BC Hydro Integrated Resource Plan

BC Hydro Integrated Resource Plan

January 14 version

Simulation FAQs Energy Policy Simulation FAQs 2013

A major component of the course is a simulation of a multi-stakeholder consultation on a key energy policy issue.  This year students can choose among three topics: BC Hydro Integrated Resource Plan, Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, or National Energy Strategy.

Scenario:  The 2010 Clean Energy Act directs BC Hydro to develop an Integrated Resource Plan by the end of 2011 to meet the province’s energy policy objectives, including attaining electricity self sufficiency by 2016. After extensive analysis and consultation, BC Hydro produced a draft plan in May 2012. The final plan is due August 2013. As a result of continuing controversy and new uncertainties about the additional load forecast for LNG projects, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas has convened a special multistakeholder committee to forge consensus on a new plan. The core question:   How should the BC Hydro electricity system be balanced (defined by the CEA self sufficiency requirement) in 2030?

Objective: The objectives of this exercise are to develop practical skills — teamwork, research, and communication — necessary for constructive participation in policy development, while simultaneously developing a deep understanding of one crucial component of energy policy.

Organization: Participating students will be divided into ten groups reflecting different stakeholders involved in the process.

  1. Fortis BC
  2. David Suzuki Foundation/Pembina Institute
  3. Western Canada Wilderness Committee
  4. COPE 378
  5. Clean Energy BC
  6. Alterra
  7. Association of Major Power Customers
  8. Horn River Basin Producer’s Group
  9. First Nations Energy and Mining Council
  10. BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre

Process: Students will be assigned to groups based on random selection. Students are expected to consult “real world” versions of their caucuses. There will be an evening, mock multi-stakeholder consultation on March 25, 5-9 PM (attendance is required). Groups are also responsible for selecting their representative (and an alternate) to speak and negotiate for them during the consultation. Students are responsible for identifying appropriate resource materials to support their briefs and arguments.

Assessment: The simulation accounts for 30% of your grade, components of which have been allocated and designed to stimulate both effective group and individual effort:

  • 10% for the group brief submitted March 21, not to exceed 2000 words (strictly enforced). This is a group project, which clearly and concisely presents the group’s initial position on the question. It should contain references.  Grading Rubric 425 briefMarking Guideline also Guide to writing an advocacy brief 2013   a sample brief NG1-Suncor-bickerton-choy-docherty-martin
  • 10% for each student’s participation in the group. This grade will be based predominately on the recommendations for grades that students provide for each other.
  • 10% for the performance of each group in the consultation.

Note: The group brief needs to be submitted to www.turnitin.com before being submitted to the instructor. The class ID number is 2666779, the password is “sustainus”. If you do not already have a user profile on the site, you will have to create one.

Agenda

5:00-6:00 Initial Presentation from Caucuses (5 minutes each)

6:00-6:45 Facilitator Identification of areas of agreement and disagreement

6:45-7:15 Dinner Break:  Group meetings

7:15-8:30 Narrow range of disagreements

8:30-9:00 Establish consensus position or range of options

Suggested Readings

BC Hydro draft IRP homepage: http://www.bchydro.com/energy_in_bc/irp/document_centre/reports/draft_irp.html

Recommended:

Chapter 1, Introduction: http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/planning_regulatory/iep_ltap/2012q2/draft_2012_irp_chapter.Par.0001.File.DRAFT_2012_IRP_Chapter_1.pdf

Chapter 2, Load and Resource Gap: http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/planning_regulatory/iep_ltap/2012q2/draft_2012_irp_chapter0.Par.0001.File.DRAFT_2012_IRP_Chapter_2.pdf

Chapter 3, Resource Options: http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/planning_regulatory/iep_ltap/2012q2/draft_2012_irp_chapter1.Par.0001.File.DRAFT_2012_IRP_Chapter_3.pdf

Chapter 9, Recommendations: http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/planning_regulatory/iep_ltap/2012q2/draft_2012_irp_chapter7.Par.0001.File.DRAFT_2012_IRP_Chapter_9.pdf

Vancouver Sun op-eds (background reading, note these are opinion pieces which express a particular point of view) IPP contracts:

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Opinion+wolf+lurks+edge+green+projects/7256232/story.html

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/What+right+power+solution+province+industry/7774790/story.html