http://energyefficiencyfundamentals.org/textbook/Fundamentals-of-Energy-Efficiency-Sec2.pdf. The attached file is the briefing note on topic of electricity conservation in Ontario. In file, on right

BRIEFING ON ELECTRICITY CONSERVATION IN ONTARIO 7

Briefing on electricity conservation in Ontario

Navdeep Kaur

2018121344

BUSI3513 – Energy policy, legislation and Social Environment

Professor – Peter Love

Yorkville University

New Westminster

Date – Jan 24, 2022

The Ontario government has launched energy-saving programs in the province. Therefore, to reduce and save their electricity consumption, it has been distributed to businesses, industries, or homes through local resources such as Enbridge and Toronto Hydro. According to Jackson et al. (2017), savings refers to energy efficiency, for example, eliminating and minimizing energy change in behavior through better-installed structures and more efficient equipment. The demand response is another cost-effective way to reduce the amount of electricity used when it is more expensive to limit new resources.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that there was a 'false alarm' at the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant in Ontario. Doug Ford's conservation government was already looking to extend the life of the old facility, which has led the government to address environmental energy issues. In the political system - news that the cost of lowering electricity prices in Ontario has risen to $ 5.6 billion a year reinforces the need for rethinking provincial energy policy (Tardy & Lee 2019).

Ontario currently has a lot of electricity. This will change dramatically in the next few years. Pickering Center east of Toronto will cease operations in 2024 Alaica (2018), and most of the Darlington and Bruce nuclear power plant reactors will be shut down between now and 2030 to be restored. The provincial approach to these issues will likely depend on a group of natural gas production facilities built since the early 2000s. According to Quarton & Samsatli (2018), this could lead to a significant reduction (30% to 40%) of greenhouse gas emissions and could be a precursor to the fossil fuels achieved by the coal-based production phase completed in 2014.

Sustainable paths

The continuous extension of the life expectancy of Pickering Nuclear Facility - now in full force after the expiry of its first operating license in August 2018 - raises additional questions about how to separate, secure, and more sustainable routes. A recent study by the Ontario Independent Electricity System suggested that effective measures could reduce future electricity demand by 25% and natural gas consumption by 31% over the next 20 years. Other analyzes suggest that savings are likely to be very high (Karanasios & Parker 2017).

Energy-saving programs include power plants and improving efficiency, better time management of energy efficiency by installing solar panels on the roof , self-generation, and behavior change. Energy-efficient systems are considered to be the least expensive and least efficient way to meet energy needs while at the same time further strengthening the resilience of energy systems.

Value of electricity conservation

Over the past decade, conservation has provided additional benefits and saved money for all electricity users to program participants and low-income consumers, including international communities. It also reduces the cost of the entire electrical system. Conservation offers short-term environmental and economic benefits when the people of Ontario reduce their use of natural gas. However, almost all energy-saving projects will save energy for ten years or more, thus reducing the need for a new generation in the future. Over the past decade, lightning protection programs have consistently proven to be 2.1 cents / kWh on average for those who pay in 2016 at a lower price per unit of electricity than any new generation (Jackson et al., 2017).

The province is committed to its long-term conservation goal of 30 TWh (by 2032) Tardy & Lee (2019), and for high voltage installation, the protective role should be paramount in the future. The current six-year framework of the Ontario program will continue until the end of 2020 and, under the mid-term review, has been a success to date. Identify integrated capabilities associated with preventing climate change, refining current delivery agencies to monitor compliance, improving comprehensive fuel storage, targeted protection in times of great need, and revitalizing cost savings. Changes to the current Lightning Protection Framework, which will take effect before 2020 , must be carefully implemented to ensure that existing systems are not disrupted (Alaica 2018).

Benefits of energy conservation

Improving energy efficiency can reduce the need to run a natural gas-fired product and allow for the early termination of the Pickering industry. The benefits of using energy, especially those that help reduce electricity demand during times of high need, help make better use of Ontario renewable energy sources (450 MW solar photovoltaic and 4,500 MW wind). It also played a crucial role in the provincial power system between 2005 and 2018) (Quarton & Samsatli 2018).

Until last year, the province had a comprehensive strategy in terms of energy efficiency. However, the Ford Government abolished the First Defense Framework for 2014–20 in March 2019 as part of its goal of reducing short-term electricity costs, with a few exceptions (Karanasios & Parker 2017). Although very successful, Conservation First has encountered significant gaps in the integration of the entire system.

Lack of integration with natural gas conservation programs has been a significant shortcoming. The use of natural gas to heat buildings is widely known in Ontario as one of the two essential phases related to GHG emissions growth, one of which is travel. Ford Government's December 2018 plan for the 'Made-in-Ontario Environmental Plan' discusses a significant increase in natural gas savings policies. But there has been no trace since then (Jackson et al., 2017 ).

The current natural gas savings program is generally regarded as a success. But more significant measures are needed to significantly affect greenhouse gas emissions in the province. Ontario seems to have abandoned energy efficiency as part of climate change and its energy systems. Despite the disruption , other states, including a few US states, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and British Columbia, have devised comprehensive strategies for using energy.

Ontario can take significant steps to get back on track. The province should establish a new regional agency to develop a comprehensive, affordable Ontario strategy - known as Energy Efficiency Ontario .

Work with electricity companies

The reorganization of local energy distribution companies, which had played a significant and increasingly successful role in conservation before the dissolution of the Ford government, was an important step forward. Enbridge can continue to provide better conservation programs for natural gas users. Also, energy conservation and natural gas should be better integrated into a single service, so consumers do not have to deal with many benefits and schemes.

The consistent and successful funding model for North America's energy-saving programs covers costs in electricity and natural gas prices. The same thing should happen in Ontario. Short-term savings for consumers are less than $ 10 per person per year as the Ford government eliminates the cost of saving electricity from electricity costs (Tardy & Lee 2019). In contrast, according to the 2019 Ontario Environment Commission report, long-term benefits of lower electricity costs to consumers are estimated at $ 25 per person per year (Alaica 2018).

Enbridge and the regional power system operator should follow the model to critical locations such as California. They will be required to demonstrate their commitment to affordable and affordable energy-saving opportunities as a condition of approval and investment by the Ontario Energy Board in a sustainable manner.

The situation in Ontario is complicated by the lack of any critical energy planning framework, especially concerning electricity. That point was further highlighted by the government's unexpected decision to extend the lifespan of the Pickering nuclear power plant. Ontario is a great place to start with an energy-saving strategy that ensures it pursues its cheapest and lowest risk options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, below are some possible solutions to reducing energy consumption: Better consumer tools for analyzing and understanding personal energy use. Additionally, public education on ways to reduce and facilitate energy use. Strengthen energy-saving standards for home appliances (e.g., Energy Star). Remove non-functional products immediately (e.g., Incandescent bulbs). Taxpayer Response Systems (such as PeakSaver Plus) help businesses and organizations reduce their power consumption. Programs help achieve stricter energy-saving standards in the home or building codes. The Ontario government should focus on using better technology to increase energy efficiency. They should stop selling useless products and bring better and more effective results. We need to provide more education to people by saving electricity. In this way, people play a crucial role in conserving electricity. They can provide programs to help businesses reduce their power consumption. I think these measures will help the government increase energy efficiency.

References

Alaica, A. (2018). Impact of a demand-side management strategy in operating a hybrid geo-district energy system for a high-rise mixed-use residential building in Toronto, Canada.

Jackson, T., Stedman, A., Aliakbari, E., & Green, K. (2017). Evaluating electricity price growth in Ontario. Fraser Institute.

Karanasios, K., & Parker, P. (2017). Recent developments in renewable energy in remote aboriginal communities, Ontario, Canada. Papers in Canadian Economic Development, 16, 82-97.

Quarton, C. J., & Samsatli, S. (2018). Power-to-gas for injection into the gas grid: What can we learn from real-life projects, economic assessments, and systems modeling?. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 98, 302-316.

Tardy, F., & Lee, B. (2019). Building related energy poverty in developed countries–Past, present, and future from a Canadian perspective. Energy and Buildings, 194, 46-61.