Boreal hydroelectric reservoirs emit only low amounts of GHGs in comparison to thermal generating stations
A synthesis of the Eastmain-1 project on Net GHG Emission was published in May in Global Biogeochemical Cycles, confirming that boreal hydroelectric reservoirs emit only low amounts of GHGs in comparison to thermal generating stations.
This is the first study evaluating the net GHG emissions from a reservoir taking into account the GHG emissions-absortion of natural environments (forests, peatlands, lakes and rivers) prior to the creation of a reservoir. Some 80 experts from Université du Québec à Montréal, McGill University and Environnement Illimité Inc. participated to the study between 2003 and 2009.
This synthesis is based on more than 100,000 measurements and several specific scientific articles written and published within the framework of the Eastmain-1 project.
For more information on the Eastmain-1 Net GHG project, please visit the project Web site: http://www.eastmain1.org/en/index.html