Water and Energy

Abstract

Energy plays a major role in the Canadian economy and the Canadian way of living. The rigorous climate, an energy-intensive industrial base, relatively low energy prices, a low population density and large distances between population as well as the high standard of living of Canadians explain the high level of energy consumption (Environment Canada 1996a). Electricity accounts for an significant portion of the energy production in Canada: 1,692 PJ (PetaJoule or 1×101⁵ Joule) of electricity was produced in 1996 of a total energy production of 7,801 PJ (World Energy Council 1998a). However useful for Canadians, electricity production and distribution have deleterious effects on the environment and aquatic ecosystems. The recent trends in electricity production, especially the use of water in energy production and the significant impacts of electricity generation on Canada’s environment are examined in this chapter.

This Chapter has been provided by Janick Lalonde, PhD candidate at INRS-Eau