Where Wind Blows, Water Flows, Sun Shines and Lithium Sings
Source: Zack Metcalfe · POWERED BY COMMUNITIES · | February 17, 2021
Source: Powered by Communities
In the global rush for renewable power, Berwick, Nova Scotia, has about a century’s head start.
It began in the 1920s, when the Berwick Electric Commission was founded to manage this community’s single hydroelectric dam; now their part owners of the Ellershouse Wind Farm, stealing megawatts from the breeze. This small, splendid, and otherwise unremarkable community has quietly become a champion of renewable power.
“Our early foray into the world of renewables has caught the imagination of our council,” said Berwick mayor Don Clarke, “and indeed many residents will tell you they enjoy living in a progressive, green town.”
In October of 2019, Berwick joined municipalities across the country in declaring a climate emergency, acknowledging their minor contribution to the climate crisis as well as their willingness to do something about it. Clarke said that over 60 per cent of Berwick’s electricity is now renewable, either produced locally with wind and water or else purchased from Nova Scotia Power, but in the very near future, they intend to do much, much better.
Power Forward
From July of 2019 until about March of this year, the Town of Berwick financed energy efficiency upgrades for 25 buildings within its borders, commercial and residential, through the Berwick Green Energy Program. This entailed the installation of heat pumps, solar water heating systems, additional insulation, smart thermostats, modern lighting, highly efficient Energy Star windows and doors, electric car charging stations and more, with all upfront costs borne by the town. The technical expertise for this venture, however, came from the private sector.
Equilibrium Engineering is a Nova Scotian energy services firm specializing in sustainable and efficient building design. They facilitated the Berwick Green Energy Program with energy audits, contractor oversight and administrative support for the municipality. Among other things, they enabled Berwick to displace significant sums of carbon dioxide and make better use of their existing renewables. The Berwick Green Energy Program is on hold, but this partnership between company and community is on to bigger and better things.