N.B. At The Forefront Of Creating Energy Solutions For The Future

Source: Cheryl Ratchford and Eddie Oldfield · HUDDLE TODAY · | August 12, 2020

The world of energy today is continually shifting and innovating.

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Driven by global demand for energy, a desire for efficient and low-emission energy options and rapidly advancing technologies, companies are responding to change and to consumer demand.

Covid-19 may slow this shift in the short term, but it will not stop progress. The momentum behind the change in the energy sector already underway will push us through this challenging time and will inspire greater emphasis on domestic energy sources.

Around the world, investors are seeking clean-energy opportunities with quicker returns. This translates into opportunities for the development of energy resources like wind, solar, biomass and renewable natural gas, along with advances in technologies like energy storage, combined heat and power, smart and efficient buildings, and more.

New Brunswickers may not be aware, but the Province of New Brunswick is at the forefront of energy innovation and has an opportunity to be forward-thinking about the utility of the future.

For example, N.B. set a minimum target of 40 percent of electricity from renewables by 2020 and has a climate change action plan with clean energy and GHG emissions reduction targets. NB Power is now over the 40 percent target with 44 percent of electricity coming from renewable sources and hit 80% non-emitting in 2019.

The province also identified Smart Grid as a significant growth opportunity as part of the 2017 N.B. Economic Growth Plan. As a result, the provincial utility has been forward-thinking, forging collaborations with industry and post-secondary partners to advance smart grid research and technology, rolling out infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, and has created an Energy Smart Plan for NB, with three pillars: Smart Grid, Smart Habits and Smart Solutions.