Chimney News | Ontario Low Carbon Power System

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, since 2005, Ontario has closed coal-fired power plants, and began to vigorously develop renewable energy and natural gas power generation. In 2014, NanticokeGenerating Station, the last coal-fired power plant in the province, completed its historic mission and officially announced its closure and became the first coal-free area in Canada, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 27.5 million tonnes, equivalent to electricity sector emissions The amount of 80%. The government claims that it is by far the largest climate change action in North America. At present, Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions account for only 4% of the province's total greenhouse gas emissions. It can be seen that replacing traditional energy sources such as coal with clean energy is the most basic way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is also the first choice for low-carbon economy development in Ontario.

The Ontario government's goal is to accelerate the construction of low-carbon power systems. As the five-year tax rate jumped 80% between 2010 and 2015, the government faces enormous political pressure to do something to avoid rising future tax rates. There are many reasons for the increase in tax rates, including poor government management. However, some media, politicians and the public often regard renewable energy as a culprit. The government has not yet provided detailed arguments to refute this claim because of concerns about public concern about the cost of government intervention in the government.

Wind power and solar power development in Ontario, the trend of attention, wind power installed capacity in 10 years increased from 0 to 7 million kilowatts, power generation accounts for the province's total generating capacity of 18%. Renewable energy power generation ratio increase is undoubtedly a price. The rising cost of electricity is a major obstacle to the development of renewable energy, which has become a serious political problem, especially in Ontario, where renewable energy resources are not very rich. With the reduction of the economy, the amount of subsidy is huge and the Ontario government Do not face the voice of doubt from the public. In addition, the public also questioned the wind turbine will have a certain impact on the health of residents, but as people gradually accustomed to even take the initiative to invest in renewable energy power generation, such power generation will be more and more consumers recognized.

Because of the lack of flexibility in nuclear power and the fact that most of the water and electricity installations in Ontario do not have water storage capacity, such as Niagara Falls, the province's power system will not be able to meet peak periods without the use of gas-fired peak power plants electricity demand. In addition, a large number of power generation during the peak of non-electricity, will lead to increased costs of power generation, which also wasted the taxpayer's money.

Due to the above limitations Ontario has begun to emphasize energy efficiency and demand response. In 2005 the province for the first time the implementation of household electricity peak and valley time-sharing pricing, which requires the installation of a large number of smart meters in the province. The current time-sharing pricing gradually in the province of popular, most users began to pay in accordance with the time-sharing price. At the same time, large industrial utilities have been working with independent power system operators (IESOs) for many years to reduce peak demand. December 2015 IESO Implement Demand Response Auction. It is currently studying effective measures to respond to demand responses and developing new programs.

Ontario is closely linked to neighboring provinces and regions, which typically export electricity at very low prices at off-peak periods and continue to lower electricity prices per hour. The Ontario government is currently negotiating with the relevant authorities in these regions and hopes to further stockpile and import low-carbon electricity through existing cooperation. In October 2016, the Ontario government negotiated a joint agreement with the neighboring Quebec province to provide that the remainder of the export electricity was stored in a pumped storage power station, of which 60 per cent of electricity could be returned on demand. The agreement will prevent electricity from being sold at a lower price. The second agreement also provides Ontario with the opportunity to purchase hydropower capacity during peak periods, helping to replace the use of gas spike load power plants.

These new energy sources are not yet fully replace nuclear power, taking into account the high perceived costs of wind power and photovoltaic, as well as the remote geographical location of most of the undeveloped water resources. In order to meet the growing demand for electricity, the Ontario government decided to continue to renovate the province's existing nuclear power plant, which is to maintain the lowest cost of low-carbon power system. At the same time, the Government has made it clear that as long as these nuclear power plants still create value for taxpayers, they will continue to use. However, with the development of renewable energy and energy storage costs continue to decline, some nuclear power plants will likely be completely replaced.

With the popularity of clean energy, Ontario power system greenhouse gas emissions continue to decrease. As the proportion of greenhouse gas generated by electricity generation declines, the government's climate change program of action will focus on the electrification of traffic and heating, which will further accelerate the implementation of emission reduction measures in the heating and transportation sector in the next four years. For example, for the popularity of electric vehicles, the government will provide consumers with a large number of purchase discounts, while promoting the establishment of electric vehicle charging facilities, and promised in 2017 for electric vehicles to provide free overnight charging service. In addition, the government will invest large sums of money to transform the building, gradually moving from natural gas heating to geothermal, solar and biomass power generation heating.

Ontario is making great efforts to achieve an energy system transition and has already achieved initial results. This discussion is expected to provide experience and knowledge exchange opportunities for all regions, thereby facilitating energy transformation in Ontario and elsewhere