WASHINGTON — The Government of Canada is taking a leading role in improving energy efficiency through three pilot projects that will help to position Canada as a global leader in clean energy management. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced these initiatives, which are being carried out in collaboration with the Clean Energy Ministerial of the Major Economies Forum, during a two-day clean energy meeting that hosted delegates from more than 20 countries.
“Canada is a leader in clean energy technology, and we are proud to share our expertise with the world,” said Minister Paradis. “Through international collaboration, countries can learn from one another’s experiences and best practices to encourage energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
While in Washington, Minister Paradis also underlined Canada’s rich endowment of natural resources — from uranium to hydroelectricity to the oil sands and its benefits. “The reality is, this a key strategic resource that will clearly contribute to energy security for Canada, for North America and for the entire world until well into the 21st century,” said Minister Paradis. “The oil sands are also a crucial economic driver contributing substantial employment across all of Canada. Along with the industry, we are also investing in innovative technologies to address the challenges of oil sands development.”
Canada undertake the three pilot projects under the Global Superior Energy Partnership Initiative. These pilots will serve to further the Canada–U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue and support the development and implementation of ISO 50001, the new international standard for energy management. This important tool will allow energy users to identify energy savings and to develop and implement actions to maximize energy performance.
The projects are:
- A pilot project with the Ontario Power Authority to help five Ontario manufacturing facilities successfully implement the ISO 50001 energy management standard;
- A U.S.–Canada pilot program with the global technology firm 3M to identify energy performance improvement opportunities and to develop and implement actions to maximize energy performance in a Canadian plant; and,
- A buildings pilot project to test the implementation of the standard for energy management in Natural Resources Canada buildings.
These pilots will improve understanding of the development and implementation of energy management systems for buildings and industry, and will draw on Canada’s benchmarking, data collection and reporting expertise. The knowledge gathered from these initiatives will be shared with other countries.
This work complements other investments in energy efficiency, which include upgrading the National Energy Code for Buildings, enhancing the Energy Efficiency Act and supporting home retrofits in up to 500,000 homes.
Canada will also actively engage in the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliances Deployment Initiative, the International Smart Grid Action Network and the Carbon Capture Use and Storage Action Group.
For more information on the new initiatives, visit: www.cleanenergyministerial.org.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is taking a leading role in improving energy efficiency through three pilot projects in collaboration with the Clean Energy Ministerial of the Major Economies Forum. The projects, which were announced by Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis at a two-day international clean energy meeting in Washington, will support the implementation of new international standards for energy management.
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