Investing in Renewable Energy will Enhance the Sustainability of Muskoka Significantly.
1. Utilizing water sources surrounding the area to harvest Hydroelectricity.
1.1. Why?
1.1.1. Hydroelectricity is extremely beneficial and easy to harvest in areas with an abundance of water.
1.1.1.1. Creating generation sites along the rivers and lakes can help power these remote locations.
1.1.1.2. Electricity can be produced and stored locally, reducing imported and wasted energy.
1.1.1.2.1. Can be stored in a reservoir off-seasons, but has the ability to be used as needed during peak cottage seasons.
1.1.2. Currently, Muskoka has produced enough hydroelectricity to power 19,800 homes.
1.1.2.1. Expanding on these areas will only enhance the benefits
1.1.3. Burns no fossil fuels and are not affected by rising fuel prices.
1.1.3.1. Hydropower is a cost efficient alternative to other resources.
1.1.3.1.1. Can be more affordable for the community.
1.1.3.2. Construction can be kept to a minimum by incorporating these at already existing bridges.
1.1.3.2.1. Uses less physical land than other methods.
1.2. Muskoka River Watershed is over 5,100 square kilometres and consists of 15 sub-watersheds that outlet into Georgian Bay.
2. The sources have the ability to power extensive areas during peak seasons.
2.1. How?
2.1.1. Can power Muskoka areas during peak seasons.
2.1.1.1. Non renewable energy allows power grids to be in more remote locations
2.1.1.1.1. Fuel doesnt need to be imported
2.1.1.1.2. Can be harvested onsite with things like Geothermal technologies.
2.1.1.2. A mix of renewable energy sources can provide areas with the needed amount catering to each of the different terrain differences throughout.
2.1.1.2.1. Will help alleviate environmental concerns with placing too much reliance on one natural resource
2.1.2. SPEEDIER has developed thechnologies ike generators that allow harvested renewables to remain onsite.
2.1.2.1. This Muskoka based company states that individuals can impliment these, and save energy in times when it doesnt need to be harvested continuously.
2.1.3. Can be stored when not being used during off-seasons.
2.1.3.1. With the use of consistent and reliable technology, generated electricity can be stored to prevent waste
2.1.3.1.1. If storage is inadequate, it may lead to high amounts of energy waste.
2.1.3.2. Storage facilities must be large enough to cater towards high levels of storage.
2.1.3.2.1. Must contain the ability to power factories or industrial buildings as well as residential in periods of fluctuation
3. Will provide Muskoka with reliable energy and become resilient to change.
3.1. How?
3.1.1. Energy prices do not fluctuate.
3.1.1.1. Prices of renewables are not determined by the availability.
3.1.1.1.1. Renewables could prevent energy poverty.
3.1.1.2. Energy rates and availability are not determined by geographic positon.
3.1.1.2.1. Individuals living in remote locations can access energy in the same ways with renewables.
3.1.2. Initiatives like SPEEDIER are already proving that Muskoka can rely on renewable energy
3.1.2.1. Power outages will not occur with this system, unless the entire grid is unplugged.
3.1.3. Allow surrounding communities to be more resilient to changes in energy fluctuations
3.1.3.1. Avaliabilty is not determined based on fluctuations.
3.1.3.2. Activities stopping and energy cuts do not need to occur with implementation of renewables.
3.1.3.2.1. Renewables do not require daily activity to change due to fluctuations.
4. They reduce the need to rely on imported sources of energy like oil or gas.
4.1. How?
4.1.1. Muskoka needs to focus their efforts on harvesting renewable energy rather than non renewable sources.
4.1.1.1. Creating new infrastructure that supports renewable energy
4.1.1.2. Land and water resources to harvest are available and must be utilized.
4.1.1.2.1. Land resourses can inlcude implimenting geothermal or wind.
4.1.1.2.2. Water can be hydroelectricity.
4.1.2. Within 2019, Muskoka did not reach energy reduction rates proposed in 2014.
4.1.2.1. Investing in renewables within this area will alliviate negative environmental impacts of doing so.
4.1.3. Halting the importation of gas, nuclear and coal energies as primary source.
4.1.3.1. Can alleviate stress placed on the environment by using these energy sources.
4.1.3.2. Multiple energy sources can be present to fill voids
4.1.3.2.1. Having energy mixes that focus more on non renewables is more beneficial
4.2. Muskoka is significantly far from major oil and gas exportation sites, meaning prices are higher than where there is more fuel available.
5. Can alleviate the amount of pollution within the energy sector.
5.1. How?
5.1.1. Reduces stress placed on water and air by buring fossil fuels.
5.1.1.1. Boats and other watercraft releasing gas into the water creates negative impacts.
5.1.1.1.1. Can be combated with 'quite times' or 'no boat times' on the lake
5.1.1.2. Using renewables would mitigate air pollution within Muskoka.
5.1.2. Increased exposure to pollution caused by fossil fuels will speed up the process of global warming. By the 2080s, our regular climate will be like that of Mississippi today.
5.1.2.1. Finding ways to reduce this fossil fuel pollution is a key to solving the climate crisis.
5.1.3. Halting the importation of gas, nuclear and coal energies as primary source.
5.1.3.1. Importing fuels contributes more to the use of non renewables
5.1.3.1.1. Transportation and extraction uses non renewables in the process
5.1.3.2. Reducing our reliance can help mitigate negative environmetnal impacts.
5.1.3.2.1. Will allow natural cycles to return to normal
5.1.3.2.2. Will help to reduce physical and natural environmental proccesses