Who will be most affected in Saskatchewan by a national carbon tax?

The largest GHG emitters in Saskatchewan based on the most recent information about heavy emitters that Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment officials provided to the Star Phoenix (data from Jan 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014) is as follows:

1. Boundary Dam Power Station, Saskatchewan Power Corporation (Estevan): 4,994,430 (tonnes CO2 equivalents)
2. Poplar River Power Station, Saskatchewan Power Corporation (Coronach): 4,641,652
3. Shand Power Station, Saskatchewan Power Corporation (Estevan): 2,080,808
4. Co-op Refinery Complex, Consumers; Co-operative Refineries Limited (Regina): 1,618,693
5. Lloydminster Upgrader, Husky Oil Operations Limited (Lloydminster): 1,265,984
6. Meridian Cogeneration Plant, Meridian Limited Partnership (Lloydminster): 910,798
7. North Battleford G.S., Northland Power Inc. (RM of North Battleford): 740,513
8. Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine, Mosaic Canada (Belle Plaine): 679,598
9. Queen Elizabeth Power Station, Saskatchewan Power Corporation (Saskatoon): 673,222
10. Cory Cogeneration Station, ATCO Power Canada Ltd. (Saskatoon): 650,455

SaskPower issues RFQ for 10 MW Solar Generation Facility in Saskatchewan

SaskPower issues RFQ for 10 MW Solar Generation Facility in Saskatchewan. Information session to be held on October 13, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. CST.

https://www.merx4.merx.com/public/solicitations/222614009/abstract

Neste’s prototype for renewable high-tech workspace to be developed next year?

[Neste Corporation Press Release follows - very interesting and innovative idea originating from Finland]

What if you could take your work to an inspiring public place and still enjoy the privacy and connections of your office? Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable diesel, has revealed its future product concept called GreenPod that lets you do just that.

GreenPod is part of Neste's Pre-order the Future project, in which one out of five products or service innovations will be chosen for further development in Fall 2016. The prototype of the chosen product or service concept is expected to be ready by Spring 2017. GreenPod, made primarily out of renewable materials, is a multipurpose capsule for both work and leisure that can be set up nearly anywhere in an urban environment. GreenPod doesn’t just look cool: the pod blocks outside noises, reacts to changes in the weather, automatically charges all devices and gives visitors access to all their work files through its advanced facial recognition function. The idea behind the concept is to make public spaces more versatile environments.

The product concept video showcases what the GreenPod would look like, and how it would work: Watch video 


Pre-ordering a better, renewable future

“Public spaces are a great place to start the journey towards a renewable future. We are determined to create responsible choices every day," Osmo Kammonen, Neste’s Senior Vice President, Communications and Brand Marketing, says.


Neste’s Pre-order the Future project is all about discovering new ways of using renewable materials in the production of goods and services. The project focuses on product and service ideas within five topics: public spaces, entertainment, travel, learning, and mobility. All concepts are currently under public vote on the project website. The winning concept will be announced in September 2016 and a real prototype of it developed shortly after.


"We hope that people notice the opportunities to make an impact on the world by taking part in our project. Although Pre-order the Future currently moves at

a conceptual level the goal is to create an innovation that portrays the possibilities of renewable materials," Kammonen highlights.


The jury that will have the final say in choosing the winning concept consists of the American spoken word artist Prince Ea, Neste's President and CEO, Matti Lievonen, and Neste’s Executive Vice President of Renewable Products, Kaisa Hietala.


Learn more about the Pre-Order the Future project and vote for the concept ideas on the official website www.neste.com/preorderthefuture.



Neste Corporation
Kaisa Lipponen
Director, Corporate Communications
Further information: Osmo Kammonen, Senior Vice President, Communications and Brand Marketing, tel.+358 50 458 4885, osmo.kammonen(at)neste.com



Further information:
Project website: neste.com/preorderthefuture
Photos for media use



Neste in brief

Neste is a pioneer in oil refining and renewable solutions. We provide our customers with premium-quality products for cleaner traffic and industrial products based on world-class research. We are the world's leading producer of renewable diesel, and our annual production capacity is more than 2 million tons. We also are the world's largest company providing renewable fuel from waste and residues. Our sustainable operations have received recognition in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Global 100 list of the world's most sustainable companies, among others. Our net sales for 2015 amounted to approximately EUR 11 billion, and our shares are listed on NASDAQ Helsinki. Cleaner traffic, energy and life are moved forward by about 5,000 professionals.

www.neste.com/en 

 

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The following files are available for download:

Neste

Future of Public Space: GreenPod by Neste

Sunshine in the Finnish forest industry: Biomass projects and Finland's bioeconomy enjoying a resurgence

A Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (a Finnish newspaper covering agriculture and forestry) editorial discusses the positive outlook of the forest and bio industries in Finland. There are several projects already carried out or planned in the sector. The most recent investment decision was made by a Chinese company on a biorefinery in Kemi. The paper finds that there is no reason to worry over the sufficiency of wood in Finland despite the great number of projects. The Chinese project is very positive news for the country. However, the project is still far from implementation. One severe risk is related to the EU's biomass sustainability criteria directive. If the EU decided that biomass has sustainability problems, the foundation of Finland's bioeconomy strategy could be undermined. Finns must make sure this does not happen.


Source: Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (E-edition, PDF) - article summary above translated from Finnish 
Date: 12.2.2016

SaskPower releases "Renewables Roadmap" - Here are the 5 critical take-aways:

1. 100 to 200 MW RFQ and RFP for Wind to be issued in Q3 of 2016;
2. 10 MW RFQ and RFP for solar to be issued in Q3-4 of 2016;
3. SaskPower committed to soliciting projects from independent power producers;
4. SaskPower continuing to look at hydro projects, hydro imports from other provinces, as well as biomass and geothermal power projects;
5. Follow this blog or  http://www.saskpower.com/our-power-future/renewables-roadmap/ for updates in the future. 

CanWEA unexpectedly pulls out of British Columbia to pursue better opportunities in Saskatchewan and Alberta

Jean-Francois Nolet, vice-president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), made the announcement in a letter to members of the association's B.C. caucus Feb. 5, and obtained by the Alaska Highway News (newspaper in North-Eastern BC - centre of wind farm development in the Province). “In the last few months we have seen significant new commitments to renewable energy in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but much work remains to be done to make those commitments a reality,” Nolet wrote. “At the same time, despite the hard work and efforts of CanWEA and other stakeholders over many years in British Columbia, we have not yet secured any significant new opportunities for wind energy in the province and both the B.C. Government and BC Hydro have indicated that they do not expect to proceed with a new call for power within the next decade.” In response, CanWEA determined it must shift its focus from B.C. to emerging markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan. With the announcment comes the closure of CanWEA's B.C. office. Regional director Ian Baille will be leaving the organization.

Source and full article at: http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/regional-news/canadian-wind-energy-association-pulls-out-of-b-c-1.2172268#sthash.4IcBEeYQ.dpuf

SaskPower to develop wind, solar and geothermal power to meet up to 50% renewable target by 2030 in Saskatchewan

To meet the target of up to 50% of SaskPower’s generation capacity from renewable sources, the corporation will be moving forward with procurement of another 100 MW of wind generation in 2016 and will develop up to 1,600 MW of new wind generation between 2019 and 2030.


SaskPower is planning to move forward with utility scale solar power generation, which would include at least 60 MW of solar, with a competitive procurement beginning in 2016.


See SaskPower Press Release for more information:
http://www.saskpower.com/about-us/media-information/saskpower-targets-up-to-50-renewable-power-by-2030/

Caruna's electricity fee hikes could launch Finland's first class action lawsuit

The electricity distribution company Caruna has announced major hikes to electricity transfer fees and Finland's consumer authorities are now seriously contemplating a class action lawsuit against Caruna if they cannot agree on a solution in negotiations with the company. Both consumers and politicians have been annoyed by the hikes, which can be up to 50%, and they have contacted consumer authorities. Caruna justifies the move by investments in the electricity network, and because of the monopoly position, customers cannot change the service provider.


Source: YLE Uutiset (translated from Finnish)
Date: 8.2.2016
Journalist: Sanna Vilkman

Is Finland's Neste the World's First 21st Century Oil Company?

In an era of hyper-branding, normally whenever a corporation changes its name and logo — altering the image countless commercials have indelibly burned into consumer psyches — it's usually a Hail Mary pass thrown by desperate management trying to dodge a PR disaster. But we're not living in normal times, especially in the volatile energy business, when on June 1, 2015, after revamping its technology, refineries and fuels, and then followed by long, careful deliberation, Neste Oil, a Finnish oil refining and marketing company, officially dropped "oil" from its name. That typographically small but momentous change dramatically illustrated the company’s recent growth (see its press release).

“Products based on renewable feedstocks have become a significant part of Neste's business, and the word "oil," referring to fossil crude oil, no longer gives a correct overall picture of the company,” president and CEO, Matti Lievonen said.


Read the full article here:
http://www.aiche.org/chenected/2016/01/finlands-neste-worlds-first-21st-century-oil-company

UK investment fund acquires Capstone Infrastructure for $480 million CAD

Irving Infrastructure, a subsidiary of iCON Infrastructure Partners III, is offering $4.90 CAD for each common share, which is a 44 per cent premium on the January 19 closing price and 61 per cent above the closing share price on November 23, when Capstone announced it was undertaking a strategic review. "Our goal has been to grow the company to benefit from the immense opportunities in the infrastructure sector and we are pleased that iCON Infrastructure recognizes the inherent value of Capstone's assets," says Capstone chairman V. James Sardo.


Source: CanWEA

Bullfrog Power making in-roads in Saskatchewan - Hilton Doubletree signed up as the first hotel in Saskatchewan to use green electricity

Bullfrog Power, through its work as a social enterprise, supports community renewable projects in Saskatchewan and across Canada. In Saskatchewan, Bullfrog Power's community partners include First Nations Power Authority and Saskatoon's Broadway Theatre.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2824086#ixzz3z7FqttHh

This blog is no longer updated. Many thanks to all who viewed and contributed feedback. Feel free to contact me regarding my past posts.

- Chad

Google Signs 407 MW Wind Energy Deal For Its Data Center

It’s Earth Day, so there isn’t a company on the Internet that isn’t trying to brandish its green image. Apple led the charge earlier this week and today, Google announced that it has inked a deal with MidAmerican Energy to supply its $1.5 billion Iowa data center with up to 407 megawatts of 100 percent renewable wind energy.

This is the company’s sixth and largest green energy power purchase agreement so far and brings its total amount of contracted renewable energy to over 1,000 MW. MidAmerican Energy will supply Google’s data center with power from a number of its wind farms, including its new Wind VIII site, which — once construction wraps up next year — will consist of 448 wind turbines.

“Google’s significant and growing presence within our service area, along with its long and demonstrated commitment to renewable energy, have been important factors in MidAmerican Energy’s pursuit of renewable power,” said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO of MidAmerican Energy, in a statement today. “In addition to increasing Google’s access to renewable energy, this agreement also reduces energy costs for our customers.”

Google previously signed a very similar agreement with an Oklahoma utility in 2012 and earlier this year, it announced that it had come to a similar agreement with a Swedish utility to power its Finnish data center. The company has also invested about $1 billion in 15 green energy projects around the world.

Source: techcrunch.com

What every engineer needs to know about NI 43-101

By Chad Eggerman and Kevin Sorochan

http://www.scribd.com/doc/218220048/What-every-engineer-needs-to-know-about-NI-43-101

This article originally appeared in the April 18, 2014, issue of The Lawyers Weekly published by LexisNexis Canada Inc.

German nuclear plant shutdown ruled unlawful by German courts - utility likely to sue for significant damages

The forced closure of RWE’s Biblis nuclear power plant after the Fukushima accident was unlawful, the German Supreme Administrative Court has ruled. The utility is now likely to sue for considerable damages while the decision may set a precedent for the other shutdown reactors.

Germany’s reaction to the Fukushima accident in 2011 was extreme, with Chancellor Angela Merkel making two decisions: one to order a shutdown of eight units that started operation in or before 1980 for a three-month moratorium period; and subsequently that those units may not be allowed to restart. Without consultation or reference to independent regulatory advice on the safety of the plants, the orders were executed by the German states which are home to the reactors.

Today the state of Hesse was told it acted illegally by enforcing the decisions on the Biblis nuclear power plant sited in the state. The ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court in Leipzig is legally binding and cannot be appealed. It backs up a decision made last year by the Administrative Court of Hesse, which was appealed by the federal government.

Efforts to force the shutdowns were “formally unlawful because [RWE] had not been consulted and this constituted a substantial procedural error,” said the court.

Plant owner RWE can now sue for compensation over the loss of the Biblis units as an asset. The plant has two reactors, Biblis A and B, which are boiling water reactors rated at 1167 MWe and 1240 MWe respectively and which had been licensed to operate until 2016 and 2018. The company has previously said it suffered losses of over €1 billion ($1.3 billion) in 2011 alone due to the Biblis shutdown.

The same shutdown orders hit Germany’s other nuclear operators, EOn, Vattenfall and EnBW, although EnBW is 45% owned by the Green-governed state of Baden-Wurttemburg and is not contesting the shutdown or appealing a ruling that upheld the fuel tax. EOn and RWE contest both the shutdown and the fuel tax, which German courts have now referred to the European Court of Justice. Sweden-owned Vattenfall is contesting the shutdown via international arbitrartion.

Collectively the utilities lost 8336 MWe of nuclear generating capacity, closing Biblis A and B, Neckarwestheim 1, Brunsbuttel, Isar 1, Unterweser, and Phillipsburg 1. Despite only starting operation built in 1984, Krummel was not brought back from long-term shutdown.

Source (researched and written): World Nuclear News -
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-German-nuclear-shutdown-unlawful-1401131.html

SaskPower and Manitoba Hydro sign $100 million hydro deal

SaskPower and Manitoba Hydro have signed a deal that will see Manitoba Hydro sell $100 million worth of electricity to Saskatchewan over the next eight years. The deal is just the start of a larger, longer-standing deal between Manitoba Hydro and SaskPower planned in the next several years.

Officials said the eight-year sale will be followed by a 500 megawatt purchase to be completed after 2020. The deal is the single-largest power sale agreement between Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The two energy giants have signed a memorandum of understanding which is in line with Manitoba Hydro’s expansion goals, according to Manitoba Hydro CEO Scott Thomson. The two provinces already have an existing power deal, but this new sale is in addition to the one already in place. Thomson said in a release Manitoba Hydro also plans to go ahead with a proposed number of dam and transmission line projects.

NASA lauds wind turbine design - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan engineer to receive award

Congratulations Glen!

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/NASA+lauds+wind+turbine+design/9136286/story.html

European Biojet Fuel Mission to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Many thanks to all who attended the reception for the European Biojet Fuel Mission to Saskatoon, particularly those from Finland at Neste Oil and the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki as well as eco consulting inc. Many thanks also to Ag-West Bio, Miller Thomson LLP, Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership (STEP) and the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Honorary Consul for the Federal Republic of Germany for sponsoring and organizing the event.

Delegates came to Saskatoon from five European countries that have a shared interest in the advancement of biojet fuel. As Honorary Consul for Finland I was pleased to have had the opportunity to say a few words at the reception.

It was exciting to meet European representatives of Lufthansa, KLM, Neste Oil, SkyNRG and Airbus in Saskatoon and hear about the opportunities for European companies in Saskatchewan.

Wind turbines to spin in the City of Helsinki?

Lumituuli Oy, one of the first Finnish customer-owned wind power producers, has its eyes on the windy city of Helsinki.

Among EU countries, Finland has one of the lowest amounts of wind power production. According to industry statistics, wind power production in 2012 was about 492GWh which represents 0.6 per cent of Finnish electricity consumption.

But wind power is one of the fastest growing areas of power production globally. In Finland, it's also gaining a foot hold.

One of players on the domestic scene is Lumituuli Oy, which has its eyes on the Finnish capital. As Helsinki is a relatively windy city, it has near perfect conditions for wind power production according to the wind power company. One of Lumituuli's areas of interest is Isosaari, an island just off the Helsinki waterfront that was used by the Finnish Defence Forces for many years.

"Our goal is to build on one of the islands off Helsinki. We're interested in many locations including Isosaari, but we've also got our eye on other places such as Vuosaari," says Lumituuli's managing director Sampsa Hario.

Currently, Lumituuli (the company's name lumituuli means "snow wind" in Finnish) is building a wind turbine in Northern Finland. The 800-kilowatt power plant will be completed by the end of 2013. When it's operational, it will generate enough electricity to fulfill the consumption needs of about 1,000 one-bedroom flats.

According to an Yle News survey carried out earlier in the spring, a number of Helsinki city councillors are in favour of wind power construction. However, public opinion on wind power is divided. In addition to the visual impact of turbines, there may be other environmental concerns such as noise pollution.

In 2011, the City of Saskatoon abandoned plans to build a wind turbine within the city limits on a large pile of rubbish at the landfill due to cost and some commentators have stated, local opposition. A community wind project is now aiming to build a project outside the city limits. I'm guessing Helsinki, with support from progressive-minded city councillors, will have their turbine spinning in no time.

Source: YLE

Six reasons renewable energy is important to First Nations

1. Ownership of generation, ensures cheap electricity essential for commercial and industrial development;
2. Renewable energy development produces jobs for First Nations;
3. Revenue-sharing agreements produce long-term revenue sources for First Nations;
4. Remote locations relying on transporting expensive diesel for electricity will benefit from a reliable source of power;
5. Renewable energy generation is cheaper than alternatives in remote locations;
6. The environmental benefits of renewable energy projects may align with traditional values of First Nations better than other projects.