in CEA’s Game-Changer program provides exclusive access to CEA’s expertise to develop bold, local innovations intended to “change the game” in regards to community-based climate action.
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Community Energy Association is now the proud owner of Canada’s largest Mobile Electric Battery, the Voltstack, and we are excited to share this resource with local communities and community partners in and around the East Kootenays.
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.
With funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC and BullItt Foundation, CEA is supporting local governments research and design a new business model that can transform the electric air source heat pump market. Currently, households interested in installing an ASHP system are largely left on their own to identify a qualified installer, ensure a quality unit and system design, access relevant information and resources, locate available incentives, and arrange financing. This project seeks to address the market confusion and information gaps this by prototyping a ‘One Stop Shop’ (i.e. Concierge) business model with a single interface for homeowners, offering both education and implementation services.
The Fernie Food Action Strategy is a first step toward a vision of a resilient local food system and improved community-level food security in the Elk Valley.
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) is composed of leading Mayors and Councillors from across BC representing communities – big and small, north and south, east and west – who are committed to climate action.
Since September 2010, BCMCLC members have come together to volunteer to assist locally elected officials to move climate action forward.
BCMCLC is facilitated by the Community Energy Association who provide staff support and content expertise to create resources, coach members and organize events like the Climate Leaders Institute.
Through the RDEK Energy Manager position, CEA is leading the East Kootenay Organics Infrastructure Program, a collaboration with municipal partners throughout the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). The aim of the program is to recover a significant portion of compostable organic resources in the East Kootenay via optimized, scalable, aerated windrow composting at facilities located in each of three sub-regions: Columbia Valley, Central Sub-Region and the Elk Valley.
CEA staff managed and developed some of the early Home Energy Retrofit Campaigns in BC. The Rossland Energy Diet of 2011 was one of the province’s campaign leaders, followed by the Nelson EcoSave program in 2012. Nelson EcoSave is a long-term campaign, recently expanding into the entire Regional District of Central Kootenay as “REEP” – Regional Energy Efficiency Program.
In 2019 CEA began managing the New Home component of REEP to encourage a regional approach to adopting the BC Energy Step Code. The interior “Energy Diets” of 2013, managed by CEA staff, were Kootenay Energy Diet; Okanagan Energy Diet and the East Kootenay Energy Diet. Kootenay Energy Diet was funded by Fortis BC, Natural Resources Canada, Columbia Basin Trust and LiveSmart BC, with partnership of the participating local governments and community Credit Unions. The East Kootenay Energy Diet included partnership with BC Hydro. See Full Details for a summary of the early Home Energy Retrofit campaigns which provides some useful background information on moving forward on “deep dive” retrofit campaigns.
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.
