Will you help us call for a 100% Renewable Ontario?
There are just a few more days until Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP) review wraps up. We need your help to send the government a strong message that moving towards 100% Renewable Energy is the way to go, and that Community Power is an important component to...
Students & Communities are leading the charge to divest from fossil fuels
The shift towards fossil fuel divestment has been gaining momentum in recent years, particularly among large institutions such as universities, pension funds, and local governments. By withdrawing their funds from fossil fuel investments, these institutions are...
Spotlight on a local Co-op: CED Co-op
Since its inception, Community Energy Development (CED) Co-op has generated over 2,500,000 kWh of renewable energy, avoiding over 1,000,000 kg of CO2 emissions to date. Through its first bond offering, CED Co-op has raised $9.6 million from over 600 members to finance 27 solar projects all over Ontario. CED Co-op is currently offering investment in a new 5-year bond, at a rate of 6.13%.
Spotlight on a local Co-op: Green Timiskaming
Green Timiskaming is located in North Eastern Ontario along the Quebec boarder, a rural resource-based economy that includes mining, forestry and farming. With the aim to revitalize local industry and retain local talent, Green Timiskaming (GT) was founded in 2009 to promote the green economy in the region.
Spotlight on a local Co-op: ZooShare
Zooshare is developing North America’s first zoo-based biogas plant near the Toronto Zoo. The biogas plant will recycle manure (“zoo poo”) and local grocery store waste into renewable power for the Ontario grid. How does “waste” become energy? As the manure and food waste decompose, methane is released and is used to run a generator. This process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 10,000 tonnes of C02 each year and creates a by-product of nutrient-rich fertilizer (which would otherwise be destined for a landfill). It’s a win-win for everyone, especially the 600+ members of this community-power project who have purchased $3 million worth of ZooShare bonds. The project is expected to be up and running by early 2017.
Spotlight on a local Co-op: OREC
Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op (OREC) was one of the first renewable energy co-ops in Ontario. Founded in 2010, OREC partners with Ottawa-area communities, using local roofs and land for community-owned renewable power. OREC currently operates 13 solar projects installed on school rooftops, private barns/warehouses and other facilities, with over 43,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) avoided to date. So far, over 500 local community members have invested more than $5 million in OREC’s projects, receiving dividend payments on their shares over 20 years.
Community Power represents more bang for the renewable energy buck
It’s popular in Ontario to blame green energy for rising electricity bills. The truth is much more complicated, with the prices paid to kick-start a transition to green energy in this province playing a much smaller role in driving cost increases than enormously expensive nuclear reactor rebuilds and the billions spent on repairing our aging power transmission system.
The Power of Community, new report shows the economic impact of community-owned renewables
Ontario has come a long way in just seven years. Back in 1999, seeing solar panels on a rooftop was a rare sight in this province. And finding one of the couple of dozen wind turbines then spinning would have required a map and a compass.
Guelph & London: Communities Showing Leadership in Renewable Energy
Municipalities have long paved the way for climate change action and have shown leadership in renewable energy, even before larger governmental bodies - like provincial or federal governments, have taken action. Partners for Climate Protection, a program under the...
Introduction to Microgrids
Worldwide, nearly half a billion people lack electricity everyday. In a country like India, that equates to nearly a quarter of the population. Vast majorities of people without access to electricity live in rural areas, where connection to the tradition grid system,...
Lessons from Sweden: Successful Renewable Energy Development
The following is a guest post from Student Energy, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating the next generation of leaders that will help transition the world to a sustainable energy future. The article, written by guest blogger Nina Zholudeva, discusses...