How do we meet the energy demand of an increasingly concentrated, mostly urban population in an environmentally sustainable manner?
This document focuses on renewable energy and attempts to open this question for discussion through a review of currently available literature, an overview of the native prairie and parkland landscapes of Alberta, and provides context regarding the development of minimal disturbance principles and guidelines for industrial activity in the native prairie and parkland landscapes of Alberta. Also explored are examples of micro generation projects, decentralized energy systems, renewable energy within the agricultural sector and utilizing existing production and infrastructure from natural gas resources to produce electricity.
The information provided in this document has been compiled through engagement with representatives of the renewable energy sector, comments provided by industry representatives, government agencies and interested stakeholders, following the multi-stakeholder workshop held February 2, 2017 in Airdrie, Alberta, and attendance at the Southeastern Energy Diversification Symposium held at Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat, Alberta, March 2 and 3, 2017.
The intent is to provide a framework for the development of industry-specific beneficial management practices applicable to the renewable energy sector. The beneficial management practices provided are built on the minimal disturbance principles, guidelines and tools developed by the Government of Alberta for all industrial activity proposed in native prairie and parkland
landscapes.