Energy Alberta Corporation
Encyclopedia
Energy Alberta Corporation was created in 2005 to provide nuclear power
to the energy-intensive development of the oil sands resources in northern Alberta
. The company was founded by Hank Swartout, CEO of Precision Drilling Corporation, and Wayne Henuset, co-owner of Willow Park Wines and Spirits in Calgary
, Alberta
. In 2007 Energy Alberta was acquired by Bruce Power
of Ontario. Bruce decided to relocate the site to Whitemud.
Its business plan is to build one or more twin-reactor ACR-1000 nuclear plants in partnership with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
to supply electrical energy for future expansion of oil extraction from the Athabasca Oil Sands
, oil upgrading facilities (presently located near Edmonton) and the Alberta electrical grid.
Energy Alberta initially proposed to build their first plant at either Whitecourt (several hundred km southwest of the oil sands) or Peace River (on the western part of the oil sands). Peace River local councils welcomed the project, and a site 30 km west of Peace River on Lac Cardinal was chosen in August, 2007 and an application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was filed.
As of October, 2007, the company has not announced the names of any oil sands companies interested in using its energy, or investors willing to provide the estimated 6.2 billion dollars for construction of the first plant.
Present oil sands extraction plants use natural gas to supply heat to make hot water or steam used in the separation of oil and sand. Using nuclear power instead of burning gas would prevent the emission of large quantities of carbon dioxide. The direct use of heat from nuclear reactors has been found cost effective in an energy analysis. However, nuclear reactors have a lifetime of 50 years or more and cannot be moved so there is a problem supplying the heat where it is needed as nearby deposits are depleted. Energy Alberta appears to have no plans for using the heat directly; they plan to produce electricity which can easily be delivered anywhere. However, the cost of nuclear electricity is about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour when privately financed or more than $17 per gigajoule compared with $6 per gigajoule for natural gas. Rising costs for gas and carbon taxes could change that picture.
Some environmental groups oppose nuclear power in Alberta. A Pembina Institute opinion argues that renewable sources of energy be used instead and mentions many problems associated with nuclear power including risk of devastating accident, radioactive waste, leaks, heat pollution, cost overruns and unreliable performance. See Nuclear Power
. Since most electricity in Alberta is presently generated by coal plants, nuclear facility emissions are compared with the much higher radioactive emissions of coal fired plants
.
In March, 2008, the Energy Alberta Corporation was purchased by Bruce Power
.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
to the energy-intensive development of the oil sands resources in northern Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. The company was founded by Hank Swartout, CEO of Precision Drilling Corporation, and Wayne Henuset, co-owner of Willow Park Wines and Spirits in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. In 2007 Energy Alberta was acquired by Bruce Power
Bruce Power
Bruce Power Limited Partnership is a Canadian business partnership composed of several corporations. It exists as a partnership between Cameco Corporation , TransCanada Corporation , BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust , the Power Workers Union and The Society of Energy Professionals...
of Ontario. Bruce decided to relocate the site to Whitemud.
Its business plan is to build one or more twin-reactor ACR-1000 nuclear plants in partnership with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited or AECL is a Canadian federal Crown corporation and Canada's largest nuclear science and technology laboratory...
to supply electrical energy for future expansion of oil extraction from the Athabasca Oil Sands
Athabasca Oil Sands
The Athabasca oil sands are large deposits of bitumen, or extremely heavy crude oil, located in northeastern Alberta, Canada - roughly centred on the boomtown of Fort McMurray...
, oil upgrading facilities (presently located near Edmonton) and the Alberta electrical grid.
Energy Alberta initially proposed to build their first plant at either Whitecourt (several hundred km southwest of the oil sands) or Peace River (on the western part of the oil sands). Peace River local councils welcomed the project, and a site 30 km west of Peace River on Lac Cardinal was chosen in August, 2007 and an application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was filed.
As of October, 2007, the company has not announced the names of any oil sands companies interested in using its energy, or investors willing to provide the estimated 6.2 billion dollars for construction of the first plant.
Present oil sands extraction plants use natural gas to supply heat to make hot water or steam used in the separation of oil and sand. Using nuclear power instead of burning gas would prevent the emission of large quantities of carbon dioxide. The direct use of heat from nuclear reactors has been found cost effective in an energy analysis. However, nuclear reactors have a lifetime of 50 years or more and cannot be moved so there is a problem supplying the heat where it is needed as nearby deposits are depleted. Energy Alberta appears to have no plans for using the heat directly; they plan to produce electricity which can easily be delivered anywhere. However, the cost of nuclear electricity is about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour when privately financed or more than $17 per gigajoule compared with $6 per gigajoule for natural gas. Rising costs for gas and carbon taxes could change that picture.
Some environmental groups oppose nuclear power in Alberta. A Pembina Institute opinion argues that renewable sources of energy be used instead and mentions many problems associated with nuclear power including risk of devastating accident, radioactive waste, leaks, heat pollution, cost overruns and unreliable performance. See Nuclear Power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
. Since most electricity in Alberta is presently generated by coal plants, nuclear facility emissions are compared with the much higher radioactive emissions of coal fired plants
Fossil fuel power plant
A fossil-fuel power station is a power station that burns fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or petroleum to produce electricity. Central station fossil-fuel power plants are designed on a large scale for continuous operation...
.
In March, 2008, the Energy Alberta Corporation was purchased by Bruce Power
Bruce Power
Bruce Power Limited Partnership is a Canadian business partnership composed of several corporations. It exists as a partnership between Cameco Corporation , TransCanada Corporation , BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust , the Power Workers Union and The Society of Energy Professionals...
.