. Its annual additions of wind and solar capacity exceed those of the rest of the world combined. Beijing has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality.

India has also promised to reach net-zero emissions, and is rapidly installing wind and solar energy systems.

In contrast, under Donald Trump, the United States has abandoned its target of net-zero emissions. Trump’s administration is maximizing fossil fuel production, rolling back climate regulations, and curtailing federal clean energy initiatives.

Other than the USA and a few other exceptions that include Alberta, governments recognize that wind and solar power are essential to meeting rising energy demand. In British Columbia, academics are conducting important research into emerging renewable energy technologies. That work deserves meaningful support and amplification from BC Hydro.

Yet, from its billions in annual revenue, the utility has allocated only a tiny fraction toward the renewable energy options it has long ignored. In fact, it has not been long since BC Hydro imposed a policy to discourage customers from installing solar systems capable of feeding surplus energy to the provincial grid.

If BC is serious about building a resilient and forward-looking energy system, its public utility must invest more decisively in the innovations already being studied here at home.

The University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus has the Laboratory for Solar Energy and Fuels. It is working to develop materials and devices that can convert abundant solar energy into clean electricity or storable fuels. BC Hydro is not listed as one of its research partners.

These are the lab’s teaching interests:

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Semiconductor Films and Devices
  • Solid-state Physics and Mechanics
  • Thermo- and Electrodynamics
  • Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion

The principal investigator is Dr. Alexander Uhl, a scientist with an impressive resume. With Robert Godin, he leads UBC’s Solar Energy for Net Zero research cluster. It says:

Our research team focuses on making scientific advancements in solar energy research and engaging with industry, academic and community partners to promote the uptake of solar technologies on a large scale. We aim to raise awareness and increase training in sustainable energy technologies and innovations, helping to pave the way to a more sustainable future.

I expect that under Glen Clark leadership, BC Hydro is changing its singular focus on hydro power. Board Chair Clark agreed to join a Canada West Forum when a panel of experts will discuss geothermal, solar and wind energy. The event will be held in March and it features Mark Fitzgerald, President of Eavor Technologies, Trenton Cladouhos, VP of Quaise Energy, and Western Canada’s foremost energy journalist Markham Hislop.

Categories: Energy

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