[Date Prev][Date Next]
[Chronological]
[Thread]
[Archive Top]
Re: FW: [cdn-nucl-l] Canadians 'ignorant' of energy facts
Hello all,
If you read carefully, you will see that the statistics given by Morgan and
others refers to TOTAL energy consumption and not just electricity
generation. Since electricity only represents a fraction of total
consumption, this would account for the difference.
Paul
At 09:16 PM 9/24/2002, Rouben, Ben wrote:
>To my knowledge nuclear-generated electricity has been ~16-17% of all
>electricity generated in Canada (in recent years).
>
>
>Benjamin Rouben, FCNS
>Manager, Reactor Core Physics
>AECL Sheridan Park
>Tel: 905-823-9060 x 4550
>Fax: 905-822-0567
>e-mail: roubenb@aecl.ca <<mailto:roubenb@aecl.ca>mailto:roubenb@aecl.ca>
>Cell: 905-302-2054
>-----Original Message-----
>From: English, Michael [mailto:englishm@aecl.ca]
>Sent: 2002/mm/24 5:36 PM
>To: Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
>Subject: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] Canadians 'ignorant' of energy facts
>
>I can't imagine that the Post doesn't have their facts straight, which
>leaves me a little confused on this topic...
>
>It's my understanding (and Jeremy Whitlock's as well apparently) that
>nuclear power doesn't account for 6%, or even 7%, of electricity
>generation in Canada, but that it accounts for 14% (at least it did in
>1997) - see Canadian Nuclear FAQ, point B.2
>
>Has the contribution made by nuclear really gone down by half? Has there
>been another whole bunch of capacity come online in the last 5 years that
>would lower nuclear's contribution? Anyone have any thoughts on this?
>
>Mike
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Brown, Morgan [mailto:brownmj@aecl.ca]
>Sent: Tuesday September 24, 2002 4:48 PM
>To: Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
>Subject: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] Canadians 'ignorant' of energy facts
>
>In 1999, according to the Energy Statistics Handbook of Natural Resources
>Canada, Canada consumed the following primary energy in petajoules
>Oil 5420 (35.5%)
>Nat gas 6189 (40.5%)
>Coal 1589 (10.4%)
>Nuclear 250 (1.6%)
>Hydroelectricity 1232 (8.1%)
>Other 609 (4.0%)
>
>The problem with the above is that it's hard to convert from primary
>energy to useful energy. 250 PJ of nuclear energy is equivalent to
>69,500,000 MWh, which is what Canadian reactors delivered to the grids in
>1999 (i.e. net electricity). That is easy to compare to
>hydroelectricity. But coal includes steel making, and natural gas
>includes heating, as does oil. And then there is automotive use. All
>complex to convert to a basic primary consumption.
>By comparison (BP Amoco Statistical Review of World Energy), in 1999
>Canada consumed the following primary energy in Millions of Tonnes of Oil
>Equivalent:
>Oil 83.0
>Nat gas 64.3
>Coal 31.9
>Nuclear 19.0
>Hydroelectricity 29.6
>(they don't list "other")
>
>Note that hydro is only 1.56 times that of nuclear as opposed to 4.93 in
>the NRCan report. This is what I would expect from comparing hydro and
>nuclear electricity generated in that year. It appears that the BP Amoco
>numbers include ALL the thermal heat generated (and lost) by the energy
>sources, whereas the NRCan numbers may be in terms of useful final energy.
>Note, however, that the National Post article said :
>"In reality, only about 7% of Canada's energy comes from hydro-electric
>generation. According to the federal government, 41% of Canada's power
>comes from natural gas, 30% from oil, 12% from coal, 6% from nuclear
>power and 4% from renewable sources such as wind and solar power."
>The "renewable" sector is by almost entirely wood - pulp liquor and wood
>chips being burned. Wind and solar would contribute very little.
>- Morgan
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Adam McLean
>[<mailto:adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>mailto:adam.mclean@utoronto.ca]
>Sent: Tuesday September 24, 2002 1:09 AM
>To: Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
>Subject: [cdn-nucl-l] Canadians 'ignorant' of energy facts
>
>Posted in the National Post on September 16, 2002 and at:
>www.nationalpost.com/search/site/story.asp?id=39787A0A-8ACC-4666-8E39-29
>8354C51DB8
>Just a single mention of nuclear but interesting results from the
>poll...
>
>Adam
>
>---------------
>
>Canadians 'ignorant' of energy facts
>Government polls: Lack of knowledge may hamper efforts to cut
>consumption
>
>Bill Curry
>National Post
>Monday, September 16, 2002
>ADVERTISEMENT
>
>OTTAWA - Canadians are either "ignorant" or "in denial" about how the
>energy they use is produced, with 78% thinking it comes from relatively
>clean hydro-electric power.
>
>The figure comes from one of three new government polls that found
>Canadians are unaware of government programs set up to reduce energy
>consumption and have little interest in the issue overall.
>
>In reality, only about 7% of Canada's energy comes from hydro-electric
>generation. According to the federal government, 41% of Canada's power
>comes from natural gas, 30% from oil, 12% from coal, 6% from nuclear
>power and 4% from renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
>
>The recent public opinion studies show the government faces an uphill
>battle with Canadians as it attempts to reduce energy consumption in
>order to meet Canada's commitments under the Kyoto protocol. Jean
>Chrétien, the Prime Minister, has announced that Parliament will vote on
>ratifying the international agreement, which would commit Canada to
>reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
>
>Mr. Chrétien has since suggested however, that the government may strive
>for lower reduction targets than are actually in the agreement.
>
>Regardless of the targets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an
>increasing priority for the government. But according to a recent
>government poll, Canadians continue to have a poor understanding of
>energy issues and are not really concerned about consumption.
>
>The survey of 1,502 adult Canadians was conducted in February and March
>of this year. It found Canadians are more likely to be concerned about
>the cost of energy, with 41% saying they are "very concerned." The
>number is higher than those who say they are very concerned about
>environmental damage from energy production (31%) or damage from energy
>use (31%). In all three categories, Canadians are slightly less
>concerned than they were in a similar poll in 1993.
>
>The survey was conducted by Decima Research for Natural Resources Canada
>and is a follow-up to similar polls in 1997 and 1993.
>
>Among the most significant changes in opinion since 1997 is the growing
>number of Canadians who feel the government should introduce tax
>incentives to promote a reduction in energy consumption. It is now the
>favoured option of 29%, ahead of all other options, such as education
>campaigns (27%), further scientific research to improve energy
>efficiency (19%) or tougher appliance standards (17%). While Canadians
>are divided on the means of encouraging more environmentally friendly
>behaviour, 84% continue to believe the government should take an active
>role in promoting energy conservation among consumers.
>The study shows an increasing concern about the supply of energy, with
>23% saying they are very concerned, a 7% jump from 1993. According to
>Decima's analysis, the concern may be fuelled in part by the emerging
>issue of exporting Canadian energy to the U.S., with close to half (46%)
>saying they are very concerned about that issue, primarily in Ontario
>and Western Canada. Most Canadians said environmental damage is caused
>primarily by vehicle use and factories as opposed to consuming
>electricity.
>
>"This can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that many
>Canadians do not understand how their electricity is generated, with
>most (78%) holding the belief that their homes are powered by relatively
>'clean' hydro-electric power," states the report. "Whether this is a
>function of ignorance or denial, it is clear that, unlike vehicle
>pollution, the environmental consequences of electric power generation
>have not yet been firmly established in the public's consciousness."
>
>The survey recommends the department address the public's declining view
>of the resource sector's contribution to the economy and increase
>awareness of the federal government's role in promoting science and
>technology.
>
>It also suggests the government continue to focus on increasing
>Canadians' awareness of energy issues, especially the impacts of their
>own consumption.
>
>According to two other recently released public opinion reports prepared
>for Natural Resources Canada, Canadians are not aware of government
>programs to raise awareness of energy consumption.
>
>A May 31 report summarizing six focus groups made up of elementary
>school teachers and students found very few had heard of a teaching kit
>called "The Calendar Club" created by the Office of Energy Efficiency at
>Natural Resources Canada.
>
>In June, the Office of Energy Efficiency received another focus group
>study that found very limited knowledge of the government's "Energy
>Star" program, which places stickers on appliances that meet government
>standards for energy efficiency.
>
>"Generally, energy efficiency was not a top-level purchase factor, nor
>an important one," the report found. Focus group participants said that
>when buying an appliance, they were more concerned about price, quality,
>features, brand name, reliability, warranty and after-purchase delivery.
>
>"Understanding of energy efficiency as a concept was poor," it states.
>When asked about the advantages of using energy-efficient products, the
>participants said they would save money in the long-term, but "not big
>savings." They also stated it would "help the environment -- but most
>are not sure how, except that 'future generations' would somehow
>benefit."
>
>bcurry@nationalpost.com
>
>© Copyright 2002 National Post
>
>_______________________________________________
>cdn-nucl-l mailing list
>cdn-nucl-l@mailman.McMaster.CA
><http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/cdn-nucl-l>http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/cdn-nucl-l
>
-- --------------------------------------------------------- --
Paul P H Wilson UW-Madison Engineering Physics
Assistant Professor 1500 Engineering Dr
wilsonp@engr.wisc.edu Madison, WI 53706
608/263-0807 fax:608/263-4499 http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ep
Yahoo! Messenger: gonuke WI Inst. for Nuclear Systems
http://www.cae.wisc.edu/~wilsonp Fusion Technology Inst.
Contributing to the joy and improvement
of all those around me