What is hydropower? Hydroelectric power, or hydro power, is a clean, renewable and consistent source of electricity generation which uses the natural flow of water downhill. There are several types of hydropower systems including: storage systems (common in Canada), where a dam creates a reservoir that releases water through turbines;
Bioenergy is energy produced from renewable, biological sources such as biomass. Biomass is plant material that can be turned into fuel to supply heat and electricity. This article will focus on forest biomass, which is the most common source in Atlantic Canada. Biomass is considered a source of clean, renewable
What does net zero actually mean? Achieving "net zero" means equalling the difference between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by human activity and the amount removed from the atmosphere. GHGs in Canada include carbon dioxide (80%) and methane (14%), among others. Net-zero emissions is similar to carbon neutrality, which is often
Offshore wind turbines convert wind energy to electricity similar to how onshore wind turbines operate, which are common across Atlantic Canada. What is the opportunity for offshore wind turbines in Atlantic Canada? What is offshore wind energy? Like onshore, offshore wind turbine blades spin from the force of wind (turning
What is solar energy? Solar energy is any energy captured from the sun’s rays. Sounds simple, right? It is a renewable source of energy because it is available to use during the day when there are no clouds. However, it is slightly more complicated than that and involves nuclear fusion. The sun releases energy
Renewable natural gas (RNG) can be captured to avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when organic matter decomposes, such as garbage at landfills. It can be used to generate electricity or heat homes and businesses in the same way that natural gas is used now. What is renewable natural gas (RNG)?
In early February, a polar vortex hit the east coast resulting in record low temperatures in many communities across Atlantic Canada. The cold weather created a challenge for utilities to maintain reliability with the increase in electricity demand, known as Peak Demand. Residents rose to the challenge to help out.
Facts about advanced Small Modular Reactors New Brunswick has a long history of safely producing nuclear energy at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. Nuclear energy supplies about 40 per cent of the province’s electricity, part of its 80 per cent non-emitting electricity generation. This article provides information about advanced Small Modular Reactors (aSMR)
How many people in Saint John use their oven at the same time? Peaks happen when people are plugged into the grid, all at the same time. Peaks increase energy costs and lead us to use electricity from fossil fuels. Small actions taken as a community can have a huge impact.
Energy is used to power computers, TVs, fans and most electrical appliances. Essentially, everything we plug into the wall uses energy. We also use energy for cooking and other everyday tasks. Can you imagine what life would be like without easy access to energy in our buildings, homes and schools? We need the ability
Every home collects solar energy. Sunlight falls on the house, some passing through windows and skylights where it is absorbed by roof and walls. Sunlight can help to heat a house in cold weather, but it can overheat the house in warm weather. In Building a Passive Solar Home students design a home to take advantage
Myth 1: It’s more efficient to leave a room at a constant temperature than turning the heat down overnight (or when you’re not home) Fact 1: It takes less energy to warm up a cold room in the morning than it does to maintain a constant temperature throughout the night. If you have baseboard