Energy Saving News
Canada Invests $146 Million In Clean Energy
Over the next 5 years, the Canadian government plans to inject up to $146 million in 19 clean energy projects, including energy use in buildings, community heat generation, renewables and energy storage.
The projects are being supported by the $1 billion Clean Energy Fund, which is part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan aimed at advancing the country’s development of clean energy technologies.
Funding aids ranging from $2.5 million to $20 million will be allocated to each project, based on the outcome of discussions currently being held between the government and successful candidates.
Potential projects include a biomass-based district heating system in Québec; demonstration of smart grid technology for commercial buildings in Calgary, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia; and a comparison of different types of solar collectors and storage technologies for residential solar-thermal heating.
Other project ideas include the demonstration of a 100-kW wave energy device off Vancouver Island, British Columbia; a combined 9 MW wind energy and storage system on Prince Edward Island; and a 1 MW anaerobic digestion facility in British Columbia to generate electricity from food waste.
An effort to assess the performance of tidal current turbines in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia will also receive a $10-20 million funding package.
The investment made by Canada towards reducing climate change and the depletion of the environment through new technology is indicative of the country's committment to extend its contribution to the world's efforts to curb global warming.
For the projects targeting energy use in buildings, energy efficiency is the preferred method, according to Tim Ashmore, Council Member for the Energy Saving Association (ESA).
Mr. Ashmore firmly believes in the importance of energy saving systems to reduce harmful emissions, save money, and help build a better future. In the work place, energy consumption accounts for 30% of total global emissions. By implementing energy efficiency solutions, businesses not only drastically reduce their carbon footprint, thereby enhancing their green credentials, but they also save on energy bills by 15-20% or more.
Switching to energy efficiency and implementing various energy saving measures is currently at the heart of governmental concerns, following last months' Copenhagen climate summit and the non-legally binding accord which resulted. Efforts are being sought worldwide to reach an agreement for targets to reduce carbon emissions in time for the next climate conference in Mexico, at the end of the year.
Tuesday 19th January 2010
