Power Systems 101
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Whether it’s charging a phone, using electric heating, or keeping food refrigerated, steady and reliable power is a large part of modern life. As most people use electricity to some degree every day, understanding how electricity is generated and managed is important for everyone, not just engineers and utility providers. Sources of Electricity Electricity can…
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The Canadian north is an expansive region with a low population density, which poses some unusual challenges to providing modern conveniences like on-demand electricity. The remoteness of many communities in the north makes it necessary to generate power locally. For most communities, this is accomplished with diesel generators. There are 55 diesel-powered communities among the…
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Renewable energy plays an increasingly central role in shaping Canada’s energy future. As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the Canadian government has set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with the goal of generating 90% of the country’s electricity from renewable and non-emitting sources by 2030. Renewable energy pathways nationwide include…
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Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) – A Tool for Heat and Energy Efficiency The topic of electric thermal storage (ETS) has been discussed in the Yukon for some time. You might be wondering, what exactly is ETS? At its core, ETS is a heating technology designed to store heat for later use. This is achieved by…
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Peak & Energy Demand Living in the Yukon, I’m sure everyone has had some experience with unplanned power outages before. The most frustrating ones happen during a cold snap in the winter. If you rely solely on electricity for your heating, these outages can also be the scariest. Power outages can be caused by several…
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Grid Scale Energy Storage Grid-scale energy storage refers to a system capable of storing large amounts of energy and converting it to electricity when needed. The ability to store energy is becoming increasingly important in power grids worldwide as it increases their flexibility and reliability. Renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar panels benefit…
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A Transitioning Energy System Northern Canada is undergoing an energy transformation. As climate change drives action towards decarbonization, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric heating is increasing. Electrification efforts are being put into action by government policies such as Our Clean Future in the Yukon and the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework.…
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Understanding the energy landscape in the Yukon is the key to understanding the challenges, policy implications, and decisions that we often see highlighted in the news. This post is going to provide a brief overview of the energy landscape in the Yukon. Who runs the Yukon’s electric grid? Every province and territory has their own…