QUEST

QUEST NS

Development of the QUEST NS Caucus
The Nova Scotia Department of Energy hosted two focus sessions in December 2009 and January 2010 to determine if there was any interest in forming a local QUEST caucus. In March 2010 a private sector consultant was engaged by QUEST National to develop and coordinate QUEST activities in Nova Scotia. In May 2010 an inaugural meeting of the QUEST NS caucus was held. Since then members of the QUEST NS caucus have met in person on a monthly basis. In October 2010 the national QUEST conference (QUEST IV) was hosted in Halifax.

Purpose of QUEST NS:
To provide an informal forum where members interested in managing energy related issues consistent with QUEST principles * and the Integrated Community Energy Solutions (ICES) vision ** can meet, exchange information, communicate success stories, propose implementation strategies and develop partnerships for the routine adaptation of said QUEST principles and ICES vision. Membership is voluntary and free.

Guiding Principles for Member Involvement:

Dialogue to be approached with a problem solving mindset
Dialogue leads to understanding
On some issues members may have to agree to disagree
QUEST principles accrue societal benefits (eg)
- Mitigation of climate change
- Improved air quality / reduced health risks
- Improved productivity & financial bottom line
Members have a role, if not a responsibility, to implement QUEST principles
Collaboration will hasten the implementation of QUEST principles

Member Definition:
A member can be either an individual or organization who / which can assist with the adoption of QUEST principles leading towards the realization of the ICES vision, either directly or indirectly, through, but not limited to, such actions as:

Municipal planning / implementation
Community planning / implementation
Policy development
Regulatory development
Technology development
Technology deployment
Building design / construction
Research
Providing financial resources / programs
Education / awareness
Engaging non QUEST stakeholders
Strategy development and implementation
Providing feed back

Initiatives evolving from QUEST NS

MOU on the Parks of Bedford West residential / commercial land development project
District Energy Regulatory Review Committee
CNG / LNG for Servicing Communities and as a Transportation Fuel Committee
Sustainable Transportation Committee

Active Members

Academic Institutions
- Dalhousie University
- NS Agricultural College
- NS Community College
Municipal Government
- Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Halifax Regional Municipality
- Union of NS Municipalities
NGOs
- Canada Green Building Council
- Cdn. District Energy Association
- Cdn Gas Association.
- Cdn Nat Gas Vehicle Association.
- Ecology Action Centre
- Efficiency Nova Scotia
- Clean NS
Private Sector
- AltaGas
- Clayton Developments
- East Port Properties
- Green Power Labs Inc
- Stantec
Provincial Government
- NS Energy
- NS Environment
- NS Health
- Service NS & Municipal Relations
Utilities
- Heritage Gas
- NS Power Inc

In order to be considered an active member the individual or organization must participate in at least 50% of the regular meetings during a calendar year (unless extenuating circumstances such as travel, limited human resources, etc restrict the member from participating at this level). General membership meetings will be held monthly and will be hosted on a volunteer basis. Active members will be provided with all information circulated as related to QUEST Nova Scotia and QUEST National activities. Membership status has no set term and members can leave and / or rejoin upon providing the QUEST NS coordinator with notification of intent.

*QUEST Principles:

Improve efficiency - first, reduce the energy input required for a given level of service;
Optimize "exergy" - avoid using high-quality energy in low-quality applications;
Manage heat - capture all feasible thermal energy and use it, rather than exhaust it;
Reduce waste - use all available resources, such as landfill gas, gas pressure drops and municipal, agricultural, industrial and forestry wastes;
Use renewable resources - tap into local biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy; and
Use grids strategically - optimize use of grid energy and as a resource to optimize the overall system and ensure reliability.

**ICES Vision:
By 2050 every community in Canada is operating as an integrated energy system, and accordingly, all community development and redevelopment incorporates an integrated energy system. An integrated system consists of the combination of at least two of the following:

Transportation systems
Renewable energy sources
Heating systems
Community design
Waste management
Water management
Demand side management