June 2016 - BCSEA Monthly - A bright future ahead

Details: Published on Thursday, 09 June 2016 19:45; Written by editor

r1 Can't view this email? Read Online June 2016 - BCSEA Monthly

A note of thanks from BCSEA Executive Director Ali Grovue

I would like to give my deepest thanks to all those who helped bring Energy Connections 2016 to life on June 3rd. To all the volunteers, staff, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers, and to those who participated in the day of inspiration, education and connection, thank you for your contributions.

Energy Connections 2016 was the first event of its kind for the BC Sustainable Energy Association, and it marked for me a change in the way we approach the issues and hurdles that BC’s sustainable energy industry and community face as we make the necessary transition to... a low-carbon economy.

The event was a day of unification and connection. A unification of purpose – to further the movement to a sustainable energy system in British Columbia – and a connection of the many and varied players in the energy sector. It was fantastic to see so many people developing relationships, networking and discussing the ideas brought forward from the six sessions throughout the day. It was also a day of education, with the many voices that joined us contributing thought-provoking and knowledgeable insights and honest opinions.

Energy Connections 2016 was a milestone for BCSEA, a demonstration that the association is truly becoming BC’s sustainable energy association. We are proud and honoured to work alongside our industry and community members and our friends in the renewable energy world, and look forward to continuing to deliver impactful programs that inform and inspire.

Until the next BCSEA event,

Ali Grovue

TRU’s Solar Compass points students towards a brighter future

Imagine a world where the very roads you drive on power your home, where the sides of buildings produce clean, endless electricity. Better yet imagine a world where young adults, those bright minds faced with the great responsibility of shaping the future, are inspired to think of new ways to interweave renewable energy technology with everyday life. This is the vision of Dr. Michael Mehta, who leads Thompson Rivers University’s Solar Compass project.

Dr. Mehta believes that universities have fallen behind in one of their most important duties – inspiration. Universities across Canada are failing to inspire the next generation of budding entrepreneurs, architects, engineers, scientists and thinkers to consider the true potential of renewable energy sources, their many applications and the world that could flourish with clean, even free, renewable energy.

He believes that universities should be incubators for innovation and inspiration that encourage students to explore new ideas and apply creativity and imagination to existing technologies. In doing so, such creativity will allow them to build a world they want to live in with the development of new technology.

Click here to read the full article and find out how Dr. Mehta is inspiring students with solar power!

From the Blog

BCSEA Policy Director Tom Hackney reports on ‘Finding Practical Solutions to Climate Change’.

Change is in the air, if you go by the mood at the town hall meeting hosted by M.P. Randall Garrison in Esquimalt High theatre on May 27th.

Two hundred and fifty people filled the theatre to hear and talk about how Canada can deliver its share of the greenhouse gas emission cuts needed to keep global warming below 2 degrees – preferably below 1.5 degrees – Celsius…

Read more of Tom's report here!

Clean Energy and the Case for Hope – A Success!

100% renewable can happen sooner than you think! The BCSEA Kamloops Chapter held a film night on May 25th. This was the latest in a monthly series called Films For Change, sponsored by the Thompson Rivers University Sustainability Office.

BCSEA Kamloops compiled eight thought provoking and educational videos, covering a broad range of subjects. From TED talks to solar projects in First Nations communities, the films opened the floor for fascinating discussion and broad-minded thinking for the 60+ people who attended.

Read more about BCSEA Kamloops' Film Night here.

In the News

The entire country of Portugal was powered by 100% renewable energy for 4 days straight – incredible! Read Article
Nova Scotia puts their turbulent tides to work by installing two giant turbines in the Bay of Fundy. Read Article
BC’s neighbors are stepping up to the plate, investing up to $50 billion on renewable energy projects! Read Article
Morocco has switched on what is set to be the world’s largest solar plant with a grid 6000 acres in size. Read Article

BCSEA Featured Member

Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC) is a western-Canadian based association established to:

Promote the production and use of advanced biofuels in Canada
Collaborate with other stakeholders to expand market access for sustainable low-carbon biofuels in Canada
Collaborate broadly to decarbonize transportation

They have been a leader in the development of the Canadian biofuels sector since 2005 with policies and regulations such as the BC Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Regulation Requirement.

Read More