What is hydrogen? Hydrogen is the lightest element on the periodic table and commonly exists as two hydrogen atoms together (H2). The H2 molecule is a colourless, odorless gas that produces energy if broken apart. Hydrogen is already an important component in some industrial processes in Atlantic Canada and could become an increasingly
As Atlantic Canada enters its coldest season, there are still ways homeowners and businesses can save money and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions when electricity demand hits its peak. Peak demand occurs when homes and businesses use the most electricity at the same time, typically on the coldest days and during certain times
Smart Grid 101 builds off of lessons learned in Electricity 101 and Electrical Grid 101. Together, these pages can help you better understand how we use electricity as energy today, and how we can do so more efficiently in the future. Over a century ago, the electrical grid in Atlantic Canada was established to
The electricity grid is something residents and businesses rely on every day to turn on lights and computers, to cook, or maybe even drive to work. It is an often-underappreciated asset in our energy sector, despite being right in front of our eyes. How does the electrical grid work? Electricity is generated by a
What is electricity? To understand the electricity we use every day, you must first understand a few common concepts to help explain it. Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor (wire), like water through a garden hose. This flow is called an electric current. Current is measured in
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.