Faced with the challenges of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, renewable energies are emerging as the only viable solution for sustainable and responsible energy production.
Contrary to fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal), these energy sources are inexhaustible on a human scale and have a lower environmental impact.
1. Solar Power: Harnessing the Sun’s Energy
Solar power is produced by collecting the energy emitted by the sun’s rays in two main ways:
- Photovoltaic energy: converts sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic cells.
- Solar thermal energy: utilizes the sun’s heat to warm water or generate electricity via thermodynamic solar power plants.
Advantages:
- Unlimited and available from everywhere on the planet
- Zero greenhouse gas emissions
- Panels can be installed on building roofs
Prevalence in Québec:
While Québec is no solar power leader, interest in this technology is increasing, especially for self-use and in buildings not connected to the power grid. In fact, contrary to general opinion, photovoltaic cells can effectively produce electricity even in winter so long as the panels are clear of snow. Government incentive programs exist as well to encourage the installation of solar panels.
2. Wind Energy: The Power of Air
Wind power depends on the wind to activate turbines to produce electricity. There are two main types of turbines:
- Land-based wind turbines: the turbines are erected on land.
- Offshore wind turbines: the turbines are installed in the sea, where winds are stronger and more reliable.
Advantages:
- A source of clean and renewable energy
- Very productive in strong wind areas
- Low carbon footprint
Prevalence in Québec:
Wind power represents approximately 10% of the province’s total electricity output. Since the 2000s, Québec has invested heavily in wind power with over 40 currently active wind farms, mainly in the Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Côte-Nord regions, where the winds are strong and steady.
3. Hydraulic Power: Making the Most of Our Water
Rivers and other powerful streams can be used to provide electricity through three processes:
- Hydroelectric dams: retain water in a reservoir and release it to activate electricity generating turbines.
- Marine turbines: rely on ocean currents to turn underwater turbines.
- Tidal power: exploits tidal currents to produce electricity.
Advantages:
- Stable and predictable energy production
- High energy output
- Long-lasting infrastructure
Prevalence in Québec:
With more than 500,000 lakes and 4,500 rivers, Québec is the ideal place to draw on this energy source. Hydraulic power accounts for about 94% of the province’s electricity! However, here, it’s only produced through hydroelectric dams.
4. Biomass Energy: Reusing Organic Waste
Biomass energy comes from the combustion or transformation of organic matter (wood, agricultural waste, food waste, etc.):
- Combustion: wood or organic waste is burnt to generate heat.
- Methanization: organic waste is fermented to produce biogas.
- Biofuels: plant-based fuels (rapeseed, corn, beet, etc.).
Advantages:
- Waste recycling
- Source of local, renewable energy
- Potential replacement for fossil fuels
Prevalence in Québec:
Biomass energy represents a still relatively underused form of renewable energy in Québec, yet it does play an important role in certain industries and communities. It amounts to about 4% of the province’s energy consumption and is mainly employed for heating and power generation in industrial and rural areas. For instance, a biomass stove burns wood pellets or compressed logs to heat a home.
5. Geothermal Energy: Harnessing the Earth’s Heat
Geothermal energy relies on the heat contained beneath the earth’s surface:
- In winter: The ground’s warmth is collected by a heat-transfer fluid circulating in buried pipes. A heat pump then amplifies the temperature and uses it to heat a building’s air or water.
- In summer: The system works in reverse: heat in the building is extracted and sent back into the ground, naturally cooling the home.
Advantages:
- Stable and continuous energy production
- Little environmental impact
- Local residential heating source
Prevalence in Québec:
While still quite rare, more and more homeowners are opting for geothermal heating systems to replace their oil-burning furnace or as an electricity substitute. Although the installation is costly, it offers long-term energy savings. Many hospitals, schools and office buildings employ geothermal power to diminish their energy consumption. Some cities are also going geothermal when constructing new public buildings to reduce their carbon footprint.
We already use clean energy here in Québec to power our homes; just the same, protecting the environment undeniably concerns us all!