Coal And The Ideal Electrical Energy Source Combination: Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan

Abstract

The Alberta Climate Leadership plan is an expansive policy framework that will impact Albertan’s in the way they use and produce energy and conduct their business activities. This research aims to discover what the ideal electrical energy source combination should be and how it should be developed to replace coal-fired energy under the goals and the constraints of the Climate Leadership plan and its associated policies. A detailed literary and document review has been performed to identify the necessary background, the potential policy risk and technical information for identifying and comparing an idealized electrical energy source combination. Results indicated that the phase out of coal-fired energy under the Climate Leadership plan is achievable. Success will be dependent on the province of Alberta’s ability to garner the necessary capital investment and the ability of the Alberta Government to adapt to a changing social and economic environment.