insights Four trends that are fueling Canada's clean energy transition

What is clean energy?

Clean energy refers to any supplies of renewable power created from natural sources that are inexhaustible or available always. Renewable energy comes from resources such as the sun, wind, waves, or tides and emits much lower levels of carbon dioxide emissions than those which are fossil fuel-based. 

In late 2021, an urgent call to action was issued by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), a trade group with more than 300 member organizations, to speed up the country’s transition to low carbon or clean energy. Additionally, Clean Energy Canada states that we must focus on four key areas:

• an increase in renewable energy supply
• an improvement to the infrastructure and systems that transmit, store, and use energy
• an enhancement of energy efficiency, delivering the same services with less energy
• the delivery of key energy services—power, heat, and transportation—while reducing carbon pollution

Renewable energy supply

As we move away from the use of traditional fossil fuels, the most prominent types of renewable energy sources that are powering our lives include wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal. These methods play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions because they produce little to no carbon dioxide and are created by resources that are available in infinite quantities. 

Carbon capture and energy-storage

A huge opportunity to make improvements on the route to Net Zero is to use energy storage. This is an increasingly common technique that is being used, particularly with batteries. In 2021, it was announced that AtkinsRéalis would work with an energy storage developer on exploring opportunities to convert end-of-life fossil power plants to clean energy facilities. Together with E2S Power, we will work with utilities and power generators to evaluate and offer optimized integrated thermal energy solutions for existing plants and facilities being phased out.

Using technology to deliver the same services

Digitalization has improved every sector and industry in the world. With clean energy, technology is revolutionizing and enhancing efficiency and delivering the same services (or better) with less energy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming the future of renewable energy, allowing us to obtain better forecasts and manage systems more efficiently. At AtkinsRéalis , we partner with leading firms, such as Highview, to introduce new technologies to sustainable utility solutions, such as pumped storage, battery, liquid air and molten salt. 

Decarbonization of key energy services

One of the key areas of growth in sustainable development both in Canada and the rest of the world is decarbonization. This refers to the reduction of CO2 emission output achieved by switching from traditional fossil fuels to using low-carbon alternatives based on green electricity and green molecules such as biofuels and hydrogen. 

CanREA has stated that electricity production in Canada should be decarbonized by 2035, and to achieve this, the country must adopt a Clean Electricity Standard. This would mean that power on the grid comes only from low carbon resources. 

Advancing with sustainable approaches at AtkinsRéalis in Canada

Over the past few years, AtkinsRéalis has been building a long-term strategy to Engineer Net Zero, because we want to rapidly address global challenges like climate change. Clean energy is a crucial solution to climate issues, and this approach is beginning to shape our approach to engineering in Canada and around the world. 

Are you ready to drive full speed ahead on the road to Net Zero? We’re looking for passionate and innovative professionals to join our teams and accelerate Canada’s clean energy transition. Browse our available civil engineering jobs in Canada and make a real impact on local, regional, and international communities.