A Clean Energy Future
A Clean Energy Future
ca or by contacting: Alberta Energy Research Institute Suite 2540, Monenco Place 801 - 6th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3W2 (403) 297-8650 Email: [email protected]
THE STRATEGY
Oil, gas, coal, power, and petrochemicals have traditionally been viewed separately. Today, these sectors need to work together as a single, integrated industry focused on clean energy products and services. All sectors of the energy industry must have the same vision: efficient use of Albertas energy resources and a commitment to environmental protection. Realizing this vision requires research and technology development in the following areas: Managing CO2 and other emissions by developing technology to capture, transport, and use CO2 to increase oil and gas recovery, and to inject into coal beds to release methane. Burning coal cleanly to generate electricity; using coal and other feedstocks to produce steam, hydrogen (for oil sands upgrading and fuel cells); and capturing concentrated CO2 streams for enhanced oil and gas recovery.
Increasing the value of bitumen through oil sands upgrading technology to produce new products customized for North American refineries. Moving from a hydrocarbon to a hydrogen economy. Developing alternate sources of clean energy, including bioenergy.
CLEAN COAL
Alberta has 620 billion tonnes of recoverable coal. About 26 million tonnes are used every year to generate more than 70 per cent of Albertas electricity. To realize the full potential of Albertas coal reserves, the province must develop new technology allowing coal to burn as cleanly as natural gas, while capturing CO2. AERI will continue to support research in this area, in order to: reduce emissions provide an abundance of low-cost electricity free up natural gas for other uses allow coal to be used for generating value-added products, such as hydrogen, petrochemicals and steam
liquids, used as feedstock, gradually decline, but petrochemical demand increases. To enhance the growth of the petrochemical industry, AERI is establishing programs to produce petrochemical feedstocks from low-cost energy resources such as coal, coke and bitumen.
DEFINITIONS
Biomass: Plant material or vegetation that can be converted to useful fuel and is considered a potential source of energy. Bioenergy: Biomass that is converted into electric power. Conventional Oil: Oil that flows naturally or is capable of being pumped without further processing or dilution. Heavy Oil: Oil that is thick and does not flow well, requiring specialized recovery, dilution and upgrading processes that allow it to be transported and refined. Feedstock: Any material that is converted to another form or product. In the energy context, it generally refers to energy used for non-fuel purposes e.g. using ethane to manufacture ethylene. Coke: Heavy residue, mainly in the form of carbon, from oil upgrading and refining. Tailings: In an oil sands context, the liquid-solid slurries produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. In situ: Latin for in its proper position or place. Refers to various methods used to recover bitumen, without removing the oil sands from the reservoir. Bitumen: A thick, sticky form of crude oil that must be heated or diluted before it will flow into a well or through a pipeline. It is sometimes called extra-heavy oil. Hydrogen Economy: The vision of building an energy infrastructure that uses hydrogen to store and carry energy. Hydrogen is considered to be clean, since it only produces water when it is burned or used in a fuel cell. Fuel Cell: A device that generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
SUMMARY
The world of energy is changing, and Alberta has the drive and the resources to turn this change into opportunity. AERIs vision is to help Alberta become the premier energy provider in North America. To achieve this, and to develop an integrated industry that provides clean energy for Albertans and Canadians, requires continued investment in energy research and further commitment from industry and government. By working with its partners, AERI will be able to leverage investments and create benefits not only for Alberta, but for the entire country as well. Alberta successfully unlocked the mystery of the oil sands now the province will find the keys to unlock the clean energy sources of the future.
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