Panel Discussion Highlights Energy Efficiency across Canada

Mathieu Côte, Executive Director at CIET, recently had the opportunity to host a presentation session at the Quebec Electrical Industry Association’s (AIEQ) Conference, themed “Energy efficiency in Canada! - What can we learn from the initiatives of other provinces?”.

Guillaume Paradis, Chief Distribution Officer, Hydro Ottawa, presented a history of energy efficiency programs in Ontario and the role played by Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IES). In particular, the microgrid technology project called MiGen Transactional Network has made it possible to study and understand how customers use their devices in the context of solar energy production and storage. This project aims to shape the energy market of the future, in which customers can generate more of their own electricity, store it, or share it with neighbors or the grid!

Robyn Wark, Manager - Advanced Demand Side Management at BC Hydro, explained how the BC Energy Step Code works. This code allows the industry to know in advance what the next iterations and requirements of the code will be. This allows the entire ecosystem to prepare adequately. CIET's courses such as the Building Energy Modelling Essentials and the Prep Course for the NRCan Energy Advisor Exam (House) are two excellent examples of how different market players can contribute to the achievement of the Code’s goals.

Finally, Beth Pollock, Senior Manager - Energy efficiency Services at NB Power, was able to present a different point of view given that NB Power supplies both electricity, gas, and fuel oil. The interactions between the different energy sources will be at the heart of the energy transition. The Becoming Carbon Neutral: Key Concepts, Strategies and Initiatives course provides a better understanding of these interactions and the expected evolution over the next few years.