Expert: Concerns over Canada’s hydro capacity

Lower-than-normal rain and snow have reduced Canada’s hydropower production, raising worries in the industry about the effects of climate change. In March, U.S. electricity exports to Canada reached their highest level since at least 2010. The increasing flow of power north is part of a worrying trend for North America. (New York Times)

Here is an expert from McGill University who can comment on this issue: 

François Bouffard, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 

“Hydrological cycles, with their peaks and valleys, are an integral part of hydrogeneration planning and risk management. The situation we are witnessing currently in North America illustrates very well the need to seek energy system integration across large regions of the continent. To achieve this will require vast developments and upgrades to our electricity transmission infrastructure.” 

Francois Bouffard is an Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests are in the fields of power system economics, reliability, control and optimization.  

francois.bouffard [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)