2013-05-21T07:17:25-04:00 Chris Bentley http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=chris-bentley Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Chris Bentley Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2459268 2013-01-12T08:44:28-05:00 2013-03-14T05:12:01-04:00

Chris Bentley http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-bentley/
On January 10th, we announced that two of the largest coal-fired electricity plants in the province, Nanticoke and Lambton, are to close a year early, by end of December 2013, saving ratepayers $95 million. The one remaining coal plant in Thunder Bay will stop burning coal by the end of 2014.

Fully eliminating coal-fired generation represents the single largest reduction in greenhouse gases in any jurisdiction in Canada or the United States -- it is the equivalent of taking up to 7 million cars off the road.

In 2003, coal accounted for 25 per cent of our generation; now, it's less than 3 per cent. And in 2014, Ontario's use of coal is expected to be less than 1 per cent of total mix, eventually falling to zero.

Given that Ontario is Canada's most populous province and its economic engine, that is quite significant. It means our homes, schools, factories, malls, banks and government buildings will be powered by cleaner energy --- when 13.5 million Ontarians flick the lights on, they will know coal is not responsible for the power that made this simple but important task possible.

According to the Ontario Lung Association, this is not only good news for the 2.4 million Ontarians who live with lung disease, but for all of us and our neighbours. Because if simply breathing can make you sick, nothing else matters.

The health impacts of air pollution are well-known. An independent study has stated that eliminating coal-fired generation will save approximately $4.4 billion annually, when health, financial and environmental costs are taken into consideration. That includes fewer kids relying on puffers, fewer hospital visits due to smog related causes and fewer premature deaths.

Moving away from coal also makes good economic sense. The move towards Green Energy has opened up many opportunities for investments in solar, wind and other renewable technologies and created nearly 30,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing and innovation.

Ontario has proven that it can be done. We chose to invest in a cleaner, brighter and more exciting future, one that benefits our health and competitiveness now and for generations to come.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1396165 2012-04-02T08:00:55-04:00 2012-06-02T05:12:01-04:00

Chris Bentley http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-bentley/
I think the same can be said of energy system planning in Ontario -- and that's a good thing. A decade ago, we were dependent on dirty coal to meet our energy needs. Our system was unreliable and was in desperate need of renewal.

Since then, we have charted a new course. We have modernized our energy infrastructure and increased our supply of clean energy generation. By the end of 2014, Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in the world to completely replace dirty coal-fired generation with cleaner sources of power, like wind, solar, and bioenergy. This will have the same impact as taking seven million cars off the road. The result will be cleaner air, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and healthier Ontarians.

A modern system must be able to accommodate new, clean supply and deliver it reliably to consumers. It must also be able to take advantage of new technologies that help consumers better manage their energy use through the development of a smarter electricity grid.

The move toward a smart grid is like switching from a rotary phone to a smart phone; a smart grid allows for more customer control. It improves operation and flexibility in the power system. And it encourages the development of new and emerging technologies, like mobile charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Here in Ontario, we're not just talking about the smart grid -- we're actually building it.

Our province is already home to a number of companies that are making strides in the smart grid space. Innovation in energy storage is one of our particular strengths, for example, Electrovaya is becoming a world leader in lithium-ion battery manufacturing. We also have companies like Ecobee, Energate, and Powerwatch, which are creating products that will give consumers more control over their energy usage.

Siemens, through its Canadian subsidiary, has also become an active player in Ontario's smart grid market. The company is currently participating in a number of smart grid pilot projects in the province, and has made an offer to purchase the Ontario-based leader in intelligent utility switches and routers, RuggedCom.

To help support innovative Ontario-based projects and drive more job creation in the sector, we launched a smart grid program last spring. This will help companies and organizations design, test, and commercialize the next generation of smart grid solutions. We look forward to announcing the successful applicants in the near future.

A big part of smart grid is empowering consumers to better understand and manage their energy use. In Ontario, more than 4.7 million smart meters have already been installed in homes and small businesses. These devices are helping electric utilities pinpoint and respond more quickly to power outages, and they are supporting demand response programs to help Ontarians better control their usage.

Smart meters have made it possible for Ontario to launch time-of-use pricing. This means that the price we pay for electricity better reflects the cost of producing it at peak and off-peak times. For example, power is less expensive in the evenings and on weekends. So consumers have the option of shifting their energy usage so they can benefit from lower prices.

It's important to remember that the least expensive type of energy is the energy we don't use. That's why conservation is a key part of Ontario's plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean, reliable modern electricity system.

Through our Long-Term Energy Plan, Ontario has set a goal of reducing peak electricity demand by 7,100 MW by the year 2030. That is the equivalent of taking about 2.4 million homes off the grid. This may seem like a lot, but it's amazing how small actions can lead to big energy savings when we all do our part. Right now, we're challenging all Ontarians to join us as we countdown a conservation tip each day between Earth Hour (March 31) and Earth Day (April 22).

We have a very clear vision of our province's energy future. It is clean, modern, and reliable. It encourages a culture of conservation. It fosters innovation and the advancement of a smart grid. It will continue to create and support jobs for Ontario families, while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals, and our economy.
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