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EXPERT OPINION
Around the world, both governments and utilities are striving to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the electricity sector through renewable and sustainable generation technologies.
While these efforts have resulted in significant progress, there is still a substantial amount of work left to be done to fully decarbonize the grid while delivering affordable and reliable power to customers.
As utilities continue to transition, they will also need to adapt their maintenance programs to a more complex and varied environment. With more substations, new generation facilities, and a wide range of new technologies all spread across a wide geographic area, utilities need a cost-effective and proactive approach to maintenance and repairs.
This article will highlight some of the major green energy initiatives in Canada and the US before showing how utilities can leverage advanced thermal and visual sensors to monitor green energy infrastructure.
The Role of Green Energy Today
Green energy initiatives such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric are primarily being implemented to reduce the GHGs produced by the electricity sector.
While the volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) depends on the fuel source, the power generation sector contributes a significant portion of total emissions in both Canada and the US.
Fossil fuels are still the in the US, with natural gas and coal making up 61 percent of the total energy mix. Renewables, including wind, hydroelectric, and solar account for 19.8 percent, followed by nuclear at 18.9 percent.
Because of this heavy dependence on fossil fuels, produces about 32 percent of the country’s total CO2 emissions, or about 1,552 million metric tons of CO2 each year.
Canada, on the other hand, relies more heavily on renewable energy sources. Hydroelectric power contributes to 59 percent of , while a further 15 percent comes from nuclear. As a result, the electricity sector in Canada only accounts for 8.33 percent of total CO2e emissions, or 56 million metric tons of CO2e per year.
Government Efforts to Lower Emissions
Governments in both Canada and the US are setting aggressive targets to reduce emissions.
Already, the US has in the power sector by 40 percent since 2005, mostly attributed to the transition away from coal in favour of natural gas. Similarly, Canada has reduced by 52 percent in the same period, as provinces like Ontario retired coal-fired plants.
The Canadian Government has increased its to reduce total emissions by up to 45 percent from 2005 levels and has set a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The US has been even more aggressive, with the aiming to slash utility emissions by 2030 and achieve full decarbonization by 2035.
The Role of Thermal and Visual Sensors
Advanced thermal and visual sensors provide continuous, real-time monitoring of utility infrastructure. As green energy initiatives become more prevalent, utilities can leverage these solutions to enhance reliability, reduce the cost of physical inspections, and allocate maintenance teams more effectively.
The US has reduced carbon emissions in the power sector by 40 percent since 2005, mostly attributed to the transition away from coal in favour of natural gas