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Future State of Renewables
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural
sources that are replenished at a higher rate than
they are consumed. Generating renewable energy
creates lower emissions than burning fossil fuels.
Complementing fossil fuels, which currently account
for a large share of emissions, with renewable energy
is key to addressing the climate crisis.
The County of Newell has encouraged the
development of solar energy and will continue to be
active participants in the AUC permitting process.
What interest is there for the development of other
renewables in the County? The following is a brief
of examples of what could be further explored.
Solar
Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy
resources. Solar technologies convert sunlight into
electrical energy either through photovoltaic panels
or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.
The County of Newell currently has five solar farms that
are in operation or approved for construction with an
overall production capacity of 476 MW.
In 2018, the Miistakis Institute prepared the Least
Conflict Lands report to serve as a tool to site
renewable energy developments to reduce impacts
to other land uses. The report identified areas that do
not conflict with ecological, agricultural, and cultural
and scenic resources.
Wind
Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving
air by using large wind turbines. Modern wind energy
technologies are maximizing the production of
electricity.
Historically, wind energy has not been seen has
advantageous in the County of Newell. The annual
mean wind speed varies between 5.5 and 7.5 m/s,
which is lower than other regions in Alberta.
Therefore, development of wind energy is possible
but unlikely.
Geothermal
Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal
energy from the Earth’s interior. Heat is extracted
from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other
means. The County’s many oil and gas wells could
serve as a source of geothermal energy with the
development of the required technologies and
infrastructures.
Bioenergy
Biopower technologies convert renewable
biomass fuels into heat and electricity using
processes similar to those used with fossil fuels. There
are three ways to release the energy stored in
biomass: burning, bacterial decay, and conversion
to gas/liquid fuel. Burning is done to produce high-
pressure steam which turns a turbine. Bacterial
decay collects methane used as a renewable
natural gas. And gas/liquid fuels are produced
through processes that convert biomass into
useable energy sources.
A local example of bioenergy is the Lethbridge
Biogas LP. The facility processes biomass with
anaerobic digesters to produce biogas used to
produced electricity.
The Future
By continuing to support innovative and emerging
technologies like renewable energy, the County
can be well adapted to thrive in an energy market
that is transitioning away from its dependence on
fossil fuels; fostering and supporting more
sustainable lifestyles for all its energy consumers.
While oil and gas are still major contributors to the
County of Newell, it is important to develop a more
diversified tax base to support the sustainability of
the service levels the County provides.