Wind Energy in Ontario

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Renewable resources are resources that have the ability to restock itself in some quantity (Field, 2008). Thus, the amount of the resource available to be processed, is determined by the restock rate (Field, 2008). Renewable energy is commonly categorized with renewable resources. Renewable energy such as wind is beginning to take hold in many parts of Canada such as Alberta and Ontario (Jones, 2013). However, in Ontario, wind power has been seen as more of a problem than a solution. One major problem with wind energy is its feasibility; capturing wind energy is, to some degree difficult to do. Wind energy is produced by the movement between two air masses, usually influenced by the radiation of solar energy by the earth’s surface (Freedman, 2010). It is very difficult to control the speed, direction and location of winds, thus, making the process highly unpredictable. This creates a problem with the demand-supply relationship. The greatest supply of wind energy occurs overnight when demand is low and dies down during the morning, when demand is high (Spears, 2013). This would commonly result in increase in prices to bring the supply-demand relationship to equilibrium, where the supply is sold at a reasonable price for both consumer and producers (Field, 2008). However, since 2006, Ontario has had a surplus of power, which has led to the government to pay neighboring provinces and states to take it (Canadian Press, 2013; Spears, 2013). In addition, the government has also paid private companies to stop producing power (Canadian Press, 2013; Spears, 2013). These problems have led Ontario to have a larger cost than the benefits from wind power. My views The need to control nature is a human instinct that has done more harm than... ... middle of paper ... ...neuerbare-energien.de/fileadmin/Daten_EE/Dokumente__PDFs_/ee_in_zahlen_ppt_en_bf.pdf Freedman, B. (2010). Environmental Science: A Canadian Perspective – Fifth Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jones,J. (2013). Alberta Losing No Sleep over Wind Power. Globe and Mail. Available online: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/breakthrough/albertans-losing-no-sleep-over-wind-power/article14743121/ Quebec-Labrador Foundation – QLF.(2005). A Background Study for Nomination of The Ottawa River Under The Canadian Heritage Rivers Systems. Available Online: http://www.ottawariver.org/pdf/11-ch2-9.pdf Spears, J. (2013). Surplus Wind Power Could Cost Ontario Ratepayers Up To $200 Millions: IESO. The Star. Available online: http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/02/26/surplus_wind_power_could_cost_ontario_ratepayers_up_to_200_million_ieso.html

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