Alternative Energy The province is also working to develop alternative energy to further diversify our energy base while protecting the environment. Examples include: Hydrogen Fuel
Courtesy Saskatchewan Research Council
Using hydrogen as an alternative fuel can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Saskatchewan Research Council demonstrated the world’s first truck fuelled by a combination of hydrogen and diesel fuel in 2004, and the world’s first hydrogen-gasoline vehicle in 2005.
Wind Power
Wind power is an important renewable resource that provides a clean and inexhaustible source of energy.
SaskPower’s $272-million, 150 MW Centennial Wind Power Facility is one of the largest wind facilities in Canada.
Saskatchewan’s total wind capacity – 172 MW – accounts for 5 per cent of Saskatchewan’s electricity capacity.
Ethanol
With almost half the arable land in Canada, Saskatchewan has the abundant agriculture land to produce crops that could be turned into ethanol. As the first province in Canada to pass legislation to mandate the use of ethanol, Saskatchewan is positioned to be a major Canadian supplier of ethanol.
Five ethanol plants are currently operating in Saskatchewan:
- the 12.5-million-litre Pound-Maker operation in Lanigan – Canada’s first integrated feedlot/fuel ethanol facility;
- the 25-million-litre NorAmera BioEnergy facility in Weyburn; - the 130-million-litre Husky facility in Lloydminster; - the 150-million-litre Terra Grain facility at Belle Plaine – one of the largest wheat-based ethanol plants in North America, and
- the 25 million-litre North West Bio-Energy facility in Unity.
Other facilities throughout the province are in various stages of planning and construction. Some are considering alternative feedstocks using cellulosic material like wheat straw and wood waste.
In September 2006, the Saskatchewan Research Council unveiled a retrofitted 7110 Deutz model tractor that has been modified to operate on 100% hydrated ethanol
Courtesy Saskatchewan Research Council