Power Struggles: How to Add Renewable Energy to the Canadian Electrical Power Grid

Canada has suggested achieving a net-zero emissions electricity grid by 2050 is possible. That requires shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Sure, there are environmental benefits. But, it introduces challenges in balancing supply and demand on the electrical grid.

Learn more by reading the in-depth article by Lark Scientific Researcher Lucas Bettle.

Unlike hydroelectric or nuclear power, which can be controlled to match demand, wind and solar are variable or intermittent, dependent on weather and time of day. So, their output can’t be easily cranked up during high-demand times or turned down when demand drops.

How Does Canada Generate Electrical Power?

Over 60% of Canada’s electricity is hydroelectric power, which is why you might just call electricity hydro. Another 30% comes from fossil fuels and nuclear. Wind and solar make up a smaller share, roughly 6% from wind and less than 1% from solar,  but their role is growing fast. This growth raises urgent questions about how to integrate these unpredictable energy sources into a grid designed for steady, controllable power.

Why Grid Integration is Critical

The electrical grid must always match electricity supply with demand. Baseload power, needed to meet constant, day-to-day demand, is usually provided by large, stable generators like hydro or nuclear. Peak load power, used during spikes in demand, is met by adding more generation. Wind and solar are not well-suited for either task due to their unpredictability.

How Can the Canadian Grid Integrate Power from Renewable Sources?

Energy storage offers one solution. When the sun is shining, or the wind is blowing, excess power can be stored and used later. Ontario is already investing in large-scale battery storage projects that are expected to add nearly 1,900 MW of capacity by 2028. 

Another method, pumped-storage hydro, uses surplus electricity to pump water uphill into reservoirs. When power is needed, the water is released to generate electricity. The only existing example in Canada is in Ontario, where water is pumped near Niagara Falls.

Another issue is grid frequency control. Canada’s power grid operates at 60 Hz. If supply doesn’t match demand, the frequency can drop or rise, risking outages. Traditional generators like hydro and gas turbines help stabilize frequency through inertia from their spinning parts. Wind and solar systems lack this inertia, which makes the grid more vulnerable to sudden changes.

To counter this, solutions like synchronous condensers, which mimic the inertia of traditional systems, can be installed. Another approach used in Texas, involves controlling electricity use from large customers like factories. These load resources get paid to reduce usage when needed, helping stabilize the grid.

Canada’s growing reliance on wind and solar means we must rethink how our grid operates. From new storage technologies to smart demand response systems, innovations are underway to support a cleaner but more complex energy future.

References

• Biserčić, A. Z. (2021). Reliability of Baseload Electricity Generation from Fossil and Renewable Energy Sources.

• Canada Energy Regulator. (2016). Pumped-storage hydro.

• Denholm, P. (2020). Inertia and the Power Grid: A Guide Without the Spin.

• IESO. (2024). Resource Acquisition and Contracts.

• Natural Resources Canada. (2024). Electricity Generation by Energy Source.