Brought to you by BC Hydro in partnership with Malaspina University College

Details

This challenge comes from Malaspina University-College, Science 303 - Energy and the Environment, an online course developed and instructed by Dr. Steven Earle. The challenge is to propose some practical solutions for Vancouver Island’s electricity supply over the next two decades.

Some of the undersea cables that supply Vancouver Island are old and in need of replacement. Although one new set of cables is currently being constructed, this will only meet a fraction of the demand. Replacing cables is expensive, and many people think that it would be more efficient if Vancouver Island generated a greater proportion of its electricity needs right on the island. In fact the Island has abundant energy resources in the form of wind, waves, tidal currents, fast-flowing rivers, coal and biomass. Furthermore, there is ample opportunity for Vancouver Islanders (and all British Columbians) to become much more efficient in their use of energy.

The challenge is to identify reliable sources of electricity generation that will meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, but will be economically reasonable, environmentally and socially acceptable and politically viable. A number of electricity generating options and their costs are listed in the following table. Your challenge is to propose a scenario for the generation of 250 mega-watts (MW) of electrical generating capacity (and/or energy conservation) on Vancouver Island by 2015, and an additional 300 MW by 2025.

*Costs, in millions of $ per installed MW, are for installation of the facilities and connection to the existing electrical grid. Costs do not include fuel costs or carbon penalties for the coal and gas options.

Here is Your Team Challenge

1) Compile a table with your Vancouver Island energy scenarios for 2015 and 2025. Your plan must include a cost estimate, plus an explanation of the choices made and a summary of their environmental and social impacts and political viability. The scenarios will be judged on the basis of their economic costs, the reliability of the proposed electrical supply, the potential environmental and social impacts and the political costs or benefits.

2) Create a media presentation that outlines the environmental impact of developing alternative energy options on Vancouver Island. Using Microsoft PowerPoint or some other format (e.g. video) create a presentation two to three minutes in duration which addresses these questions:

• What are the current problems that Vancouver Island faces regarding energy self sufficiency?

• What energy resources are available on Vancouver Island that can deal with some or all of the future demand?

• What are the environmental and social implications of these energy options?

• What are some reasonable energy-supply options that will help the island meet future demands in a way that is environmentally sustainable? (i.e., provide a summary of your proposal from part 1)

• What will be the challenges to a sustainable energy future for Vancouver Island and for the rest of British Columbia?

Keep in Mind:

Be creative! Use your combined imaginations to express your ideas. Remember you want to make your presentation engaging and informative. You want your audience to be actively interested and you want to convince them that your proposal is viable and attainable. You are encouraged to use graphics, links, images, and text in your work. Think carefully about the layout and presentation of your idea.

Submission Details

Your submission must include two tables (one for 2015 and one for 2025) each with a list of your energy choices and the proposed capacity for each, the total installation cost for each, and the operating cost per MWh. The table should also include the grand total installation cost and the average operating cost. An example is as follows:

You must also include a description of each of your energy choices and why you chose that option. If you avoided using a particular energy technology you should explain why.