Skip to content

Green tech or green-wash?

Solar power and smart growth will go under the microscope next week as experts hold a public debate on green technologies.

Solar power and smart growth will go under the microscope next week as experts hold a public debate on green technologies.

Locals will have a chance to grill waste, water, energy, food and planning professionals next Monday at a conference on clean technologies. Run by the Alberta Council of Technologies, the meeting casts a critical eye on eco-friendly developments such as St. Albert's proposed Avenir project.

There's been a lot of talk about the new green economy, says organizer and St. Albert resident Perry Kinkaide, but technology seems to be running ahead of policy, creating confusion in businesses and government. "We think there may be over-promising and under-delivering going on."

The conference will feature 10 sessions on smart growth, renewable power, parks, vehicles, water, waste management, local food, financing and marketing, he says, with presentations from experts followed by questions from the audience. It will also have a presentation on the Avenir project in St. Albert, which would use many of these technologies if built.

It should be of interest to anyone interested in green tech, Kinkaide says, especially government officials. "Can we grow another Okotoks?" he asks, referring to that community's work with solar and water technology. "Are we buying a white elephant, or is there really a market for new forms of housing?"

Hype or hope?

Simon Knight, president of Climate Change Central, will chair the green energy session. Solar, wind and geothermal are proven technologies, he says, but aren't at the point where they can meet all our power needs. "It's not just people putting solar in their house. It requires large scale change in the [power] grid as well."

Wind and solar power fluctuate with the weather, he explains, so you need a grid system that can quickly adapt to changing conditions. It's possible to build one, but no one's actually done so yet.

They also face financial obstacles such as fixed fees on electricity bills. Those fees (such as transmission costs) throw off the economics of conservation, as they aren't reduced if you save energy or buy renewable. "Even if you reduce your energy use, it doesn't reduce your bill as much as you'd think."

Water saving technologies have similar problems, says Chris Godwaldt, consultant with Alberta WaterSMART and chair of the water session. Alberta is running short on water, for example, and could make better use of it by reusing its wastewater. B.C., Singapore and Australia already have many such "greywater" systems, he notes, treating wastewater on or off-site to use for drinking or irrigation.

But greywater is technically illegal in Alberta, Godwaldt says. "You can't take water from your sink, clean it up and use it to flush the toilet." Nor does the province have the inspectors and fines in place to police greywater systems.

Albertans will need to learn more about greywater before they will embrace it, Godwaldt says. "The water is safe. In fact, it's safer than the water that's hit the ground." It can, however, be a health risk if treatment systems are poorly maintained.

Albertans are also making big strides towards renewables, Knight says. Suncor has proposed a community heating system at one of its operations, he notes, and Enmax plans to let customers rent solar panels. "It's an exciting time for this stuff."

The conference starts at 3 p.m. on March 1 at the Edmonton Mayfield Inn. Tickets are $75, with free passes available for students. For details, call 1-866-241-7535.


Kevin Ma

About the Author: Kevin Ma

Kevin Ma joined the St. Albert Gazette in 2006. He writes about Sturgeon County, education, the environment, agriculture, science and aboriginal affairs. He also contributes features, photographs and video.
Read more



Comments

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks