comment: b.c. hydro’s fixation with dams could cost us - storage battery

No one will be surprised that the price of alternative energy is falling through water like a stone. But B. C.
Hydro, which has institutional bias in generating electricity from dams, does not like to acknowledge this reality.
It overstates the cost of alternative energy over and over again.
This disturbing fact is highlighted in B. C.
Preliminary Report of the utilities commission on B. C.
The BCUC was asked by the provincial government to investigate the Hydro's costly site, the C dam project.
BCUC pointed out in the report that B. C.
Hydropower, while demonstrating the cost of electricity delivered from alternative sources such as wind, solar and battery storage, compared with the cost of delivering electricity for $8, used a "apple-to-orange" comparison. 8-
Billion Site C project.
BCUC even said that the method used by Hydro in comparing costs "distorted" the result, which was amplified by the failure to explain the price drop.
This raises an important question:C.
Openly and honestly consider reducing prices and improving energy efficiency for all renewable energy sources?
BCUC does not believe B. C. Hydro is.
For all of us, this is a disturbing finding that they care not only about the rising costs we pay for electricity, but also about the huge social and ecological costs associated with Site C projects.
The C dam will destroy some of BC's most productive farmland.
Land capable of growing enough fruits and vegetables to meet the dietary needs of 1 million people per year.
It will destroy bio-rich forests, wildlife and wetlands.
This will permanently destroy the land of the First Nation and expand the costs already incurred by the first nation in the region when building B. C. Hydro’s W. A. C.
Bennett and Peace Canyon Dam
As someone who has worked for decades to protect the rapidly decreasing natural world in our province, as a water and electricity taxpayer, I believe we need to have a transparent accounting of all renewable energy sources
Energy choices, not accounting that distort accounts for a projectC.
It is clear that hydropower and the former provincial government think so.
What is disturbing is B. C.
Hydro seems not interested in exploring the power potential from anywhere other than the large hydro dam.
For example, what is the potential of "Pumped Storage?
Not often talking about the power supply?
Pumped storage includes pumping from low to high and then releasing water to generate electricity at peakdemand hours.
The obvious benefit is that it provides power when it is most needed, and after considering the energy consumed by pumping, the net efficiency is 80 or higher.
On 2010, the consulting firm Knight Piesold submitted a report to B. C.
Hydro has identified nearly 200 locations for pumped storage on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland alone.
Each site is able to generate electricity equivalent to about one site.
C dam half to one.
According to the consultant's report, the estimated cost fell to 70 from B. C.
A similar study was commissioned by Hydro in 1977.
2010 of the study also contains a disturbing inference. that B. C.
Hydro basically ordered a quick and dirty study that was not interested in doing the study seriously.
The consultants pointed out: "According to the urgent schedule related to the delivery of results, the scope of this study is limited and the whole study is completed in less than six weeks.
"Yes, our public water and electricity supplier gave the contractor 42 days to give the answer, and B. C.
Water and electricity companies spend tens of millions of public funds to advance their website C project.
All energy projects bear ecological costs.
But as we strive to address climate change by greening our overall energy mix, we need to have an open, honest, and fair discussion about all of our energy options.
With the listing of BCUC,
Before submitting the final report on the website C project to the provincial government, the advisory phase, both the Commission and the provincial government need to hear the loud and clear voice of the public, that is, all renewable energy
Energy options are on the table, not just an extremely expensive and disruptive project.
Husband Vicky, a recipient in Canada, has been working for the environmental protection campaign for 40 years.