Selected Experience with Greenhouse Gases (GHG)


GHG Offset Quantification and Evaluation from a Hydro Dam: Columbia Power Corporation (CPC)

Potential greenhouse-gas reductions from a hydro-electric dam project were developed using a streamlined version of the Pembina Institute's Life Cycle Value Assessment (LCVA) methodology. GHG reductions resulting from the project were based on the displacement of electricity from fossil-fuelled generation sources (e.g., coal, gas). Net reductions were calculated by subtracting GHG emissions associated with the construction and operation of the project from the emissions that were avoided because the project displaced electricity produced from fossil fuels. Scenarios about potential reductions were assessed for each of the jurisdictions where the expansion of the hydro dam may displace electricity: Alberta, the lower mainland of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The quantification of potential GHG reductions was based on estimates of the relative contributions of marginal sources of electricity generation (the ones that would be displaced by the dam) for the years 2000 and 2005.

GHGs and Land Change for Selected Power Generation Options in Manitoba: Manitoba Hydro

Seven prominent electricity-supply options for the province of Manitoba were compared on the basis of life-cycle GHG emissions and land change per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity delivered. These options include the proposed Wuskwatim Hydro generation and transmission project, as well as six hypothetical generation projects that use a variety of different fuels. The six hypothetical options were:

  • Conventional coal-fired plant;
  • Integrated gasification combined-cycle coal-fired plant;
  • Gas turbine — simply cycle;
  • Gas turbine — combined cycle;
  • Wind turbine farm;
  • Biomass power generation (flax biomass).

This project provided a thorough and detailed analysis of the GHG and land-change implications associated with the different options, and was used as a part of a Public Utilities Commission hearing for the Wuskwatim Dam.

GHG Emission Reduction Table (GERT): Federal Government

Matt McCulloch sat on the GERT table for two years and participated in developing GHG offset standards and protocols for a range of electricity-generation projects, addressing key issues such as options for electricity displacement, types of GHG leakage and additionality.

GHG Offset Quantification and Evaluation from Wind Power: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)

Pembina Corporate Consulting evaluated two potential emission-reduction projects identified by the Yukon Energy Corporation:

  1. A 660-kilowatt wind turbine intended to offset diesel power in Whitehorse; and
  2. A Mayo-to-Dawson City transmission connection to offset diesel power in Dawson City.

The Pembina report:

  • Presented background information on emerging credit trading systems;
  • Described the Pembina Institute's offsets criteria;
  • Estimated the potential net GHG emission reductions associated with each of the above YEC projects on a net life-cycle basis; and
  • Qualitatively evaluated the projects against project eligibility and desirability criteria.

Co-Generation Economic Feasibility Analysis: TransCanada

This project identified and developed the business concept for a co-generation unit and a greenhouse heat load in a small central Alberta community. We completed a detailed technical and cost analysis (capital and operating costs)that included the economics of the quantified GHG offset associated with the project. This project was the third and final phase of a larger project evaluating 20 GHG-reduction opportunities in the community.

Canadian GHG Policy Context and Guidance: Taylor NGL and the Turin Gas Plant

This report provided detailed information about developments inCanadian GHG policies in order to meet Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, with the first commitment period between 2008 and 2012. GHG emissions for both Taylor NGL (Taylor Gas) and the Turin plant were quantified in order to establish how the company and the plant may be affected by these emerging policies. Potential reductions in GHG emissions, as compared to a baseline technology (Claus), were also calculated and discussed with respect to a future offsets-trading program.

GHG Offset Activity and System Review: AgCert Canada

This report provided AgCert Canada with preliminary feedback about its business development in Canada, from Pembina's perspective on GHGs. The Pembina consultants focused on four areas:

  • Offset protocol development and application;
  • Baseline considerations;
  • Factors and variables used in offset calculations;
  • Pembina's perspective on AgCert Canada's current activities.

Review of Carbon Plan and Strategy: Alberta Pacific

Pembina Corporate Consulting helped the Alberta Pacific carbon team position the company advantageously in terms of the Kyoto Protocol through three key actions:

  • Quantifying the life-cycle GHG balance of its operations;
  • Furthering the development of its climate change action plan;
  • Recommending positions on strategic issues related to business opportunities from GHG reduction, and potential emission-reduction policies.
   

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