Solar Energy
Solar energy is energy from the sun in the form of radiated heat and light. The sun’s radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. Historically, solar energy has been harnessed through passive solar technologies. Typically, these involve the strategic location of buildings and various elements of these buildings, such as windows, overhangs and thermal masses. Such practices take advantage of the sun for lighting and space heating to significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment. Solar energy can be harnessed only during the day and only if the sunlight is not blocked by clouds, buildings or other obstacles.
Today, two active solar technologies that involve electrical or mechanical equipment are becoming more common. First, solar collectors or panels are used to heat water or ventilation air for use in buildings. Second, solar photovoltaic technology uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
The potential for solar energy varies across Canada. The potential is lower in coastal areas, due to increased cloud coverage, and is higher in the central regions. The solar potential varies even more around the globe. In general, many Canadian cities have a solar potential that is comparable internationally with that of many major cities. For instance, about half of Canada’s residential electricity requirements could be met by installing solar panels on the roofs of residential buildings.
Canada’s use of solar energy has increased in recent years, although it remains relatively small in terms of market penetration. Installed capacity for solar thermal power has seen annual compound growth rate of 13.8 per cent since 2004. The 2008-2014 period was marked by the significant growth of installed capacity for solar photovoltaic power, which in 2014, reached 1,843 megawatts of installed capacity.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy can be captured from the heat stored beneath the earth’s surface or from the absorbed heat in the atmosphere and oceans. In the first instance, geothermal energy can be captured from naturally occurring underground steam and be used to produce electricity. In the second instance, heating and cooling can be achieved by taking advantage of the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater.
The highest temperature geothermal resources are located in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta; heat and power generation projects are being considered with the demonstration projects under way. The South Meager project in British Columbia is the most advanced geothermal power project in Canada.
Furthermore, in 2010, there were over 95,000 ground-source heat pumps representing about 1,045 megawatts of thermal energy (MWth) of installed capacity and producing an estimated 1,420 gigawatt hours equivalent annually.
Ocean Energy
The ocean is a vast source of energy that can be harnessed to produce different forms of usable energy. For instance, technologies have been developed to convert the energy of ocean waves and tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. However, a number of technical, economic and environmental barriers remain and, as a result, ocean energy is currently not a widely exploited energy source.
Being landlocked only along its southern border, much of Canada is surrounded by oceans, meaning it has access to a significant energy potential. Currently, Canada has a tidal power plant in Nova Scotia with a generating capacity of 20 megawatts of electricity. Tidal current technology demonstration projects have been deployed in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Over the next several years, roughly 13 megawatts of tidal current capacity is expected to be installed in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. With a vertical tidal range that can exceed 16 meters, the Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world and is a promising site for the future development of Canada’s tidal current resources.
What are the main ideas of the article? How is this article going to help you reimage Woodbridge? (250-350 words)
The main ideas of the article are that Canada has a significant potential for renewable energy, particularly solar, geothermal, and ocean energy. Solar energy can be harnessed through passive or active technologies, with potential for significant electricity generation and space heating. Geothermal energy can be captured from underground and atmosphere heat, with British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta having the highest temperature resources. Ocean energy can also be accessed through wave and tidal power technologies, although it is currently not widely exploited due to various technical, economic, and environmental barriers.
This article can help reimagine Woodbridge by providing insights and ideas for adopting renewable energy sources. Woodbridge has a lot of potential for solar energy, particularly through the installation of solar panels on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings. Furthermore, ground-source heat pumps could be used for heating and cooling, taking advantage of the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater. While ocean energy is currently not widely exploited, it may be worth exploring the potential of wave and tidal power technologies in the nearby coastline of Woodbridge, as Canada has a significant ocean energy potential.
In summary, the article highlights Canada's potential for renewable energy and provides insights and ideas that can be applied to reimagine Woodbridge's energy usage. Embracing renewable energy sources could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing a more sustainable future, while also providing economic opportunities.
The main ideas of the article are that solar energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy are renewable energy sources that have the potential to play a significant role in Canada's energy landscape. Solar energy, generated from the sun's heat and light, can be harnessed through passive solar technologies or active solar technologies using solar collectors or panels and photovoltaic technology. Geothermal energy can be captured from the heat stored beneath the earth's surface or from the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater. Ocean energy, derived from ocean waves and tides, can be converted into electricity or other forms of power.
These renewable energy sources have different levels of potential across Canada. Solar energy potential is higher in central regions and lower in coastal areas due to increased cloud coverage. Geothermal resources are found in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta. Canada has access to a significant ocean energy potential due to its surrounding oceans, such as the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world.
This article can help reimagine Woodbridge by introducing the concept of renewable energy and highlighting its potential benefits. Woodbridge can explore the possibility of harnessing solar energy through the installation of solar panels on buildings, which can significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment for lighting and space heating. This can lead to energy cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
Geothermal energy can also be considered as a clean and sustainable source of heating and cooling. Woodbridge can explore the installation of ground-source heat pumps to harness geothermal energy, reducing reliance on traditional heating and cooling systems. This can lead to energy efficiency improvements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, Woodbridge can explore the potential of ocean energy, particularly tidal current technology, if it is in close proximity to the ocean. The promising site of the Bay of Fundy could be further investigated for the future development of tidal current resources. Investing in renewable energy sources can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system for Woodbridge, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting a cleaner and greener community.