Challenges and opportunities of a trans-canadian grid

Abstract

The paper reports on the potential challenges and opportunities of an electric power trans-Canadian grid (TCG). The report, which is the first stage of a broad research project on the TCG, identifies and examines the main issues from a qualitative view point and sets the stage for further quantitative analysis. The paper evaluates the competitive advantage of a TCG to meet established planning and operation norms such as cost and reliability as well as more topical criteria related to emissions control as a result of concerns over climate change. The proposed TCG would interconnect the provincial grids more tightly through one or a combination of possible topologies elaborated upon in the paper. The possible advantages of such a project are discussed in detail as are the expected barriers.