ºìÐÓÊÓƵ

Topic

Balancing Energy and Ecosystems: Exploring the spatiality of renewable energy development for a low carbon future

Department of Geography

Date & location

• Wednesday, May 14, 2025

• 9:00 A.M.

• David Turpin Building

• Room B215

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Christina Hoicka, Department of Geography, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

• Dr. Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe, Department of Geography, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Adam Monahan, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Annalee Lepp, Department of Gender Studies, UVic

   

Abstract

Fossil fuel energy production, as one of the most significant drivers of climate change, is causing extreme social and environmental harm worldwide. These circumstances necessitate a transition to low-carbon energy sources. A key factor in the expansion of low-carbon energy systems is the potential impact this development may have on other benefits provided by the environment, such as food or materials, commonly referred to as ecosystem services. There is currently limited knowledge beyond the regional scope of how energy development is impacting these services; an important consideration, as local studies cannot consider the full spectrum of global environmental impacts. The research outlined in this thesis uses an exploratory methodology to examine the spectrum of environments in which renewable energy projects are constructed in, and which ecosystem services are most likely to be impacted by the expansion of renewable energy globally, both for single-technology and clustered renewable energy power plants. First, in Chapter 3, I analyse the land cover and associated ecosystem services surrounding global power plants. In Chapter 4, I reproduce this analysis on a growing global dataset of renewable energy projects that utilize multiple types of resources, known as clusters. These results are compared with those discussed in Chapter 3 to assess how the configuration of energy systems influence the land they are constructed on. I find that hydropower and wind power show the highest occurrence in ecosystem service rich environments, creating the largest risk of ecosystem service loss from renewable energy production, while clustered energy systems are placed in areas which decrease the risk of ecological trade-offs. As renewable energy continues to develop, incorporating other land considerations will be critical in ensuring the energy transition minimizes harm to the natural environment for which we all rely on.