We've just returned from the Energy Matters summit in Ontario, near Toronto, where a number of speakers from up north and across the pond gave food for thought at this unique event:
Peter Love, Ontario's chief conservation officer, and others from the province presented on its attempt to use a combination of renewables and more energy efficient ways of replacing 80 percent of its power grid by 2020. They've already:
- phased out coal-fired plants and now are developing aggressive energy efficiency programs across industry, government and residential buildings
- started implementing renewables (5% by 2007; 10% by 2010)
- have launched a "standard offer" program to have businesses sell clean power back to the grid
- sent out 800,000 smart meters to better regulate peak demand, during super hot days, for instance
Two congenial representatives of Sweden, Anders Franzen and Magnus Schonning, gave summaries of how that country has substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the nation's GDP.
Sweden is using more local biomass for power, biofuels for transportation and district energy for municipal hot water supplies (Anders' city of Vaxjo, population 85,000, is almost 100% fossil-fuel free). Net result: greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden have decreased by 7 percent between 1990 and 2005 while economic output has increased 36 percent during the same period.
From the Canadian city of Markham, Bruce Ander, presented how district energy is reducing fossil fuel energy use in that city.
Wind powered light rail for public transportation in Calgary, Alberta, was the highlight of Dave Colquhoun's dog and pony show. The go-go economy of Calgary is taking taxes from the fast-growing local energy economy and is putting it back into something that will run clean and non-polluting in the form of its CTrain.
In other big news from the north, Canada's federal government last week announced a $4,000 tax on SUVs combined with a credit for hybrids.
Some quick observations on Toronto: nice public transit system, however dated; cool curbside bike lock mechanisms and plenty of graceful street riders; stylish and large volume recycling/ non-recycling waste kiosks on street corners; nightlife and local businesses were bustling, even on a late Tuesday night. Runs With Kittens rocks!
Toronto downsides: locals say smog is getting worse; no pedestrian crosswalks despite the masses of people on foot at all hours; and poor interconnectedness with regional transit for outlying cities of Mississauga (population 650,000!!!) and Brampton (434,000).
THERECORD.COM
Myth busting: The truth about energy efficiency at home
October 20, 2007
Ontarians have become increasingly savvy about their energy consumption patterns at home and have been taking steps to become more energy efficient. But with all the conservation information available these days, it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Peter Love, Ontario's Chief Electricity Conservation Officer, reveals the truth behind some of the most common energy myths.
Armed with this knowledge, look for ways you can make the lighting in your home energy efficient. Love points to the Ontario Power Authority's fall Every Kilowatt Counts program.
Consumers can redeem coupons in-store at a wide variety of retailers across Ontario for savings on ENERGY STAR-qualified residential light fixtures, and appliance and light control products such as motion sensors, dimmers and timers.
To help demystify some of the most common energy myths Love helps shed some light on the facts about energy efficiency at home:
Myth: I can't use CFL bulbs with dimmer switches or motion sensors
Fact: The selection of CFL bulbs are increasing. There are special CFL bulbs that are designed to work with a variety of lighting controls such as dimmer switches, motion sensors and timers, and some can even be used outdoors. CFL packaging tells you where and how the CFL can be used.
Myth: By dimming the lights, all dimmer switches allow you to reduce the amount of electricity and energy being used
Fact: Only new electronic dimmer switches actually reduce the amount of energy being used. Old rheostatic dimmer switches simply give the extra electricity off as heat, instead of light. If the dimmer is warm to the touch, it's not saving electricity.
Myth: All fluorescent tube lights are energy efficient
Fact: Smaller (2.5 cm or 1 inch diameter) T8 bulbs are 35 per cent more efficient than regular T12 (3.75 cm or 1.5 inch diameter) fluorescent tube lights.
For a list of participating retailers, more energy saving tips and to download Every Kilowatt Counts coupons, visit
everykilowattcounts.com.
Posted by: Peter Love | October 27, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Oh such a nice article written.Energy matters the most everywhere.The solar energy consumption should be minimum and unnecessary usage of it without thinking of the other factors is not right.
Posted by: preciseenergy | March 31, 2011 at 11:23 PM
awesome blog, awesome post, I really love that all the people and buildings and houses are using the solar energy, is a great idea
Posted by: Miami Information | April 09, 2011 at 04:52 PM
If they really implement this it will be a real heads up for Canada and they powering grid.
I really wish to get the planet more green in order to reduce the global warming.
Posted by: Solar Panels | August 09, 2011 at 05:57 PM