This series on renewable energies was intended to serve as a primer for people wanting to know more about all the different kinds of renewable energies and how they are currently being implemented and advanced. Focusing on homeowners in Ontario, we look at how to apply for the microFIT, what geothermal systems are available to home users, and many other issues around how energy is created, transmitted, and consumed.
Introduction: The Future Is Bright
The OPA’s microFIT program. Credit.
These features were created in part for Henry Hawkins’ fourth year thesis, written on solar panel adoption in Ontario under the microFIT program. The following is an interview on the results of the research.
Introduction: The Future Is Bright – Solar Panel Adoption In Ontario
Episode 1: Renewable Energy Overview
Wind turbines in Sandesneben, Germany.
Feature 1: What are Renewable Energies?
The first feature gives a broad overview of the current sources of electricity, and discusses the history of the main types of renewable energies. It sets up the remaining episodes in the series, of which the ones relevant to homeowners are included here.
Feature 2: Primer – Energy, Power, Transmission & Generation
What is the difference between energy and power? How is electricity generated and then delivered to home users? This feature covers the technical aspects of how electricity is currently produced and transmitted.
Feature 3: Current Renewable Choices – Bullfrog Power
This feature is an interview with Tom Heintzman, president of Bullfrog Power, a Canadian company that offers 100% renewable energy to consumers. It sources power from wind and low-impact hydro, feeding into the grid the amount of energy that their customers use. Though it doesn’t directly transmit power to users, it allows consumers to directly support the growth of renewable generation.
Episode 2: Geothermal Energy
The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland. Credit.
Feature 1: Geothermal Energy & Power
This feature discusses the two main geothermal technologies, focusing on geothermal heating and cooling systems that are available for home users. Geothermal electricity is also covered, and the history and future potential of geothermal energy are briefly discussed.
Feature 2: Current Geothermal Choices – Geothermique
Geothermique is a company operating in the Ottawa-Gatineau area that installs geothermal heating and cooling systems for home users. Andre Levasseur discusses the benefits of home systems, and the types of systems available.
Episode 3: Solar Power
Solar panels in Enbridge’s PV plant in Sarnia, Ontario – currently the largest PV plant in the world. Credit.
Feature 1: Solar Energy & Power
This episode looks at the main types of solar power, focusing on solar photovoltaic panels under the microFIT program. It also talks about solar hot water heaters, passive solar home design, and other technologies that harness the warmth and energy from the sun.
Feature 2: Primer – Solar Cell Technologies
What is the difference between parabolic reflecting troughs and photovoltaics? This feature discusses the technical side of solar energy, and how the energy from the sun is harnessed and converted into usable electricity.
Feature 3: Jim MacDougall – The Ontario Power Authority
Jim MacDougall is manager of the FIT program at the Ontario Power Authority, and was involved with the design and implementation of the program. In this feature, he discussed the steps involved in homeowners can applying for the program and hooking into the electricity grid. He also discussed the management of the program, the role of the program in promoting renewable energies in Ontario, and plans for future program development.
Episode 4: Renewable Energies in Ontario
Feature 1: The Present and Future of Renewable Energy in Ontario
Tim Weiss is the Director of Renewable Energies at the Pembina Institute, a Canadian sustainable energy think-tank and advocate. Tim talked about some of the larger economic, engineering, and policy problems surrounding renewable energies in Ontario, the issue of baseload power, motivations for moving toward renewables, and how wind and solar power compare and compete.