Yesterday, it was quietly announced that the program ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes program has been canceled. This is really too bad as the program was very popular, to the point were the government was forced to add more money each year to cover all the grants. I have completed one project under the program, a geothermal system, and currently we are in the process of a home renovation that will qualify for some grant money. It seems a shame that the Government of Canada would cancel the program as it seemed to be achieving two goals, the obvious environmental impact of lowering a homes environmental impact and also encouraging people to put money back into their homes.
Tag Archives: energy
Hydro Electric Barrel Generator
This Hydoro Electric Barrel Generator is a pretty cool idea. There has been a lot of talk about run of river hydro but this takes the idea in a new direction. It is worth checking out the section about the development, amazing how one invention can lead to another one.
IESO Wind Tracker
The IESO, Independent Electricity System Operator, is mandated with managing the demand and supply of Ontario’s open electricity market. Their site has an impressive amount of historical and real time data. For example, if you want to see what the current makeup of electricity feeding into the grid is right now, they can show you with a nice little pie chart on their homepage. Another is the IESO Wind Tracker Homepage which shows the current wind energy being supplied onto the grid. They have a nice little widget which I added below. Don’t stare at the wind turbine too long, it becomes hypnotic after only a few seconds.
Ontario Green Energy Act
If you live in Ontario then I highly encourage you to check out Green Energy Act and sign the petition. The Ontario government is supposed to bring forward a new Energy Act later this month. The hope is that the act will contain provisions for a much needed transition of the electricity gird to support more renewable energy production at the local community level. The act and subsequent follow through could help catapult Ontario to the forefront of green energy in North America. We have a lot of catching up todo to countries in Europe but this could be a great first step.
