Serendipity – is when you find something of value when you were looking for something else. What we found this time could be a Lulu!!
We were looking for an existing path, if any, that might lead from Canada to New York City to deliver lowest-cost hydropower to the “Big Apple.” The first thing to find would be the parts of the famous “grid” connecting the various utilities around the nation – particularly in the northeast.
A lesson learned from the “blackouts” of 1965, 1977 and 2003 is that an adequate and reliable grid does not exist. Not yet - although one is promised (for some future date).
What we did learn at first gave us hope but on further investigation brought us up sharply:
In 2000 a British firm, National Grid plc (NG) came across the pond to enter the U.S. market. NG is an international network utility with principle activities in the regulated electricity and natural gas industries, according to its advertising.
We thought that since they operated the entire grid in Britain, they might be able to get our gird operating on a truly “national” basis. So we welcomed National Grid USA.
Now, however, it has become clear that much bigger goals are in the NG eyes and the fact that deregulation has taken place in the US has made it possible for expansion into almost (if not real) monopolistic efforts.
We have found the NG now owns Electric utilities in 5 states, Gas utilities in 4 states and transmission systems serving 13 states, all, so far, east of the Mississippi.
NG operates Britain’s entire grid as well as that of Scotland. It is reported also to have interests in Germany and Australia.
National Grid USA became the 3rd largest energy supplier in the U.S. in 2006 when it acquired KeySpan, its fifth U.S. takeover since emigrating in 2000.
When authorizing the KeySpan purchase, the NY State Public Service Commission ruled that NG could not retain the large generating plant at Ravenswood, Queens, NY. So NG sold it to TransCanada’s US subsidiary.
There is more at issue here than just the “national grid.” The name itself is greatly misleading and everyone should learn that NG is not our national grid.
National or International, who’s in charge? Stay tuned for details
Showing posts with label Canadian hydroelectricity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian hydroelectricity. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Hydropower 103
Waterfalls, flowing rivers, great dams, pipelines – where is all of America’s hydropower, operating right now and potential for the future?
And while we’re looking, we must include the same data for Canada because their potential could be a major factor in removing the world political power of oil.
I’m afraid we have to deal with some statistics to make a point, but we’ll keep it simple:
Current data United States Canada
Total Energy Capacity (GW) * 1,087.2 411.7
Total Hydro Capacity 77.6 70.8
Total Coal Capacity (for comparison) 333.1 n.a.
Potential Hydro Capacity 150.0 233.8
Thus hydro – together with the availability of vast amounts of Canadian natural gas-could substantially reduce, if not eliminate, our dependency on coal – or reduce or eliminate our need for Mideast Oil.
The additional U.S. hydro potentials are all over the country and of all sizes. In Canada the majority of the available hydro sites are in the west and Quebec in the east.
The successful development of this clean and low-cost energy will depend greatly on
(1) the relationship between the U.S. and Canada; and
(2) the continuing development of a true and adequate transmission system to deliver the hydro-developed power to the ultimate consumer.
Much was learned from the infamous “black-outs” of 1965 and 1977. The disturbing statement from the commission studying the two massive power failures was basically that “it could very well happen again.” The grid was inadequate.
Finally, while the product of hydropower plants is the lowest cost, the cost of building the plants and upgrading the transmission system (also called “the grid”) must be considered. It is good to note that part of the new administration’s energy plan is to expand and improve the national grid.
Again we adopt the American tradition of optimism
*(GW) = 1 billion watts
And while we’re looking, we must include the same data for Canada because their potential could be a major factor in removing the world political power of oil.
I’m afraid we have to deal with some statistics to make a point, but we’ll keep it simple:
Current data United States Canada
Total Energy Capacity (GW) * 1,087.2 411.7
Total Hydro Capacity 77.6 70.8
Total Coal Capacity (for comparison) 333.1 n.a.
Potential Hydro Capacity 150.0 233.8
Thus hydro – together with the availability of vast amounts of Canadian natural gas-could substantially reduce, if not eliminate, our dependency on coal – or reduce or eliminate our need for Mideast Oil.
The additional U.S. hydro potentials are all over the country and of all sizes. In Canada the majority of the available hydro sites are in the west and Quebec in the east.
The successful development of this clean and low-cost energy will depend greatly on
(1) the relationship between the U.S. and Canada; and
(2) the continuing development of a true and adequate transmission system to deliver the hydro-developed power to the ultimate consumer.
Much was learned from the infamous “black-outs” of 1965 and 1977. The disturbing statement from the commission studying the two massive power failures was basically that “it could very well happen again.” The grid was inadequate.
Finally, while the product of hydropower plants is the lowest cost, the cost of building the plants and upgrading the transmission system (also called “the grid”) must be considered. It is good to note that part of the new administration’s energy plan is to expand and improve the national grid.
Again we adopt the American tradition of optimism
*(GW) = 1 billion watts
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Oil and Water – Don’t Mix, And Canada Has Some Questions and Answers
There aren’t many waterfalls of significance in Texas. There are plenty of Oil wells.
And a continuing era of extreme drought.
And in northern California there are those major geothermal fields.
And a continuing era of drought.
In Canada there are many waterfalls of significance.
And 15 times as many oil reserves as U.S.
“Can water, oil’s arch enemy, replace it?
Or can one help the other?
We’ve already discussed the fact that our largest supplier of foreign oil is Canada.
We can also import water from north of the border and they’re getting a little nervous about how much we’re going to need in the next 5 years. This is due to what one Canadian “think tank” stated that “24% of America’s medium sized cities and 17.3% of the larger cities are expected to face serious shortages by 2015.”
What we have here is a redefinition of the word anachronism.
President Obama’s visit to Canada as his first foreign trip was no surprise. His expressed concern over U.S. import of Canadian “dirty oil” has Ottawa on the defensive. Obtaining oil from Alberta’s tar sands generates what has been called “Huge amounts of greenhouse gases.”
Canada wants to conclude a treaty with the U.S. agreeing to tougher emissions standards while recognizing the importance of those tar sands that produce so much oil.
How about replacing more of our petroleum processes with hydropower from Canada. Tell Canada to keep its water – and its oil – as long as we can receive enough hydropower to reduce our use of oil and coal.
Given enough hydropower we can reduce oil usage and desalinate sea water reducing the need to import potable water from Canada – which they can continue to pour into their hydro power plants on the way to their faucets!
And let’s talk about all the water in the Great Lakes – reusable?
Stay tuned
And a continuing era of extreme drought.
And in northern California there are those major geothermal fields.
And a continuing era of drought.
In Canada there are many waterfalls of significance.
And 15 times as many oil reserves as U.S.
“Can water, oil’s arch enemy, replace it?
Or can one help the other?
We’ve already discussed the fact that our largest supplier of foreign oil is Canada.
We can also import water from north of the border and they’re getting a little nervous about how much we’re going to need in the next 5 years. This is due to what one Canadian “think tank” stated that “24% of America’s medium sized cities and 17.3% of the larger cities are expected to face serious shortages by 2015.”
What we have here is a redefinition of the word anachronism.
President Obama’s visit to Canada as his first foreign trip was no surprise. His expressed concern over U.S. import of Canadian “dirty oil” has Ottawa on the defensive. Obtaining oil from Alberta’s tar sands generates what has been called “Huge amounts of greenhouse gases.”
Canada wants to conclude a treaty with the U.S. agreeing to tougher emissions standards while recognizing the importance of those tar sands that produce so much oil.
How about replacing more of our petroleum processes with hydropower from Canada. Tell Canada to keep its water – and its oil – as long as we can receive enough hydropower to reduce our use of oil and coal.
Given enough hydropower we can reduce oil usage and desalinate sea water reducing the need to import potable water from Canada – which they can continue to pour into their hydro power plants on the way to their faucets!
And let’s talk about all the water in the Great Lakes – reusable?
Stay tuned
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
President Obama, Tear Down This Wall
Is it possible that it’s only a few years since we learned that Kerr McGee oil interests in Oklahoma were sitting on the world’s largest coal reserves? And haven’t we been told that the cost of “cleaning up” coal is staggering?
Perhaps change under the new 2009 administration is not possible as promised. A ten year program to provide coal that will not pollute the air when burned laughs in the face of a two year period to begin a program that would guarantee North American Energy Independence for the rest of the century! Is this a Bush legacy?
FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the power to fully open up the gates to Canada and allow hydro power to replace the coal that makes the United States the largest polluter of air on Earth.
Commonwealth Edison of Chicago burns coal at the mine and sends the power made there to Chicago.
FDR’s great hydro-power project in Tennessee, the TVA, now produces 75% of its power output by BURNING COAL! And ask TVA customers what happened to their electricity costs. And coal ash sludge that ruined homes, lakes and rivers leaving carcinogens in the ground and wildlife in danger. And Tennessee is not the only place.
We will discuss what is really green in a later edition. But for now let’s ask some serious questions.
The President says that our economic situation requires prompt and huge action. Well, so does our energy supply from the points of view of both economics and international politics.
Earlier we have had a look at the various forms of energy that make civilized life a lot more comfortable than the aboriginal. We’ve also had a chance to look at the good and bad results of the use of the various energy forms available today.
Our Canadian neighbors – and partners – have made a serious study of energy conditions as they exist today throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere and their thoughts are provocative and worthy of our attention and at least some action.
The Canadian Electricity Association finds the problems in three categories:
1. Serious lack of clarity around market rules (US and Canada)
2. Pressure of environmental changes particularly re: GHG (greenhouse gases)
3. Lack of clarity of both 1 & 2 causes a very poor investment environment.
According to a major banking firm, there are literally trillions of US Dollars sitting out there waiting for an improved investment climate. In our next blog we will discuss the CEA “Prescriptions” to help solidify market integration and therefore clean energy.
Please Mr. President, Open the Gates, Tear down the wall.
Perhaps change under the new 2009 administration is not possible as promised. A ten year program to provide coal that will not pollute the air when burned laughs in the face of a two year period to begin a program that would guarantee North American Energy Independence for the rest of the century! Is this a Bush legacy?
FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the power to fully open up the gates to Canada and allow hydro power to replace the coal that makes the United States the largest polluter of air on Earth.
Commonwealth Edison of Chicago burns coal at the mine and sends the power made there to Chicago.
FDR’s great hydro-power project in Tennessee, the TVA, now produces 75% of its power output by BURNING COAL! And ask TVA customers what happened to their electricity costs. And coal ash sludge that ruined homes, lakes and rivers leaving carcinogens in the ground and wildlife in danger. And Tennessee is not the only place.
We will discuss what is really green in a later edition. But for now let’s ask some serious questions.
The President says that our economic situation requires prompt and huge action. Well, so does our energy supply from the points of view of both economics and international politics.
Earlier we have had a look at the various forms of energy that make civilized life a lot more comfortable than the aboriginal. We’ve also had a chance to look at the good and bad results of the use of the various energy forms available today.
Our Canadian neighbors – and partners – have made a serious study of energy conditions as they exist today throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere and their thoughts are provocative and worthy of our attention and at least some action.
The Canadian Electricity Association finds the problems in three categories:
1. Serious lack of clarity around market rules (US and Canada)
2. Pressure of environmental changes particularly re: GHG (greenhouse gases)
3. Lack of clarity of both 1 & 2 causes a very poor investment environment.
According to a major banking firm, there are literally trillions of US Dollars sitting out there waiting for an improved investment climate. In our next blog we will discuss the CEA “Prescriptions” to help solidify market integration and therefore clean energy.
Please Mr. President, Open the Gates, Tear down the wall.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Oh, Canada!
Good Borders Make Good Neighbors
That isn’t what he meant and you know it. Robert Frost I mean. But in the case of our good neighbors to the north there is some diminished irony in the phrase.
No two other neighboring countries in the world have a better friendship and working relationship than the U.S. and Canada. As Yoda would say, “Far from perfect it is.”
But in general it does work.
From the energy viewpoint Canada is our best international supplier of many things:
22% of our oil imports come from Canada.
Canada supplies 82% of all US gas imports (16% of total US consumption)
One-third of all the uranium used in US nuclear plants comes from Canada.
For over a hundred years Canada and the US have conducted across-the-border trade of electricity – in both directions. Over time, and particularly recently, Canadian exports grew to 50 billion kilowatt-hours while American exports to Canada fell to under 20 billion.
Clearly the lower cost of Canadian Hydropower should be of serious appeal to US suppliers. One would think that the flow would be much greater than it is. But the powerful interests in Texas and Oklahoma for years downplayed the hydro power concept for obvious reasons.
The good news is that more gates now are opening and hydro power is coming from Alberta to Montana; New Brunswick to Maine; and Northeast Utilities and NStar Electric have applied to Hydro-Quebec for 1,200 Megawatts of power to New England.
Further, a study recently completed by EEM, Inc., a Canadian Consulting firm showed that the current Canadian Hydropower Potential is as large as 163,100 MW.
So it seems that Energy Independence can mean a lot as long as we are not independent of our neighbor Canada.
If we can purchase a considerable amount of that developing hydro, we should be able to:
Reduce coal as fuel for power generation – certainly a “green” step.
Replace a portion of oil used for electric generation with hydro and natural gas.
There are many other uses that will be discussed as we go along.
And one additional thought – Our neighbors to the South provide 12% of our imported oil.
The Mexican contribution is about the same as Saudi Arabia. We don’t want to hurt the Mexican economy and we won’t have to if we can replace the OPEC supply.
The program to achieve all this is partly in place and we will discuss both what is and what has to be.
That isn’t what he meant and you know it. Robert Frost I mean. But in the case of our good neighbors to the north there is some diminished irony in the phrase.
No two other neighboring countries in the world have a better friendship and working relationship than the U.S. and Canada. As Yoda would say, “Far from perfect it is.”
But in general it does work.
From the energy viewpoint Canada is our best international supplier of many things:
22% of our oil imports come from Canada.
Canada supplies 82% of all US gas imports (16% of total US consumption)
One-third of all the uranium used in US nuclear plants comes from Canada.
For over a hundred years Canada and the US have conducted across-the-border trade of electricity – in both directions. Over time, and particularly recently, Canadian exports grew to 50 billion kilowatt-hours while American exports to Canada fell to under 20 billion.
Clearly the lower cost of Canadian Hydropower should be of serious appeal to US suppliers. One would think that the flow would be much greater than it is. But the powerful interests in Texas and Oklahoma for years downplayed the hydro power concept for obvious reasons.
The good news is that more gates now are opening and hydro power is coming from Alberta to Montana; New Brunswick to Maine; and Northeast Utilities and NStar Electric have applied to Hydro-Quebec for 1,200 Megawatts of power to New England.
Further, a study recently completed by EEM, Inc., a Canadian Consulting firm showed that the current Canadian Hydropower Potential is as large as 163,100 MW.
So it seems that Energy Independence can mean a lot as long as we are not independent of our neighbor Canada.
If we can purchase a considerable amount of that developing hydro, we should be able to:
Reduce coal as fuel for power generation – certainly a “green” step.
Replace a portion of oil used for electric generation with hydro and natural gas.
There are many other uses that will be discussed as we go along.
And one additional thought – Our neighbors to the South provide 12% of our imported oil.
The Mexican contribution is about the same as Saudi Arabia. We don’t want to hurt the Mexican economy and we won’t have to if we can replace the OPEC supply.
The program to achieve all this is partly in place and we will discuss both what is and what has to be.
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