Adaptation Needs in Northern Canada Highlighted
November 29, 2009
The National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) has released an important report outlining the challenges that will face northern Canada due to climate change and the large infrastructure adaptation that is needed to respond to the climate crisis there.
Quebec unveils new policy, commits to 20% reduction of GHGs from 1990 levels by 2020.
November 23, 2009
In today’s announcement, the Government of Quebec has embraced the most ambitious targets in North America. Due to the extensive hydro resources in the province, Quebec already has fairly low GHG emissions in comparison to other North American jurisdictions, however by sticking with the 1990 base line and embracing targets in line with the European Union, Quebec is sending a clear statement internationally, and visibly distancing itself from the Canadian Government on climate change policy.
Internationally, Canada advocates ditching the 1990 baseline and advocates for “country specific” targets that take into consideration our “growing population” and unique national circumstances (i.e. we are a large, resource dependant nation with a major oil reserve). Canada’s current target is a 20% reduction from 2006 levels by 2020. Due to the rise of emissions between 1990 and 2006 in Canada that target is the equivalent of a 3% reduction from 1990 levels. Canada committed to a 6% reduction by 2012 in the Kyoto Protocol, a target the Government has since abandoned.
In the announcement Premier Charest reiterated his commitment to have a cap and trade system in place by 2012. Quebec plans to meet its 2020 target largely through investments in public transportation, model shifting for freight, halting urban sprawl and phasing out oil heating systems.
Check out the press release for more information.
Obama and Hu Jintao Strive for Legally Binding Agreement in Copenhagen
November 17, 2009
V. Climate Change, Energy and Environment
The two sides held a constructive and productive dialogue on the issue of climate change. They underscored that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The two sides maintain that a vigorous response is necessary and that international cooperation is indispensable in responding to this challenge. They are convinced of the need to address climate change in a manner that respects the priority of economic and social development in developing countries and are equally convinced that transitioning to a low-carbon economy is an opportunity to promote continued economic growth and sustainable development in all countries.
Regarding the upcoming Copenhagen Conference, both sides agree on the importance of actively furthering the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. The United States and China, consistent with their national circumstances, resolve to take significant mitigation actions and recognize the important role that their countries play in promoting a sustainable outcome that will strengthen the world’s ability to combat climate change. The two sides resolve to stand behind these commitments.
In this context both sides believe that,
while striving for final legal agreement, an agreed outcome at Copenhagen should, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, include emission reduction targets of developed countries and nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries. The outcome should also substantially scale up financial assistance to developing countries, promote technology development, dissemination and transfer, pay particular attention to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable to adapt to climate change, promote steps to preserve and enhance forests, and provide for full transparency with respect to the implementation of mitigation measures and provision of financial, technology and capacity building support.
The two sides are committed to working together and with other countries in the weeks ahead for a successful outcome at Copenhagen.
The two sides agreed that the transition to a green and low-carbon economy is essential and that the clean energy industry will provide vast opportunities for citizens of both countries in the years ahead and welcomed significant steps forward to advance policy dialogue and practical cooperation on climate change, energy and the environment, building on the U.S.-China Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy and Environment announced at the first round of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this July and formally signed during the Presidential visit.
The two sides recognized the importance of the Ten Year Framework on Energy and Environment Cooperation (TYF) and commit to strengthen cooperation in promoting clean air, water, transportation, electricity, and resource conservation. Through a new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan under the TYF, the United States and China will work together to achieve cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in industry, buildings and consumer products through technical cooperation, demonstration and policy exchanges. Noting both countries significant investments in energy efficiency, the two Presidents underscored the enormous opportunities to create jobs and enhance economic growth through energy savings.
The two sides welcomed the signing of the Protocol Between the Department of Energy of the United States of America and the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China on a Clean Energy Research Center. The Center will facilitate joint research and development on clean energy by teams of scientists and engineers from both countries, as well as serve as clearing house to help researchers in each country, with public and private funding of at least $150 million over five years split evenly between the two countries. The Center will have one headquarters in each country. Priority topics to be addressed will include energy efficiency in buildings, clean coal (including carbon capture and sequestration), and clean vehicles.
The two sides welcomed the launch of a U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative designed to put millions of electric vehicles on the roads of both countries in the years ahead. Building on significant investments in electric vehicles in both the United States and China, the two governments announced a program of joint demonstration projects in more than a dozen cities, along with work to develop common technical standards to facilitate rapid scale-up of the industry. The two sides agreed that their countries share a strong common interest in the rapid deployment of clean vehicles.
The two sides strongly welcomed work in both countries to promote 21st century coal technologies. They agreed to promote cooperation on large-scale carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) demonstration projects and to begin work immediately on the development, deployment, diffusion, and transfer of CCS technology. The two sides welcomed recent agreements between Chinese and U.S. companies, universities, and research institutions to cooperate on CCS and more efficient coal technologies.
The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States and the National Development and Reform Commission of China and to Build Capacity to Address Climate Change.
The two sides welcomed the launch of The U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership. Through this Partnership, the two countries will chart a pathway to wide-scale deployment of wind, solar, advanced bio-fuels, and a modern electric power grid in both countries and cooperate in designing and implementing the policy and technical tools necessary to make that vision possible. Given the combined market size of the two countries, accelerated deployment of renewable energy in The United States and China can significantly reduce the cost of these technologies globally.
The two sides welcomed the establishment of The U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP), a partnership between government and industry to enhance energy security and combat climate change. The ECP will leverage private sector resources and expertise to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology.
The two sides commended the results of the recently-held Fourth U.S.-China Energy Policy Dialogue and Ninth U.S.-China Oil and Gas Industry Forum and welcomed the launch of a U.S.-China Shale Gas Resource Initiative to accelerate the development of unconventional natural gas resources in China. Drawing on recent experience in the United States, this initiative aims to improve energy security in both countries and help China transition to a low-carbon economy.
The two sides agreed to work together to advance global efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They welcomed the recently-concluded Third Executive Committee Meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, and the commitment of the partnership to explore ways to enhance the international framework for civil nuclear energy cooperation. They agreed to consult with one another in order to explore such approaches — including assurance of fuel supply and cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management so that countries can access peaceful nuclear power while minimizing the risks of proliferation.
The Waiting Game
November 13, 2009
News coming out of the United states like this, coupled with the insistence for more “nationally determined” mitigation responses on the internationally stage (meaning, a resistance to a legally binding international treaty to reduce reduce emissions) challenge me.
Seminar Charges Forward with Discussion on Energy Storage
November 4, 2009
Guest Contribution by Robert Wakulat
I finally found an excuse to make my first visit to the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto this morning to attend a Cleantech in Canada seminar. While the complimentary breakfast was no Sunday brunch, I was pretty impressed with the interior design. Exposed brick is always a winner in my books!
Today’s seminar was entitled Charging Forward: Opportunities in the Energy Storage Market and addressed a topic that has typically been discussed at the periphery of “sexier” energy and technology issues such as the smart grid or smart phone. However, energy storage is an issue that has been identified as a potential barrier to maximizing the full potential of other energy-related technological improvements. While nothing revolutionary was mentioned during the seminar, the panelists made a number of interesting points.
- Market Sizes:
- The moderator, Deloitte’s Duncan Stewart, opened by quoting the rechargeable/storage battery market as being already an $80 billion per year industry. He was echoed by Sankar Das Gupta from Electrovaya who pointed out AT Kearney has valued the lithium ion battery market as reaching $23 billion by 2015 and $74 billion by 2020. The main driver for this development emanates from the United States where the Obama Administration has called for 1 million plug-in cars on the road by 2015.
- Ultimately, Gupta sees a $5 trillion opportunity in clean transportation driven by concerns in climate change, pollution, oil prices, energy security and government incentives.
- Conversely, Kirk Washington chimed in as the “sober investor” pointing out that AT Kearney was predicting a fuel-cell market of $80 billion by 2020 which is now an unlikely to be achieved target.
- Mark Tinkler has seen market estimates of about $8 billion for utility energy storage. Currently the major utility storage method is pumped hydro, but Tinkler cites compressed air as a serious growth opportunity.
- Many of the panelists pointed out the obvious communications technology developments that will be required to optimize energy storage solutions.
- Cleantech Players:
- While considerable media attention has been paid to the apparent cross-over of IT entrepreneurs into the cleantech space, the speakers cautioned that the demands of this market favour more experienced hands. Gupta sees traditional transportation heavyweights GM, Chrysler, Ford and Nissan as being the leaders in lithium ion storage developments.
- Washington noted that even if you have a superior technology solution, utilities prefer to buy from organizations that have financial strength and significant industry experience (e.g. Siemens, GE) because “reliability is king”.
- Grid Implications:
- Tinkler, formerly of OPG, pointed out that storage technology should lead to a fairer outcome for Ontario ratepayers who are currently paying wind farms under the FIT to produce energy at 3 am when nobody actually requires its generation. Tinkle would like to see a FIT premium that recognizes storage-enhanced renewable energy projects, which will allow generators and distributors to bring that power into daytime use.
- Tinkler also pointed out the natural symbiosis between improved storage technology and an effective smart grid that is better able to smooth energy peaks and valleys.
- Utility infrastructure congestion in high-urban density can be alleviated by the use of lithium ion batteries as distributed or community storage, which can store off-peak energy and release it during daytime peak hours. This will delay expensive and environmentally suspect investments such as major transmission line expansions and additions.
- Storage Types:
- Lithium ion was the panel’s preferred option for simple and effective energy storage but acknowledged the value to long-term storage of pumped hydro and compressed air. Zinc and sodium sulfur batteries were also discussed as alternatives with the latter particularly popular in Japan where they have been in use for approximately 15 years.
- Washington cautioned that it is still more cost-efficient for utilities to purchase gas-fired facilities to meet peak loads than it is to invest in any storage solutions.
- Product Lifecycle: Panelists agreed that a key driver to improving the economic appeal of lithium ion batteries would be the development of a secondary use market by utilities (i.e. “repurposing”) who use these batteries as energy storage devices once their charge capacity is below 80%.
- Product Quality: Rudisuela and Tinkler agreed that lithium ion batteries must be incredibly robust and efficient for use in automobiles. The former believes lithium ion battery manufacturing will need to get to 7-sigma or greater before their quality is high enough for use in automobiles.
- International Outlook:
- The panel cited Japan and the EU as two regions that are well ahead of Canadian developments in energy storage.
- Ken Rudisuela noted that Canada has a great history of lithium ion development but very poor record of commercialization. He sees erosion in this capacity in favour of Asian countries.
- India and Africa are relying heavily on communication systems that need to constantly run batteries and are frequently replaced. Developing solutions to meet these needs will reduce waste and costs for these countries.
- Washington sees China as short-circuiting North America’s search for energy storage standards by undertaking a top-down analysis, making a decision and implementing it. They will avoid a considerable amount of wasted time, money and effort in the process.
Robert Wakulat is a lawyer working on climate change and renewable energy issues he can be reached at rwakulat (at) gmail.com
