Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
I really dont think hydro generation in Alberta is enough of a thing to make a dent.....but thats based only on the whole idea it would have happened long ago if possible and not sure what bodies of water are big enough. Im merely a layman though and have no idea for sure.
I really think that nuclear is the way to go in the future, but it is such a political hot potato that it wont happen until its forced upon the masses with no other options available....which will be long after most here are dead.
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So, the AUC did study in 2010, that showed that Alberta has 42-52 TWH of total hydro capacity on our river basins. We're currently generating about 2TWH of hydro a year.
http://www.history.alberta.ca/energy...rta-today.aspx
https://media.www.auc.ab.ca/prd-wp-u...Generation.pdf
There are also several proposals before the AUC to do pumped storage hydro, which basically acts like a giant battery for hydro in Alberta.
So, more hydro is available in Alberta, but you can look to Site C in BC to see some of the issues that may come up from it.
It also won't likely be competitive in terms of MWH cost in comparison to Solar/Wind in non-supply constrained times
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Site_C_dam
Which means that private companies are less likely to try and build something like that in Alberta.