Clean energy project receives federal funds

TRENTON, NOVA SCOTIA - An NB Power pilot project that aims to cut electricity use is among 19 Canadian "clean energy" projects receiving funding from Ottawa.

Darren Murphy, a vice-president with NB Power, says the public utility's new pilot project aims to cut electricity use by encouraging consumers to reduce their power use at certain times. The project was one of 19 in Canada to receive federal funding.

Peter MacKay, minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, announced four projects from the Atlantic region that will get a piece of the national funding.

The list includes up to $20 million for tidal power testing on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy, as well as up to $20 million for wind power research on Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia Power is getting up to $10 million to test the burning of wood-based biomass at coal-fired power plants.

And up to $20 million is being doled out for the NB Power-led pilot project.

Although quarterbacked by NB Power, the plan also involves Maritime Electric — the P.E.I. utility — as well as Nova Scotia Power and Saint John Energy, the municipal utility.

The project aims to solve the main quandary associated with wind power: when the wind stops blowing, power from other sources — such as coal-fired power plants — must be used to fill the gaps.

The idea is to find a way to reduce power consumption during times when the wind isn't blowing, says Darren Murphy, the vice-president of transmission, distribution and customer service with NB Power.

Instead of firing up dirty power plants, the researchers want consumers to tone down their power use.

Murphy said possible solutions include incentives or two-way communication to inform power users when there is less electricity flowing through the grid.

For example: during times of reduced production, businesses could be told to turn off air conditioners, or water heaters could be cycled off in homes.

"When the wind goes down, theoretically customers' loads will go down accordingly across the province or across the region," Murphy said.

"A number of years ago, it would have been inconceivable to actually go out and do this. But today there's an opportunity for it."

The trial of the so-called smart grid will involve 750 buildings in four Maritime communities.

"To the best of our knowledge it's never been done before," Murphy said. "This will be a first of its kind."

Overall, the 19 national energy projects are being funded through the federal government's Clean Energy Fund, which will dole out nearly $1 billion over five years.

MacKay said the different projects were carefully chosen to receive funding, and will help boost green energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"These are truly cutting-edge technologies being researched, tested and put to work right here in Atlantic Canada," said MacKay at the Trenton Power Plant, in his home riding of Central Nova.

"We have a number of very valuable sources of clean, green energy that we hope to capitalize on."