Research Projects

With a clear vision of the future, our collaboration endeavored to create a program that could help homeowners fuel-switch to an electric air source heat pump. Electricity in B.C. is >98% renewable and therefore almost zero emissions, fuel-switching will help communities achieve their 2030 and beyond GHG emission reduction targets. A Concierge service is proposed to overcome the logistical hurdles homeowners can encounter when seeking to install a heat pump, specifically identification of high-quality contractors and completing the work while maintaining eligibility for the plethora of municipal, provincial and federal rebates currently available.

The purpose of this strategy is to identify actions the municipality can take to achieve their Big Move #2 goal that by 2030, 50% of all motor-vehicle km travelled are in zero-emission vehicles.

We planned and facilitated a series of six focus groups for the City of Kelowna to support draft strategies for electric vehicle support and home energy retrofits.

CEA researched how many medium duty vehicles (F250-F450 and equivalents) are registered across Canada, how many are used for what kinds of businesses, and where the opportunities are to reduce emissions in this sector. 

This report, prepared by the Community Energy Association, introduces GSHP technology, suggests options for encouraging GSHPs in the community, and illustrates possibilities for City involvement in the ownership and operation of GSHP systems. The report does not address the financial cost-effectiveness or technical considerations of installing ground-source heat pumps.

Local governments are committed to climate action and influence approximately 50% of the energy and emissions in Canada. However, they face several barriers to implementation. To better understand challenges faced, and successes enjoyed, by Canadian local governments in developing and implementing Community Energy and Emissions Plans (CEEPs), CEA analyzed 30 CEEPs. Specific to the buildings sector, we studied CEEPs from communities within a broad geographical distribution, population range, and a variety of models and approaches. We interviewed both local government staff and CEEP consultants about their data, models, recommended technologies, community priorities and proposed solutions, and reported on community implementation progress. CEA’s recommendations supported the complementary actions of removing local government barriers to action, addressing climate change, and spurring post-COVID economic recovery. The final report will be available here when complete.