The electricity grid is something residents and businesses rely on every day to turn on lights and computers, to cook, or maybe even drive to work. It is an often-underappreciated asset in our energy sector, despite being right in front of our eyes. How does the electrical grid work? Electricity is generated by a
What is electricity? To understand the electricity we use every day, you must first understand a few common concepts to help explain it. Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor (wire), like water through a garden hose. This flow is called an electric current. Current is measured in
Commentary by Jonathan Alward, Vice President, Policy Given all the interest in climate change and in reducing the use of fossil fuels, especially those generating electricity, it is no surprise many people were shocked to learn about Nova Scotia Power’s plans to transition existing coal-fired electricity generation at the Lingan Generating Station to use
Commentary by Ryan Mitchell Canada’s electricity sector faces a considerable challenge: by 2035, we must be carbon neutral. That is daunting on its own, considering that much of what we need to get there is still under development. At the same time, though, utilities across this country have to prepare themselves to meet an
The purpose of this discussion paper is to help Atlantic Canadians better understand how federal regulatory changes, aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, will impact the supply of electricity in Atlantic Canada. This paper uses publicly available federal data through the Canada Energy Regulator’s Energy Futures 2021 report. Open Publication
The purpose of the second discussion paper in Atlantic Canada’s Electricity Future – Discussion Series is to help Atlantic Canadians better understand how federal regulatory changes and policies aimed at achieving net-zero emission by 2050, as well as evolving consumer behaviours, will likely increase electricity demand across the Atlantic provinces. Like the first paper in
COMMENTARY: Michelle Robichaud, President, Atlantica Centre for Energy It seems we don't hear the word energy without climate change alongside it. In the face of the unmistakable consequences of climate change, society expects actions toward our clean energy future. Canada's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is ambitious and important. There are less
Michelle Robichaud, Commentary We have less than eight years to reach the ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets Canada has put in place (cutting emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 targets by the year 2030). Following this, there will likely be a Clean Electricity Standard in place that will further require a net-zero electricity
A high-level glance at the Maritime provinces' electricity supply, as forecasted by Canada Energy Regulator. Further insight is available by reading the Atlantica Centre for Energy discussion paper on Electricity Supply Open Publication
Commentary Colleen d’Entremont Now that we have finished the first quarter of 2022, and my time at Atlantica wraps up, we find ourselves just that much closer to the deadlines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each quarter that passes must have significant accomplishments if we are collectively going to transform our energy production and
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) completed a Life Cycle Assessment Report of Electricity Generation Options, proving that over its full life cycle, nuclear accumulates the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, the smallest ecological footprint and the least minerals and metals used, even when compared to all other evaluated energy technologies!
The Atlantica Centre for Energy has issued letters to the premiers of the Atlantic Canadian provinces and to the federal government warning that as the region struggles with the impacts of the pandemic, it is not the right time to impose the Clean Fuel Standard. The federal government is expected to reveal details of the