Government of Canada Investment Helps London High School to Generate Clean Renewable Energy Français
LONDON, ON, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - One of the greatest opportunities for Canada is the shift toward clean growth. To combat climate change, Canada needs new and innovative approaches to electricity generation and distribution. Supporting smart micro-grid projects at the community level is a key component of the Government of Canada's approach to a clean energy future.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility and Member of Parliament for London West, Kate Young, together with Member of Parliament for London North Centre, Peter Fragiskatos, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced a $4.8-million investment to retrofit a London, Ontario, high school to meet its energy needs with clean, renewable energy and support the local electricity grid.
Ameresco Canada Inc, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, and the London District Catholic School Board will install a micro-grid at London's John Paul II Catholic Secondary School. The energy system not only will enable the school to generate and store its own energy but also will be resilient to grid outages and feed surplus energy back to the grid. Ultimately, energy consumption will be reduced as part of the project, and almost all on-site emissions will be eliminated through the installation of a state-of-the-art geothermal system.
The school board will also develop a curriculum to educate students about this type of emerging energy system.
Energy-efficient buildings and smart grids are part of Canada's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, through which our government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.
The global shift toward a cleaner, greener economy is the opportunity of a lifetime. From May 27 to 29, 2019, Canada will welcome over 25 countries to this year's Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation Ministerial to discuss a future that is cleaner, brighter and more prosperous for generations to come. Canada will showcase its leadership in cleantech innovation, champion the issue of gender equality, youth and Indigenous peoples in clean energy and promote Canada as an investment destination. Learn more at: http://cem-mi-vancouver2019.ca/.
Quotes
"Our government is proud to invest in new technologies that will create smarter, more resilient and cleaner energy systems. This investment is a great example of how we can meet our climate change goals and transform our economy by creating a new mindset about how we generate and use energy."
Kate Young
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility)
"We commend the London District Catholic School Board for pursuing this project and for working to both reduce energy consumption and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions for John Paul II Catholic Secondary School. The deep-energy retrofits of this secondary school play a critical role in reducing our societal carbon emissions. This project is a model for others because it not only prioritizes building energy efficiency but also showcases the importance of transitioning to a microgrid that not only allows for energy resiliency but also renewable energy sources. The School Board is setting a terrific example for its students, and for the community, by championing this project."
Bob McCullough
President, Ameresco Canada Inc.
"This project is an amazing opportunity for the London District Catholic School Board and our students. We hope that John Paul II Catholic Secondary School will become a model for other projects throughout Canada. We also look forward to integrating the project into the classroom curriculum so that our students can take a leadership role in environmental stewardship to care for Creation and our planet for future generations.
Jacquie Davison
Superintendent of Business, London District Catholic School Board
Related Information
Smart Grid Program
Energy Innovation Program
Simply Science
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Contacts, Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6100, [email protected]; Vanessa Adams, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-543-7645, [email protected]
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