CALGARY — A new Pembina Institute report finds electricity grids around the world are reaching high levels of wind and solar energy integration, showing how Canadian provinces can accelerate their deployment of these lowest-cost sources of power.
I’ll Have What They’re Having: Lessons learned from six jurisdictions leading in wind and solar deployment explores jurisdictions with varying climate and electricity grid needs to better understand how to maximize renewable energy integration as provincial grids across Canada undergo modernization.
The report finds high levels of wind and solar on electricity grids has been achieved in both hot and cold climates, across various sizes of grids and with no increase in power outages or link to higher electricity prices.
I’ll Have What They’re Having provides insight into the benefits of integrating high levels of renewable energy on grids, highlighting the value of prioritizing grid flexibility using interconnections and innovation. The report shows it is possible for grids to operate reliably and affordably with high levels of renewables. It also indicates that Canada is falling behind and risks missing out on the opportunity to be a world leader in renewable electricity.
Alberta has seen a sharp rise in emergency grid alerts in the past few years, mostly caused by unexpected outages of large gas plants during high demand periods when it was known that renewables wouldn’t be available. With a modern and reliable grid, emergency alerts should not be this common. For example, in previous years, Californians were asked to conserve electricity during heatwaves because their grid was unable to keep up with demand. But thanks to new clean energy and storage resources added in the past two years, alongside improved coordination between the system operator and government, California’s grid weathered record-breaking demand while also exporting electricity to support its neighbors.
Pembina’s analysis demonstrates that operating a modern grid with high levels of renewable resources helps provide affordable and reliable power for homes and businesses.
Quotes
“In this new and emerging ‘Age of Electricity,’ Canada must accelerate its deployment of low-cost wind and solar, to meet accelerating demand growth in an affordable and reliable manner. Sunny and windy Alberta is especially well positioned, but risks falling behind.”
— Will Noel, Analyst, Pembina Institute
Quick facts
- Rooftop solar can play a significant role in reducing electricity sector emissions while minimizing transmission infrastructure costs. In South Australia, rooftop solar panels have met nearly 20% of the state’s demand so far in 2024.
- Wind and solar energy are complementary in the course of a day and between seasons. In all the studied jurisdictions, wind energy is more prominent at night and in winters, while solar resources are more important during the day and in summers.
- Only 4% of Alberta’s total generating capacity is covered by energy storage, interties and demand-response compared to 11% in Texas and 46% in Denmark. Alberta needs to make improvements toward a more flexible and resilient grid.
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Contact
Courtney Smith
Senior Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
647-797-9353
Background
Report: Zeroing In: Pathways to an affordable net-zero grid in Alberta
Submission: Towards the economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta
