Electric Power Generation

Transcription

1 MWC Position Paper on Electric Power Generation 2015 Update

2 Background Last Power Generation Position Paper February 2009 Much has changed since then Ontario Green Energy and Green Economy Act, May 2009 FIT and micro-fit programs, 2009 Ontario Long-Term Energy Plan, November 2010 Updated Long-Term Energy Plan, December 2013 Closure of Coal Plants, April 2014 World-wide trend to smaller, decentralized generation

3 Current Electricity Generation Mix in Ontario Source % of Capacity % of Generation Nuclear Hydro Gas/Oil Wind 7 4 Biofuel 1 <1 Solar <1

4 Full Environmental Costs of Generating Options Relative Impact

5 Current Electricity Generation in Muskoka River Station Name Capacity (MW) Head (metres) Owner N. Muskoka Bracebridge Falls Bracebridge Generation High Falls Bracebridge Generation Wilson s Falls Bracebridge Generation S. Muskoka Hanna Chute Ontario Power Generation Matthias 2.45 Orillia Power Generation South Falls 5.0 Ontario Power Generation Tretheway Ontario Power Generation Muskoka Little Burgess 0.32 KRIS Renewable Power Big Eddy 8.0 Ontario Power Generation Ragged Rapids 8.0 Ontario Power Generation Total = 35.53

6 Potential Hydro-electric Generation Sites with Capacity >100 kw In Muskoka River Location Capacity (MW) Head (metres) N. Muskoka Mary Lake Dam km below Mary Lake Duck Chute Fairy Lake Dam S. Muskoka Baysville Dam Slaters Chute Crozier Chute Oxtongue Marshs Falls Muskoka North Bala Falls Gray Rapids Go Home Lake Dam Indian River Port Carling Dam Dee River Windermere

7 Possible Electricity Generation Options for Muskoka Benefits & Barriers Gas-fired Generation Gas-fired cogeneration Combined-cycle gas-fired generation Simple-cycle gas-fired generation Renewables Limited-storage hydro-electric generation Run-of-river hydro-electric generation Wind power generation Solar photovoltaic generation Biomass combustion Waste-to-energy Landfill gas Farm biogas

8 Adjuncts to Generation Benefits & Barriers Energy Storage Electricity Conservation and Efficiency Transmission Lines

9 Recommendations 1. MWC supports sustainable electricity generation, transmission and conservation initiatives balancing the benefits for Muskoka (and Ontario) with environmental impacts. 2. MWC supports demand-side electricity conservation and efficiency measures as the first priority in managing demand for electricity before the construction of new facilities. 3. MWC supports local electricity initiatives that increase the efficiencies in existing facilities provided environmental impacts are carefully considered. 4. MWC supports the concept of community social enterprise, individual and municipal electricity generation projects because these enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of watershed communities.

10 Recommendations (continued) 5. Where new power generation facilities are proposed in Muskoka, it is MWC s position that any new proposal be reviewed based on the following principles: Small-scale decentralized power projects are preferred over large-scale centralized projects - smaller environmental footprint and less need for new transmission lines. All new projects should minimize negative impacts on wetlands, fish habitat, shorelines and large natural areas. For example, hydro projects that use existing dam structures are preferable to creating new dams. New electricity projects should consider all the alternatives including the No alternative. Renewable electricity generation options provide supply with the lowest overall environmental and health impacts. Assessment of all new projects should be based on evaluation of the full life cycle environmental, health and social costs of alternative generating sources.

11 Recommendations (continued) 6. Many of the components of poor air quality related to electricity generation come from activities outside of Muskoka and to a large extent outside of Ontario. MWC supports any efforts through provincial, federal and international initiatives to encourage other jurisdictions to develop air quality improvement strategies related to coal-powered electricity generation that impacts our air quality in Ontario and globally.