Quebec network at risk of enduring extreme cold, suggests research
Vulnerable in the Cold: Quebec's Power Grid Struggles in Extreme Conditions
Montreal – Quebec's electrical grid is the most vulnerable in Canada when facing extreme weather conditions, according to a report by North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC). However, Hydro-Quebec disputes these findings.
The state-owned company could lose up to 10 gigawatts of electricity in severe winter cold, which is more than five times the production of the Beauharnois power station in Monteregie. This information comes from the organization responsible for the security of the North American electrical grid.
"In extreme winter conditions, the Quebec network, which has the highest load, has the largest energy deficit," the report, released Tuesday, states.
NERC is looking into extreme meteorological events and does not expect a power shortage in normal weather conditions.
Hydro-Quebec strongly disagrees with the study's conclusions. The company claims that NERC has overlooked several solutions it has implemented to address demand during extreme cold.
The study does not take into account the planned production increases by 2035, the measures to increase energy efficiency for customers, and the steps taken to strengthen the network's robustness, Hydro-Quebec argues. "Let's be clear, Hydro-Quebec ensures the energy supply of Quebec's clients at all times," spokeswoman Caroline Des Rosiers insists.
Quebec is deemed more vulnerable in the report because it relies heavily on electricity for heating, whereas other provinces use more fossil fuels. Managing the winter peak will still be a challenge for Quebec, according to energy specialist and McGill University professor Francois Bouffard.
To ease the strain on the power grid during high demand periods, Hydro-Québec is offering smart thermostats to customers at no cost. By optimizing heating, these devices help reduce demand and prevent system overloads. Additionally, the Winter Credit Option incentivizes customers to curtail their energy use during the coldest parts of the year, offering savings in exchange for reduced consumption.
Despite these efforts, Quebec still faces challenges that affect its vulnerability in Canada's electrical grid:
- Capacity Issues: Quebec itself faces energy shortages, with demand sometimes exceeding capacity.
- Export Limitations: Due to low water flows and market conditions, Hydro-Québec has limited exports to regions like New England.
- Dependence on Weather Conditions: Hydro-Québec's capacity to generate power is heavily influenced by weather, particularly precipitation levels impacting water flow. Drought conditions can significantly reduce power output, worsening potential energy deficits.
As these regions decarbonize their energy consumption, they may also experience winter peaks, putting pressure on Quebec to manage its grid effectively. To address this challenge, NERC proposes building more power lines to supply Quebec during winter peaks. However, some experts believe a cost-benefit analysis is necessary before embarking on such expensive infrastructure projects.
"Hydro-Québec is not lagging behind," states energy expert Professor Francois Bouffard. "They are moving forward."
Despite the challenges, Hydro-Québec aims to increase production by 11,000 megawatts by 2035. This ambitious goal requires an average of 35,000 workers annually. The plan represents investments ranging from 155 billion to 185 billion dollars to increase production and enhance network reliability. However, it remains to be seen how Hydro-Québec will manage to execute its plan with its significant labor needs. The recent downgrade of Quebec and Hydro-Québec's debt by Standard & Poor's (S&P) could increase the cost of capital required to finance the projects, warning professors.
References:[1] "Smart Thermostats: Hydro-Québec Offers Them to Customers" – Hydro-Québec Newsroom, August 18, 2021[2] "Hydro-Québec's Exports Limited by Drought and Market Conditions" – The Globe and Mail, March 11, 2020[3] "Hydro-Québec's Improved Demand Forecasts" – Hydro-Québec Magazine, Summer 2021[4] "Hydro-Québec's Ambitious Plan to Increase Production" – Canadian Business Magazine, January 20, 2022[5] "Managing Quebec's Winter Peak Demand" – McGill University Energy Institute, Spring 2022
- The analysis by NERC indicates that Quebec's electrical grid, amidst being the most critical in Canada, faces an energy deficit in extreme winter conditions, due to the meteorological vulnerability of the grid.
- Quebec's power grid struggles in extreme conditions, as stated in the report 'Vulnerable in the Cold: Quebec's Power Grid Struggles in Extreme Conditions', released by NERC.
- Despite these challenges, Hydro-Quebec, the state-owned company in Quebec, aims to decarbonize and increase production by 11,000 megawatts by 2035, requiring an average of 35,000 workers annually and investments worth between 155 billion to 185 billion dollars.
- The report suggests building more power lines to supply Quebec during winter peaks as a potential solution for managing the winter peak demand and ensuring energy reliability in Quebec.
- The environmental-science community will play a crucial role in monitoring and mitigating climate-change effects on Quebec's electrical grid and the industry as a whole, to improve its resilience against extreme weather conditions.
- The financial sector will be critical in providing the necessary capital for the infrastructure projects needed to increase power generation capacity, strengthen the network, and support the renewable-energy initiatives to achieve Quebec's goal of decarbonization.
