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Analysis of the Potential for Expansion of Renewable Electricity in the Province of Alberta
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This report represents the culmination of the final capstone team research project conducted by the undergraduate students of the University of Alberta’s Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, Human Dimensions Majors, and Environmental Studies major. The research project was supervised by Dr. Debra J. Davidson, Professor in the Department of resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, and the project took place during the Winter Term, January through April, 2015. Students met weekly for a three-hour class period, as well as in smaller working groups. The students worked collaboratively on a research team, with responsibility for identifying research questions, conducting literature reviews, developing a methodology, pursuing original research, and presenting oral and written summaries of their work. All students expressed enthusiasm for exploring the potential for expansion of the use of renewable energy sources in Alberta’s electricity grid, while bringing unique perspectives and skills to the project. The students were divided into three working groups according to their interests: one focused on science and engineering aspects of renewable energy technologies, one focused on policymaking and politics, and one focused on the role of consumers and civil society.
The team concluded that there is significant potential for Alberta to transition towards a pathway of renewable energy development, particularly in the electricity sector. Doing so would have several benefits, including a more diversified economy and energy supply, job creation, and significant ecological and environmental health benefits. Student-led research was conducted to assess the potential for renewable energy expansion in Albertan’s electricity sector. According to this study, many experts agree that Alberta has access to the biophysical and technological capacity that would support a 100% renewable energy-based electricity grid. This potential is constrained, however, by infrastructure limitations, a relatively tepid political enthusiasm, and a well-entrenched fossil-fuel sector. Overcoming these constraints will require a combination of policies to support the renewable energy sector, as well as public dialogues that highlight a constructive, futures orientation toward renewable energy, emphasize the economic competitiveness and social and environmental benefits of renewables, while avoiding negative framing of the fossil fuels sector.
It is worth noting that, over the course of the Winter term, the Province of Alberta experienced an unprecedented shift in electoral politics, as the reigning Progressive Conservative Party was replaced by the New Democratic Party, with Rachel Notley as Premier. The new ruling party entered with a climate change and energy platform that departed notably from its predecessor, and therefore the political landscape governing energy in the Province shifted significantly during the preparation of this report.
While the Instructor assumed responsibility for the final editing and dissemination of this report, every effort was made to present the original work of the student research team with a minimal amount of editorial revision as necessary. -
- Date created
- 2016-01-01
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- Type of Item
- Report