Definitions

Energy Intensive Industries – The term refers to industries that consume a relatively high amount of often-expensive energy per unit of product output. An example would be pulp and paper mills or the steel industry.  Both require large amounts of energy, per unit of output when compared to, say, a carrot farm.

High Value Added Industries – Traditionally British Columbia has had many industries that were low-value added industries. High value added industries are industries that add a lot of value to the end product through production of the product. For example, the guitar making industry is a high value-added industry since the finished product has a very high value when compared to the low cost of raw unprocessed wood.

Energy Balance – The relation between the production and consumption of energy in an area. The two most significant characteristics of British Columbia’s energy balance in the 1990s is the imbalance between consumption and production of oil and coal. In the case of the former, we consume much more than we produce, giving rise to concern about supply in the medium to long term. In the case of coal, we produce large amounts but consume very little.

Thermal Electricity – Electricity produced by the burning of fuel (fossil, nuclear, biomass, etc.) to produce steam or gas which is applied to a turbine/generator set to generate electricity. Except for some industrial producers, British Columbia has traditionally relied on hydroelectricity. However, the damming of rivers for this purpose is becoming increasingly unacceptable in British Columbia and some fossil and other fuels are readily available (e.g. natural gas, coal, hog fuel). Consequently, the production of thermal electricity is likely to increase.

Coal-Bed Methane – is methane gas trapped in coal seams. Estimated coal-bed methane gas reserves far outnumber estimated conventional natural gas reserves. Methane is the major component of natural gas.

Information-Based Technology – is the most innovative and rapidly growing sector of the specialized, high technology, and high value-added industries, in British Columbia. Most information-based technology is included in the electrical and electronic category of manufacturing. Biotechnological, communications, envirotechnological, space/aerospace, sub-sea, and software products are all produced by the information-based-technology manufacturing sector.

Thermal Electricity – Refers to electricity generated through thermal power plants. Thermal powers plants are operated using an energy source to produce steam or gas, which then turns a turbine/generator set that produces electricity. Energy sources are usually either natural gas, coal, oil etc. Unfortunately most rely on non-renewable sources of energy, in contrast to hydroelectricity, which is a renewable energy source that doesn’t produce any emissions.

Demand-Side Management – is an approach based on increasing the efficiency of use and thus deceasing the physical capacity that must be developed. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the least cost approach is the Demand Side Management (DSM) approach. Applicable in a broad sense to almost any energy source, DSM is particularly suited to the supply of electricity. Demand side management is an integral part of BC Hydro’s resource plan, and programs such as the Industrial Rate discount Act and the Critical Industries Act are being phased out as a result. By raising the price of electricity BCH is encouraging its more efficient use. Unfortunately the DSM approach often has more of an effect on the mix of energy sources used, rather than total energy consumed. For example, as the cost of hydro increases, people may switch to natural gas to heat hot water.

The Power Smart Program – is an example of demand-side management. The Power Smart program was introduced in 1989, and its electricity savings currently average 2500 GWh/year. Approximately two years ago the Comox Valley and Quesnel communities have decided to become Power Smart. They will save an estimated 1.1 million dollars annually by becoming Power Smart, and BC Hydro will contribute 6.1 million towards implementing the programs necessary to achieve this 5% decrease in energy consumption. According to BC Hydro, at current energy growth rates of 20% per year, BC will increase it’s energy consumption by 20% in the next 20 years, and will require additional generating resources by 2007. Through programs that employ financial incentives to convince people to reduce energy consumption, the Power Smart Program reduces the demand for electricity. Examples include the free pick-up and recycling of old fridges, or energy saving light bulb giveaways, by BC Hydro.

Energy Project Certificate – The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) regulates the construction of electricity generating plants, and any proposal before the BCUC must receive an Energy Project Certificate (EPC) before development can begin. In order for an EPC to be issued, a project proposal must have been through the Energy Project Review Process. The Energy Process Analysis Branch of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources coordinates this often-lengthy process.