[All] Lake Erie Connector

[Susan Koswan]

Okay, I've had a chance to nose around a little bit. This is not a new 
idea. There are quite a few places in the US where high voltage direct 
current (HVDC) cables have been used underwater. They need a converter 
facility on either end to convert DC to AC.

This one that runs under the Hudson River for 75 miles from NJ to 
Manhattan is from 2013 
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-850m-underwater-line-brings-power-from-nj-to-manhattan/136972/

First question for me is whether EMFs adversely affect  freshwater species.

One study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00028487.2013.778901

"Paddlefish did not react to a variable, 60-Hz magnetic field (i.e., 
like that emitted by an AC generator or cable), but Lake Sturgeon 
consistently responded with a variety of altered swimming behaviors. 
These results will be useful for positioning cables or generators to 
minimize interactions with EMF-sensitive species. "

Lake Erie has sturgeon: 
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2019/10/lake-erie-sturgeon-release-population/

My understanding of the electricity grid is that there is no storage. 
It's produced and used, and it's a hugely complex system of sharing for 
peaks and lows. We have to move as fast as possible from fossil fuels to 
cleanly produced electricity and this is one way of dealing with excess 
and shortages. It's a privately owned independent energy producing company.

Owned by Fortis Inc - an energy company that stretches back over 100 
years ago to NFLD. This is their sustainability goal 
https://www.fortisinc.com/docs/default-source/environment-reports/fortis-2022-tcfd-and-climate-assessment.pdf?sfvrsn=645e7598_2

Through 2021, we achieved a 20% emissions reduction relative to 2019. 
Upon achieving our 75% target in 2035, 99% of Fortis assets are expected 
to be focused on energy delivery and renewable, carbon-free generation.

So, as long as they make sure the sturgeons stay away from their buried 
lines in the relatively shallow Lake Erie, maybe this is okay as long as 
the power generated south of the border is clean?

Thoughts?

Susan K






On 5/2/2022 10:06 AM, Susan Koswan wrote:
> Has anyone else heard of this project?
>
> https://www.itclakeerieconnector.com/
>
> Susan K
>
> _______________________________________________ All mailing list 
> All at gren.ca http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca 
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