Alberta Solar Review 2022

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

2022/23

Alberta’s time to lead the renewable energy transition Engineering, procurement, and construction in Alberta’s solar sector Sunny forecast: Clean energy sector jobs projected to grow

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CONTENTS Message from the editor............................................................ 4 Capstone Infrastructure adds wind to its solar projects............. 5 Taking charge –

By Canadian Renewable Energy Association.............................. 6 Developing the solar project: EPC contract in the Alberta solar section

By Bennett Jones LLP............................................................... 8 Join the Solar Club....................................................................10

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW IS PUBLISHED BY DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com PRESIDENT & CEO

DAVID LANGSTAFF MANAGING EDITOR

TAMMY SCHUSTER tammy@delcommunications.com ADVERTISING MANAGER

Builders who deliver..................................................................12

DAYNA OULION

Supporting Alberta’s energy transition with geothermal energy........................................................... 14

COLIN JAMES ANTHONY ROMEO GARY SEAMANS

An energy transition is Alberta’s energy reality, so are the jobs that come with it................................................15 Alberta’s renewable energy future.............................................16 Solar Alberta professional training courses...............................18

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Bennett Jones LLP........................................................................... 8 Borea Construction ULC.................................................................. 13 Howell-Mayhew Engineering, Inc....................................................... 4 PS Technologies Inc..........................................................................11 Utility Network & Partners Inc........................................................IFC

On the cover: Borea Construction provides construction solutions for the power delivery industry and is a leader in renewable energy construction across North America. Story on page 12.

ADVERTISING SALES

PRODUCTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY

S.G. Bennett Marketing Services CREATIVE DIRECTOR / LAYOUT & DESIGN

KATHLEEN CABLE

© COPYRIGHT 2022 DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved.

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Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

PRINTED IN CANADA 07/2022

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 3

Message from the editor Welcome to the 2022/2023 edition of the Alberta Solar Review, a publication promoting the solar energy industry in the sunny province of Alberta.

In this issue, we hear from the Canadian Renewable Energy Association and the Alberta Renewable Energy Alliance about Alberta’s renewable energy future and the potential for growth in the province. Clean Energy Canada also provides their insight on Canada’s clean energy sector and how it will define Canada’s new energy reality.

With solar projects in various stages of planning and construction throughout the province, Bennett Jones provides some key considerations for solar engineering,

procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts helpful to solar project developers. And we highlight the Solar Club, launched by Green Alberta Energy, an energy retailer that pays micro-generators for surplus electricity.

This issue also provides information regarding Solar Alberta’s professional training courses for those looking for opportunities to advance their skills in solar photovoltaics, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the Alberta Solar Review, and if you have any ideas, suggestions, or story ideas, please get in touch!

39 YEARS EXPERIENCE • SOLAR PIONEER ON ALBERTA’S ELECTRICITY GRID

COMPLETE TURN-KEY, SOLAR PV SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Development, Design, Permits, Approvals, Bill Analysis, Economics, Supply, Install, Commission, Monitor

SOLAR ELECTRICITY • RESIDENTIAL • MUNICIPAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

Solar – your least-cost, zero-emission electricity option Gordon Howell, P. Eng. Edmonton • 1 780 484 0476 • ghowell@hme.ca 4 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

Capstone Infrastructure adds wind to it’s fleet of solar projects

In May 2022, Capstone Infrastructure Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Wild Rose 2 Wind LP, has entered into a power purchase agreement (“PPA”) with Pembina Pipeline Corporation for the offtake of 105 MW of renewable energy and associated renewable attributes over 15-years from Capstone’s 192 MW Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm, currently in development. Capstone has also entered into a turbine supply agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Inc. for the procurement of 38 SG 5.2-145 turbines.

The PPA signals another step forward towards a low-carbon electricity sector in Alberta and provides the foundation that supports Capstone’s investment in the 192 MW Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Pembina to drive the energy transition forward doing what we do best – developing, constructing, and operating world-class renewable energy facilities,” says David Eva, Chief Executive Officer of Capstone.

“Once operational, the Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm will be the largest facility in our fleet and will make a significant contribution to Alberta’s goal of a netzero electricity sector by 2035.”

The Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm will be constructed in Cypress County,

Sheep graze among the solar panels at Claresholm Solar Project in Willow Creek, Alberta.

Alberta, approximately 35 kms southeast of Medicine Hat, and will benefit from the exceptionally high wind resource in the area. The Capstone subsidiary will construct, own, and operate the facility, and total construction capital of the project is estimated at approximately $360 million with construction expected to begin later this year.

“We’re pleased to be working with Capstone on their project and furthering our sustainability goals,” says Scott Burrows, Pembina’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Power purchase agreements are an effective tool to support development of renewable energy infrastructure, lower emissions, and support the transition to a lower carbon energy system.”

The Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm will join Capstone’s 132-MW Claresholm Solar

Project which was completed in 2021 in Willow Creek, Alberta. Capstone is about to kick off construction of the Kneehill and Michichi Solar projects in Alberta (each 25 MW), and the Buffalo Atlee Wind Farm outside of Jenner, Alberta, will begin construction this summer.

Capstone is generating a lowcarbon future, driving the energy transition forward through creative thinking, strong partnerships, and a commitment to quality and integrity.

A developer, owner, and operator of clean and renewable energy projects across North America, Capstone’s portfolio includes approximately 776 MW installed capacity across 30 facilities, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and natural gas cogeneration power plants. Please visit www. capstoneinfrastructure.com for more information.

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 5

Taking charge

By Robert Hornung

ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS WANT MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY Wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage, working together, will be at the core of Canada’s energy transition.

One key reason for this is the fact that electricity consumers—corporations, governments, households, and small businesses—have an increasing interest in renewable energy. Why renewables? They offer a mix of low costs, important environmental benefits, and increased energy independence.

CORPORATIONS: AN EMERGING DRIVER OF RENEWABLE-ENERGY GROWTH

through which commercial or industrial customers buy renewable power from renewable generators at an agreed-upon price. “Renewable power,” in this case, can include both the renewable attribute (either an offset or a credit) and the electricity itself.

THIS TREND IS EVIDENT IN CANADA, BUT ON A SMALLER SCALE Since 2020, Alberta’s deregulated electricity market has seen a flurry of new deal announcements, including PPA contracts involving CanREA members, stimulating about 1,500

Where there is no option to purchase

MW of new wind and solar energy

renewable energy, corporations

development, according to Business

may purchase renewable attributes

Renewables Centre-Canada.

produced elsewhere, and by doing so, enable more renewable power production.

Regulated electricity markets are also responding to growing corporate demand for renewables. The Green

In 2015, corporate PPAs facilitated

Choice Program in Nova Scotia, for

the deployment of 4.7 GW of new

instance, will enable government,

renewable energy worldwide. By 2020,

businesses, and institutions to

A growing number of corporations

that number had increased to 23.7 GW

purchase new wind and solar energy.

are prioritizing the reduction of

– more than Canada’s total installed

greenhouse-gas emissions within

wind and solar energy capacity.

Indeed, a growing number of utilities

Globally, more than 300 leading

options for consumers in different

their environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies and taking steps to ensure the electricity they use is generated by non-emitting

companies have come together as RE100 to signal their commitment to

are now offering renewable-energy parts of the country.

100 per cent renewable electricity.

In addition to corporations, a growing

According to Bloomberg New Energy

number of municipal, provincial, and

To that end, companies are signing

Finance, these RE100 members will

federal governments are also looking

power-purchase agreements (PPAs)

need to purchase 93 GW of renewable

to sign PPAs for renewable energy.

with renewable-energy providers.

energy in 2030 just to meet their

For example, the City of Edmonton is

PPAs are long-term agreements

existing commitments.

now looking to sign such agreements

sources, like wind and solar energy.

6 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

to meet its electricity needs with wind

Governments and utilities are also

and solar energy.

exploring the potential opportunities

MORE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES

for DERs to provide system benefits as well. DER technologies, such as rooftop PV systems, heat pumps,

Distributed energy resources

electric vehicle (EV) chargers and

are poised to provide increased

batteries, can all be bundled into

opportunities for homeowners and

virtual power plants (VPPs) that can

small businesses to demand on-

provide valuable grid-balancing

site renewable-energy generation.

services, in addition to meeting the

Indeed, such consumers have already

needs of on-site consumers. This can

enabled 190 MW of net-metered solar

help reduce the need for investments

photovoltaics (PV) to be deployed

in new generation and transmission

across Canada.

and distribution infrastructure,

While consumers may show an interest in distributed energy

reducing the cost of the electricity system as a whole.

CanREA’S VISION In a series of posts on CanREA’s 2050 Vision, we have argued that wind energy, solar energy and energy storage will be at the core of Canada’s energy transition for five key reasons: 1. These technologies represent the most affordable path forward for Canada’s electricity system.

2. They offer many important economic benefits, such as good stable jobs and investment in rural communities.

3. They enable Canada to combat climate change, the most significant environmental challenge

resources (DERs) for their economic

Consumer interest in wind and

and environmental benefits, these

solar energy is emerging as an

technologies can also enable them to

important driver for renewable-

become “prosumers.” By PRO-ducing

energy deployment. Increasing

the energy they con-SUME, they can

public concern about climate change

take charge of the way they power

coupled with the economic and

their households and technologies,

environmental benefits of these

including electric vehicles. This can

technologies ensure that consumer

Read the full series at

increase their energy, security, and

demand for these technologies will

CanREA’s 2050 Vision at

independence.

only accelerate going forward.

www.renewablesassociation.com.

of our time.

4. They will help provide reliable solutions for Canada’s energy future.

5. Consumers are increasingly demanding them.

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 7

Developing the

solar project

EPC Contracts in the Alberta Solar Sector

By Jason Roth, Head of Capital Projects Industry Team; Geoffrey Stenger, Partner; Victoria Tulk, Associate; Bennett Jones LLP, Calgary

Jason Roth

Geoffrey Stenger

Victoria Tulk

Contracting strategies for solar

mixture of bespoke owner contracts,

Selecting the right contractor.

projects in Alberta are anything

bespoke contractor contracts and, for

A unique element of a solar EPC

but one-size-fits-all. This is hardly

projects of a smaller size, some use

contract is that the value of the

a surprise as every project has

of the CCDC-14 design build contract

long-lead items is often much greater

different priorities and concerns

with supplemental conditions

than the construction or installation

to focus on, including project

created for the solar industry. Most

costs. Developers or purchasers need

importantly, whichever form of

to carefully focus on hiring the right

contract of is selected, the form

EPC contractor for the project. It is

should adequately reflect the risk-

extremely important that a contractor

allocation needs of the project.

has supply chain expertise and the

financing requirements, schedule, panel sourcing and environmental attributes. Many solar projects are currently being delivered under an “owner-controlled program,” where the owner enters into all engineering,

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOLAR

procurement and construction (EPC)

EPC CONTRACTS

contracts separately rather than one

ability to source the long-lead items into Canada at a reliable price. The EPC contractor must be financially

The following is by no means

capable of performing its obligations

exhaustive but are issues that

under the contract or have sufficient

Where an EPC contract is being used,

commonly require the attention of the

financial security available to the

there is no one agreed form. There is a

solar project developer.

owner in the event of a breach.

overarching EPC contract.

8 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

Supply chain issues. Supply chain

inflation and other cost increases.

Other owners are pursuing a “build it

disruption and lack of supply is of

EPC contractors are sometimes

and they will come” approach, which

particular concern in the intensely

reluctant to provide a fixed price,

relies on the ability to sell power to the

high-tech solar industry. Can the

although there is still a desire to

Alberta grid on a merchant basis, if

EPC contractor actively manage this

provide all of the services. In certain

needed.

risk? Components are sourced from

circumstances a middle ground

around the world, some regions are

may be found (e.g. provisional sums,

still recovering from the pandemic,

escalator clauses).

and an unpredictable geopolitical environment is upending many areas of global trade. Covenants for evolving supply chain issues such as anticorruption and prohibiting forced labour are typically demanded in EPC contracts.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE: Warranties. For certain long-

Long-lead items. Some project

lead items used in solar projects,

owners are responding by purchasing

warranties are often far longer than

long-lead items (e.g. panels, inverters)

standard 1-2 year limits in other

and entering into separate installation

industries.

contracts, with the result that the owner takes on the project contract’s “interface” risk, rather than the EPC

Dealing with the unexpected — including performance guarantees and contractor performance, solar

Clearly define project requirements.

contractor. Other owners want a more

The complexity and scope of solar

traditional one-stop, fixed price EPC

projects (like any project) means that

contract approach, which ideally

clearly defining who is responsible

provides a “wrapped” schedule and

for what, timelines, and how risk will

performance certainty. This pushes

Alberta’s Prompt Payment &

be allocated are essential in an EPC

many of the project risks onto the EPC

Construction Lien Act comes into

contract. Matters such as compliance

contractor and enables the owner to

force on August 29, 2022, and it will

with other project requirements

attract third-party financing.

impact all EPC contracts signed after

must be adequately addressed, as these deal with permits, financing arrangements, offtake and other project agreements which require a ‘flow-down’ of provisions into the actual EPC contract.

Connecting to the grid. Completion

project insurance, and determining what is the “market” standard for delays and delay LDs.

the date.

and turn-over provisions in EPC

LOOKING AHEAD

contracts are often linked to

The EPC contract remains attractive

connecting to Alberta’s electric grid.

to the Alberta solar industry

A lack of timely access can be a key

developer. However, with the rise of

reason for owner delay issues. Some

inflation and other risks, both project

Fixed price contracts. The ability

solar projects only progress if third-

developers and contractors will need

to obtain true fixed price contracts

party offtake contracts are in place,

to be flexible in the finalization of their

is becoming more difficult due to

for both power and/or GHG attributes.

risk-profile for the EPC contract.

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 9

Join the Solar Club

The Solar Club was created by Green

aggregation program (more on that in

refer to simply as carbon credits.

Alberta Energy in partnership with

a bit).

A carbon credit represents a one-

over 25 local energy marketers, with the goal of helping customers capitalize on the investment they made by installing a small microgeneration system. If you’ve taken the time and made the decision to invest in solar on your home, farm, commercial building, or irrigation

By the end of 2021, Solar Club Members had exported a combined 23.6 million kWh since the program’s inception. We estimate that by the end of 2022 this number will grow by another 25 million kWh, bringing the total to almost 50 million kWh

tonne reduction in or removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide or equivalent (CO2e). Carbon credits are generated from projects, such as your solar system, that prevent emissions that would have taken place without the project.

of green energy shipped to the grid.

Participation in our Carbon Offset

That means that we are on track to

Credit Platform is easy! In just three

see the total amount of green energy

easy steps, you can be on the way to

Launched in 2019, the Solar Club hit

being exported back to the grid hit 100

generating and selling your carbon

the ground running with members

million kWh by 2024, beating our 2030

credits.

profiting by over $1 million in the

goal by six years!

field - the Solar Club was created just for you.

first year alone. Flash forward to the present, and it’s estimated that by the end of 2022, in aggregate, Solar Club Members will have received a combined value of $7.5 million!

Those earnings come from exports

1. Choose either a fixed price or

In a huge boost to our Solar Club

variable price and register using

program, we are thrilled to be

the online form. Our aggregators

partnering with Radicle Balance and

will assess your enrollment

Solar Offset for our Carbon Offset

and determine if you qualify to

Credit Platform.

participate.*

to the grid, free RECs, the cash back

Your solar PV system’s electrical

program, and the value of carbon

generation represents carbon offset

verification period, at which point

offsets purchased through our

credit generation, which we also

your credits will be verified and

10 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

2. Run your system as normal until the

serialized for trading on the open market.

3. Receive your first annual payment for your carbon credits! * Eligibility is based on ownership of the credits, and that the credits have not been sold to any other party by way of certain financial incentives applied for and received at time of installation.

Microgenerators now have the option of choosing either fixed or variable pricing for their carbon credits, but this will depend on your risk tolerance.

Supporting a reliable and sustainable power industry.

403.918.8258 info@psti.ca www.psti.ca • Reputable engineering consulting firm, established for over 20 years, based in Calgary, Alberta.

• Opportunity identifier of renewable generation in the most solar-rich province in Canada – Alberta.

• Economics analysis – project viability, strategy, historical power pool price analysis to support FID. • Proven records for working on 10+ GW generation projects, including 5 GW renewable ones.

• Conduct studies for T&D interconnecton (load or generation), DERs. Specialized studies like inverter simulation and modeling, effective grounding, TOV, TRV and RAS issues.

• Owner’s engineer role in overseeing the whole project.

• Detailed facility design in high quality. Assemble package for construction bidding.

• Mission critical tasks in protection, grounding,

safety, cyber security, compliance and audit preparation. PSTI designed 1,200+ major relays’ settings and schemes for protecting power system and power plants.

• Working on projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Yukon, and the U.S. • Familiar with grid codes and power utility companies in Western Canada. Authored a White Paper for the AESO. Have our name on your projects for compliance and efficiency between utilities and developers.

• Visit psti.ca/agt-dashboard with a free-to-register account to view quasi-real-time power pool performance for each of 260+ generators including 10 utility-grade solar plants in Alberta. Past years’ hourly and per-minute data (for BESS) are available at cost.

With your help, the Solar Club can genuinely make a difference. If you have installed a solar system on your house, business, or farm, you are officially invited to join the Solar Club. Make a meaningful change, and reduce your carbon footprint!

When you join the Solar Club, you gain access to an exclusive High Export Rate (25.85 ¢/kWh) and an exclusive Low Export Rate (8.30¢/kWh) that you can switch between at any time with just 10-days notice.

There is no fee to join the club; however, as a member, we ask that you share the spirit of giving and make a voluntary donation to your local food bank or a charity of your choosing. The food bank is one of our network’s many community partners, and giving back to the community where we all live is what it’s all about.

For more information about the Solar Club and the Carbon Credit Offset Program, or to sign up you can email customercare@greenalbertaenergy. ca or call (403) 726-9694.

www.delcommunications.com

DIGITAL

Helping your members stay connected is WHAT WE DO. We offer outstanding personal service and quality in the areas of...

• Creative Design • Website Design • Advertising Sales • Print and Web Magazine Publications • Online E-newsletters • Online Directories ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 11

Builders who deliver At Borea, not only will you find a dedicated and professional team, but a team ready to build a trusting relationship over the long term. Here are some interesting facts that we are particularly proud of:

superior customer service and are committed to the highest standards when it comes to health and safety at work. Our quality can be seen in all stages of the project, from development to production.

• We have completed over 70 renewable energy projects in Canada

We are also very proud of our behaviour-based safety program, B.A.S.E., which stands for Building an Attitude for Safety Excellence. This program focuses particularly on the identification and continuation of safety behaviours as well as the identification and modification of risk behaviours.

More than 200 one-on-one safety meetings are held each month to significantly reduce accidents and incidents on site. The B.A.S.E program is therefore an excellent initiative that allows us to excel even more as an employer.

• We have installed over 733,199 solar panels • We have installed over 2,444 wind turbines • Our projects have provided over 6,852 MW (enough energy to power over 1 million homes annually) Borea Construction is a diversified EPC contractor providing construction solutions for the power delivery industry and is the leader in renewable energy construction across North America. We provide complete engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for utilityscale wind and solar construction projects.

What makes Borea unique is our collaborative approach, the trust that we build with our clients, and the long-term relationships that we develop and maintain. We offer 12 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

We ask the next question to Marc Richard, Senior Vice President:

WHAT MAKES BOREA DIFFERENT IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY? Self-performed construction work sets us apart for sure.

It ensures lower costs, safety program control, and strict

adherence to schedule. We distinguish ourselves by our

and success was built on our collaborative culture,

very personalized approach, and we accompany our clients

expertise, and passion. All of the staff who work for Borea

in all phases of the project from pre-construction, to

contribute to our success and we see this through the

engineering, to design, to procurement, to construction.

interactions between the work teams, as well as through

We are sure of the quality of our work.

the relationships we have developed with our clients. We

And the next question to Sébastien Simard, Construction

are all proud of it: the passion that drives us allows us to

Vice President:

bring great projects to life and meet our objectives. Also,

WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN TERMS OF BOREA’S DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS? To actively participate in the energy transition for the benefit of future generations. Borea’s reputation

our health and safety culture, collaboration, and excellent results are a good example of respect and concern for each other, and we’re very proud of it.

We push further, we are builders who deliver!

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 13

Supporting Alberta’s energy transition with geothermal energy As society transitions away from

turbine. Once the useful work is

heat intensive processes that would

carbon-intensive processes, such

complete, the brine is reinjected

normally rely on hydrocarbons for

as combusting coal and gas, there

into the earth to be heated up again,

energy. This spring, Alberta No. 1 had

comes a need for more clean and

making the process renewable.

partnered with a local vermicompost

reliable sources of heat and power

Because there is a consistent supply

company to explore sustainable

that can meet our growing energy

of geothermal heat, geothermal

agricultural opportunities supported

demands. While southern Alberta is

power plants can run 24/7, 365 days

by geothermal heat.

known for its long hours of sun and

a year. Earlier this year, Alberta No. 1

windy regions, making it a prime

confirmed geothermal power potential

space for solar and wind energy, these

in the province with its temperature

clean sources are intermittent and

log on a dormant oil and gas well; the

cannot be solely relied upon for our

results returned a temperature of

clean energy future. Therefore, the

118°C, which exceeds minimum power

best-kept secret of our province is

production temperature requirements

the renewable energy resource of the

by almost 20°C.

North: geothermal energy.

The value of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is a baseload

doesn’t stop at renewable power

(constant), renewable energy source

production. Conventional geothermal

that uses the Earth’s natural heat.

energy projects like Alberta No. 1 can

Conventional geothermal energy

harness the lower-grade heat that is

projects, like Terrapin’s Alberta

left over from the power production

No. 1 project, drills two to four

process and use it directly. Ranging

kilometres into the earth to reach

from 40°C to 80°C, this heat can

high temperature geothermal brine.

be supplied to a district heating/

If hot enough, this brine is pumped to

cooling network and be dispatched

surface and the heat is extracted and

for processes such as greenhouse

used to operate a power generation

growing, crop drying, or any other

Geothermal energy could also help advance our carbon reduction goals.

By exporting clean energy to the grid, geothermal power plants would generate carbon offsets. Alberta No. 1 alone will generate 41,000 tonnes of carbon offsets from its electricity and 55,000 tonnes of carbon offsets from its heat, totalling 96,000 tonnes of carbon offsets at full production.

This is equal to 20,878 cars being taken off the road. Alberta No. 1 aims to not only make geothermal energy zero-carbon, but carbon negative, by combining energy production with carbon capture and sequestration. On November 4, Alberta No. 1 announced its research partnership with the University of Alberta to investigate capturing and storing carbon in a geothermal reservoir, which will be the first endeavour of its kind globally.

Ranging from 40°C to 80°C, this heat can be supplied to a district heating/cooling network and be dispatched for processes such as greenhouse growing, crop drying, or any other heat intensive processes that would normally rely on hydrocarbons for energy.

Geothermal energy offers triple value to Albertans – reliable power, clean heat, and carbon offsets. To learn more about Alberta No. 1 and how Terrapin develops projects for our clean energy future, please visit terrapingeo.com.

14 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

An energy transition is Alberta’s energy reality, but so are the jobs that come with it

By Merran Smith and Mark Zacharias Last year saw a collapse in global energy demand that was the

The clean energy sector is made up of companies and jobs

single biggest drop since the end of the Second World War.

that help reduce carbon pollution, whether by generating

But that wasn’t the only thing unusual about that drop.

clean energy, helping move it, reducing energy consumption

While most energy sources struggled in 2020, renewable energy actually grew worldwide. Not only was it the only energy sector to do so, it grew at its fastest pace in almost two decades, according to the International Energy Agency.

in transportation, buildings, and industry, or making lowcarbon technologies. It includes a whole range of jobs, from the engineer working at a clean hydrogen production facility to the insulator retrofitting homes so they waste less energy.

While 2021 supply and demand shocks have driven fossil fuel

Similarly, the GDP of Alberta’s clean energy sector is forecast

prices higher, there are two longer term trends unfolding

to grow by a huge 204 per cent by 2030—almost twenty times

simultaneously.

more than the 11 per cent growth expected in fossil fuels.

And nowhere in Canada is seeing these two energy trends

This growth, however, depends partly on the implementation

play out quite like Alberta. The province is set to see the

of the federal government’s climate plan. The study is clear:

biggest growth in clean energy jobs in Canada—an 164 per

if the climate plan is weakened, there is weaker clean energy

cent increase over the next decade—according to a June 2021

jobs growth.

report from Clean Energy Canada and Navius Research, The New Reality. At the same time, the fossil fuels sector will see

It would be a mistake to miss out on such an opportunity.

a six per cent drop in employment. In terms of raw numbers, it

Around the world, leaders and decision makers are taking

means a net increase of 25,000 Albertan energy jobs.

action to build their respective clean energy sectors. Already,

Wind power jobs are set to grow particularly quickly as the province transitions away from its fossil-fuel-heavy electricity grid. In fact, Alberta has some of the best solar and wind resources in the country, with solar potential on par with Florida’s. And with the federal government making a pre-

131 countries— including the U.S and Canada—representing 70 per cent of the world’s emissions have adopted or are considering net-zero targets. As those countries decarbonize their economies, they’ll be looking to trade with others that can supply the low-carbon goods and services they need.

election promise to require all electricity in the country to

The energy transition, like climate change itself, does not

be non-emitting by 2035, the future for Albertan renewables

respect borders, and Canada—including Alberta—has many

looks even sunnier.

of the ingredients needed to prosper in a future in which oil

But the opportunities extend far beyond renewable power.

A new $1.3-billion clean hydrogen facility in Edmonton announced earlier this summer is just one recent example of the energy transition becoming a reality. The Alberta No. 1 geothermal project underway in Greenview is another.

The picture is similar across the country. Canada’s clean

is no longer its largest export. As the International Energy Agency recently concluded, if the world is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, no new oil and natural gas exploration and development will be needed going forward.

Oil and gas may have dominated Canada’s energy past, but it’s Canada’s clean energy sector that will define its new reality.

energy sector already employs 430,500 people—more than

Merran Smith is the executive director of Clean Energy

the entire real estate sector—and by 2030, that number is

Canada, a program at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

projected to grow almost 50 per cent to 639,200. At the same

at Simon Fraser University. Mark Zacharias is a special

time, Canada’s fossil fuel sector will see a 9 per cent drop in

advisor at Clean Energy Canada and visiting professor at the

employment.

Simon Fraser University school of public policy.

ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 15

Alberta’s renewable energy future On March 31, 2017, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Lois

climate. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has 86

Mitchell, signed Order in Council O.C. 120 / 2017 which

times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a

recognized under SCHEDULE Clause G “the Government

20-year period. A leakage rate of three per cent to four per

of Alberta’s objectives of providing clean, affordable and

cent can nullify any advantage of generating electricity with

reliable energy to Albertans.”

‘clean’ natural gas which emits 370 kg CO2e / MWh.

WHAT IS CLEAN ENERGY?

CAN ALBERTA ATTAIN A CLEAN GRID WITH RENEWABLE GENERATION?

Canada exhibits a ‘clean’ electricity grid due to the utilization of 83 per cent low-carbon generation via hydro 60 per cent, nuclear 17 per cent, and renewables such as wind and solar six per cent. The April 2021 Canadian National Inventory Report (NIR) for year 2019 documented that Canada’s grid GHG emission intensity was 120 kg CO2e / MWh. But Alberta’s grid is not clean; GHG emission intensity in 2019 was 620 kg CO2e / MWh (five times that of the Canadian average).

In June 2021, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) released their Long-Term Outlook for the years from 2021 to 2041. AESO’s Clean Tech scenario for Alberta assumes renewable energy would supply only 26 per cent of total generation by 2030 while 74 per cent would be powered by natural gas. However, emissions from venting, flaring and leakage of methane in the gathering and distribution systems for natural gas are extremely detrimental to our

“Yes”. But a far higher build out of wind, solar, geothermal and energy storage will have to be set in government policy immediately. In 2020, renewable energy in Alberta represented 12 per cent of total generation. If renewable energy comprised at least 50 per cent of generation in 2030, GHG emissions would drop to 14 million tonnes CO2e from 24 million tonnes emitted in AESO’s Clean Tech scenario. And the GHG emission intensity of Alberta’s grid would be reduced to a far ‘cleaner’ 150 kg CO2 / MWh.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERMITTENCY OF WIND AND SOLAR? Short (hours) and long term (days) storage of electricity generated from wind and solar must be deployed to guarantee reliable supply of power at all times, especially during the long Alberta winter. Batteries can provide cost effective short-term storage up to four hours. Pumped hydro and geothermal power can generate electricity during extended periods when wind and solar are absent.

Canada exhibits a ‘clean’ electricity grid due to the utilization of 83 per cent low-carbon generation via hydro 60 per cent, nuclear 17 per cent, and renewables such as wind and solar six per cent.

Electrolytic hydrogen from water can be produced from surplus wind and solar power, compressed, and stored for days for subsequent use in hydrogen powered electricity generators. As well, interconnections between provincial grids must be strengthened to ensure higher sharing of clean energy resources.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS? The Alberta Renewable Energy Alliance estimates that 13,000 MW of new renewable energy and storage will

16 ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23

Short (hours) and long term (days) storage of electricity generated from wind and solar must be deployed to guarantee reliable supply of power at all times, especially during the long Alberta winter. foster capital investment of some $25 Billion through to

people on how to reduce their energy use in their daily

2030. Notably, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (which

lives. Conservation is the most effective way to reduce

includes capital, operational, and fuel costs) of natural

energy costs and GHG emissions. Government policies

gas generation now exceeds that of wind and solar power.

and incentives must promote energy optimization for

An increase in the price of natural gas coupled with an escalating carbon price to $170 per tonne by 2030 will stress the economics of new and existing large gas turbine generation.

consumers and commercial entities, and our national building code must be upgraded to make all buildings more energy efficient.

ALBERTA’S TIME TO LEAD THE TRANSITION

WHAT ARE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES? IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) released the Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review in 2021. If IRENA metrics of Direct and Indirect Jobs per MW of new

Alberta could lead Canada by transitioning to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. A multitude of inspiring jobs requiring new and upgraded skills for workers in the Energy

Renewable Capacity were applied to Alberta, there will be

sector offers hope and optimism for a low-carbon future for

well in excess of 100,000 jobs opening up between now and

Alberta and Canada.

2030.

To learn more about the Alberta Renewable Energy Alliance,

An important parallel effort must be made to educate

visit www.abrenewableenergy.ca.

SUITE 300, 6 ROSLYN ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

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We offer outstanding personal service and quality in the areas of: • Advertising Sales • Trade Publications • E-newsletters • On-Line Directories • Websites • Qualified Sales & Editorial Team • Creative Design ALBERTA SOLAR REVIEW • 2022/23 17

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES Solar Alberta is a non-profit educational organization celebrating its 31st year of operation! Our mission is to accelerate Alberta's transition to a just and sustainable energy future by advocating, educating, and serving as an industry and community hub for solar energy.

We provide learning opportunities through our free educational events, pages of foundational knowledge on SolarAlberta.ca, and our professional training courses. We also act as a technical and policy resource to trade associations, post-secondary institutions, governments, and the public.

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COURSES

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COURSES OFFERED Working with Wire Providers Commissioning, Quality Assurance and Quality Control of Solar PV Systems Solar Photovoltaic Systems Design and Modelling Battery Energy Storage System Design and Modelling Solar Photovoltaic Electrical Codes Contracts for the Solar Industry Economics of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaics

While we still offer live professional training courses, in September of 2021 we began the process of recording our online classes in order to launch an “on-demand” course feature in 2022. The addition of on-demand training videos through our website was initiated because of feedback we received from our members, some of whom are having trouble attending the times and dates of our current live online course offerings.

Courses cost between $125 to $275.

Recordings are available to purchase at SolarAlberta.ca and there will be live online courses starting again in the fall of 2022!

SOLAR ALBERTA MEMBERS RECIEVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL COURSES SIGN UP AT SOLARALBERTA.CA SOLAR PV SYSTEMS DESIGN & MODELLING Instructor: Eric Smiley, MASC, P.Eng. $250 - 10 hours This class is for electricians, technicians, engineers, solar installers, sales people and others with a basic understanding of electrical theory and electrical terminology. It teaches how to design and evaluate the performance of solar electric systems through a series of case studies and discusses advances in PV technology and the economics of PV systems. It focuses on residential and commercial scale projects, typically under 1 MW.

www.SolarAlberta.ca/ Training-Jobs/Training-Opportunities

COMMISSIONING, QUALITY ASSURANCE & QUALITY CONTROL OF SOLAR PV SYSTEMS Instructor: Eric Smiley, MASC, P.Eng. $250 - 8 hours

WORKING WITH WIRE PROVIDERS Instructor: Neil Cumming, P.Eng. $175 - 8 hours This course teaches students how to navigate the grid-interconnection process for a variety of projects from small rooftop solar to large solar farms.

BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS DESIGN & MODELLING

This course uses checklists and case studies to illustrate the topics and helps achieve the NABCEP Certification in Commissioning. It focuses on residential and commercial scale projects, typically under 1 MW.

CONTRACTS FOR THE SOLAR INDUSTRY Instructor: Mark Dyrbye, RET $275 - 8 hours

Instructor: Eric Smiley, MASC, P.Eng. $225 - 8 hours

This course teaches students how to write bulletproof contracts for solar PV installations.

Students receive samples of contracts and helpful planning documents.

Learning objectives include identifying batterybased solar PV system configurations, evaluating site conditions and electrical loads, specifying major components of stand-alone and gridinteractive solar PV systems.

ECONOMICS OF GRID-TIED SOLAR PV

SOLAR PV ELECTRICAL CODES

Instructor: Rob Baron, P.Eng. $125 - 6 hours

Instructor: Eric Smiley, MASC, P.Eng. $175 - 6 hours This class is designed for electrical professionals who want to ensure that their solar installations are up to current Canadian Electrical Code standards. It focuses on residential and commercial scale projects, typically under 1 MW.

FIND US ON

This class teaches students how energy, transmission and distribution charges are influenced with the addition of a solar PV microgenerator and how to project the economic value of a proposed solar PV project, estimate the return from a solar PV investment, evaluate the value of incentive programs, and communicate costs and benefits to potential solar PV customers.

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