1. Conventional Energy

2. What is Conventional Energy Energy that is derived or taken from “classic” ordinary sources 98% of Canada’s Energy comes from Oil (39%) Natural Gas (35%) Electricity (24%) Canada is one of the top users of Energy in the world, why?

3. Why do we waste Energy We live in a very cold northern climate for long periods of time Canada is so large that we use a lot of energy during transportation Transportation of energy itself too Canada is a developed nation with an advanced economy Energy is so cheap… why not waste it?

4. Electricity Electricity is produced by a generator powered by a spinning turbine This converts mechanical energy into electrical energy (you’ll learn more about this in physics) 3 Main types of electricity generating stations in Canada: Hydro-electric Thermal-electric Nuclear-electric

5. Hydro-electric Generator Also called dams because a giant barrier is built in a river that has a significant change in elevation The dam blocks water on one side, creating a reservoir (damming the water) The reservoir water flows through a pipe, down to a spinning turbine The river must have a reliable flow of water as well The force of the water flowing from a higher elevation to a lower elevation drives the generator

6. Thermal-electric Generator

7. Rather than moving water, steam is used to spin the turbines and in turn cause the generator to turn The steam is produced by burning coal, oil, natural gas, wood or even garbage Coal is the filthiest fuel on the planet meaning when burned it creates toxic smoke with poisons and greenhouse gases Oil and Gas are not much better

8. Nuclear-electric Generator

9. Like thermal, it uses steam to drive the turbine and generator The heat used to boil the water is caused by the radioactive breakdown called fission of uranium atoms Uranium is mined all over the world and was once never thought to hold any value Cheapest, most efficient and most competitive source of energy to oil, and gas……. Unless………. Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima EXPLOSIONS

10. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Formed by compression of marine animals that have sunk to ocean floor (millions of years) Found naturally usually together in geological structures beneath the surface of the earth Found and taken from earth by drilling and wells

11. Canada’s Oil and Gas Found in western Canada, mostly AB and adjoining provinces, stretching as far as western MB Includes “conventional” crude oil as well as synthetic crude oil Synthetic crude oil comes from oil sands which is mined not drilled Oil like substance called Bitumen is found around sand particles Sand is dug, and bitumen is separated and processed to create synthetic crude oil Very abundant in Northern Alberta