Transforming Guelph’s entire energy system into a 100 per cent renewable one is a subject that likely won’t be a hard sell for many in Guelph.
eMERGE Guelph and Transition Guelph hope to draw a crowd for a facilitated discussion later this month on what it would take, and what the benefits would be, of going full renewable in the growing city.
Evan Ferrari, eMERGE’s executive director, said the highest electricity demand Guelph ever experienced was 300 megawatts in a day. Currently the city’s renewable (solar) production capacity is about eight megawatts. Needless to say, there is a long way to go to go full renewable.
“But the fact that we are at eight megawatts, relative to 300, that’s pretty significant, because that’s happened primarily in about five or six year,” Ferrari said. “It’s quite profound.”
Guelph: 100 per cent Renewable Energy is an evening of discussion scheduled for Friday, March 24 at Emerge’s location in the Old Quebec Street Mall, across from the mall’s pharmacy.
A number of communities around the world, and some across Canada, plan for 100 per cent renewable energy grids by 2050. The momentum is being spurred by disruptive technologies, climate change, and changing energy policy, according to eMERGE. It’s time for Guelph to make a plan.
Kirby Calvert, assistant professor of geography at the University of Guelph and co-director of the Community Energy Knowledge-Action Partnership, will give a brief presentation at the event on what other communities are doing to transform their energy systems. Then the evening will dive into dialogue.
“We don’t have all the answers, but we want to get this public discussion going because there are multiple disruptive technologies on the horizon,” Ferrari said.
Major changes are coming to the power grid, he said, as advanced solar technology, Smart meters, electric vehicles, and high-tech battery storage systems emerge.
“All of those things are converging to a point where they are really disrupting economically, societally, and environmentally the way we do things,” he added. “It’s happening whether we like it or not. And the conversation that we want to start is, how do we take advantage of it in Guelph. We want to be in the game.”
The first step in going 100 per cent renewable, he added, is significant efficiency in energy conservation. It’s not glamorous, but it is indispensable. It is the “800-pound gorilla in the room” that must be addressed.
It is within the realm of possibility to reduce energy consumption by 30 to 40 per cent. And when that happens, the amount of investment needed on renewable energy infrastructure is greatly reduced, he said.
Ferrari believes there is pent up demand for community dialogue on the issue, and he expects the March 24 event to be lively and well attended.
Seating is limited, so it’s best to register at www.eventbrite.ca. Contributions to offset costs are welcome.
