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Issue 2, November 2009

Annual Workshop a Success

On October 25 – 28, 2009 QUEST held its third annual workshop in Québec City –titled “Integrated Community Energy Systems: Putting the Pieces Together”. A growing number of organizations again joined forces to bring the QUEST community a dynamic program.

The program provided an update on the QUEST initiative; facilitated discussions on the success factors for integrated community energy solutions. The workshop helped identify key stakeholder roles in the development of integrated community approaches and panelists presented case studies from cities, local developers and communities in Canada and overseas.

The exercises and presentations focused on people, technologies and markets. Participants worked through one of four exercises that focused on typical localities with widely differing characteristics (e.g. rural/remote, suburban and urban). In addition, participants heard from and worked with Canadian and International community representatives who are leading the way towards integrated community energy solutions. Presentations were also made on topics that included green buildings, architectural design, urban planning and community management.

Feedback indicated the workshop achieved its goals of generating an understanding of the interactions that are needed among stakeholders and new business models. The workshop also re-confirmed the collaborative work that is critical to the implementation of integrated energy solutions. The workshop could not have taken place without the support of the organizations involved, the insights of the panelists and active participation of the attendees. QUEST’s workshop report will be published in March 2010.

Minister Responds Favorably

On June 18, 2009 the House of Commons Natural Resource Committee released its report ‘Combining Our Energies: Integrated Energy Systems for Canadian Communities’ (886KB PDF) . The report concluded that meeting the future energy needs of Canada in a carbon-constrained economy, and achieving the federal government’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 70 percent by 2050, cannot be achieved with inefficiencies in our conventional energy systems.

The tabling of the report required a response from the Minister of Natural Resources within 120 days. The Minister has responded favorably to the committee’s report.

Presentation to Energy and Mines Ministers

On August 31, 2009 Ken Ogilvie, QUEST spokesperson and Mike Cleland, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association provided a briefing (830KB PDF) at the Energy and Mines ministers annual meeting. Ken and Mike presented the QUEST initiative in conjunction with Natural Resources Canada's discussion on Integrated Community Energy Solutions: A Roadmap for Action.

An information backgrounder was released in conjunction with NRCan’s Roadmap for Action. Smart Communities was identified as one of five new energy efficiency initiatives and QUEST was referenced. The backgrounder acknowledges that aligning energy supply and distribution, buildings, transportation, land use and other elements is a significant undertaking. The Roadmap focuses on the role the Council of Energy Ministers can play to promote a better understanding of the benefits of integrated energy planning.