Consumer Basics for Renewable Energy

Alberta Agriculture and Rural
Development

Kelly Lund: (780) 644-1197
Ag-Info Line: 310-FARM (3276)
Toll Free Line: 310-0000

Consumer Basics…
for Renewable Energy
Small Scale Energy Workshop
Nov 30, Beiseker

Kelly Lund, AARD, (780) 644-1197

What should a Consumer know?
• Energy Terminology Basics
• Technology Basics
– Understand the testing and rating system
– Manage expectations
• Applicable Requirements for your Area
– Permits and approvals
– Tax Assessments
• Consumer and Contract (Legal) Basics

Energy
• Is the ability of a physical system to do work

– like heating a stove element to cook a pot of soup

– like pushing a wheelbarrow to the end of the lane

Unit: Joule / kW-h

Power
• Is the time rate at which work is done or
energy is transferred

– Heat energy being supplied faster (higher setting)
to cook faster
– Mechanical energy being supplied faster (walking
faster) to move wheelbarrow faster

Unit: kW or J/s

Power Rating
• “Rated” or “nominal” is based on testing
– Assumes a certain input condition (rpm, meters
per second wind speed, W per m^2 solar
insolation) so you need to know that assumption
• It tells me about the instantaneous ability to
do work
• Using power (kW or HP) over time is what
uses energy… ie: kW-hours or HP-hours

First Law of Thermodynamics
• Conservation of Energy:
– Basically states that energy can’t be created or
destroyed, merely transformed between forms
• Mechanical/kinetic
• Electrical
• Heat
• Etc
– There is always a loss of energy in conversion

RE Equipment
• When we buy RE equipment (solar
PV, wind, biomass combustion, etc) it will have
a nominal Power Rating in kilowatts (kW) just
like a vehicle will have a nominal power rating
(usually hp), based on some test done at
specified conditions

Capacity Factor
• The amount of time a generator is operating
at its rated power
• Capacity factor results from a combined effect
of the FUEL and the EQUIPMENT

Capacity factor
• 100% capacity factor means it is operating at
rated power 100% of the time, ie: all 8760 hrs
in a year
• 50% capacity factor means it is operating at
rated power 50% of the time,
• ie: 100% rated power for only 4380 hrs in a year OR
• 50% of rated power for all 8760 hrs in a year

System considerations
• Determine their system production:
• 1. Click on:
https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/pv/sear
ch.php?lang=e&prov=alta

2. Examine the PV Potential chart to find the
predicted annual production in kWh. Use the
column which says South facing tilt = latitude

• An Example:

Sunnynook, Alberta shows an annual
production of 1343kWh production for each
1000 watts of solar modules installed facing
south and tilted at an angle equivalent to the
latitude. The latitude of Sunnynook is listed
under the town name, 51.28 degrees.
• As a comparison, Little Smoky, Alberta would
have a production rate of 1183kWh at an
angle of 54.7 degrees, etc.

…I’m going solar!
• How would you size a Renewable Energy
System?

• For grid-connected installations, you are most
interested in comparing the annual energy
production (versus being concerned about
peak requirements)

Sizing a Renewable Energy System
1. Look at a year’s worth of electricity bills
-if there is little month-to-month variation, you
might only look at 2 or 3 months worth and
multiply to come up with kWh per year

2. Divide the kWh per year by the number of hours
in a year (approx 8760)
-this would give you the size (kW) of a generator
if it were operating 100% of the time, 24/7, for
the entire year

Sizing RE: Quick Example

1. If I use approximately 1500 kWh per month
on my farm, this is 18,000 kWh/yr (1500*12)

2. 18,000 / 8760 = 2.05 = 2 kW

Sizing a Renewable Energy System
3. Account for the Capacity Factor of the
chosen RE technology
-wind and solar PV actually have similar
capacity factors, on the micro side ranging
15 to 30 %
Quick Example (assume 23% Cap. Factor):
2 kW / 0.23 = 8.7 kW RE would be required

Double check calc: take 8.7 x 8760 x .23 = 17,530

Authority having Jurisdiction
• Your county will have the most involvement
over what is required for potential RE installs
and may require:
– Development Permit
– Building Permit
– etc
• Safety Code Legislation requires that all
electrical work have an electrical permit

Grid Interconnection
• The method of grid interconnection for small
scale, offset consumption use is applying to be
a Micro-Generator
• The company that owns the Distribution lines
that come to your property is the Wire Service
Provider (WSP). They may do the actual work
and maintenance of the lines themselves or
subcontract it.
• The WSP is involved in directly approving
small Micro-Generators of 10 kW or less

Micro-Generation in Alberta

Since January of 2009, in
Alberta, you can connect to the
distribution grid to become a
micro-generator and get credit for
any electricity you export back to
the grid

• Provides a simplified process for connecting
your Renewable Energy generator to the grid
• Your project has to qualify by meeting the
criteria to be a Micro-Generator
• If you meet the safety requirements, you
cannot be refused connection!
• If you are a small or mini size generator, you
will be credited for electricity exports at a
minimum of your retail rate (what you pay)

• Qualifying:
– The type of generator (solar PV, wind,
geothermal, combined heat and power,
emission based)
– Intend to offset up to 100% or less of
annual energy consumption
– Size of installation (rated kW) is less than
size of service entrance transformer (with
kVA being approximately equivalent to kW)

• In the example we calculated, we needed about 8.7 kW
generator if we wanted to come close to offsetting 100% of
the kWh we consume in a year
• If my yard transformer was only 7.5 kVA, then I wouldn’t
qualify as a Micro-Generator if I applied to install 8.7 kW of
generation capacity
• BUT, if my yard transformer was a 15 kVa, and I thought I
would try to apply to install a 15 kW generator to match, I
may also be denied, as the calculation shows I would likely be
producing well above 100% of what I would be consuming:
15 kW x 8760 x 0.23 = 30,222 (vs. 18,000)

Purchasing RE Equipment
• Buy only equipment that is certified to
Canadian Standards for electrical safety
• Consider equipment that is certified to
Canadian Standards for performance
• Make sure you have Micro-Generator approval
for the size you are planning to install before
you have committed to buying it
• Make sure you have done some estimates to
predict energy production and economics so
that you have realistic expectations

Economics Examples
• Solar PV
– 1 kW rated system in Edmonton could produce
approximately 1100 kWh per year
– If I am credited at $0.10 / kWh, I would be saving
about $110 per year
– If my system cost me $8000 to install, it would
take me about 72 years (simple payback) to pay it
off from the annual energy savings
– Note: Solar is a reasonably predictable resource based
only on a general area; site conditions influence

Purchasing RE Equipment
• Understand your goals, including saving money, a return
on investment, gaining a measure of energy security, self-
sufficiency, etc
• Be realistic – or even conservative -about the available
resource
• Be confident in the equipment and retailer / installer that
you choose to work with
• Know that RE specific financing is available (FCC)
• Take advantage of tax benefits using Class 43.1/43.2
accelerated depreciation
• Call Alberta Agriculture to get help understanding
specific RE topics or working through a project plan

Consumer Basics
• Research information on working with
contractors
– Advice on how to find out if they are licensed and
insured – Worker’s Compensation Board coverage
– Developing a contract that is clear, and fair for all
parties
– Warranty issues

Consumer Resources
• Farmers’ Advocate Office
• Carol Goodfellow Assistant Farmers' Advocate
Land and Energy 780 427-2350
• Graham Gilchrist Assistant Farmers' Advocate
Rural Affairs 780 427-7956

• http://www.servicealberta.ca/pdf/tipsheets/U
nfair_Practices_the_Fair_Trading_Act.pdf

Questions?

Kelly Lund, Alberta Agriculture in Edmonton:
(780) 644-1197 or 310-0000

Consumer Basics for Renewable Energy

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