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Energy for Students

 

April 2012

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The Energy For Students program is pleased to offer the EFS newsletter to teachers and students to use as a resource.  On behalf of our organizers, partners and sponsors we are pleased to provide the following updates on Nova Scotia’s energy industry. Energy for Students newsletters  offer a variety of energy related snapshots of information for teachers, educators and students to use in the classroom, for projects or career planning. You can also view previous newsletters by scrolling to the end of this page. 

 

 

NOVA SCOTIA YOUTH EXPERIENCES IN SCIENCE SHOWCASE
You are invited to meet Team Nova Scotia!

Presented by NSYES! (Nova Scotia Youth Experiences in Science) Showcasing the top grade 7-12 science fair projects from across Nova Scotia. Forty bright students from the South Shore to Cape Breton make up Team Nova Scotia, which will be representing the province at the 2012 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Charlottetown- a prestigious event that attracts over 450 of Canada’s top students annually.
 
Saint Mary’s University’s McNally Main Auditorium
Saturday May 5
Public Viewing: 11:00 - 13:00
Awards Ceremony: 13:00 - 13:30

 

 

Additional information will be posted at: http:www.sciencefairinfo.ns.ca


NDP DOWN PLAYS OFFSHORE ROYALTIES

Nova Scotia governments have relied upon it as a key revenue source, but now the royalties collected from the Sable energy project  are about to drop off. The decline in revenue from Sable wasn’t completely unexpected, but the budget released by the NDP government is predicting royalties from the offshore project will fall to just $27.7 million in the 2012-13 fiscal year, from $117.9 million in fiscal 2011-12.

The government is blaming historically low natural gas prices for much of the decline, and it’s true, but production from the Sable development is also in decline. The issue of declining production and revenue targets for Sable has been hanging over the offshore sector for some time. When the NDP government came into power in 2009 it was advised by noted economist Donald Savoie, hired by the new government to provide sage advice on the economy, to be careful when budgeting for offshore royalties. Accounting for little or no royalties, Savoie argued, would be prudent and protect government from driving up public expectations of an offshore windfall, which would only lead to disappointment as revenues declined.

 

ExxonMobil Canada, the operating partner of the Sable project, plans to begin decommissioning Sable’s offshore production facilities sometime this year. This could last a couple of years but could take five years or more before it is completed. Meanwhile, Encana Corp.’s Deep Panuke energy project is slated to go into production in July but it just isn’t the same as Sable. The government says in its budget documents that it will receive about $2.5 million in royalty revenue from Deep Panuke in 2012-13, but warned: “While royalty revenues will increase over the medium term, they will not approach the revenues generated from the Sable project.”

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas
 

 

N.S. SEEKS CHANGE IN OFFSHORE ROYALTY RULES

A proposed amendment would give the Nova Scotia government access to information it can use to calculate offshore oil and gas royalties under a federal agreement. Chris Spencer, the Energy Department’s director of economic affairs, says the proposed change would enable the province to use provincial royalty information to calculate federal adjustment payments under the Crown Share Settlement. Spencer says the province can’t do that under regulations as they currently stand. The Crown Share Settlement was part of an accord setting up joint management of the offshore signed in 1988. Spencer says the change would allow the province to receive $33 million and $26.7 million in federal payments stemming from forecasts contained in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 budgets. He says Nova Scotia is expected to get $20 million for this fiscal year. The legislative change would not affect those figures. Energy Minister Charlie Parker says the province has received $408 million in payments so far under the Crown Share Settlement.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

N.S. THRONE SPEECH

Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis opened the Fourth Session of the 61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia with the Speech from the Throne. In it, Premier Darrell Dexter outlined how government will advance its plan to continue to do things differently and keep Nova Scotia focused on a better future.

The province's priorities are:
-- creating good jobs and growing the economy
-- better health care for you and your family
-- making life more affordable for families
-- ensuring government lives within its means

 

The Speech highlighted the economic opportunities before Nova Scotia, most notably due to the $25-billion shipbuilding deal won last fall by Halifax Shipyards. There’s no question that contract, and other good news such as Shell’s investment in renewed drilling offshore and the multi-billion-dollar hydro project in Newfoundland and Labrador, hold the solid promise of stronger economic growth in years to come. The speech also promised coming months will see one strategy after another rolled out by the government in areas like international commerce, commercial fisheries, adoption, aquaculture, coastal management, mental health and immigration. Legislation was promised on a number of issues, including regulating mortgage brokers and lenders, the arts, energy and family law. There are initiatives in tourism, Cape Breton development, early childhood development and other areas, as well.

Throne Speech:

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120329003

 

View Articles:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/80127-ns-throne-speech-happy-days-here-again

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120329002

 

 

EMERA OUTLOOK 'NEGATIVE'

The world’s pre-eminent credit rating agency has flashed a warning sign over the future cash flow picture for Emera Inc. and its subsidiary, Nova Scotia Power Inc. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised its outlook for both companies from “stable” to “negative.” A lower credit rating makes it more expensive for a company to raise capital since it has to pay more in interest to entice investors to buy their bonds and other debt instruments. The credit rating agency’s concerns are centred upon Nova Scotia Power’s goal of generating more electricity from renewable energy. The provincial government has mandated that renewable energy account for 25 per cent of Nova Scotia’s power needs by 2015, rising to 40 per cent by 2020. Electricity from coal accounts for 57 per cent of Nova Scotia’s total generation, compared with 80 per cent five years ago, and is expected to drop further as a result of the recently announced seasonal shutdown of two coal-fired units at the Lingan generating station. Meeting that renewables goal will require a “meaningful capital expenditure program,” according to Nicole Martin, the analyst primarily responsible for the outlook changes. The upshot: Nova Scotia Power’s ability to cover a growing debt load will depend upon the timing and size of rate increases granted by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, which sets power rates in the province. That heightens what Martin calls “regulatory risk due to the potential for rate shock.” Last November, the board granted Nova Scotia Power an average rate increase of approximately 5.1 per cent for all customers effective Jan. 1. Sasha Irving, an Emera spokeswoman, called the Standard and Poor’s change in outlook for both companies “a call or request for clarity and possibly co-operation on the path forward for provincial and federal energy policies.”

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

 

 

HRM'S SOLAR CITY INSPIRES PROVINCE
Legislation Helps Families Live Greener

Halifax’s Solar City is still in pilot mode, but its success is already inspiring changes to renewable energy adoption across Nova Scotia. Recent amendments introduced to the Municipal Government Act would “give municipalities the authority to finance energy-efficient equipment, including solar panels, on private property through property taxes,” according to a government release on April 2, 2012.  "We are pleased the government is bringing these amendments forward as they will provide an opportunity for municipalities and citizens to help achieve energy conservation savings in an affordable way," said Jimmy MacAlpine, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "This is good news for municipalities interested in supporting home owners with initiatives that help the environment." Nova Scotia has been a leader in enacting legislation that allows municipalities to offer this type of program.

 

For a recent update on what homeowners who signed up for HRM’s Solar City pilot are going through, you can look through the University of King’s College journalism project by a graduating student at http://kraus.kingsjournalism.com/?page_id=17

 

To view complete article visit:

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120402008

http://halifax.openfile.ca/blog/curator-blog/curated-news/2012/hrms-solar-city-becomes-solar-province

BARRINGTON BACKWOODS EYED FOR WIND ENERGY PROJECT

Eon WindElectric is exploring the potential in the backwoods of Barrington. The company, which is under the umbrella of Watts Wind Energy, has been investigating potential sites for a wind energy project that would consist of two turbines. Andrew Arbuckle, project engineer for Eon WindElectric said the company has spoken with Nova Scotia Power and the power generated from two turbines would be the maximum that could be accommodated at the Barrington substation. “The area has significant wind potential to host two turbines,” said Arbuckle. Locations that have been scouted for the proposed wind power project are near Bear Point Pond between Atwood's Brook and the Wireless Station Road. Arbuckle said the towers would be approximately 25 metres high (80 feet), with the circumference of the blades measuring approximately 40 meters (120 feet). Watts Wind Energy is currently in the process of developing the application, said Arbuckle, and if it is successful, the project will move on to the next stage, which will involve extensive community consultation as well as the opportunity for investment.

 

To view article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind_Related_Articles

 

NOVA SCOTIA WIND ENERGY FIRMS JOIN FORCES

 

In a made-in-Canada deal, renewable energy specialists Natural Forces Technologies Inc. of Dartmouth acquired the business and assets of Wind Prospect Inc. of Halifax. The acquisition is in line with the Dartmouth firm’s mandate to bring renewable energy to the Maritimes through partnerships with local and international firms. Wind Prospect, the Canadian arm of United Kingdom-based Wind Prospect Group, set up its offices in Halifax and Vancouver in 2006. The expertise both parties bring to the table sets the stage for a strong partnership, according to Austen Hughes, a director at Wind Prospect Inc. The mandate of the Nova Scotia Energy Policy, which requires the province to produce 25 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020, puts the new entity in an ideal position to move forward on its projects in B.C. and move ahead on its nine community-based feed-in tariff applications and the development of the 4.6-megawatt Fairmont Wind Farm that is currently under construction near Antigonish.

 

To view article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind_Related_Articles

 

 

TURBINE PLAN CAUSES FLAP IN BAYSWATER

Watts Wind Energy has plans to construct a wind turbine between the Lunenburg County village and Blandford by the end of 2013. It advertised its second community meeting through a local newsletter that came out late March. Bayswater resident Judy Duffy said: "They’re just trying to slip something past us.” The newsletter was five pages stapled together and there was no notice in the local paper, and the newsletter was only delivered to people with mailboxes and most seasonal residents don’t have them. According to Paul Pynn, vice-president of Watts Wind, the turbine will be constructed 800 metres from the nearest home. The proposed plan is still in the planning stage, Pynn said. It will have to be approved by Nova Scotia Power and pass an environmental assessment.

 

To view article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind_Related_Articles

 

N.S. POLITICIANS DEBATE POWER RATES
Lower Churchill Project Tops MLAs’ Agenda

 

Concern over the cost of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador and the steady increase in power bills in Nova Scotia prompted an emergency debate at Province House. Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie called for the special debate and MLAs agreed, bumping a government resolution about its surprise funding announcement for an Eastern Passage high school off the agenda. In asking for the debate, Baillie cited the recent lack of endorsement for the Lower Churchill project from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Public Utilities Board and the downgrading of Nova Scotia Power’s outlook by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s. “Skyrocketing power bills are causing real hardship for Nova Scotia families and putting good manufacturing jobs at risk,” the Tory leader said in the legislative chamber. According to Baillie the estimated cost in Newfoundland of power from the project is 16.4 cents per kilowatt hour, and he expects it would be at least that much here. Residential consumers in Nova Scotia now pay 13.3 cents per kilowatt hour. Premier Darrell Dexter said he doesn’t know what the cost will be to Nova Scotia consumers, but he noted that Emera CEO Chris Huskilson told a legislature committee meeting last fall that he wouldn’t bring forward a project with a cost of 16 cents per kilowatt hour. The actual cost can’t be calculated until Emera and Nalcor conclude a deal, a government official said.

 

To view article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro
 

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES

 

For Act for the Planet, kids can follow the footsteps of individuals or groups like the South March Quilting Penguins, who chose the action Upcycling your Recycling and created a quilt made of old blue jeans, baby blankets, t-shirts, pajamas, and other fabric that had meaning to them. With step-by-step guides of fun and easy activities, kids and groups can choose from four more easy, earth-friendly actions like Save the Birds, Plant for the Planet, Bring their own Bottle or Make their own Pledge and also get chances to win prizes donated by SONY Canada.

This Earth month, take up our challenges and join all the other folks who are making change a habit this April!

 

Visit: http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/take_action/campaigns/act_for_the_planet/index.cfm

Eco Kids-Lesson Plans Now in French

 

Free, curriculum-linked, K-8 lesson plans, activities and teaching support.

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm

 

 

Find Out How Nova Scotia Power Generates Our Electricity

Nova Scotia's Electricity Mix (2011) Generation Source: Coal and Petcoke 57%, Natural Gas 20%, Hydro and Tidal 10%, Wind 7% Other 6%.

 

Visit: http://www.nspower.ca/en/home/aboutnspi/bringingelectricitytoyou/howwegenerateelectricity.aspx

 

 

Upcycle Challenge 2011 Winners

 

They wowed us with their inventiveness and resourcefulness, turning unusual objects or scrap materials into something beautiful.

 

To hear about the next challenge or contest email campaigns@earthday.ca with the subject line: “Challenge me” or visit http://www.earthday.ca/pub/campaigns/upcycling/en/index.php

 

 

Considering an EFS Presentation in Your School?
 
Teachers or educational groups interested in hosting a full day or mini series EFS program are invited to contact us by calling 902-454-4329 or e-mail info@energyconsultant.ca
 
Your Ideas Count
Educators are invited to submit ideas & suggestions for information you would like to see made available to assist in both classroom and career planning, or for future newsletters by clicking here!

 

 

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March 2012

 

DEEP PANUKE NEWSLETTER

The latest newsletter for the Deep Panuke offshore natural gas project has been posted to the Encana website at http://www.encana.com/pdf/communities/canada/atlantic/news/dp-newsletter-mar12.pdf

 

In the newsletter you will find out more information about progress at Deep Panuke in 2012, how the offshore supply base in Dartmouth, NS helps to keep work on track offshore and other activities supported by Encana. Read on!

 

View Newsletter:

http://www.encana.com/communities/canada/atlantic/newsletter-archives.html


HERITAGE GAS WANTS TO WAIVE FEE

Heritage Gas wants to make it easier for new home builders to sign up for gas. Finance VP Christopher Smith has sent a letter to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board asking to waive a $500 service line deposit fee for certain customers until the end of the year. Heritage Gas now collects the fee from all residential customers and refunds it after 120 days when the service is connected. If service is not hooked up, the customer forfeits the fee. "The purpose of the deposit is to sort of hold their feet to the fire," said President Jim Bracken, explaining his company has to incur a cost to get the gas to front doors. He says the fee is a bit of a nuisance for residential builders because they are building homes that have natural gas furnaces in them and have no opportunity to use any other fuel source. Bracken says builders who commit to gas are spending more than cheaper alternatives and if Heritage Gas can help cut down on a small part of the cost it's seen as a good thing. If the fee waiver goes according to plan, Heritage Gas expects to make it permanent. Heritage Gas is on track to add 500 new customers in 2012, bringing the total number of customers to 4,000. Recently, Heritage Gas has placed much more emphasis on expanding its network into new home communities.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

 

HERITAGE GAS COOL ON WARM N.S. WINTER
OPERATING INCOME HIT BY ABOVE-NORMAL TEMPERATURES

It is the winter of discontent for Heritage Gas Ltd. as balmy weather lowers the utility’s operating income. “We’ve had warmer than normal weather and temperature does have some impact on gas use,” says Heritage Gas president Jim Bracken. “As you can imagine, a lot of gas gets used for heating homes and buildings. So we did have a lower throughput than we expected and that does have some impact on our bottom line.” The Nova Scotia utility has been aggressively expanding its system of underground pipes. “We’re growing about 20 per cent a year,” Bracken said. “That is putting more mains and services in the ground to serve more customers.” Because the regulated utility is allowed to earn a return on capital invested, the more pipe that goes in the ground, the higher the earnings. In fact, despite a slightly lower bottom line due to the warmer weather, Heritage Gas has reached a milestone. The utility’s revenue deficiency account, an account where Heritage Gas has stowed a shortfall since it launched in the province, is no longer growing. “It’s actually starting to turn the curve in 2012, so it will be declining in future years,” Bracken said. “The account was established in the early days of business so we could charge less for the service than it actually costs and the difference ended up in the deferral account.”

 

As for the natural gas utility’s expansion to Oxford, “it’s full speed ahead,” with construction slated to begin as soon as the ground is thawed. “Oxford Frozen Foods is the big customer that has made the large expansion possible, but on the way, we can pick up a few others. It looks like we can connect a few other smaller customers (both commercial and residential) along the route as well.” Meanwhile, Heritage Gas is also set on delivering natural gas to a Halifax neighbourhood hooked on oil through a pilot project with Halifax Regional Municipality. “I think we’re close to identifying which area we will choose to target. We have a list of three of four potential areas and the group needs to have another meeting to (choose the area).” Bracken is optimistic about this year, noting that the utility is planning to add roughly 600 customers this year. “It’s shaping up to be an exciting and busy year.”

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

   
N.S. FIRMS URGED TO JOIN FORCES TO REAP DEALS FROM BIG PROJECTS

Nova Scotia businesses looking to cash in on upcoming megaprojects in the Atlantic region should consider teaming up instead of competing against each other, says the Nova Scotia vice-president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. Ann Janega said strategic partnerships will be one the topics discussed during a series of upcoming workshops intended to help local companies wanting a piece of federal shipbuilding contracts, hydroelectric projects or offshore oil and gas exploration. The program will include an overview of upcoming megaprojects and speakers range from business people with experience expanding into new fields to government officials with information on programs that can help with growth plans. Additional workshops are planned over the coming months and will cover such topics as safety, financing and certification.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas


SHELL GETS LICENCES TO BEGIN OFFSHORE EXPLORATION

Shell Canada Ltd. has received the paperwork needed to begin its $970-million exploration plan on Nova Scotia’s offshore. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board issued four exploration licences to the Calgary company. The offshore regulator announced Jan. 20 that it had awarded the company exploration rights for four deepwater parcels located 200 kilometres southwest of Halifax. The board said at the time that its plan was to issue the licences, which are in place for nine years, effective March 1. A board spokeswoman said the next step is for Shell to file a work plan that outlines how its project will unfold over the next three years. The company expects to begin 3-D seismic surveys next year and may start drilling as early as 2014.

 

Shell, which is a partner in the Sable Offshore Energy Project, is leasing four parcels on the Scotian Margin, a largely unexplored area 200 kilometres southwest of Halifax. The nearly $1 billion that Shell has committed to spend over the next six years looking for oil here is a record high for the East Coast offshore industry. Meanwhile, the petroleum board is looking for a consultant to conduct environmental assessments of six offshore areas, covering a large portion of the Scotian Shelf and Scotian Slope, that may be available for exploration in the future.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

BREAD & ROSES BURSARIES
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

The financial burden for 20 women studying sciences, trades and technology at Nova Scotia Community College will be lightened thanks to bursaries offered as part of International Women's Day. "With several projects in various stages of development or implementation in Nova Scotia, there will be more demand for skilled workers and an increase in opportunities for women in non-traditional careers," said Marilyn More, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, at an event held, March 6, at the NSCC Waterfront Campus. The Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Encana Corporation, and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women are supporting the $20,000 fund, which will provide $1,000 bursaries to 20 female students who are continuing their education in trades, technology or science-related fields at NSCC. The students can use the money to pay for child care, transportation, tuition, school supplies and other necessities. "The offshore oil and gas industry requires a skilled workforce to ensure the success of every project, including Deep Panuke," said Lori MacLean, spokesperson for Encana Corporation. "By supporting Bread and Roses, Encana is pleased to contribute to the development of a new generation of skilled workers in the province."

For more information on the Bread and Roses Bursary go to www.nscc.ca and check the links under scholarships and bursaries, or contact the NSCC Foundation at 902-491-2790.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120306002

SHEAR WIND GETS N.S. APPROVAL

 

A proposal to expand the province’s largest wind farm has cleared a regulatory hurdle. Shear Wind Inc. of Bedford has received environmental approval to enter Phase 2 of the Glen Dhu wind farm in Pictou County, bringing the second site a major step closer to construction. “We’re quite pleased with this approval,” Shear Wind’s president and CEO, Mike Magnus, said in an interview. The province is expected to issue a request for proposals in April to acquire more renewable electricity from independent power producers. Magnus said having an environmental approval completed is a significant milestone for a wind project. The next major step for the Shear Wind project is a signed power purchase agreement, Magnus said, adding that construction would begin only when a power deal was in hand. Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau tacked on a number of conditions to the environmental approval to reduce the impact on wildlife, protect ground and surface water and reduce noise and visual pollution. Magnus said the conditions and various site restrictions are not “dramatically insurmountable” and Shear Wind is still “bullish” on the potential of the second Glen Dhu site and its other projects across the province.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

SCOTIAN WINDFIELDS HAS ITS SAY

Pretty near every seat in the house was filled Feb. 22 when concerned citizens gathered to hear presentations on wind energy projects in county council chambers during the Municipality of Kings’ committee of the whole agenda. The province has committed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. Scotian WindFields chief operating officer Daniel Roscoe said coal-fired electrical generation is the main contributor. The cost of fossil fuels is volatile, beyond our control and going up. Nova Scotia imports more than 90 per cent of its energy, so money is leaving the province to buy fossil fuels. “To make sure money stays in Nova Scotia, we have to ensure ownership of the projects is local,” Roscoe said. The wind energy projects Scotian WindFields has proposed for Kings County are under the provincial Community Feed-in Tariffs (COMFIT) program. Roscoe said the feed-in tariff is a tool used around the world to encourage renewable energy development. Scotian WindFields started in concept in Windsor in 1999.

 

 To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

OCEAN RENEWABLE POWER COMPANY TO INSTALL MAINE TIDAL ENERGY SYSTEM

 

With its federal license in hand, a Maine-based tidal energy company is ready to install its underwater power system for the first time on the floor of the ocean. Ocean Renewable Power Co. aims to begin installation of its first grid-connected power unit in mid-March at a 60-acre site in Cobscook Bay at the  easternmost tip of the United States. The first unit capable of powering 20 to 25 homes will be hooked up to the grid this summer, and four more units will be installed next year at a total cost of $21 million for the project, said Chris Sauer, president and chief executive officer of the Portland-based company. The company sees up to 50 megawatts of tidal power potential in the Eastport and Lubec areas, enough to power thousands of homes, Sauer said. Officials in Canada are watching the Maine project with interest. By 2014, Ocean Renewable and Nova Scotia-based Fundy Tidal Inc. hope to install the same units in waters off Nova Scotia, where Bay of Fundy offers even greater tidal power potential, officials have said.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Tidal

 

ENVIRONMENTAL GO-AHEAD BY FEDS, N.L.

 

The proposed Lower Churchill hydroelectric project has received a crucial green light from the federal government and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Both governments, in giving environmental approval for the project, said the economic and environmental benefits of the blockbuster project outweigh the risks and uncertainties. The environmental approval is a significant step for the $6.2-billion project, which would have two dams and a whopping generating capacity of 3,074 megawatts — more than all the power plants in Nova Scotia combined. Premier Darrell Dexter said passing the environmental assessment is a “huge milestone that brings us closer to developing a project that is important to Nova Scotia and the entire Atlantic region.” Under the agreement, Nova Scotia Power will have access to 20 per cent of the project’s power over 35 years in return for bankrolling a fifth of the capital costs. Catherine Abreu, a spokeswoman with the Ecology Action Centre, expressed concern with the projects environmental effects stating  “It seems like the governments involved are fast-tracking project at the expense of accurate information.” The Lower Churchill project includes two dams along the Lower Churchill River. The 824 megawatt Muskrat Falls facility is the first portion of the project, while the 2,250 megawatt Gull Island facility would be constructed second. Power is expected to be shipped from central Labrador to Newfoundland where it will be shipped to Cape Breton through a subsea cable.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LAUNCH CHALLENGE OF MUSKRAT FALLS HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

A coalition of environmental groups have filed an application for a judicial review of the proposed Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, saying Ottawa should not proceed with the development because its environmental assessment was incomplete. The groups, represented by lawyers for Ecojustice, filed the application with the Federal Court in Montreal seeking to block the federal government from issuing any permits or financial backing for the $6.2-billion project. A spokesman for Sierra Club Canada, one of the groups behind the application, said the environmental assessment doesn't look at alternatives to the project or make any final recommendations to approve or reject it. The joint panel review report released last August concluded that Nalcor Energy had not proven the viability of the project. It also said Muskrat Falls would likely have several "significant adverse" effects on fish, wetland and terrestrial habitats, as well as the Red Wine Mountain caribou herd. The Muskrat Falls project passed federal and provincial environmental assessments and Ottawa and Newfoundland and Labrador say they will now proceed to issue the required federal authorizations for the project while trying to finalize a promised federal loan guarantee. The federal and provincial governments said they will implement measures to address some of those concerns, though they added that overall, the project's benefits outweigh any risks.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

 

N.S. TO INVEST $14.8 MILLION MORE TO KEEP NEWPAGE IDLING

With $14.8 million, Premier Darrell Dexter bought the Strait area more time. Union, civic and woods industry leaders anxiously awaiting confirmation of a sale and operating agreement for the former NewPage pulp and paper mill in Point Tupper breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing the premier’s announcement. The money includes $5.8 million to keep the plant in a hot-idle state until September and $9 million to continue buying and stockpiling wood from contractors who supply the financially insolvent mill. In total, the province has now chipped in $27.3 million since last fall to keep the plant sale-ready and protect its wood supply while negotiations continue with potential buyer Pacific West Commercial Corp, an affiliate of Stern Partners Inc. of Vancouver. When asked whether the province may be throwing good money after bad, Dexter said the alternative would be to see the plant torn down and trucked to some other jurisdiction, denuding northern Nova Scotia of hundreds of direct jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of annual economic activity.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Biomass

 

NS POWER UNDER FIRE FOR FLY ASH PROBLEM

"Get rid of the coal," Charlie Baillie said as he and other protesters gathered in front of the Nova Scotia Power Trenton Generating Station Monday March 11th.He and other members of the Trenton Hillside Environmental Watch Association were protesting in response to the latest fly ash emission from the plant, which happened around 3:18 a.m. Sunday when a precipitator in unit six of the plant broke. The protesters held up blown up pictures of the ash on cars and children's play equipment.Laura Trowell of Grandview Street said “You wouldn’t like it if a neighbour threw garbage in your yard. It’s the same thing. They’re dumping on us and it shouldn’t be happening. They should be getting major, major fines when they do that and it should be coming out of the shareholders’ pockets.” Pictou East MLA Clarrie MacKinnon, who represents a portion of the area, went out to speak with the protesters on the issue. “I have great sympathy for these people who are protesting, however the alternative is no power,” he said. “We have to be practical about our situation in Nova Scotia where there has been a built-up dependency on coal-fire generation for decades and decades.” Peter Boyles accused MacKinnon of not living up to promises he made while a member of the opposition. "You're not backing up what you said," Boyles said. MacKinnon said that was not true, but that the NDP government is taking steps to move to renewable energy. It just takes time, he said.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

 

 

Teachers Resources

 

Pengrowth Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship
Ten (10) $2,500 award are available to full-time students entering their first year of full-time studies at any campus of NSCC in select programs.
Deadline: Friday, May 4, 2012

Bread and Roses Bursary
Twenty $1,000 awards are available to any full or part-time female student enrolled at any campus in one of selected programs.
Deadline: Fall 2012 (specific date available July 31, 2012)

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Award
Two $1,000 awards are available to any student enrolled full-time at the Pictou Campus in any NSCC School of Trades & Technology program.
Deadline: Fall 2012 (specific date available July 31, 2012)

To apply for the above visit:
http://www.nscc.ca/about_nscc/nscc_foundation/scholarships_and_bursaries/

Nova Scotia Power University Scholarship

This scholarship is open to students in any field of study at the 10 Nova Scotia universities and colleges listed below. It’s a $1,500 entrance scholarship that’s renewable for three or four years, depending on the length of the recipient’s undergraduate program. The scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, involvement in extracurricular activities and personal attributes.

 

To apply visit:

http://www.nspower.ca/en/home/community/scholarships/university.aspx

GREAT ENERGY DEBATE

 

Students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the major energy sources in an innovative debate format.

 

http://www.need.org/needpdf/Great%20Energy%20Debate%20Game.pdf

 

 

BIOGAS GENERATOR

Build your own biogas generator - fuelled with animal manure!

 

http://www.re-energy.ca/biogas-generator

 

 

Considering an EFS Presentation in Your School?
 
Teachers or educational groups interested in hosting a full day or mini series EFS program are invited to contact us by calling 902-454-4329 or e-mail info@energyconsultant.ca
 
Your Ideas Count
Educators are invited to submit ideas & suggestions for information you would like to see made available to assist in both classroom and career planning, or for future newsletters by clicking here!

 

 

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February 2012

 

 

Heritage Gas Inks Deal With Oxford Frozen Foods

Heritage Gas will spend $4-million to bring natural gas to one of the province's largest commercial enterprises. After several months of discussions Oxford Frozen Foods, the world's largest supplier of wild blueberries, reached an agreement with the province's natural gas distributor in mid-January. The expansion into Oxford is part of Heritage's plans to build more than 30 kilometres in 2012 with a construction budget of around $20 million - less than the $30 million spent in 2011, the company's biggest year ever. Natural gas prices are expected to stay stable and low for the foreseeable future with a surplus of natural gas in North America coming from shale gas projects, according to Heritage Gas president Jim Bracken. Oxford Frozen Foods is forecasted to save 50% on its energy costs with the conversion from oil to gas, he said. Oil prices have almost doubled since 2003-2004, and are expected to be twice as expensive as natural gas this winter. "Energy costs are a major operating expense for all businesses in Nova Scotia. Oxford Frozen Foods embraced the opportunity to significantly reduce a large portion of the company's energy costs by converting to natural gas," said Oxford Frozen Foods CO-CEO David Hoffman in a news release. Oxford Frozen Foods, owned by the Bragg Group of Companies, will become one of Heritage Gas's top 10 customers, which includes its largest customer Dalhousie University, along with Halifax hospitals, and Farmers Dairy.

  

To view complete article visit:

http://www.heritagegas.com/press/natural-gas-to-oxford-frozen-foods-a-oxford-in-2012.html

 

 

Jim Bracken On Heritage Gas 2012 Outlook

Getting HRM schools hooked up to natural gas is the major task for Heritage Gas in 2012, says President Jim Bracken. "They represent a fairly significant part of our growth," he said, adding Heritage Gas has been working with the Halifax Regional School Board and plans to hook up a number of schools in the Halifax area in 2012. Heritage Gas expects to add 500 new customers in 2012, putting it over 4,000 by year end, says Bracken. The company has expansion plans for the Halifax peninsula and mainland, Bedford and Dartmouth with a combination of infill and main extensions. "We are going to try to get down Bluewater Road this year," said Bracken. "It's been in our longer-term plans for some time, and we think this year might be a good time to go down that road." We want to get a reasonable degree of commitment from customers before we commit to build, but you want to have plans to build so you can convince customers it's going to be there for conversion." Its most significant project in 2012 is the three-kilometre line extension to CFB Shearwater. Dora Construction, a Dartmouth company headed by Donald MacDonald, was awarded a $14.3-million contract in early November to construct a new steam central heating plant at the CFB Halifax-owned Shearwater . Shearwater, located on 640 hectares of land, also includes 300 residential housing units that are heated by individual oil tanks. The plant, which will service 85 buildings, will consist of a new 13,000-square-foot building that houses three new boilers.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

 

 

Natural Gas Provider Talking To Large Energy Consumers In Pictou County

Jim Bracken, president of Heritage Gas, the province’s only natural gas provider, said the company has been in negotiations with several large electricity consumers in Pictou County. Bracken said the cost to build the infrastructure is high and so an anchor customer is needed to make the investment. We have to find a large energy consumer to justify the economics,” said Bracken.  He said for the past month there have been discussions with Nova Scotia Power (NSP) over the matter. Bracken said NSP has become more interested in natural gas because the price is low and is expected to stay that way in the future. Also, the federal government is proposing regulations to decommission coal-fired power plants once they have been in service for 45 years. The Trenton plant was built in 1969 and was upgraded in 2009. A second generating unit was added in 1991. David Rodenhiser, spokesperson for NSP, said there have been discussions with business leaders in Pictou County about natural gas. He said the Trenton plant does have a potential for natural gas, but the corporation is seeking the best business case for its customers. “I can’t predict how close we are to an agreement,” said Bracken. “But we will continue to work very hard to get natural gas in Pictou County.”

 

To view complete article visit:   
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

Premier Welcomes Shell to Nova Scotia Offshore

The return of one of the world's top five oil and gas companies to Nova Scotia's offshore will create good jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars of investment, said Premier Darrell Dexter. "This is an important milestone in the province's plan to reinvigorate interest in Nova Scotia's offshore," said Premier Dexter. "It's particularly good news for our world-class oil and gas supply sector." The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) announced in January that it has decided to award exploration rights to Shell Canada Limited for four parcels of deep-water land off Nova Scotia's southwestern shore. Shell has committed to spend $970 million exploring those properties over the next six years. "We have to continue to build on the interest in exploring our offshore and then work for a significant discovery," said the premier. "But it's fair to say that offshore exploration is poised to join the Lower Churchill hydro-electricity project and the Irving ship-building contract as game-changers for the Nova Scotia economy." "Nova Scotia's energy strategy is all about balance, and our offshore has an important role to play," said Mr. Parker. "We are dramatically increasing the amount of green, renewable electricity produced here at home, while exploring the responsible development of our oil and gas resources, consistent with the jobsHere strategy."

 

To view complete article visit:
http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120120001

 

 

Shell Plans 'Positive' For N.S.

If you’re in the energy business these days, you’re looking for crude oil and not natural gas. That’s why veteran oil man Norman Miller says the decision by Shell to once again search for oil offshore of Nova Scotia is so exciting. “It’s good for the province to have a longer horizon that could be promising,” he said. Shell recently won leases on several deep-water blocks by promising to spend nearly $1 billion over the next six years. The provincial government is crediting the findings of the so-called Play Fairway Analysis for helping convince Shell to return to Nova Scotia’s offshore. An investigation of offshore geology for oil and gas potential, the analysis was released in June 2011 and it was reported that senior bureaucrats and consultants had been meeting with oil company representatives for months promoting the offshore potential uncovered in the $15-million report. The study calculates offshore reserves of 120 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and eight-billion barrels of oil, which is three times higher than previous estimates.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

Next Round of COMFIT Approvals Announced

Clean, local renewable electricity projects in four more Nova Scotia communities are set to move ahead with the announcement made, Feb. 7, of the next round of Community Feed-In Tariff (COMFIT) approvals. Energy Minister Charlie Parker announced that applications from the Halifax Regional Water Commission, Town of New Glasgow, Bowater Mersey and Celtic Current are approved to proceed to the next phase of development. The 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan introduced the COMFIT concept to help provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices, build support for renewable energy projects and create jobs. The program began accepting applications several months ago. "These projects harness the energy of their communities in more ways than one," said Mr. Parker. "Not only do they use local resources for the good of the surrounding area, they bring neighbours together in a spirit of cooperation and self-sufficiency." More than a dozen community groups have submitted over 90 proposals for the unique, made-in-Nova Scotia initiative that encourages community participation in renewable energy projects. The province is working with the remaining applicants to complete applications and build co-operation among those competing, with the bulk of applications expected to be processed by the spring. The nine projects approved so far will generate about 25 megawatts of electricity.

 To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

Bowater Takes Hope From Project
Approval allows mill to start plan to sell its power 

Energy Minister Charlie Parker announced the second group of projects to receive approval under a provincial program that promotes renewable electricity. And one of them should help Bowater Mersey’s paper mill in Queens County stay in business. “It will be a revenue generator and it will enhance the viability of the mill,” said Bowater Mersey spokeswoman Robin Anthony. The approval under the province’s community feed-in tariff program means Bowater Mersey can get to work on its plan to sell electricity made from steam its power plant generates. Parker said these announcements mean more communities will be able to enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable electricity that is generated in their own backyards, creating jobs and economic opportunities for each region. The Municipality of the District of Chester hosted the announcement. It received approval in December to build a wind turbine at its Kaizer Meadow facility, which it had decided a couple of years ago that it wanted to do, so much of the legwork has been done. The applicants that received approval must now secure financing, consult with their communities, do more detailed wind tests, ensure Nova Scotia Power will buy their power, and carry out environmental assessments. Warden Allen Webber credited municipal councillors with having the foresight to focus on green energy as a money-maker.
 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

Millbrook Granted Approval To Construct Wind Turbines

A three-turbine wind farm project has been approved for Millbrook First Nation. The six-megawatt wind project makes the Mi'kmaq band the first in the province to be approved under Nova Scotia's Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) program. COMFIT provides eligible groups with an established price per kilowatt hour for projects producing electricity from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and run-of-the-river tidal developments. The rate guaranteed to the band is 13.1 cents per kilowatt hours. "Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq have long understood the powerful relationship between responsible stewardship of our natural resources and a community's economic and social well-being," Energy Minister Charlie Parker said at an announcement at the Glooscap Heritage Centre in Millbrook on February 10th. "Today's announcement will move our economic agenda forward once again," said band Chief Lawrence Paul. "The investment today will have benefits for our community and all people of Nova Scotia for years to come. For too long our dependence on fossil fuels ... has harmed our environment. Today we are taking steps to respect the environment. The project will see three turbines constructed that will generate a combined total of six megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 1,500 homes.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

 

Celtic Current Approved For Wind Turbine

A new Inverness County-based wind energy company has received approval for its first facility, to be located in Mulgrave. Celtic Current was recently approved for a community feed-in tariff from the Department of Energy for the 1.99-megawatt wind facility. The province’s renewable electricity plan sets out a legal requirement for Nova Scotia to produce 25 per cent more renewable energy by 2015. The feed-in tariff program allows small power producers to receive $0.131 per kilowatt hour for electricity from qualifying renewable resources for a period of 20 years. With the community’s help, Celtic Current is installing and operating three or four wind turbines throughout northeastern Nova Scotia. Combined, it is expected the turbines will produce approximately 6 megawatts of clean renewable energy. The turbines will be located on individual properties in unpopulated areas and connected to the local electrical distribution system. Project manager Martha Campbell noted the company has submitted a number of other applications, for areas including Barrachois, Grand Etang, Lingan, Marion Bridge and Point Aconi — and they expect word on them soon. Campbell noted that individual investment opportunities in Celtic Current are now available.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

 

Nova Scotia Warned Of Wind Power Glut

Nova Scotia's consumer advocates say there could soon be too much wind power in the province, which may lead to higher power rates. The warning comes as a bidding war gets underway to supply more wind power to meet renewable energy targets. The provincial government says 25 per cent of electricity must come from these sources by 2015. Existing wind farms and new players are responding to a request for proposals to supply an extra 300 gigawatt hours to the provincial grid. This RFP "would unnecessarily increase annual ratepayer bills by millions of dollars, by acquiring far too much renewable energy," John Merrick and Bill Mahody two consumer advocates wrote in a submission to the renewable energy administrator, who is overseeing the process. They say the province will meet its renewable energy target through wind farms and a 60 megawatt biomass project now underway. The consumer advocates estimate ratepayers could be on the hook for an unnecessary $50 million in three years, if the province doesn't reduce the amount of wind power it's seeking through the current RFP. Murray Coolican, deputy minister of energy, won't comment on that. However, he said the province is sticking with its numbers in the RFP. Merrick and Mahody say the call for more wind power stems from a misreading of the province's Electricity Act and renewable energy regulations.
The RFP competition ends May 4.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

 

Antigonish County Wind Farm Looks For Investors

An $11-million proposed wind project in Antigonish County is on the hunt for investors. Wind4All is a community economic development corporation sponsored and created exclusively by Wind Prospect Inc. as a funding mechanism for the Fairmont wind project six kilometres north of Antigonish. The call for local investors aims to raise $3.3 million — money that is earmarked for continued project development, said Wind Prospect director Austen Hughes. Eligible investors can contribute a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $50,000 to the Wind4All Community Economic Development Investment Fund. If the maximum capital is raised — about $3.3 million of the $11 million project — Wind4All will own up to 49 per cent of the Fairmont project and Wind Prospect will own the balance of the 20-year project. Investors will be eligible to tap into the 35 per cent non-refundable provincial equity tax credit. Hughes is hopeful the turbines will be generating power by September.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives


N.S. Use Of Labrador Power Questioned
Experts Suggest Other Options

Energy experts are divided over whether the proposed Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador is the best option for Nova Scotia’s future power needs. A recent report by Manitoba Hydro International found the $6.2-billion venture is the cheapest energy option for the region. Despite a handful of provisos that warn of changing market conditions, the report backed the megaproject, which would wheel electricity from Newfoundland to Cape Breton through a subsea transmission cable. But Tom Adams, an independent energy adviser, said the massive hydroelectric project, a partnership between Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Crown corporation, and Nova Scotia private utility Emera, would provide limited value to consumers in this province.“Nova Scotians have a lot of good power options, but Labrador power is not on that list. There is low hanging fruit and it doesn’t come from Labrador.” Adams said the abundance of natural gas is the most affordable and reliable energy source on the market, while Bill Marshall said he has studied alternatives, including natural gas and shipping power from Quebec, but said the proposed hydroelectric project is the best option. Barbara Pike, executive director of the Maritimes Energy Association, echoed Marshall’s support for the project.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

 

N.S. Doesn't Need A Separate Study On Muskrat Falls, Premier Says

The government of Nova Scotia has no plans to conduct its own cost-benefit analysis of the proposed $6.2-billion Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador, according to Premier Darrell Dexter. ``Why would we go to the expense of doing that when it's going to be done in an appropriate forum before the Utility and Review Board?'' Dexter said. ``It's their responsibility to do that and my assumption is that they will.'' Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie chided Dexter stating ``It is highly irresponsible for the NDP to push ahead based on their own interests when they haven't done the homework on behalf of Nova Scotians.'' Under a term sheet reached in November 2010, Nova Scotia private utility Emera (TSX:EMA) would fund a 180-kilometre subsea link between Cape Ray, N.L., and Lingan, N.S., at a cost of $1.2 billion. A further $2.1 billion would be spent to build a transmission link from Labrador to Newfoundland, $600 million of which would be provided by Emera. Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland and Labrador's Crown energy company, would spend $2.9 billion to build a power generating facility at Muskrat Falls capable of producing 824 megawatts of electricity. Nova Scotia would get 170 megawatts of energy a year, about 10 per cent of the province's total energy needs, for 35 years.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

 

Nova Scotia Power Lays Off 40 Workers

Nova Scotia Power has laid off 40 non-unionized workers at various locations across the province. The company said the layoffs include contract workers and managers. "This is in an effort to reduce our costs. We know customers are facing increased rates, we know that's difficult for our customers," said Jennifer Parker, a spokeswoman for Nova Scotia Power. "We're always looking for ways that we can cut costs internally and avoid increasing rates and so this is part of that work. We need to become more efficient, we know that." Parker said the savings from the 40 job cuts are worth millions of dollars. She said there would not be any impact to customer service and unionized linemen are not affected. The laid off workers have been offered severance packages. The reductions come on the heels of a 10 per cent rate hike that took effect in January, as residential customers were hit with a 6.1 per cent base increase and an additional three per cent fuel adjustment.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

 

Nova Scotia Power - No Evidence Spending Plan Is Deficient

Nova Scotia Power is defending $6.8 million in proposed capital spending being questioned by an independent consultant. The electrical utility urges the provincial Utility and Review Board to approve the seven projects, according to a regulatory filing recently made public. “The consultant has provided no evidence that the plan as presented is deficient or the alternatives selected by the company are inappropriate,” the company says. Nova Scotia Power is asking the review board to approve $330 million in capital spending this year on 388 projects. The plan includes $143 million in new construction that customers would have to pay for starting in 2013. The two largest projects singled out by Mary Neal of La Capra Associates Inc. involve hydroelectric stations in the St. Margarets Bay area: a $2.5-million refurbishment of the Coon Pond dam and a $1.2-million tidewater surge tank refurbishment. Nova Scotia Power said two smaller projects, worth $1.1 million in total, are also justified: equipment replacement at the Sissiboo Falls hydroelectric dam in Digby County and the Point Tupper power plant in Cape Breton. The Digby County project will result in more than $1 million in operating savings in its first year, the utility says.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power


Viridis Buys Closed Upper Musquodoboit Mill

Viridis Energy Inc. has completed its purchase of the assets of the Enligna wood pellet mill in Upper Musquodoboit. Enligna Canada went into receivership last August owing Nova Scotia taxpayers $ 2.7 million. Fifty people lost their jobs. Vancouver-based Viridis said Monday it bought 20 buildings on four properties with a total of 157 acres and a separate 22-acre wood lot. The facilities house five pellet presses. Enligna took over the mill from MacTara Ltd. It was the largest wood pellet manufacturer in Atlantic Canada with the capacity to produce 110,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually. Viridis said it has created a subsidiary — 3260526 NS Limited — to handle the purchase, which will be financed through a $2.5-million short-term loan.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Biomass

 

Teachers Resources:

 

The Classroom Energy Diet Challenge is a competition between Canadian classes from kindergarten to grade 12. As the students progress through the Challenge, they will learn valuable lessons about energy use and share that knowledge with the rest of the country. The Challenge is about more than great prizes like a SMART Technology interactive whiteboard, it’s about increasing energy awareness among Canadian youth and educators.

http://energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca/home/challenges

2012 WHERE Challenge - deadline March 1st

 

 

The 2012 WHERE Challenge - September 6, 2011 to March 1, 2012.

The Challenge is a national contest endorsed by the Canadian Earth sciences community that asks students aged 9 - 14 years to discover the answers to these questions: What on Earth is in your stuff and WHERE on Earth does it come from? There are thousands of dollars in regional and national prizes to be won and you can enter as a group, an individual or a school. All you have to do is use your imagination and dig up some interesting facts about your stuff.

 http://www.earthsciencescanada.com/where/

 

 

 

January 2012

 

 

NOVA SCOTIA RESEARCH CALL FOR OFFSHORE GEOSCIENCES  

 

There is a new research call to support geosciences research in Nova Scotia offshore. The call is being managed by the Offshore Energy Technical Research Association (OETR) on behalf of Encana Corporation’s Deep Panuke natural gas project. Eight submissions were received from Nova Scotia researchers by the deadline of December 9. In the coming weeks, a review committee will select finalists from this group to submit full research proposals for consideration. It is expected that research grants from the call will be awarded in the spring of 2012.

For more information please visit:

www.offshoreenergyresearch.ca/Home/Encana/tabid/453/Default.aspx

 

PROPOSED NATURAL GAS STORAGE PIPELINE
‘A REALLY GOOD PROJECT FOR NOVA SCOTIA'

A proposed natural gas pipeline could bring extra storage for the green fuel to the province. Alton Natural Gas Storage L.P. is proposing a 10‐kilometre natural gas pipeline from an underground storage facility near Alton to the existing Maritimes &  Northeast Pipeline Halifax Lateral.  David Birkett, president of the Alton project, said the proposal is almost at the stage where the company will submit its environmental assessment to the province.  "We've met with the Department of Environment and worked on sensitive 

areas. We're hoping to file the actual assessment by the end of January."  If the assessment is approved, the next step for the company is to apply to the Utility and Review Board to construct four salt caverns. "This is a really good project for Nova Scotia," said Birkett "It will help companies, such as Heritage Gas, and large consumers manage their gas supply." He said most of the gas consumption is over a three‐month period in the winter, which is when gas is more expensive. "If you have it in storage in the summer, you can supply it to your customer then." The proposed pipeline has a selected route from the caverns between Stevens and Brentwood roads, over the Stewiacke River and Cloverdale Road. It crosses the north end of Jameson Road before meeting up with the Maritimes &  Northeast Pipeline Halifax Lateral near Stewiacke Road.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

BIDDER LIKES GAS & NEWPAGE HAS GAS ACCESS

Stern Partners, one of the two bidders vying to run the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill as a going concern, has a history of upgrading energy efficiency programs in its mills. And the company's thrust has been to use natural gas as the main fuel ‐ something NewPage already has access to.  The firm owns the first and only paper mill in Alberta, Alberta Newsprint Company, has 211 full‐time employees, producing 269,000 tonnes of paper a year.  Since 2008, the company has implemented 35 energy efficiency programs ‐ saving $2.2 million a year. The company has a 10‐member energy team focusing on efficiency.  Alberta Newsprint uses natural gas to power the mill and has cut its consumption in half in the last decade ‐ saving 500,000 gigajoules a year.  A major factor in NewPage's financial trouble is its power consumption. The mill is Nova Scotia Power's biggest customer, eating up $100 million worth of power every year.  The NewPage mill is hooked up to a lateral off the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline. Company documents show the mill used about 10,000 cubic metres of natural gas in 2008.  

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

HERITAGE GAS RATE HIKE APPROVED

Heritage Gas has been granted its fifth distribution rate hike since the company was awarded the natural gas franchise in 2003.  The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (URB ) approved a settlement agreement, allowing an 8.25% price increase on the cost of delivering natural gas in 2012.  The board also approved average rate increases of 6% for 2013 and 3% for 2014.  The increase will add about $6 a month to residential customer bills. Large commercial customers, such as apartment buildings, will see their bills increase about $163, or about 2% of their total bills. The board also ordered Heritage Gas to prepare an affiliate code of conduct to govern its transactions with owner AltaGas.  "(AltaGas), an affiliate of Heritage, is providing operational and financial services to Heritage as per the agreement between them. The board's concern is the reasonableness of these costs and whether an outside agency can provide the same services more economically to its customers," said the URB in its decision.  The board has previously ordered an affiliate code of conduct for Nova Scotia Power Inc., which regularly contracts parent company Emera Inc.'s subsidiaries for NSP work.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

THE RISING PRICE OF POWER

 

Notwithstanding Canada's rejection of the Kyoto targets, Nova Scotia, like many jurisdictions, has established goals (http://climatechange.gov.ns.ca/doc/ccap.pdf)

for reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). The goal of reducing annual GHG by five megatonnes by 2020 will have to be largely achieved in electricity generation.  Most of Nova Scotia's electricity is presently generated by burning coal. Replacing it with a renewable source such as wind, tidal, or hydro creates a 100% reduction in GHG for that amount of power. But there is another option. New natural gas fired plants reduce the GHG from coal by about 60%. So, replacing 10 units of electricity from coal with gas has the same GHG benefit as replacing six units of coal-generated electricity with a renewable source.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

12TH ANNUAL NOVA SCOTIA RECYCLES CONTEST

RRFB Nova Scotia has kicked off the 12th annual Nova Scotia Recycles Contest! Open to students in grades Primary to 12, the contest challenges them to "Be Super Green!" and help Nova Scotia reach the provincial goal of reducing our solid waste from 420 kg to 300 kg/person/year by 2015. Last year we received over 8,400 entries from almost 220 schools!

 

Help us spread the message, "Be Super Green!", and you could win!

• More than $55,000 in cash, prizes and scholarships
• Schools of winning students win $500 (excluding research essay)
  
• $20,000 in scholarships, including a $5,000 grand prize to the provincial winner!
  

Entries must be postmarked by February 3, 2012.

 

For more information visit: http://teachers.rrfb.com/?p=nsrc

 

WINDSOR COMPANY PLANS TO EXTRACT RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS

 

Rare Earth Mineral Sands Inc. of Windsor raised $1.3 million in a private placement and is ramping up its plan to extract light rare earth elements from the red mud of Cobequid Bay and the Shubenacadie River. “Mother Nature has processed the material. We just have to separate it into its component parts,” president and chief executive officer James White said in an interview. Some pre-feasibility work on a separation and drying plant, design work on dredging equipment and a final environmental assessment will be part of the work to be completed this year in advance of beginning production in 2013, said White. Rare earth minerals are used in everything from cellphones to wind turbines and they are in high demand all over the world, he said. White said trillions of dollars’ worth of gross domestic product in the United States and Canada depends of the use of light rare earth minerals. Some uncertainty with light rare earth elements prices for 2012 is predicted in the latest edition of Forbes. The finance publication reported in its 2012 outlook that the price of neodymium, for example, is beginning the year at $270 per kilogram, about half its 2011 peak. The publication predicted some price stabilization on prices for rare earth minerals later in the year.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

 

ACOA DISHED OUT $14M IN LAST QUARTER
Agency Was the Kindest to Innovative Companies

According to federal government figures, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) gave more than $14 million to Nova Scotia enterprises during the last quarter of the year. Within Nova Scotia, the agency was the kindest to innovative companies with the biggest single Nova Scotia recipient of agency support during the quarter Immunovaccine Technologies Inc. The Halifax-headquartered clinical-stage company received $2.94 million in funding to continue developing cancer and infectious disease vaccines to be delivered in its patented DepoVax system. Next after Immunovaccine was Dartmouth’s Seaforth Energy Inc. It received $1.91 million in funding to continue building wind turbines. The agency also opened up its coffers to other cutting-edge Nova Scotia firms such as Copol International Ltd. to buy new equipment to develop innovative packaging products, Ascenta Health Ltd., which uses fish oils to make health products, Acadian Seaplants Ltd., which uses seaweed to make value-added products that it exports around the world, DSME Trenton Ltd., which makes wind turbines in Trenton, and Carbon Cure Technologies Inc., which is working on a product that captures carbon in concrete blocks.
 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

WIND TOWER PLANT SEES BUSINESS GROW IN 2011

DSTN Trenton had some growing pains in 2011 according to assistant director of communication relations Scott Covey. The Trenton plant faced some difficulties finding employees specifically trained in the wind industry, pursuing orders throughout Canada and the northeastern states and constantly working to improve its facility. However, on the positive side, he said the company has grown from 30 employees in January to its peak of 200 employees, the vast majority of whom were from Pictou County. He said other employees are from throughout Nova Scotia and a small minority came from the United States, Korea, China, Taiwan as well as other countries. He said a large number of the workforce are former employees of the TrentonWorks facility. DSTN was successful in acquiring two contracts in 2011 for a total of 20 wind towers. The first contract was for a project in Cape North, P.E.I., at the Wind Energy Institute of Canada. And the second order was in Nova Scotia for the development fifteen towers, trucked to Amherst in four sections per tower. In addition to the wind towers, DSTN employees also started to prepare the plant for the production of wind turbine blades. “Everyone is optimistic about 2012,” he said.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

OTTAWA BACKTRACKS ON COAL EMISSIONS

 

 

The federal government is offering the provinces a way to avoid tough new regulations that would eventually force power companies to shut down the country’s fleet of coal-fired power plants. Environment Minister Peter Kent and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have privately indicated they are willing to provide flexibility in how new power-plant emissions rules are implemented, according to provincial and industry sources. Mr. Kent is expected to release the final version of the long-promised regulations in the coming months. The Conservative government has long touted its proposed coal regulations as evidence it is serious about cutting the country’s greenhouse-gas emissions, even as it faced international condemnation for withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol. Now the federal government is willing to cede regulation of power-sector emissions to the provinces – as long as they have rules in place that would achieve equivalent reductions. The new approach would allow provinces to set overall emissions targets, rather than adhere to strict targets for each individual power facility as set out by the government’s original approach. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia – which rely most heavily on coal for electricity – have received assurances that Ottawa will not saddle them with cumbersome regulations in a sector that is primarily under their jurisdiction, the provincial and industry sources said.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

NSP MOVING AHEAD WITH BIOMASS PLANT

The prospective new ownership of the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill doesn’t change Nova Scotia Power Inc.’s plans to operate a 60-megawatt biomass co-generation facility there. “We’re in the process of figuring out how it will be operated,” utility spokeswoman Neera Ritcey said in an interview. “It has the ability to be operated as a stand-alone.” The plant, scheduled to be in service in 2013, could supply three per cent of the province’s electricity requirement, enough to power 30,000 homes. Ritcey said that all biomass plant construction activities planned for 2011 was completed and it is on schedule. Ritcey also said Nova Scotia Power remains committed to the biomass project as part of its efforts to meet the government’s renewable energy standards compliance plan, and new ownership of the mill doesn’t change that commitment.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Biomass

 

N.S. MILL SOLD TO VANCOUVER ENERGY FIRM

The former Enligna Canada Inc. wood pellet mill in Middle Musquodoboit is being sold to Viridis Energy Inc. of Vancouver, subject to court approval. Enligna was placed in receivership in August, owing Nova Scotia Business Inc., the province’s business development agency, almost $3 million. Unsecured creditors are owed almost $1 million. The assets acquired by Viridis include 20 buildings on four properties, with a total of 63 hectares, and a separate 8.8-hectare woodlot. The facilities house five pellet presses, with the capacity to produce 110,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Biomass

WARDEN PROUD OF DISTRICT'S GREEN IMPORVEMENT

 

Warden Linda Gregory says it has been a green year for the Municipality of the District of Digby. She is pleased to see a community-owned renewable energy project approved for Digby Gut, to see Packard Bell investigating a biomass plant here, to see the municipal offices saving real money on energy after switching to geothermal heating and natural lighting.“ That’s all a benefit to the taxpayer and to the environment,” says Gregory. “We need to make things more sustainable here or we won’t be here. Green is the future.” To investigate further programs to make the area greener, the municipality hired Terry Thibodeau as a coordinator for renewable energy and climate change. “Now we have someone working here full time to make this community more sustainable and to make sure we have role to play in our future.” Another big success this year was finishing third out of 55 in the Nova Scotia municipal performance report. “That shows that staff are working with council and working diligently to serve the residents here. I couldn’t be more pleased.” She says the town and municipality are doing a great job working together as evidenced by their work together on the Digby Area Recreation Commission, on the Industrial Commission, and most recently the joint wastewater treatment facility in Smith’s Cove. “I think we are the envy of the province,” says Gregory. “I respect all the councilors of the town and I feel its mutual coming from them.”

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

STARS OF 2011: CANADA’S YOUTH CLIMATE DELEGATES

Canada’s Reputation As A Country That Cares For The Environment Took A Pasting At The Durban Climate Talks. Environment minister Peter Kent made few friends before he had even arrived in South Africa, having promised to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. This stance, allied to statements calling climate financing ‘guilt payments’ saw the Canadians finish as joint winners of the ‘colossal fossil’ with the USA. The prize is awarded by the Climate Action Network to countries who have made the least effort to help the talks progress. And yet while their government appear content to disengage from the UN negotiations, Canadian youth groups in Durban were vociferous in their condemnation of

 

that policy. The Canadian Youth Delegation at COP17 played an important role in reminding delegates that despite their government’s hostility to the talks – there was still a strong seam of green in Canada. They took their campaign into the main plenary hall, wearing ‘Turn your back on Canada’ T-shirts. One protest, which coincided with a speech from Kent, saw them ejected from the Conference Centre. It also ensured that their message spread from Durban back to the streets of Canada, where the campaign continued weeks after the negotiations had ended.  It was for this reason that RTCC has decided to award our inaugural ‘climate campaign of the year’ medal (it’s still being minted) to the Canadian Youth Delegation at COP17. Speaking to local news outlet News 1130 one participant Alice Paul said: “Basically with what happened in Durban in South Africa at the recent climate talks, youth are really disappointed with the decision made by Canada and other countries to delay action to stop climate change. We felt we needed to do as much as we can. Youth do care.”

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

 

NEW JOBS FOR A NEW AGE

It’s 2031. A young job seeker is sifting through help-wanted ads on a mobile device. Many of the jobs didn’t exist two decades ago: Genetic counsellor, nanosurgeon, cyber soldier, seafloor miner. Canada’s labour force now stands at 22.5 million, an increase of four million since 2011. One in four workers is over 55 years old, while one in three is foreign-born. Rewinding to 2011, futurist Jim Carroll says the biggest trend is "massive exponential knowledge growth in every single field of knowledge." Even jobs that are around today are poised to change dramatically, he says. "Nanotechnology is just a natural progression of science and engineering to go to the next scale of possibility," says Felipe Chibante, the Richard J. Currie chair in nanotechnology in the faculty of engineering at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Chibante says "nano-enabled" scientists and engineers will lead the way in nearly every field in the future. In the oil and gas sector, Chibante says, nanotechnology is being explored as a means of getting more hydrocarbons out of the ground in a more efficient way. Nanotechnology will play a vital role as unconventional sources of oil and gas start to play a bigger role in the industry. A new tidal energy institute at Acadia University hopes to be at the forefront of this renewable wave by learning to better harness tidal power for our energy needs. Tidal power, along with wind, solar and geothermal sources of electricity, will spur a bevy of new green-collar jobs. As the needs of the workforce change, community colleges pride themselves on adapting quickly. "We can’t guess the jobs of the future, some of which aren’t known yet," he says. "But we need to be proactive, working with industry, government and communities to be predictive of what is before us."

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Initiatives

TEACHERS RESOURCES

Encana - Natural Gas 101
A comprehensive over view of Natural Gas ; Common components, how it is formed, the different types, how it is found, it’s production and uses.

http://www.encana.com/natural-gas/natural-gas-101/

 

 

 

Alliant Energy Kids is designed to teach students important concepts about electricity and natural gas: How it works, where it comes from, ways to reduce energy usage and how to stay safe.  Lesson plans and online activities promote energy awareness that will help students make meaningful connections between everyday activities and energy.
http://www.alliantenergykids.com/index.htm


Learning about energy is fun when you include energy hogs! The Energy Hog Challenge is a set of classroom activities that guide children through lessons about different sources of energy, how we use energy at home, and how to bust energy hogs to save energy. Each student can become an Official Energy Hog Buster upon completion of the lessons. It covers the subject areas of Science, Math, Technology, Language Arts and Social Studies, and meets national learning standards and is designed for grade levels 2-6.

 

Hog Buster Training Camp – interactive on-line game
http://www.energyhog.org/childrens.htm

 

http://www.energyhog.org/adult/educators.htm

 

 
Canada’s Energy Map
An up-to-date map of Canada that shows all energy types found in Canada and provides facts and statistics by province.

http://www.centreforenergy.com/FactsStats/MapsCanada/CA-EnergyMap.asp

  

Considering an EFS Presentation in Your School?
 
Teachers or educational groups interested in hosting a full day or mini series EFS program are invited to contact us by calling 902-454-4329 or e-mail info@energyconsultant.ca
 
Your Ideas Count
Educators are invited to submit ideas & suggestions for information you would like to see made available to assist in both classroom and career planning, or for future newsletters by clicking here!

 

 

Sign-up to Receive Newsletters
To receive Newsletter-Links to future Newsletters please click "subscribe". You may unscubscribe at anytime by clicking the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of any Newsletter-Link email or by emailing us at "unsubscribe"

 

December 2011

 

DEEP PANUKE NEWSLETTER

The latest newsletter for the Deep Panuke offshore na

tural gas project has been posted to the Encana website at http://www.encana.com/pdf/communities/canada/atlantic/news/dp-newsletter-dec11.pdf  In the newsletter you will find out more information about progress at Deep Panuke in 2011, research and development taking place in Nova Scotia supported by Encana and other initiatives. Read on!

 

View Newsletter:

http://www.encana.com/pdf/communities/canada/atlantic/news/dp-newsletter-dec11.pdf

 

 

NOVA SCOTIA'S EXPORTS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS

Production from the Deep Panuke natural gas field should make Nova Scotia the top exporter in the region in 2012, according to a report released by Export Development Canada. All told, the province’s exports are expected to climb by nine per cent next year, compared with seven per cent across Canada, up from an expected four per cent this year. “What Nova Scotia has going for it is that it is firing on all cylinders,” said Peter Hall, chief economist with Export Development Canada. “And any time you have diversified growth, it is very good for a province because it means you aren’t as vulnerable to economic shocks.” Exports of natural gas — in recent years, the province’s most important export — are expected to climb by 22 per cent next year, thanks mainly to production at the Deep Panuke field.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

WIND PROJECTS AWAIT PROVINCIAL OK
Energy department says some approvals will come before year’s end

 

Green energy developers are hoping Santa brings them provincial approval for some of their proposed community-based projects. Dan Roscoe, chief operating officer of Scotian WindFields Inc., said developers were expecting the Energy Department to begin approving the small-scale developments by the end of November. The Dartmouth-based company has submitted 19 wind projects in various parts of Nova Scotia on behalf of several community economic development groups. Roscoe said he understands the province’s community feed-in tariff program is new, but developers are running out of time to get projects completed next year. The province expects about 100 megawatts of electricity will be produced at the community level through the community feed-in tariff program. Almost 60 projects, totalling 244 megawatts, have been filed with the department. The majority of ventures involve community economic developments agencies, although universities, municipalities and non-profits groups have also applied. An Energy Department spokeswoman said Wednesday the plan was to start announcing projects in late November or early December.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND’S BIG PLANS FOR WIND-ENERGY STORAGE

Tower sections have begun arriving at the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) test field for a $25m pilot project that aims to drive development of grid-connected wind-energy storage for northern regions. Five DeWind D9.2 turbines were ordered in the summer for the 10MW demonstration installation at North Cape, on the northern tip of Prince Edward Island. WEICan is in final deliberations as to what type of storage technology to trial. “With the growth of ‘big wind’, our dialogue with industry, government and various policymakers led us to see a wind-energy research and development park as having some appeal,” says WEICan chief executive Scott Harper.  The idea for the pilot grew out of the province’s success early in the previous decade in building a portfolio of small wind farms with a total installed capacity of more than 160MW that feed 20% of Prince Edward Island’s appetite for electricity. “[This project] is designed to work through many of the perceived kinks in a wind-energy storage model and see if it can be made to work.” says Harper. He believes the wind industry will soon come to realise the market value of energy storage. “Right now, there are too many times when an operator is producing at a level where, without storage, they are left with no choice but to start dumping wind overnight.”

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

CANADA ENJOYING 'BANNER YEAR' FOR WIND, SAYS CANWEA

Wind installations in Canada this year will total 1.4GW, more than double 690MW in 2010, raising nationwide generating capacity to more than 5.4GW, according to a new projection by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The trade group estimates that developers will spend almost C$3.5bn ($3.57bn) to install turbines this year. "2011 has been a banner year for new wind energy development in Canada, which means cleaner air, new jobs and local investments for the communities that host wind energy projects," says CanWEA President Robert Hornung.  Canada at the end of this year will rank ninth globally in terms of total installed capacity, enough wind energy to power more than 1.5 million Canadian homes, according to CanWEA.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

PICTOU COUNTY ISSUES TENDER FOR DESIGN OF SMALL WIND FARM

Brian Cullen, CAO for the county, said a tender has been issued for submissions from qualified professionals to design, build and install a wind-energy project within Pictou

County. The county is interested in a small wind farm which will still create “comfortable returns,” he said. One small wind turbine is estimated to cost between $300,000 and $350,000 and there could be as many as three wind turbines on one site. Cullen said the municipality has recently registered for a comFit program through the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. If the comfit program approves its application, it plans on constructing three wind turbines on woodland in the Riverton area. The comFIT program, by guaranteeing a set rate at which electricity can be sold back to Nova Scotia Power, will allow the municipality to ensure a secure investment in renewable energy.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

COAL REGS COULD COST N.S. $1.3 BILLION - DEXTER

Draft regulations published at the end of August aim to retire most of Canada's coal plants by 2030 and Premier Darrell Dexter told federal officials that a proposal to close coal-fired power plants would cost Nova Scotia Power Inc. and its ratepayers up to $1.3 billion. Dexter wants to see is an exception for provinces that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions through other measures. Nova Scotia is arguing that developing wind power and importing hydro power will have the same result intended by the draft regulations. If the province is forced to abandon coal-fired plants before the end of their useful service, NSP will have to recoup capital investments in plants and equipment. That would leave the province, industries and residents less able to absorb the cost of investing in alternative forms of power, according to the NDP government's case. While Nova Scotia is looking for looser rules, the draft regulations were attacked by environmental groups for being too lax. The federal departments of Environment and Health accepted public submissions on the draft regulations until late October. Nova Scotia is not the only province that would be affected by the policy. Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan generate even more power from coal.

 

To view complete article visit:

www.Allnovascotia.com

 

 

SPECTRA ENERGY LAUNCHES YOUTUBE VIDEO
 “Energy for Life” Series Promotes the Benefits of Natural Gas

Spectra Energy has launched a new YouTube video series, “Natural Gas: Energy for Life,” as part of its ongoing, grassroots advocacy effort to educate and inform the general public and other stakeholder groups about the benefits and uses of natural gas. Developed as a four-part series, the first of the two-minute, animated videos focuses on foundational messages around the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of natural gas, from a North American perspective.  “The new video series is designed to engage the public in a fun, visually appealing manner, while providing clear-cut, high-level facts about natural gas that may not be readily apparent or understood. The messages also are intended to help dispel misconceptions about our product and industry,” Frances Jeter, group vice president, Internal and External Affairs, Spectra Energy.

 

The next video in the “Energy for Life” series is slated to be introduced in February 2012.

 

View Spectra Energy’s new YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsHYeBN_CIU&list=UU_lF3WrZRsC-9QAfG4P3amg&index=1&feature=plcp

 
For more information, visit: www.spectraenergy.com

200 IN TATAMAGOUCHE MEET OVER NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION

About 200 people attended a public meeting in Tatamagouche to discuss the prospect of gas exploration on the north shore. Don Wilson with the Sierra Club, which hosted the meeting, said at least one company has already been granted exploration rights. He said he's concerned that if the right deposits are found, the north shore will see an influx of gas mining operations, the tourism industry would be threatened and he's not convinced about the promise of new jobs from development. Wilson said he's also concerned about the prospect of hydraulic fracturing, or hydro-fracking, that could be used in any future gas extraction. Hydraulic fracturing pumps a mixture of chemicals and water into the ground, which creates cracks in shale rock formations. That allows companies to extract natural gas from areas that would otherwise go untapped. "I think the most important thing that came out of the meeting was the fact that people were becoming so engaged in this topic," said Heidi Verhuel, an environmental education coordinator with the Sierra Club. So far the Nova Scotia government has resisted calls for a ban on fracking. Verhuel said a coalition against hydro-fracking has been started, and they hope to gather 10,000 signatures by the end of November and present them to the province. The Department of Environment says it's waiting for a report due in March, which will examine how other jurisdictions regulate the process, before making any decision.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

FRACKING EXPERT URGES CAUTION

In Nova Scotia, the Dexter government announced a review of its regulations regarding shale gas development in April. Tony Ingraffea, engineering professor from Cornell University who has a Ph.D. in rock fracturing mechanics, told delegates at the "Protecting our Communities: A Conference on Shale Gas and Fracking" conference in Truro, N.S., that there is no reason to rush into shale gas drilling. Ingraffea said there is still much that science doesn't know about the process, but the fact that it causes groundwater contamination is not in doubt. Ingraffea said it could take 10 years to collect enough data to determine the safety of hydro-fracking."There will be contamination incidents," he said. "The question is: how many, at what rate should we expect them over space and time and what will be the environmental, human health and financial costs?" "There's no logical reason other than political reason for Nova Scotia to join the experiment. Let it play out where it's ongoing," he said. "Let the science continue to evolve. Let the technology continue to evolve and get to a point … four to five, maybe even 10 years from now, when adequate science has been done and the cumulative impact of all this activity on the environment, human health and climate can be scientifically assessed."  The Truro conference was a gathering of citizens, activists and experts sponsored by NOFRAC, the Ecology Action Centre, the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

FIRM SEEKS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF SUBSEA POWER LINK

An Emera Inc. subsidiary has asked Ottawa to begin an environmental assessment of a proposed $1.2-billion subsea link that would bring hydroelectricity from Newfoundland and Labrador to North American markets. ENL Maritime Link Inc., an Emera Newfoundland & Labrador company, announced that it has registered its Maritime Link

project with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Environment and Conservation Department. Emera has partnered with Nalcor Energy, a Newfoundland and Labrador Crown corporation, to develop the $6.2-billion Muskrat Falls project. The privately owned Nova Scotia energy company will build the transmission link between Newfoundland and Cape Breton. Emera will also invest $600 million in a $2.1-billion link between Muskrat Falls and Newfoundland. In return, Emera will receive 170 megawatts of electricity per year, or 10 per cent of the province’s needs, for 35 years. “This marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Nalcor to provide Nova Scotia with access to clean, renewable and reliable energy at a more stable price for the next 35 years, ” Nancy Tower, CEO of Emera Newfoundland & Labrador, said in a news release. The assessment process in Nova Scotia will start in mid-2012 once an environmental impact statement is filed, Emera officials said.

 

For More information on the Maritime Link Visit:

http://www.emeranl.com/en/home/ourbusiness/aboutthemaritimelink.aspx

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

PUBLIC REVIEW URGED FOR MUSKRAT FALLS LINK

Nova Scotia's consumer advocate is calling for a public review of the Muskrat Falls power link to the province, but the premier says it's not necessary. The hydroelectric project includes an underwater cable from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, which is expected to cost more than $1.2 billion. Construction is expected to begin in 2014 and conclude in 2017. Nova Scotia Power Ltd. is entitled to more than a nine-per-cent return on its investment, and some people worry that the high cost of building the undersea link will ultimately drive up electricity rates. Consumer advocate John Merrick said a review is needed to determine whether it's the best deal for the province. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will review the application for the Muskrat Falls project once the finals deals are signed, but Merrick said that will focus only on what has been submitted. Premier Darrell Dexter said he's satisfied with the reviews that have already been done. "We also have to remember that when it comes to Muskrat Falls, it's more than just the power rates. It's about a long-term vision for the flow of energy in the region," Dexter said.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

LOCAL COMPANIES WILL GET SHOT AT LOWER CHURCHILL PROJECT WORK

Companies in Cape Breton and across the province will be given the same opportunity as firms in Newfoundland and Labrador to bid on contracts in the construction of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project’s maritime link. Details in the memorandum of understanding allow Nova Scotia contractors, service providers, consultants and suppliers to compete for all parts of the project. However, Newfoundland companies will be given first dibs at putting together business plans for the Muskrat Falls generating facility and the Labrador island transmission link. The $1.2-billion link, which will carry electricity to Nova Scotia via the Cabot Strait, will create 2,700 person-years of employment, Premier Darrell Dexter said during a news conference at Cape Breton University’s Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment.

Construction on the underwater cable is expected to begin in 2014 and conclude in 2017. Following a commissioning of the power stations, electricity will begin to flow through Nova Scotia in 2017. Dexter said the MOU’s main purpose is to supply information now so Nova Scotia companies will “have a fair shot of being successful” in landing contracts. Calling the project a “game changer,” he said hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts will be available to contractors in Nova Scotia. Emera, parent company of Nova Scotia Power Inc., will be holding supplier information workshops in the new year for companies interested in working on the project. The province will also work with the Maritimes Energy Association to ensure Nova Scotia companies have the information needed to compete for contracts.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

GREEN SUPER SLIME A POTENTIAL SOLUTION TO GREENHOUSE GASES

 

At a federal lab on the windy shores of Nova Scotia, the hunt is on for super slime. Algae

 

plucked from creeks and ponds as far away as Alberta's oil patch and southern Ontario's industrial corridor are turning flasks of water bright green as scientists search for

promising candidates. The faster the organisms suck up carbon dioxide, the better, as John McDougall, president of the National Research Council, envisions big things for the lowly microbes. McDougall is a long-time and unabashed promoter of using algae to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions and has lobbied for years to get government to invest in a pilot project. Carbon-catching algae have been chosen as one of four "flagship" projects at the council, which has a budget of almost $1 billion and 4,000 staff across Canada. Redirecting carbon dioxide away from smokestacks is clearly important, he said, and "something that Canada is going to have to get its mind around." And algae, he said, have the potential to take a sizeable bite out of this country's emissions and gobble up millions of tonnes of emissions a year. "If it works, you're looking perhaps at as much as 15 to 20 per cent of carbon dioxide could be dealt with," said McDougall. He also sees international opportunities, noting Canadian algae-growing technology and know-how could be exported.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES

 

The Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program encourages and rewards graduating Canadian high school students who have distinguished themselves through environmental community service, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and academic excellence.
The Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program grants 20 awards of $5 000 each annually. A national winner - selected from the 20 regional winners - will also be awarded the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship National Award and a Panasonic notebook computer at the National Award Ceremony.  Submission deadline Jan 31, 2012

 

For more details:
http://www.earthday.ca/scholarship/about.php

neoK12
Solar Energy - Educational Videos, lessons and Games for K-12:

http://www.neok12.com/Solar-Energy.htm

Brain Games: http://www.neok12.com/games.htm

Windmill Racer Game: http://www.learn-energy.net/kidscorner/games/windmill/windmill.html

 

 

 

 

 

November 2011

 

Energy for Students and Encana Corporation would like to thank the teachers who attended the Energy for Students sessions and dropped by our booths at the October 28th, AST Conference. Energy for Students had  seventy-four teachers attend our sessions on renewable energy in Nova Scotia and twenty-five teachers from across Nova Scotia sign up for in school presentations. To find out more about our in school presentations or to book a presentation please visit http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Course_Presentation. Encana is distributing fifty-one Energy Information Kits to teachers who visited their booth and signed up to receive them. If you are interested in finding out more about the Encana Energy Information Kits, which highlight information on activities and careers in Nova Scotia’s offshore oil and gas industry,  please contact Lori MacLean at lori.maclean@encana.com.

 

HAVE YOU PLANNED YOUR SPRING FIELD TRIP YET?

Parrsboro now has more  science learning opportunities for school/class field trips with the opening of the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) Visitor Centre The FORCE centre overlooks the technology test site in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy where underwater tidal turbines will be deployed. The Centrehouses interpretive exhibits on tidal energy and interactive displays at no charge. The Centre celebrated its grand opening November 7th and will remain open to the public until Dec. 3, reopening in the spring.  Also located in Parrsboro is the Fundy Geological Museum, which connects your classroom curriculum with live, interactive learning and fun! Students can experience a general visit, full day programs or even a museum sleepover.

For more information visit:
FORCE Visitor Centre-http://fundyforce.ca/visit
Fundy Geological Museum-http://museum.gov.ns.ca/fgm/en/home/default.aspx
Town of Parrsboro http://www.town.parrsboro.ns.ca/tourist-attractions.html

 

 

OFFSHORE RESEARCH GETS BOOST FROM PENGROWTH-NOVA SCOTIA GRANT

Darragh O'Connor, a Dalhousie University master's student, has won this year's Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Innovation Grant for his research examining elements of specific sediments that make up the Mesozoic basins off Nova Scotia. His research will allow past reservoirs to be re-examined and help judge the potential of current ones. "This grant will allow me to contribute to Nova Scotia's offshore energy industry by using innovative technologies to help identify potential hydrocarbon reservoirs," said Mr. O'Connor. "It is important to government to support the research and education of our province's students," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "The research funded by the Energy Innovation Grant will provide unique industry opportunities that will continue to develop Nova Scotia's growing energy sector."

The Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Innovation Grant was established in 2005, as part of the Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship program. Up to four grants, valued at $15,000, may be awarded each year to students pursuing a master's degree in energy-related studies at a Nova Scotia university. The deadline for the 2012 Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Innovation Grant is Jan. 20. For more information, or to apply, visit www.gov.ns.ca/energy .

View complete article:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20111104001


NATURAL GAS PILOT PROJECT

A pilot project between Heritage Gas Ltd. and Halifax Regional Municipality launching as soon as next year, will bring affordable natural gas to homes that normally wouldn’t pass the economic feasibility test according to Heritage Gas president Jim Bracken. This pilot is looking to “…find some new creative ways of providing natural gas to residential customers in existing HRM neighbourhoods,” for example “If the municipality already plans to repave an area,” Heritage Gas could lay natural gas pipe while the road is already ripped up, Bracken said in a recent interview. Mary Ellen Donovan, the municipality’s legal services director, said a recent settlement between Heritage Gas, Dalhousie University and the provincial consumer advocate would also help new residents get access to natural gas.

 

View complete article:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

INVERNESS ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP OPPOSES DRILLING PERMIT

The Margaree Environmental Association is asking the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to quash the permit granted to Toronto-based PetroWorth Resources Inc. to drill a test well on a property in West Lake Ainslie. "Nova Scotia seems to have no guidelines. A company

can walk in and be right next to a heritage river, right next to water courses and right next to homes and this is all OK with the premier, his minister and staff," says Co-chair of the association, Neal Livingston. Lori Errington, spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, said the approval process has terms and conditions that protect the environment and human health in the area. She said PetroWorth can proceed before an appeal is heard. The Nova Scotia government is allowing PetroWorth to drill a vertical well up to 1,500 metres deep, but hasn't given permission for fracking.

 

View complete article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

CONSULTANTS TARGET DIGBY AS TIDAL ENERGY PORT

A recently released provincially-commissioned consultant’s report has put Digby atop the list of Nova Scotian ports able to service the tidal industry. The Nova Scotia Department of Energy hired Collective Wisdom Solutions, exp. Services Inc. and Maritime Tidal Energy Corp to assess ports and their infrastructure as possible sites to support marine renewable energy projects. Marine renewable energy includes tidal, offshore wind and wave energy projects. The report singles out Digby as the only reasonable location to launch and carry out maintenance on the large tidal turbines being proposed for the Minas Passage site in the Bay of Fundy. “Digby quite conceivably could become an even more important port if other areas of the Bay of Fundy, beyond the Minas Passage, are developed,” emphasizes the report. Digby is the closest Nova Scotian port to the Minas Passage with water at low tide and land available for new assembly and maintenance facilities.

 

View complete article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Tidal

TIDAL PROJECT FORGES AHEAD WITH ADDITION OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

Nova Scotia continues to be a world leader in tidal energy with the completion of a new $1.3-million visitor centre and the arrival of the subsea power cables required to deliver electricity from the Bay of Fundy to Nova Scotia homes and businesses. The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) officially opened the 3,000 square-foot visitor centre in Parrsboro Nov. 7.  FORCE has also received all 11 kilometres of subsea cables which, when connected, will give the centre the largest transmission capacity for tidal power in the world -- a total capacity of 64 megawatts or roughly equivalent to the power needs of 20,000 homes at peak tidal flows. "From shipbuilding to marine sciences to tidal energy, Nova Scotia is becoming known the world over as a centre of marine excellence," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The momentum around tidal energy continues to build with the arrival of the subsea cables that will connect the province to the immense tidal power potential in the Bay of Fundy. And now, with this beautiful new visitors centre, the public has a place to watch this industry grow.”FORCE also announced that IT International Telecom, based in Halifax, will conduct a dry run in the Bay of Fundy in the coming weeks to prepare for installation of the cables next year. The first environmental monitoring information is now available online at www.fundyforce.ca. The results show no evidence of adverse environmental effects when the turbine was in position, and will serve as an important reference as more turbines are put in place.

 

View complete article:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20111107002

 

WIND PROJECT MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS

A multi-million-dollar wind project outside Amherst could be generating power as early as next March. "The project is progressing pretty good, most of the foundations have been poured and the blades have arrived," Sprott Power CEO Jeff Jenner said. "You should see the first towers beginning to arrive in December and after that the remaining towers should arrive in 30-60 days." The $61-million project, announced earlier this year by Ontario-based Sprott Power, will generate 31.5 megawatts, enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

SMALL TURBINES GENERATE HUGE SALES POTENTIAL

Raum Energy Inc., is one of the many innovative firms that make up Canada’s “small wind” sector – companies that make turbines that are minuscule compared to the towering giants going up in huge wind farms around the world. While a large turbine can generate as much as 7 megawatts of electricity – enough for up to 5,000 homes – the smaller windmills put out only a tiny fraction of that amount, often just sufficient to partly power a single household or business. The output is relatively small but the market potential is huge. Many companies are finding success selling into regions where power is more expensive, or to parts of developing countries where there may be no power grid at all. At the same time, it’s a field where Canada leads, thanks to the country’s strong engineering skills and the entrepreneurial drive of many small operators.
While Canada is a leader in the small-wind business, most of the turbines the industry makes are  currently exported. According to figures compiled last year by the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canadian companies now represent more than half of the world’s manufacturers of turbines in the 30 to 100 kilowatt range. The small-scale wind market is ripe for innovation by entrepreneurs, said David Wood, a professor at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary who specializes in renewable energy. There isn’t nearly as much innovation going on with large turbines, he said, because they now represent a mature technology that has settled on a single design. “Virtually all large wind turbines are three-bladed, upwind, horizontal axis machines,” he said.
One of Canada’s most successful small-wind companies has even carved out its niche with relatively old technology. Jonathan Barry, president of Seaforth Energy Inc. in Dartmouth, N.S., said his company’s AOC 15/50 turbine, developed in the early 1990s, is successful because it is proven technology. It has been installed all around the world, and its performance and characteristics are well known. “Our turbine is long in the tooth....[but] we know it extremely well and how it is going to run, and that is a lot of the battle in our business,” he said. Still, Seaforth understands the need to innovate. It has a research project under way to improve the power output of the AOC machine at lower wind speeds, by lengthening the blades. The key is to “keep the good things about the design, its structure and reliability,” Mr. Barry said, while improving its performance. Mr. Barry said Canada’s disproportionate strength in small wind is remarkable given that there is little government support for the sector.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

PARTNERSHIP FORMED TO PROMOTE ELECTRIC MOBILITY

Nova Scotia Power in cooperation with Nissan Canada and O’Regan’s Nissan Halifax announced the launch of ShareReady, a new electric vehicle pilot program. Nova Scotia Power has secured 10 all-electric Nissan LEAF™ vehicles for shared use by organizations in Nova Scotia. “This program is about being ready for all-electric cars,” said Robin McAdam, executive vice president of sustainability for Nova Scotia Power. As part of the pilot program, Nova Scotia Power is incorporating two Nissan LEAFs™ into its own fleet. NS Energy Minister Charlie Parker said "We are working towards a new era in energy self-sufficiency, sustainability and affordability in Nova Scotia." By purchasing or leasing a vehicle, ShareReady partner organizations will help NS Power answer questions about the convenience of vehicle charging, the readiness of the provincial electric grid to support wider adoption of electric transportation, the cost of driving electric vehicles and how the vehicles perform. Nova Scotia Power will provide assistance to each partner in the selection and installation of a vehicle charging station, to be some of the first in Atlantic Canada. The environmental benefits of electric vehicles were examined by Dr. Larry Hughes, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie University. The study found that with the fuel sources used by NS Power in 2010 to generate electricity, the Nissan LEAF™ produces approximately 20 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions than the most fuel-efficient conventional vehicle in its class.

To read more about the ShareReady pilot program, or to view Dr. Hughes’ full report, visit shareready.nspower.ca.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

TEACHERS RESOURCES

Are you looking to add to or create a school green program?

Green Schools Nova Scotia (GSNS) is a program that will engage students in environmental learning and stewardship activities at their schools and in their communities. The program is based on the development and implementation of sustainability action plans that student, teachers, the Principal, and Caretakers envision together. Schools are extremely busy places, and the GSNS program strives to take on some of the responsibility for delivering environmental awareness and action by connecting schools with valuable resources, by facilitating sustainability planning and follow-through, celebrating their successes and encouraging continued progress.
 
For more information on the program, please visit: www.greenschoolsns.ca

 

 

Petroleum Magic | Grades 1 & 2 (French & English)

 

Students talk the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and discover common petroleum products. Learning resource includes a booklet includes with exercises and colouring activities.

 

Visit: http://www.centreforenergy.com/Education/K-12/TeachingResources/PetroleumMagic.asp

 

 

October 2011

 

Energy for Students and Encana Corporation will again have their table exhibits at this year’s AST Conference taking place at Halifax West High School on October 28. Visit us to learn more about EFS School Presentations and Encana’s Energy Information Kits that include materials from organizations such as the Atlantic Geoscience Society and the Canadian Centre for Energy. The kits are available at no charge to educators. Fill out a ballot for a prize draw! See you there!

 

PREMIER & MINISTER HONOUR NOVA SCOTIA TEACHERS
World Teachers' Day - October 5th

On World Teachers' Day, Premier Darrell Dexter and Education Minister Ramona Jennex paid tribute to Nova Scotia's 10,000 teachers. Premier Dexter said World Teachers' Day is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to say thank you for the work teachers do educating students. "Nova Scotia is very fortunate to have so many skilled and dedicated professionals committed to provide the best education possible for our children," said the premier. "We owe them our thanks and appreciation every day of the year, not just on Oct. 5." "As a parent and a former teacher myself, I know how important good teaching is to student success," said Ms. Jennex. "I would like to thank our many teachers for all the great things that are happening in our classrooms every day." World Teachers' Day is celebrated annually to highlight the important role of teachers. The national theme for 2011 is Inspiring Students, Awakening Potential. The international theme is Teachers for Gender Equity.

To view complete article visit:
http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20111005006

 

NOVA SCOTIA INVESTS IN FUTURE WITH ENERGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

Nineteen Nova Scotia students will get help pursuing careers and research in energy with scholarships from an industry-government partnership. The Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship Program gives out up to a dozen $10,000 university scholarships each year to high school graduates pursuing energy-related studies. It also provides up to 10 scholarships of $2,500 each to graduates pursuing trades and technology programs at the Nova Scotia Community College. "Nova Scotia's growing energy sector is a rich source of career opportunities," according to Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "We are pleased to partner with Pengrowth to help educate the energy leaders of tomorrow." Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, community involvement and extra-curricular activities, and must have demonstrated an interest in the Nova Scotia energy sector. "The success of our students remains our priority and Pengrowth is pleased to provide financial assistance to such a talented group of students interested in the energy industry," said Jim MacDonald, director of Pengrowth's East Coast Operations. "The scholarship program is a great example of what can be accomplished when government and industry work together."

The 2011 Scholarship Recipients:
-- Sean Bent, Prince Andrew High School
-- Janelle Boudreau, École Beau-Port
-- Barry Bower, Cobequid Educational Centre
-- Alecia Bowers, Liverpool Regional High School
-- Kyle Boyle, North Queens Rural High School
-- Miguel DeMello, Sydney Academy
-- Marawan El-Sayed, Charles P. Allen
-- Edward Hanifen, Guysborough Academy
-- Eileen Haskett, Dr. J.H. Gillis High School
-- Christopher Keefe, Riverview Rural High School
-- Alexander Lambur, Citadel High School
-- Lauren Lewis, Annapolis West Educational Centre
-- Thomas Lloyd, Liverpool Regional High School
-- Julia Locke, Cobequid Education Centre
-- Catherine Murphy, Halifax West High School
-- Haley Newell, Barrington Municipal High School
-- Ryan Newell, Barrington Municipal High School
-- Ryan Pedersen, Cobequid Educational Centre
-- Samuel Wynn, North Nova Educational Centre

 

For more information on the scholarship program visit: http://www.pengrowthscholars.ca/Program/Requirements/tabid/81/Default.aspx

To view complete article visit:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20111004007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information and Teachers tools (School kits, games and more) visit: http://www.wrwcanada.com/schools

 

ENERGY: POWER TO CHOOSE EXHIBITION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED AT THE CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

On September 27th the Canada Science and Technology Museum celebrated the official launch of Energy: Power to Choose, a new exhibition that explores Canada's energy production, distribution and consumption, and the influences that shape the choices we make. This exhibit is one of the museums' cornerstone contributions to Let's Talk Energy - Engaging Ideas for Canada's Future, a six-year national initiative designed to encourage Canadians to discuss key issues surrounding energy in Canada. This initiative brings together a broad network of institutions and partners, and will offer a series of nationally distributed programs and activities such as travelling and on-line exhibitions, tools for students and teachers, as well as symposiums and workshops (energy.technomuses.ca). At this point, 15 museums and science centers across the country have signed on as partners in this initiative. "We look forward to working with them and others that will join us to offer Canadians in every province and territory valuable information on energy systems in Canada." says Denise Amyot, President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is thankful for the contribution of the Imperial Oil Foundation and EnCana Corporation as major sponsors of the Let's Talk Energy initiative.
Virtual Programs
Classroom Resources for Teachers
Virtual programs bring a part of the Museum to you!
Driving the Future: Transportation, Energy, and the Environment
Astronomy
Cycle-ology
Weather Wise
Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame

How to View and Print the Exploration Guides
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/virtual_programs.cfm

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2011/27/c7120.html


DEEP PANUKE START DATE CHANGES
First Gas Now Coming In March Of 2012

Encana has announced a new target date for the Deep Panuke gas field off Nova Scotia. Dave Kopperson, Encana Corporation's Atlantic vice-president, said that the natural gas company had negotiated a new timeline with Single Buoy Moorings (SBM), which Encana hired to build and operate the production platform at the Deep Panuke gas field off Nova Scotia. The project has been in the works for 10 years and had been scheduled to start production in December. SBM was unable to meet that deadline."Until recently we were expecting production would flow from the platform by the end of this year. Then SBM announced it expects the platform to be ready for service in the first half of 2012. Disappointing for sure," said Kopperson. Encana said it expects gas by the end of March.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

or

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/10/05/ns-encana-sbn-timeline.html

 

 

SIERRA CLUB, FRACKING COMPANY SQUARE OFF

 

The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter has called on the Nova Scotia government to ban fracking, a controversial practice used to extract onshore natural gas. Four environmentalists launched their "ban fracking" campaign, outside the CORE All Energy Conference at the Cunard Centre in Halifax on October 5, coinciding with a town hall session led by energy ministers from P.E.I and Nova Scotia. They became engaged in a lively debate with Peter Hill, the president of Triangle Petroleum, a company that has already fracked in Hants County and wants to further explore for gas in Nova Scotia. Energy Minister Charlie Parker, who spoke outside the conference, said he will not take a position on a fracking ban until government staff completes a study of how other jurisdictions regulate the practice. “I’m waiting till next March when the final report comes in to see what the panel comes up with," he said. The Sierra Club will seek signatures for its "Petition Supporting a Legislated Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas in Nova Scotia" until Nov. 30.
 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

NSP COMMITMENT COULD PUSH DEVELOPMENT OF DONKIN MINE

It might be hyperbole but a lot of people believe Nova Scotia Power holds the key to the development of the Donkin coal mine in Cape Breton sooner rather than later. Peter Akerley, CEO of Erdene Resources Development Corp. of Halifax, the managing partner in the Donkin project, says global mining giant Xstrata, has been in talks with Nova Scotia Power for about four years but those negotiations went off the rails briefly in late 2009, when tighter environmental restrictions on emissions were introduced. Talks were restarted after authorities adjusted the timetable for implementing tighter environmental controls, allowing the power company to continue using "local coals or higher sulphur coals until 2014 or 2015, when more strict emissions begin to kick in." While a spokesman for the provincial power utility has said in the past that his company has concerns about the quality of the thermal coal the Donkin mine would produce, Akerley says he believes the real issue is price. Xstrata is in the midst of the environmental assessment process, which should take about 18 months to complete. The key to bringing the mine into production will be the outcome from the public consultation, which will begin in November. Depending on what happens during that consultation period, he says, Xstrata should be able to push forward with that underground development.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

 

MARINE ENERGY HOLDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PORTS, COASTAL COMMUNITIES

A new report concludes that Nova Scotia ports and coastal communities can benefit from tidal and other renewable marine energy development.  The Marine Renewable Energy Infrastructure Assessment Report, released Sept. 27, details existing infrastructure and what may be needed in the future to help ports and coastal communities better identify opportunities for renewable energy projects. "Ports and businesses will have opportunities to support this exciting emerging industry, from housing large vessels to assembly and acting as base operations for deployment and retrieval of devices," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. The Department of Energy commissioned the report in March to better understand what port-related infrastructure exists, where it is located and what may be needed as the industry evolves. The report focuses on tidal energy development, but it also includes the potential for offshore wind and wave development.
On Sept. 21, Dalhousie University oceanographer Bob Fournier released his report, Marine Renewable Energy Legislation: A Consultative Approach, with a focus on the potential for in-stream tidal development. The Fournier report and the infrastructure assessment study will assist in the development of the province's first marine renewable energy strategy. "These reports contain important information as we proceed with developing an industry that can supply us with secure, affordable electricity while at the same time building local expertise and creating jobs," said Mr. Parker. "Our strategy will respond to this report and the Fournier Report. This is about creating the conditions for the industry to thrive here. Still, the greatest information we can get is from experience in the water."

A copy of the Marine Renewable Energy Infrastructure Assessment Report can be found at http://www.gov.ns.ca/energy/renewables/explore-invest/recent-reports.asp

To view complete article visit:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110927001

 

PROVINCE APPROVES ONSHORE EXPLORATION WELL

PetroWorth Resources has received approval from the Department of Energy to drill an exploratory well in search of oil in the Lake Ainslie area, home of the province's first

onshore well in 1869. "We have carefully reviewed the application and we believe we can have environmental protection and economic development at the same time," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "We know Nova Scotians want assurances that oil and gas activity will not harm our province. We have confidence in our regulations and ability to regulate this industry and protect the environment." This permits the company to drill a vertical exploration well between 1,200 and 1,500 metres in depth. It does not include hydraulic fracturing. The approval is consistent with government's energy strategy to extract oil and gas in the province and not rely on other markets. Nova Scotia has the potential to replace coal with cleaner energy sources, which includes natural gas, and to grow the economy by selling oil and gas to other markets.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

WIND TURBINES BLOW INTO PORT OF HALIFAX

At the Port of Halifax, Premier Darrell Dexter personally greeted the first of 15 wind turbines destined for a new wind farm. The new turbines are destined for the Sprott Power Corp. wind farm in Amherst which is expected to have a generating capacity of 31.5 megawatts. The Amherst wind farm will be the first in North America to use Suzlon Wind Energy Corp.’s new S97 model turbines. Dexter touted the province’s progress toward renewable energy goals (25 per cent by 2015, 40 per cent by 2020), as well as the government’s efforts to create jobs in rural Nova Scotia. “Over the past six years, the price of coal has risen 75 per cent,” Dexter said in a statement. “The government has established aggressive targets to help reduce the province’s dependence on fossil fuels.”

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES:

 

OCTOBER IS ENERGY AWARENESS MONTH

 

Energy Kids
Visit the Energy for Kids website and download energy awareness activities for your class.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/

 

 

 

 

 

EcoKids - How Energy Efficient are You?

  

An interactive computer quiz. Students will chose a room in the on-line house and search for questions by clicking on things in the room. As they answer each question they find out cool facts about how you can save energy around the house.

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/energy/energy_efficient/index.cfm

 

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers has a new fact book on natural gas, you can see and download it from:

http://www.capp.ca/UpstreamDialogue/NaturalGas/Pages/default.aspx#3yPvXaf9EH3y

Go Green Contest
Junior high, senior high, college/ university students currently attending school in Atlantic Canada during 2011 are to prepare and submit a business plan for the fictional town of Greenville. Greenville, a rural Atlantic Canada community of less than 10,000 people, is competing for the title of Most Environmentally-Friendly Community in the World.

 

http://www.atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca/6237-2/
 

 

 

 

 

September 2011

 

Newsletter

 

Energy For Students School Presentations

Visit Our Table  at the AST Conference Friday, October 28th

 

Energy for Students presentations offer current information on the local benefits, career opportunities, resource information, and contact information for the following energy sectors: offshore & onshore oil & gas exploration, development, pipelines, natural gas distribution, residential & commercial uses of natural gas, electric generation, wind power, and other renewable energies.

 

For more information visit: http://www.energyforstudents.ca

Contact us by calling 902-454-4329 or e-mail info@energyconsultant.ca

 

 

SEPTEMBER DEEP PANUKE NEWSLETTER

Encana has posted a new newsletter for the company’s Deep Panuke project in Nova Scotia’s offshore. In this newsletter you’ll learn how the Deep Panuke platform was installed offshore over the summer of 2011, read about a new research and development project to track the travels of birds from Sable Island (project is supported by a blog to assist in reporting sightings of the birds) and you’ll meet the eight Nova Scotia students awarded scholarships in 2011 for studies in engineering and engineering technology.
 

View Newsletter:

http://www.encana.com/operations/canada/deeppanuke/pdfs/news/dp-newsletter-current.pdf

 

FIX N.S. SYSTEM BEFORE INVESTING ELSEWHERE,

LIBERAL LEADER TELLS NOVA SCOTIA POWER, EMERA

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil says Nova Scotia Power and parent

 

company Emera should focus on improving the power system in the province instead of investing elsewhere. McNeil said on September 14th  he didn’t like Emera’s announcement that it has invested almost $39 million in Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp. of Ontario. He said the investment is inappropriate when the system here needs upgrades. The Liberal leader said the utility’s parent company must stop treating Nova Scotians “like a cash cow and must start investing in Nova Scotia.”Emera spokeswoman Sasha Irving said McNeil has ignored the spending Nova Scotia Power has done in the province over the last 10 years. “The fact is, since 2001, Nova Scotia Power has invested $2 billion back into Nova Scotia,” she said. “That equates to approximately its entire amount of earnings in that time, plus an additional $1 billion, so it’s almost double what they’ve earned in that period of time that we’ve invested back into Nova Scotia.”

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

 

NSP SEEKS TO RECOVER MILLIONS 

Nova Scotia Power Inc. wants a deferral mechanism to recover millions of dollars in costs associated with the closure of the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill. In a filing with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on Monday September 12th, the power company said the loss of NewPage, its largest customer, would mean that the 7.2 per cent average rate increase it proposed in May for next year would change to a 10.5 per cent increase. If NewPage doesn’t come back into production in 2012, NSP would need to recover roughly $32 million, according to the utility. The rate application is subject to a hearing. Spokesman David Rodenhiser said Nova Scotia Power isn’t seeking to amend its application and ask for the higher rate due to the pending NewPage closure. "We’re requesting the creation of a deferral mechanism to recover any fixed costs not recovered due to NewPage not being in operation next year," he said in an interview. Rodenhiser said the deferred amount would depend on how long the Point Tupper mill, which has been placed under creditor protection while a new owner is sought, is shut down. The closure will put about 1,000 people out of work and affect thousands of others. The power company said recently it might have to consider closing plants and halting green energy projects if the NewPage mill doesn’t reopen.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power


STUDY: MUSCRAT FALLS CHEAPEST ENERGY OPTIONS FOR N.L 

A consultant's report released on the eve of a provincial election campaign endorses the proposed $6.2-billion Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project as the cheapest power option for Newfoundland and Labrador.  Nalcor Energy, the province's Crown-owned utility, released the $250,000 review September 15th that it commissioned from global energy analyst Navigant Consulting. Muskrat Falls has been a prime target for opposition critics who say it's a rushed response by the Progressive Conservative government to unproven energy demands. They also say the megaproject will hike electricity bills in the short term. Navigant concludes the project would be a reliable, secure source of energy that would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro


CALGARY FIRM SEEKS  N.S. HYDROCARBONS

A Calgary company named for an Irish saint who may have reached Newfoundland before the Vikings is travelling to Nova Scotia in search of hydrocarbons. St. Brendan’s has won exploration rights for three onshore blocks — about 335,500 hectares —in Malagash and Truemanville, Cumberland County, and Scotsburn, Pictou County, the province announced September 14th.The company, an affiliate of Triana Energy of Charleston, W.Va., has committed $10.4 million in exploration spending on the blocks over three years. In announcing the lease agreements September 14th, the government said they have nothing to do with the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing to extract hydrocarbons, which the province is reviewing following concerns about its environmental impacts. Energy Minister Charlie Parker said provincial regulations will ensure that the environment within the blocks, including groundwater, is protected. "Each activity must have a separate application to government and demonstrate measures to protect the environment," Parker said. Landowner approvals and public presentations are also required before any work can be done on the properties.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas


N.S. POWER GIVEN RIGHTS TO CROWN WOOD

BIOMASS PLANT WILL OPERATE EVEN IF NEWPAGE FAILS

 
A critic of Nova Scotia Power's biomass plant under construction in Point Tupper said the utility has been given the right to harvest 175,000 tonnes of biomass on Crown land if the NewPage mill goes out of business. Neal Livingston, a small hydro producer and an environmentalist, said most ratepayers don't realize that if NewPage goes out of business, the province has agreed to give Nova Scotia Power access to the wood needed for the plant. Nova Scotia Power has said it intends to finish the $200-million biomass plant, even if the NewPage pulp and paper mill shuts down permanently. September 6th, Dexter confirmed the company has filed for bankruptcy.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Biomass


FARMERS LEARN ABOUT CONVERTING GRASS INTO FUEL

Farmers from across Atlantic Canada gathered in Truro, N.S., on Tuesday September 12 to learn about converting grass into fuel. The technology is based on converting marginal grassland and unwanted hay into pellets that can be burned in wood or pellet stoves or furnaces. Gus Swanson, a Pictou County farmer and inventor, created a furnace to burn hay pellets. He said he came up with the idea several years ago when the price of oil went up. Swanson now heats a three-bedroom apartment, a two-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom house with hay pellets for about $300 a month. He was previously spending $900 a month when he used oil to heat the properties. Swanson is working on the project with a furnace maker in Pictou, a company that makes pellet machines in Cape Breton and government scientists at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Scientists estimate up to 100,000 homes could be heated with locally-grown grass if farmers show enough interest in using their fields to produce biomass fuels.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies

 

 

COMMUNITY FEED-IN TARIFF PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Community-Based Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) concept was introduced in the 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan to help reduce green-house gas emissions, provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices and create jobs. The program began accepting applications Monday September 19th, 2011. On the first day of applications more than 60 project proposals were received from more than a dozen community groups for a unique,

made-in-Nova Scotia initiative to encourage community participation in renewable energy projects. "It's exciting to see this kind of response for these community green energy projects," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "These projects will reduce our dependence on coal and get communities involved in innovative partnerships and opportunities. It allows for broader participation in renewable energy, resulting in projects that benefit, and are rooted, in communities." The COMFIT program will help the province reach its aggressive renewable electricity targets of 25 per cent renewable electricity by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020. The province expects 100 megawatts to be produced through the COMFIT.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies


DSTN PRODUCES FIRST TOWER SECTION

DSTN reached another major milestone recently when it

transferred its first, unpainted, steel tower section from its production shop to its paint facilities. Commenting on the significance of the event, DSTN’s operations superintendant Brad Matthews said: "Starting a new factory is about much more than just installing equipment and hitting the ‘on’ switch. Over the last few months we have invested an enormous amount of time and effort in installing new equipment, commissioning it and then bringing everyone up to speed with that equipment as well as the demanding processes associated with tower manufacturing. This tower is the result of that effort." The tower section, measuring 23.6 meters in length and weighing 29 tonnes, is the top section of a wind tower that will reach a total height of over 85 meters. The tower will now be transferred to the paint shop where the steel will be blasted, painted and top-coated before all the internals are installed. Once that process is completed the section will be kept in DSTN's new storage yard until it is collected by its client.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

 

FLOATING PIPELINE CO. GETS TRANSPORT CANADA OK

Floating Pipeline Company Ltd (FPC) could soon be transporting natural gas to customers in Canada. The Halifax-headquartered company manufactures 42-inch diameter containers in Saint John, N.B. The containers are fastened to a truck chassis and are capable of carrying up to 280,000 cubic feet of compressed gas from a stranded gas well, distribution line or a pipeline, to industrial customers. FPC has been working with partners in Peru, Thailand, Colombia and the Dominican Republic for about five years. In some of those markets, FPC partners with a company on the ground that transports the gas from point A to point B. After millions of dollars and almost two years worth of paperwork, FPC has special permit under the Transport of Dangerous Good Act for its technology from Transport Canada. Expanding beyond manufacturing into transportation in Canada has always been part of the plan, said FPC president and founding partner Len Thompson. FPC employs 25 people in New Brunswick and six engineering and accounting staff at the head office in Halifax.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

DRAFT COAL REGULATIONS COULD COST NOVA SCOTIANS

A federal plan to retire most of Canada's coal-fired power plants by 2030 claims the impact on Nova Scotians would be minimal. But the province fears it would cause enormous costs for consumers and businesses. The federal departments of Environment and Health recently published the long-awaited draft regulations on coal-fired plants. The plan would force old plants in six provinces to close 45 years after they were commissioned. Any new coal plants would have to match the greenhouse gas emissions achieved by high-efficiency natural gas generating stations. Under the draft regulations, NSPI would have to phase-out six of its eight coal-fired units. That accounts for 952 megawatts of generation capacity - 53% of the province's total. The policy says provinces might be allowed to close newer plants in some instances if it makes more sense to keep older ones in operation longer. If Nova Scotia does not make that kind of swap, the first coal unit to close would be at Trenton, in 2016. The federal government has promised its policy would not create undue economic hardship for Nova Scotia.

To view complete article visit:
http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES
 

Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada is intended to raise public consciousness about waste and its environmental and social ramifications. The WRW theme, “Too Good To Waste” is about conveying an appreciation for the richness and beauty of our diverse world and the importance of working toward ecological sustainability by conserving resources and curbing wasteful practices. School is the perfect place to practice waste reduction. Students who learn about waste in their classrooms or run their own composting or recycling programs can help teach their families about how to minimize waste.

For more information and Teachers tools (School kits, games and more) visit: http://www.wrwcanada.com/schools

 

Nova Scotia Recycles Contest
 
The Nova Scotia Recycles Contest is an opportunity to take action and promote waste reduction in your community. The purpose of the contest is to encourage participation in recycling and composting programs, and to celebrate the ongoing role of Nova Scotia youth in making this province a recognized leader in waste reduction. Open to students in grades primary to twelve, the contest is launched each fall and offers over $55,000 in cash and prizes!

 

For more information visit:

http://www.rrfb.com/ns-recycling-challenge.asp

 Electro City

This online sim game that has been developed specifically for teachers and students between Years 7 and 9. Students build and manage their own virtual towns and cities, making important decisions and learning about energy generation, environmental management and many more practical and relevant concepts. There is plenty of real-world information built into the game and kids can put that information to good use in their own cities.

 

 

For more information visit: http://www.electrocity.co.nz/

 

June 2011 Newsletter

 

JUNE  DEEP PANUKE NEWSLETTER

Encana has posted a new newsletter for the company’s Deep Panuke project in Nova Scotia’s offshore. In this newsletter you’ll learn more about offshore programs based in Nova Scotia this year to support first gas from the project, a new career video about working offshore and support for Project Webfoot, a popular learning program offered by Ducks Unlimited Canada and supported by Encana.

 View Newsletter: http://www.encana.com/operations/canada/deeppanuke/pdfs/news/dp-newsletter-current.pdf 
 

 

 

 

2011 NSYES TEAM NOVA SCOTIA SHOWCASE

A potential cure for cancer is just one of the extraordinary projects that was
on display at the 2011 NSYES Team Nova Scotia Showcase at SMU on Saturday, May 7th. Forty of Nova Scotia’s brightest young minds dazzled the public with their expertise in the McNally Main Auditorium at Saint Mary's University. “This is a wonderful chance to interact with some of Nova Scotia’s most innovative and globally minded young people” says Cliff Coveyduc, Executive director of NSYES. Many of the featured projects have an emphasis on improving the world around us, including a process for neutralizing battery acid using sea shells, and a spruce tree extract that could lead to a cure for cancer. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun too” says Kirsty Doyle, a 2009 Showcase participant. Each year more than 10,000 Nova Scotian students work for months to conduct experiments before competing in school-based science fairs. Members of this year’s Showcase team represented Nova Scotia at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Toronto, ON and we achieved a record metal count. With less than 3% of the population of Canada, we brought home over 12% of the prizes.

 

Congratulations Team Nova Scotia!

                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Dominique Duggan - "C" the Difference: Boosting Efforts To Lose Weight

  Kendra MacCuspic - Liberation Determination - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Nolan Smith - No Idle Matter
  

• Kathleen Orrell - Spotting the Difference - Awards: The Maurice Pollack Foundation Scholarship Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Brandon Fillmore - "LBS" A Turn For The Better - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Natalie Fisher - Evergreen Ever Gone? The Anti-cancer Properties of Oils from Evergreens - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Charlotte Donaldson & Megan Smith - Extreme Immobilization - Awards: The Manning Innovation Achievement Award, The Manning Innovation Achievement Award, Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Rumana Rafiq - The Truth To Youth - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Hannah Martin - A Time for Change - Awards: Excellence Award - Junior - Bronze Medal
  

• Milton King - Accessible Exercise
  

• Sarah Maccallum - Bigger Faster Stronger Sooner - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Silver Medal   
  

• Emma Bush - For Better or For Worse: A Relationship Between Equine Conformation and Lameness - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Ellen Song - Apple Aroma: Enhancement of Apple Volatile Production Using Precursor Treatments - Awards: International Year of Chemistry (MILSET ESI) Award, Excellence Award - Senior - Silver Medal .
  

• Prathana Nathan - Automatic Fire Extinguisher
  

• Liz Furniss - Sounds Good to Me! - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Zorro Li - Studying Canard Configuration under Low Airspeed Conditions &
  

• Its Applications - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Hanna Marie Longard - Aromatherapy: Think Fast ! - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Nichole vanDyk - Berry Nutritious - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Silver Medal
  

• Kirsten Ernst - Noises Beware; My Decibel Meter is Listening - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Gavin Raddall - Save Your Seashells- Save The Environment - Awards: Challenge Award - Resources – Intermediate Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Scott Peters - The Art of Deception
  

• Tanas SylliboyJohn Stevens - REZ Diet
  

• Kelsey Keddy - Better home heating and generator systems - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Adrian Howie - Searching for Neuroprotectants in Natural Compound - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Silver Medal   
  

• Alexander Sapp - Sound Localization: The Shape of The Ear - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Silver Medal
  

• Julia Sarty - Sissonne: The relation between knee angle and impact force - Awards: Excellence Award - Junior - Silver Medal
  

• Nathan MurthaDouglas Sheppard - Stimulate Your Brain - Awards: Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal
  

• Brandon Doucette - Casiers vs tuyaux pour les homards - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Benjamin Chisholm - Le Sodium
  

• Chantal Surette - Pensez-y le potentiel de l'entraînement virtuel
  

• Arash Marzi - Designing an Intelligent Classifier for Diagnostic Reasoning
  

• Hanah Marie DeGruchy - Smart Slime
  

• Hannah Gillis - Emergency Measures Access Plans; E-MAP - Awards: Excellence Award - Intermediate - Bronze Medal
  

• Creighton Jewkes - La Viabilité d'Utiliser Le Pouvoir Solaire Chez Moi
  

• Melissa Renn - Le pouvoir solaire
  

• Keegan O'Connell - Les Algues : l'avenir de l'essence
  

• Melanie Renn- Moulin à vent Solaire

 For more information on NSYES visit: http://www.sciencefairinfo.ns.ca/nsyes/

 

 

PETROLEUM HR COUNCIL OF CANADA

HR TREND SURVEYS

 

In 2011, the first baby boomers reach 65. This is significant as it means more workers leave Canada's workforce than enter it, opening the gap between labour supply and projected labour needs. For the petroleum industry this is a major concern. Over 30% of the industry's core workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, at the same time as traditional labour pools decline. Projections of the industry's workforce by the Petroleum HR Council show that even if energy prices and industry activity levels are low, there remains a need to hire approximately 39,000 workers just to replace workers lost due to age-related attrition.

 

For more information and analysis about the trends causing changes in the petroleum industry's labour market visit:

Short-term trends

Medium & long term trends

 

In-demand jobs

 

Petroleum HR Council of Canada: http://www.petrohrsc.ca/council-projects/project-list/labour-market-information/overall-trends.aspx

 

 

HERITAGE GAS SEEKS RAISE

 

Heritage Gas Ltd. has filed a general tariff application with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB).  Proposed rate increases are different for each customer rate class. The company said a typical residential customer would see less than an $8.00 increase in 2012. “The rate increases allow the company to match billed revenues to the cost of providing its service. Being able to recover the full cost of service in rates is critical to the continued healthy growth of the distribution franchise,” said Jim Bracken, president of Heritage Gas. “These rate increases will allow Heritage Gas to deliver more gas to more Nova Scotians at a price that is still expected to be substantially cheaper than oil.” The bills have two components – delivery service and cost of natural gas without mark up. The natural gas charges are not regulated by the NSUARB. Heritage Gas says that its distribution rates have been set at levels that are less than what’s needed to recover their cost.

 

For more information visit: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

 

 

 
MI'KMAQ CHIEFS DISCUSSING LOWER CHURCHILL PROJECT CONCERNS WITH EMERA

 

 

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs says it has discussed potential concerns surrounding the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador with Emera Inc. Last year, Emera and Newfoundland's Nalcor Energy announced an agreement over the proposed $6.2-billion project. Assembly co-chairman Chief Gerard Julien says discussions with Emera have been preliminary so far. He says the chiefs have concerns over the project's impact on Mi'kmaq territory, including a subsea cable that will transport electricity from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. Julien says the cable will be located near the Eskasoni and Membertou First Nation communities in Cape Breton. Once more details become available, Julian says he hopes both sides will meet again and move forward on any outstanding issues.

 

View Article: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

 

PREMIER WELCOMES LOWER CHURCHILL PLEDGE

 

Premier Darrell Dexter welcomed the pledge in the federal Speech from the Throne to support development of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project. "The Prime Minister pledged his support for the project during the Speech from the Throne as he said he would," said Premier Dexter. "We have said all along that this is a great national project and I am glad the Prime Minister sees it that way as well and has reiterated government's support for it in the throne speech."  The Lower Churchill project will guarantee Nova Scotia an abundant supply of clean, green hydroelectricity for more than three decades. It will account for between eight and 10 per cent of Nova Scotia's total power needs when it starts flowing in 2017.  "This is a win-win situation for all of us," said Premier Dexter. "Nova Scotians are tired of rising electricity bills and they want to see stable electricity prices. This project and the federal government's support will go a long way to keeping electricity prices down in the early years and making life more affordable for Nova Scotians." The benefit of federal support for the project will go directly to keeping prices down for ratepayers.

View Article: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

WORLD'S LEADING TIDAL ENERGY CENTRES FORGE ALLIANCE

 

 

The world's most recognized tidal energy research and development sites are combining forces to make their research efforts smarter, faster, and more coordinated. Richard Morris, Commercial Director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), and John Woods, Chair of the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) signed a strategic agreement at the All-Energy Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland, to help advance the marine renewable energy industry worldwide. “Over two thirds of the surface of the planet is ocean. The better we understand how to safely and reliably harness its energy potential, the sooner we’ll see the benefits to both our economy and environment,” said Mr. Woods. “This agreement means we can get there faster: Two heads are better than one.” “There have been more grid-connected marine energy converters deployed at EMEC than any other single site in the world,” said Mr. Morris. “From world leading first-hand experience over the last eight years, EMEC has developed extensive knowledge.We are happy to be using our test centre know-how to further device testing in other countries.” According to Renewable UK the marine renewable industry could deliver 10,000 jobs by 2020 in the UK. EMEC are delighted to be working with FORCE and the industry leaders to make sure this clean energy source delivers.”

View Article : http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Tidal

 

NEW ERA POWERS UP AT TRENTON COMPLEX

 

On Tuesday June 14th, Premier Darrell Dexter joined the province’s business partner,

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Ltd., at the reopening of the former TrentonWorks railcar manufacturing plant. The plant employs about 100 workers. Daewoo has said employment will increase to about 400 once it starts building turbine blades at the facility over the next year. While they expect to build 50 towers this year, the goal is to produce 250 towers annually by 2015, with sale revenues of $115 million, according to Daewoo president Sang-Tae Nam. Nam said the wind turbine industry has grown significantly in recent years and the meltdown of nuclear facilities in Japan, following an earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, will compound that growth. Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Trenton Ltd. "is a great example of a project that wouldn’t have happened without the co-operation of the town, the province and the federal government," Dexter said.

  

Quick Facts Available: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

View Article: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

 

SHEAR WIND MOVES FORWARD IN NS AND NB

 

Shear Wind Inc. has secured a new project site in Nova Scotia which will fit well into Shear Wind's strategy for future development and growth. The new location, named Canaan Mountain, is on the west side of the province, and the project land has been secured with the local landowners. Shear Wind has initiated an interconnection application with Nova Scotia Power to ensure access to transmission for future development. Two meteorological towers will be erected immediately to collect wind data necessary to assess which turbine technology best suits the site. Advancement of the Benjamin River project site which was secured a few years ago in northern New Brunswick is another priority for Shear Wind. Wind assessment will commence this summer with the erection of a meteorological tower on site.

 

View Article : http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

 
ENERGY MINISTER MINDS HIS WORDS ON JOINT GRID

 

 

Prince Edward Island Energy Minister Richard Brown, suggested New Brunswick’s system operator should oversee the energy requirements of the region, “A regional system operator could play to the provinces’ strengths — for instance, during periods of high wind in Nova Scotia, more wind energy would be pushed into the grid. Energy continues to be dealt with in silos in Atlantic Canada, but I think both the utilities and the governments have realized those silos have to come down,” Brown told the Telegraph Journal. Before weighing in on the idea, Nova Scotia’s energy minister Charlie Parker wants to see the results of recently commissioned reports into the issue. “We’re waiting for those studies to come forward and see what options they might present to us,” said Parker. “Until those studies come forward, I can’t say what might be the best at this point in time.” Parker reiterated he believes in working with the three other Atlantic prov­inces on energy matters — but he would not say if he thought NBSO taking the reins was the best option.

View Complete Article: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

ALGAL BIOFUEL RESEARCH DRAWS ATTENTION FROM GOVERNOR GENERAL

 

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will observe how Canadian researchers in Nova Scotia are discovering alternative ways to produce renewable energy, while reducing Canada's carbon footprint. For the past 50 years, the National Research Council of Canada  has been growing algae in sea water at the Marine Research Station in Nova Scotia. Researchers there are now examining the potential for algae to become a renewable source of energy that benefits Canada's environment and economy. Research under the National Bioproducts Program has demonstrated that certain strains of algae can produce oil yields that are many times greater than traditional agricultural crops like wheat and corn. This oil can then be refined to produce renewable biofuel. Algae require no arable land to grow and therefore do not compete with Canadian food production. What's more, algae need large amounts of carbon dioxide. This gives biofuel from algae a two-fold advantage over fossil fuels: not only is algae a renewable source of energy, but production of algal biofuel may also be used to recycle greenhouse gases from industrial sources.

 

View Article: http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies

 

 

PROVINCE TO MAKE LED STREETLIGHTS LAW

 

Legislation introduced April 21, will make LED lighting mandatory on Nova Scotia's roads and highways. "This legislation means reduced energy costs, and lower greenhouse gas and mercury emissions, which is good news for all Nova Scotians," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "As the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce legislation like this, we are reinforcing our position as a leader in adopting green technologies." LED lights are expected to use less than half the energy of current lights. When combined with reduced maintenance costs, the estimated annual savings are about $18 million. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30,000 tons and save a half kilogram of mercury each year.

 

 

 

View Article: http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110421003

 

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES

 

Climate Change

    nova scotia

 

 Toward a Greener Future

You will find this an informative site about what is going on across our province including

• The facts on Climate

• What NS is doing

• What you can do

http://climatechange.gov.ns.ca/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And interactive game where students try to stop the Energy Hog from wasting energy.

 

http://www.hogandseek.org/intro.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher Zone

 

 

Learning about energy is fun with CFL Charlie™.  The Touchstone Energy ® Cooperatives “Super Energy Saver” program is a fully integrated energy education campaign that includes web-based lessons, web activities and games, and printed materials.  The program teaches children about energy, electrical safety, energy efficiency and renewable energy.   The lessons and activities are designed to meet national learning standards and are recommended for grades K-5.

 

 

http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/teacherzone/teacherzone.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2011

 

Newsletter

 

DEEP PANUKE OPEN HOUSE

Encana and contractor representatives will be on hand to discuss upcoming activities in 2011 to support the Deep Panuke natural gas project.

Date May 17
Location Mulgrave Fire Hall, Mulgrave, Nova Scotia
Time Drop by anytime between 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Date May 18
Location Goldboro Interpretive Centre, Goldboro, Nova Scotia
Time Drop by anytime between 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

If you have any questions, call 902.422.4500 or email dpinfo@encana.com

 

MATH ON OLYMPIAD COMPETITION

 

The Provincial Math On Olympiad Competition was held on May 7th at Sexton Memorial Gymnasium, Dalhousie University. Carole Olsen gave a welcome address to students and Mike McLellan delivered an inspiring message to the 94 mathletes and over 200 spectators and parents. Schools participating were: Astral Drive Junior High(Dartmouth), Bedford Junior High (Bedford), Bridgewater School (Bridgewater), Cornwallis Junior High(Halifax), Five Bridges Junior High (Hubley), Gorsebrook JuniorHigh (Halifax), Leslie Thomas Junior High (Lower Sackville), Ross Road Junior High(Westphal), Whitney Pier Junior High(Cape Breton). Mathletes competed for the coveted Math On Trophy, and put their math creativity to work during the SuperNova’s Engineering Challenge. Gorsebrook Junior High was the overall Math On winner, while Ross Road Junior High won the Engineering Challenge by constructing the best cardboard chair. The success of this competition can be attributed to the many student and teacher volunteers, the parent and guest participation, and the enthusiasm for a good math challenge demonstrated by the competitors.

 

Special thanks to sponsors Encana, Department of Education, Halifax Regional School Board and our Math On Teacher Organizing Committee Irene Angelopoulos, Stephanie Barnaby, Jen Comeau, Linda Joyce, Duncan Harvie, Lisa O’Brien, Brenda Vaughan and Susan Wilkie.

   

Math On Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MawikPFBb34
Math On website: http://www.math-on.ednet.ns.ca/

 

  

For more information please contact:

Irene Angelopoulos
HRSB Mathematics Coach
Bicentennial School, Oxford School, Nelson Whynder Elementary School
angeloi@staff.ednet.ns.ca

SHEAR WIND CELEBRATES OPENING OF GLEN DHU WIND FARM

Government officials including the Premier of Nova Scotia, the Minister of Energy, municipal leaders, shareholders, industry partners and community members were in attendance to celebrate the official opening of Shear Wind’s 62.1-Megawatt Glen Dhu wind farm on May 9th, 2011.  The Glen Dhu Wind Farm allows the province to meet its 2015 renewable energy targets. The wind energy produced by the Glen Dhu Wind Farm is expected to represent 35 per cent of Nova Scotia Power’s 2010 Renewable Energy Standard (RES) target and is anticipated to produce energy to power 18,000 homes. “In 2002, we had two wind turbines in Nova Scotia. Today there are more than 160 commercial turbines,” said Premier Dexter. “Nova Scotia has some of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the world. We are achieving those targets through the hard work, ingenuity and innovation of organizations such as Shear Wind. It’s an exciting time to be part of the energy business in Nova Scotia.”

Shear Wind estimates that the Glen Dhu Wind Farm has resulted in a direct and indirect investment of approximately $40 million in Nova Scotia, $22 million of which has been invested directly in Pictou and Antigonish counties and $2 million of which was generated through worker spending. Shear Wind has mapped out a three-fold expansion for Glen Dhu in Phases two and three that will harness the steady Northumberland Strait winds and produce more wind energy. Shear Wind estimates that a phase two and phase three expansion of the Glen Dhu site could realize an additional 170 Megawatts. The company also has properties for wind farm development in New Brunswick and Alberta.

View complete article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

WIND BREAKS N.S. POWER GENERATION RECORD

At least our cold, wet spring weather is good for generating green energy. Nova Scotia Power Inc. announced that there were two days in April when 20 per cent of the province’s electricity came from wind power. "It’s the most that we’ve ever gotten from wind in the history of the province," Rob Bennett, president of Nova Scotia Power, said in an interview earlier this week. On April 24 at midnight, wind farms generated 250 megawatts of power, surpassing the previous record of 235 megawatts set on April 14 at 8 a.m. On an average day, five to 10 per cent of power comes from wind, Nova Scotia Power says. The amount varies based on such factors as demand for electricity, time of year and time of day. Seven wind farms, with a total of 119 turbines, have been added to the grid since December 2009. They are owned by Nova Scotia Power and private producers. The Dexter government has mandated that 25 per cent of electricity be generated by renewable sources by 2015, increasing to 40 per cent by 2020. Coal generated 65 per cent of the province’s power last year, down from 80 per cent in 2006, Bennett told the company’s annual shareholders meeting in Halifax on Wednesday.

 

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind



TIDAL POWER DREAMS ABOUND IN DIGBY NECK AREA
Studies Underway To Determine Best Turbine Locations

Talk of electricity feed-in tariffs and tidal currents might elicit yawns in some parts of the world, but not on Long and Brier islands on Digby Neck. The traditional fishing communities that extend from Westport up to Tiverton are abuzz with the possibilities of generating commercial levels of electricity at two sites, beginning in 2012, from the powerful tides that define Grand and Petit passages. "These are not the biggest tidal energy projects happening in the Bay of Fundy, but they are significant, especially in terms of socioeconomic impact," Dana Morin, president of Westport-based Fundy Tidal Inc., said May 6th, 2011. This summer scientists will release sensors into the powerful tides, in an effort to assess prime locations for tidal turbines. By using sound waves, the sensors will also help scientists determine how whales and porpoises respond to the most powerful tidal currents. The biggest limitation on the amount of power that can be added to the provincial grid from the Petite and Grand passage locations is deficient power transmission infrastructure, he said. Westport village commissioner Jim Outhouse said people in the area have worked long and hard to promote Digby County as a research and development hub for the emerging tidal industry. "We see this new industry as a means to return to more prosperous days and attract new families, business and jobs to the region," he said in a press release on the project.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Tidal

 

N.S. LOWERS PRICE OF DIESEL, NOT GAS

The drop in the price of diesel midnight on Friday May 6th " is necessary due to significant shifts in the market price of diesel oil," the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board said in a news release. The release states that while there have been market changes in the price of gasoline, they are "not sufficient to warrant changes in the retail price at this time."Energy prices took a beating in the markets in New York on May 5th 2011. The review board says it monitors the markets for diesel oil and gasoline daily and may set a new price at any time. The Petroleum Products Pricing Act and Regulations permits the Board to interrupt the regularly scheduled weekly setting of prices and reset the price to respond to sudden significant increases or decreases in petroleum product prices. With the price of a barrel of crude oil tumbled, Nova Scotia motorists were expecting a break at the pumps. But the price for a litre of gas is staying the same — at least for now. The price will change over time, and drivers just have to be patient, Dale Madill, a spokesman with Service Nova Scotia, said Friday. "The pricing process right now is designed to meet the objectives of stability and keeping the little gas stations open, in making sure that one place isn't a lot higher than the other," he said.

View Complete Article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/05/06/ns-diesel-price-drop.html

 

 

N.S. POWER DISCUSSES RATE STABILIZATION PLAN

Nova Scotia Power met with customer representatives on May 5 to discuss a plan that would stabilize growth in electricity prices for three years. The proposed Rate Stabilization Plan would hold rate increases to four percent per year for 2012 to 2014 for each customer class. Last month, NS Power initiated a public discussion with customer representatives aimed at developing a multi-year approach to smooth increases in electricity rates through 2014.  The Rate Stabilization Plan builds on that effort. In order for a rate change to take effect on January 1, 2012, Nova Scotia Power will be required to file a General Rate Application with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) later this month. Nova Scotia Power has not yet made a final decision to make such a filing "Our customers have benefitted from Nova Scotia Power being able to avoid a general rate application for three years," Mr. Gallant said. "However, since 2009, we've made substantial investments in infrastructure, reliability improvements, and recruiting and retaining skilled workers. Those investments haven't been accounted for in rates, and coal prices are continuing to climb." Using current rates, 2012 revenues would be $94.4 million less than forecasted requirements of $1.34 billion. Without the Rate Stabilization Plan, NS Power is forecasting average increases in general rates of 9 percent in 2012, four percent in 2013 and two percent in 2014. The Plan proposes to defer recovery of fuel cost increases for three years. Recovery of deferred costs would begin in 2015. If approved by the UARB, new general electricity rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2012.

View Complete Article:

 http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power

NOVA SCOTIA MAPS PLAY FAIRWAY TO ATTRACT EXPLORERS

Nova Scotia is preparing to make public the results of two years of research into the complex geology of the province’s Atlantic shelf and slope in a move to attract explorers to an offshore bid round to be held as early as late 2011. The soon-to-be-released play fairway analysis is the product of $15 million in extensive geoscience research and may be the first time an effort of such scope has been applied outside an exploration company. The results are to be made available electronically without charge to oil and gas exploration companies, said R.A. MacMullin, director, Nova Scotia Department of Energy. Among other things, the research turned up solid evidence of two Jurassic source rocks, he said. The northeastern part of the 500-mile-long study area appears more gas-prone, while the southwestern part seems more oil-prone, he added. A biostratigraphic project that is one of the 10 special projects in the play fairway analysis was undertaken by the Offshore Energy Technical Research Association, Halifax, said Jennifer Matthews, research manager. Funds for the analysis came from the Department of Energy and originated as forfeiture payments made a decade ago by companies which, having drilled dry holes, relinquished exploration licenses before they expired. The department launched the play fairway analysis as it sought to explain the early departures and determine what might rekindle interest.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

 

STUDY TRIPLES N.S. OIL, GAS ESTIMATES
Energy: Province's energy minister says two-year analysis of reserves reveals 'very significant numbers'

Nova Scotia's energy minister says the province's offshore territory contains three times as much oil and gas as previously thought: 120 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and eight billion barrels of oil. "Those are very significant numbers," Charlie Parker said Wednesday during a breakfast speech to the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia. "We now see much more petroleum potential in our offshore than we've ever projected before." Parker says the new oil and gas estimates are the result of a $15-million study launched two years ago. To be released in the coming weeks, the study pooled geological data from industry consultants, local universities, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, the Geological Survey of Canada and the provincial Energy Department. The analysis was conducted to better understand Nova Scotia's oil and gas holdings, in the hope of luring major oil and gas companies back to Nova Scotia's fading offshore sector. Exploration of Nova Scotia's offshore began 50 years ago. Since then, the oil and gas sector has pumped billions of dollars into the province, including hundreds of millions directly into government coffers. At times, offshore royalties have been the province's largest source of revenue, behind taxes.

 

Nova Scotia's offshore has been the scene of three main developments: a small oil project that is no longer in production; the sizeable Sable gas fields, which have been sending natural gas through the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline since 1999; and Encana's Deep Panuke project, which is expected to produce natural gas from the Scotian Shelf sometime in 2011. Recent developments, however, have raised questions about the future of Nova Scotia's offshore sector. Last July, ExxonMobil said it would not be producing natural gas from additional fields in the Sable project. The new analysis of Nova Scotia's geological holdings will be used to convince large oil and gas companies of the province's potential. "We're going to promote this and let the world know what we have here," Parker said, noting one-on-one meetings have been arranged with "super major" oil and gas companies in Texas, Alberta and Europe.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Offshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

HALIFAX RESIDENT PUSHES FOR GAS HOOKUP
Application Says Heritage Gas Taking Too Long To Expand Service

A south-end Halifax resident is again asking the provincial regulator to help him get his home hooked up to natural gas. Peter Allen wrote the provincial Utility and Review Board the first week of May 2011 requesting that it review the guaranteed rates of return that Heritage Gas, the provincial natural gas distributor, receives. Allen said one of the reasons the Alberta-owned company says the cost of bringing natural gas to homes in his area is too high is because Heritage gets a 13 per cent return on equity and an 8.75 per cent return on debt. "I certainly think that Heritage Gas, its investors, they deserve a return on their investment," he said in an interview. "But I think anybody who’s guaranteed 13 per cent today is really living in la-la land." Allen said he has yet to receive a response from the review board.

 

Allen and another south-end resident complained to the board last year that Heritage Gas was taking too long to expand its pipelines in its franchise area of peninsular Halifax. The regulator dismissed the complaints in a decision released in December. The board did order Heritage Gas to review the way it estimates costs for specific areas, using alternatives such as different installation techniques and the economics of a large-scale installation, and to file a report by the end of May. Allen said he thinks returns of 9.5 per cent on equity and 5.5 per cent on debt would be more reasonable. "If we reduce those rates down to values that, I believe, are still absolutely reasonable in order for Heritage Gas to make a good return on their investment, then the economics change dramatically and suddenly now it’s economically feasible to move natural gas to the people of Nova Scotia, who own the resource." Two other south-end residents have also written the board supporting Allen’s application. Heritage Gas has 3,000 customers in Halifax Regional Municipality, Amherst and the area around Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

HERITAGE GAS SEEKS OK FOR 2011 SPRING BUILD OUT

 

Heritage Gas has officially applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for the latest leg of its Bedford expansion. It is seeking approval of a permit to construct a total of 7.6 kilometres of pipeline in the area, much of which will connect new residential housing developments. The natural gas utility is planning to expand along Hammonds Plains Road to Farmer's Dairy, to the Waterfront Drive area from Bedford Highway, in Bedford South in conjunction with Clayton Developments, in West Bedford in conjunction with Clayton Developments, and in Thistle Grove in conjunction with Whitestone Developments. Heritage Gas hopes to add 750 new customers in 2011, and will begin construction around mid-May. About 20 kilometres of new lines are to be built in Dartmouth and the Halifax Mainland. Another 10 kilometres will be added through Bedford West and Bedford South, continuing the expansion begun last year. The utility has a capital spending budget for 2011 of $20 million. Heritage Gas has added 100 customers so far this year, bringing its customer count just above 3,000 - about 1,400 residential and 1,600 commercial. It also released a list of pre-qualified contractors that will work on the build-out, including Sackville Trenching Limited, Robert B. Somerville, Dexter Construction, Ocean Contractors Limited, Brycon Construction Limited, Louisbourg Pipelines Inc. and LinkLine Contractors.

 

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

PETROWORTH WANTS LICENCE EXTENDED
Public Opposition To Fracking Delays Lake Ainslie Project

Fracking fears are stalling an oil company’s plan to drill an onshore well near Lake Ainslie in Cape Breton. PetroWorth Resources Inc. says it submitted an application to the province last September to drill a vertical 1,200-metre well on a 155,000-hectare property just west of the lake. It had expected to be able to drill by last November. "However, due to public concerns about oil and gas drilling in general and hydraulic fracking in particular, the permitting process has become protracted, resulting in delays likely until sometime in 2011," says PetroWorth’s management discussion and analysis, released Tuesday May 3, 2011. Fracking involves the use of water, sand and chemicals to free natural gas underneath shale rock formations. The Dexter government recently announced a review of the controversial practice that opponents say can threaten drinking water and harm the environment. The industry maintains fracking is safe and is used effectively in other jurisdictions. PetroWorth, which has held a petroleum exploration agreement in southern Inverness County since 2004, says it has submitted a letter to the province requesting a one-year extension on the Lake Ainslie licence. Tracy Barron, an Energy Department spokeswoman, said the department is still reviewing PetroWorth’s drilling application. The decision will be made after the province has reviewed all of the information about the planned drilling, including results of aboriginal consultations PetroWorth is holding, Barron said. "The application for an exploratory well in Lake Ainslie doesn’t include fracking; it has nothing to do with fracking." The province’s fracking review is slated to be done by early 2012.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Onshore_Oil_And_Gas

 

 

 

Teachers Resources

 

 

 

EarthCARE Environmental Quizzes, Handouts, Activities & Lessons
EarthCARE An Environmental Education Partnership™ is an action-oriented, curriculum-aligned program focusing on energy conservation, waste reduction, and water conservation. It is a part of the Better Schools Partnership® Model (BSP) of Ameresco Canada. EarthCARE is a program that not only promotes more effective conservation behaviours but also provides a mechanism and process for turning awareness into action (thereby reducing utility costs by 5 - 10%).

 

To download &  sample lesson plans and activities visit: http://www.earthcarecanada.com/EarthCARE_Program/EarthCARE_lessons.asp

 

The files available here are either HTML or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). While HTML versions of all lessons and activities will be made added soon, most PDF files are under 100kb and will download in under a minute at typical connection speeds.

 

 

Solar Energy Education Experiments
It's never too early to start our children's solar energy education, kids learn best when they are able to DO with their hands.

Experiments:
The Hot Bounce: Learn how temperature can affect the behavior of a high bounce ball in this very cheap and easy experiment!
White Light RBG: This easy to set up experiment allows your child to investigate some of the properties of visible light and the effect of mixing different color lights.
Water Purification: This setup will demonstrate that clean drinking water can be harvested from a relatively polluted source using evaporation through solar power. This is one of the easiest water science experiments to set up and is one of the most rewarding for young children.
Wood Art: Harness the power of the sun with a magnifying glass to create art in this fun solar energy education experiment. But make sure to have a bucket of water or a hose ready!
Water Pressure: Learn about how pressure relates to rate of water flow in this cheap and simple water pressure experiment. This also covers the basics of voltage in electric circuits!

The Speed Of Sound: This experiment tests the speed of sound in air using nothing other than two bits of wood and a mobile phone.
Nail Rusting: This nail rusting experiment is a great introduction to the concepts of corrosion, electron transfer and alloy properties.
Preferential Rusting: This experiment builds on the nail rusting experiment to show the ability of metals to protect one another through rusting at different rates. Have a look at this excellent preferential rusting experiment.
Solar Still: Build your own water purifier and extract liquid from plants with this simple solar energy experiment. This experiment also has good survival value, so get the kids digging!
Plant Response to Light: Discover how plants respond to light in this plant growth development experiment. Will the plant grow straight up, or will it bend to the light?

Graphing Heat Absorption: Find out how the color of the surface of an aluminium can affects its ability to heat up in this excellent energy project for science. This is suitable for either the classroom or the home.
Radiant Heat Loss: This radiant water heat loss experiment may give a surprising result. We all expect black surfaces to heat faster than light colored ones, but is the same true for heat loss?
Home Made Galvanic Cells: Learn more about the internal workings of batteries with these simple to set up home made Galvanic cells. Give your child's Chemistry understanding a solid boost!

For full instructions visit: http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/solar-energy-education.html


  

 

April 2011

Newsletter

 

 

MARCH  DEEP PANUKE NEWSLETTER

Encana has posted a new newsletter for the company’s Deep Panuke project in Nova Scotia’s offshore. In this newsletter you’ll learn more about an important safety valve at Deep Panuke located on the ocean floor, meet Sam Chan the Change Management Coordinator at Deep Panuke and discover a new energy tool, the Energy For Students - Energy Map, that can be used in the class room.  

 

View Newsletter: http://www.encana.com/operations/canada/deeppanuke/pdfs/news/dp-newsletter-current.pdf 

 

PROVINCIAL EDUCATION WEEK 

 

Teachers, students and education partners from across the province gathered on April 11th, to kick off Education Week in Nova Scotia. Twenty-three educators and five partners will receive awards for using innovative teaching methods to provide students with the tools to be successful in their studies and beyond graduation. The awards support this year's Education Week theme, Innovative Teaching in the 21st Century.

View complete article and list of Award Recipients at: http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110411003

 CONGRATULATIONS EDUCATION WEEK 2011 AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

 

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

 

Our Country - Technology and Innovation takes students on a fast-forward trip to Canada’s future. The program engages elementary school students in activities to define new ideas for business and society by learning about our technological past and present. Students discover the value and necessity of change in economic and social progress, new trends in building a future of inspiring concepts and entrepreneurial ideas.

Activties include:

• Drawing the connections between traditional and modern technologies

• Matching Canadian inventions with those who developed them
• Biding to bring new technologies to market in a class auction

• Experience a day in the future by inventing new devices

PDF : http://jacan.org/sites/default/files/our_country.pdf
http://jacan.org/program/our-country-technology-and-innovation

 

 

NOVA SCOTIA SKILLS COMPETITION & CAREER SHOWCASE

The Nova Scotia Skills Competition & Career Showcase is a chance for students and apprentices from across the province to put their skills to the test, and showcase their talents in skilled trades and technologies! This Olympic-style event promotes excellence in skilled trade and technology careers, and invites youth from across Nova Scotia to participate in over 50 competition areas.

April 8th -  NSCC Waterfront Campus
April 19th - Memorial High School

These events include two interactive displays (workshops), 13 competitions run by DND and 16 exhibitors booths in the Career Showcase comprised of industry and education representatives with interactive components. Construction Zone, part of the Career Showcase will include hands on activities like the use of power tools, safety, scaffolding, pipe bending and more. This Zone is put on by the Construction Sector Council. In addition to the Nova Scotia Skills Competition & Career Showcase, the NSCC Tech Show will also take place. This event will showcase NSCC student projects that demonstrate cutting edge technology.

 

For more information visit:

http://www.skillsns.ednet.ns.ca

 

HERITAGE GAS RAMPS UP FOR SPRING BUILDOUT

 

Heritage Gas is preparing to begin its spring build-out, hoping to add 750 new customers in 2011.  Jim Bracken, interim president for Heritage Gas, says company crews and contractors from Dexter Construction will begin construction mid-May.   About 20 kilometres of new lines are to be built in Dartmouth and the Halifax Mainland and another 10 kilometres will be added through Bedford West and Bedford South, continuing the expansion begun last year.  Bracken says the utility has a capital spending budget for 2011 of $20 million.  "We see our revenues growing 20-25%, compared to last year," Bracken said.  "We are a pretty busy little company." Heritage Gas has added 100 customers so far this year, bringing its customer count just above 3,000 - about 1,400 residential and 1,600 commercial. Schools in the Bedford area are currently making their decisions, and have been included in Heritage Gas's estimates for 2011.  Bracken says there are also multi-unit residential buildings in Bedford and Clayton Park which will be hooked up this year.  The spending on the projects still needs to be approved by theNova Scotia Utility & Review Board. Bracken says Heritage Gas will submit construction plans to the regulator later this spring.   Meanwhile, the search for a permanent president is still underway.  Last fall, Ray Ritcey was moved out of the presidency and into a new job as Corporate Development VP for parent company AltaGas Ltd. Bracken, AltaGas's Senior VP of Major Projects, was brought in to serve on an interim basis .

 

View complete article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Gas_Related_Articles#1

 

 

NATURAL GAS PRICE PUTS DAMPER ON NUCLEAR POWER

Low natural gas prices could ultimately have a bigger effect than the reactor crisis in Japan in terms of putting a damper on investments in new nuclear power plants, experts say. Unlike past nuclear disasters at Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986, market-watchers don't expect Fukushima to freeze support for nuclear power. But the industry could feel a chill nonetheless, they say, because economics guide development decisions and the price of  gas is just too good to ignore.

 

To read complete article including a special report visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/27/f-power-2020-nuclear-business.html

 

PREMIER WELCOMES FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO CLEAN ENERGY IN NOVA SCOTIA

Prime Minister Harper announced a commitment to provide support for the Lower Churchill hydro project through a loan guarantee, or equivalent financial support, while speaking in St. John’s, March 31st. Nova Scotia businesses and families would pay less to enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable electricity from the hydro project because of the promised support. “This is wonderful news,” said Premier Dexter. “I spoke to Mr. Harper, and affirmed that this project is a win-win for all of us, that will change the economic landscape of this province and the region for generations to come. In exchange for a 20 per cent investment in the construction of the project, Nova Scotia will receive 20 per cent of the electricity generated over the next 35 years, accounting for 8-10 per cent of the province’s electricity needs once it starts flowing in 2017. The electricity will travel to Nova Scotia by way of the Maritime Link, a $1.2 billion sub-sea cable between Newfoundland and Labrador and Cape Breton. In addition to transmission infrastructure upgrades within and between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the project will provide the opportunity for further energy integration and cooperation across the region. “We always said that this project was a go whether we got federal support or not, but this commitment means real dollars saved for the ratepayers that are going to be receiving the benefits of federal support, and a new source of clean, renewable energy,” said Premier Dexter.

For more information on the development of Lower Churchill, the Churchill Falls timeline, Historic grievances and current controversy visit: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/04/01/f-lower-churchill-development.html

View Complete Article:

http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/03/31/premier-welcomes-federal-commitment-to-clean-energy-in-nova-scotia/

 

 

FRACKING

Fracking or hydraulic fracturing involves injecting fluid under high pressure into onshore wells to extract natural gas from shale rock, dense sand and coals. In the process, chemicals, sand and water are pumped underground at high pressure to crack rock to allow free gas to flow up into drilled wells.

PROVINCE TO REVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

Energy Minister Charlie Parker and Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau announced April 4th, 2011 that department officials will conduct a review of environmental issues associated with hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to free natural gas trapped in shale rock formations. The review will examine the many environmental issues surrounding fracking as will as site restoration and financial security and insurance. Once the review and recommendations are submitted to the province the public will have a chance to provide written comments on the recommendations. The review is expected to be finished by early next year.

 

For more information on hydraulic fracturing and government's review, go to: www.gov.ns.ca/energy/oil-gas/offshore/hydraulic-fracturing.asp and www.gov.ns.ca/NSE/

TWO NEW WEBSITES

FracFocus, the US hydraulic fracturing chemical registry website, was launched April 11th, 2011.The primary purpose of this site is to provide factual information on the history of hydraulic fracturing and how it works as well as groundwater protection and chemical use. The site allows visitors to search for specific wells in their communities.
www.FracFocus.org

Stop Fracking In Nova Scotia, went live on World Water Day 2011 and according to Graham Hutchinson, co-ordinator of Stop Fracking in Nova Scotia, the website received more than 25,000 hits from Canada, U.S., New Zealand and South Africa in its first week. The website features new updates, information on fracking in Nova Scotia and upcoming
events. 
www.stopfrackinginnovascotia.ca

OTHER WEBSITE INFORMATION ON FRACKING

Read the fact sheet from the Energy Resources Conservation Board in Alberta at: http://www.ercb.ca/docs/public/EnerFAQs/PDF/EnerFAQs14-Fracturing.pdf

BLADES UP AND BLOWING
Last Turbine In Province’s Largest Wind Farm Hooked Up

The largest wind farm in Nova Scotia is now fully operational after coming down to the wire of its March 31st construction deadline. Shear Wind Inc. finished connecting the last of 27 turbines at its Glen Dhu wind farm at 2 p.m. on the Thursday deadline. The Glen Dhu project, which straddles the Pictou-Antigonish county boundary, began producing green energy in December when nine turbines became operational. That met a Dec. 31 requirement for producing 20 megawatts of wind power. Otherwise, the Bedford renewable energy company would have had to pay the provincial utility a $1.5-million penalty. Magnus said all of the remaining 18 German-manufactured turbines were fully erected last week. Once the last one was officially hooked up to the grid, the project became capable of generating 62.1 megawatts of power, or enough to power about 18,000 homes.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind_Related_Articles#1

N.S. OIL DELIVERY PLAN DELAYED
Inspection Change On Hold Untill January

The province has put on hold a plan to make oil companies responsible for performing equipment inspections before they deliver fuel to new customers. The change was supposed to take effect April 1st when the new Technical Safety Act took effect. But the Labour and Advanced Education Department recently delayed implementing the measure until Jan. 1, 2012, because of an outcry from discount oil companies. Steve Williams, president of Affordable Fuels Ltd., said he first heard about the impending inspection requirement in mid-March from someone else in the industry. "I’ve picked up six or seven new customers today alone. There would have been seven individuals who would not have been able to get oil from me today if this (regulation) had been in place" Williams said in an interview on April 1st. The new rule that’s on hold would require oil companies that get a fuel order from a new customer to inspect the tank, line and exhaust systems before making a delivery. The furnace and hot water heater would also have to be checked out first. And as the rules stand now, customers who buy fuel from more than one oil company would be required to have an inspection done by each firm.

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Related_Articles#1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Day Events Across NS

• Cape Breton & Halifax Mar 2, 2011 - Apr 22, 2012   The Greenest Canadian City Challenge The Green Grouch

• HRM Apr 15, -  22, 2011   Wake Up HRM Wake Up
  

•  Louisdale Apr 18 -  21, 2011   Earth Day At Felix Marchand School Felix Marchand Educational centre
  

• New Glasgow Apr 21, 2011  PCHA Earth Day Clean Up PCHA
  

• Pugwash Apr 4- 29, 2011   Friends of the Pugwash Estuary Friends of the Pugwash Estuary
  

• Pugwash Apr 8- 27, 2011   Friends of the Pugwash Estuary Friends of the Pugwash Estuary
  

• RR#3 Yamouth Apr 23, 2011 Cape Forchu Sweep
  

• Truro Apr 21, 2011   Earth Day at the Glooscap Heritage Centre Glooscap Heritage Centre
  
  

This Earth Month (April 1 to 30) challenge yourself to help create a healthier world by making some changes to your daily routine. Choose one or more of the following four actions and register your commitments on earthday.ca/giveitup. Participants can register anytime in April.

Sign up at http://www.earthday.ca/giveitup/get_started.php or for more information contact campaigns@earthday.ca.


NSP PLAN LACKS DETAILS
Ratepayers ‘entitled to whatever information company can provide’

 

Nova Scotia Power Inc.’s capital expenditure plan for this year was heard publicly for the first time this month. But participants would have liked a clearer picture of what that plan, and those expenditures, may mean to ratepayers. "In 2009, it’s $155 million annually," and "In 2011, they’re proposing to spend $367 million, of which $150 (million), roughly, is the subject matter of this application." provincial consumer advocate Bill Mahody said in an interview during a provincial Utility and Review Board hearing on the Nova Scotia Power application. Mahody said it was difficult to determine whether the plan was justifiable and to assess its impact on ratepayers, given the information made available by the utility. "I understand, from an analytic perspective, why the impact on rates may not be important," he said. "But our position would be that in the context of significantly increasing capital spends, the ratepayer is entitled to whatever information the company can provide and part of that involves likely rate impacts." In its application, Nova Scotia Power noted that it is in a period of historic change and transformation as the province has legislated renewable energy targets the utility is required to meet. Those changes will require about $2.8 billion in capital investments from 2010 to 2015, which the utility called an "extraordinary level of spending." Mahody said those extraordinary expenditures are bound to lead to rate increases. "There’s no question that revenues have to go up substantially." Alan Richardson, the power company’s vice-president of integrated customer services, testified that the $2.8 billion, five-year capital investment plan will result in lower costs for customers.

 

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Electrical_Power_Related_Article#1

 

WEBSITE TO FOSTER ENERGY SAVINGS FOR MUNICIPALITIES

A new web¬site, Dollars and Sense, developed in conjunc¬tion with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities will help Nova Scotia municipalities lower energy costs and their impact on the envi-ronment.  The site features Bridgewater as a town that has cut fuel costs by reducing pollution, and Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau hopes its story will inspire others. Leon de Vreede, the town’s sustainability planner, said he estimates measures recently taken by the town have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 300 tonnes and saved taxpayers $50,000 a year. This was accomplished through a variety of ways such as installing solar panels on the town office and energy efficient lights in the rink. The town could not have car¬ried out its initiatives and the website wouldn’t have come into existence without funding from the province’s ecoNova Scotia fund according to Mayor Carroll Publicover.

Dollars and Sense : www.sustainabilityunsm.ca

View Complete Article:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other_Related_Articles#1

 

ELECTRICITY FROM BIOMASS CAP LOWERED

 

The province is acting to further protect the sustainability of Nova Scotia's forests while keeping on track to meet its renewable energy goals.  The cap on the annual amount of new forest biomass that can be used to generate electricity will be lowered by 30 per cent to 350,000 dry tonnes per year. When the plan was released in April 2010, the province made a commitment to defer to the Natural Resources Strategy process in setting the biomass cap. Forest biomass in Nova Scotia is used as a fuel in a number of applications, including firewood in more than 100,000 homes, a co-generation facility in Brooklyn, Queens Co., the agricultural college in Truro, two South Shore hospitals and several other institutions. The only recently approved biomass project in the province is for New Page Port Hawkesbury Corp, in partnership with Nova Scotia Power. The project is expected to begin in 2012 under strict forest harvesting guidelines announced in November 2009. New policies to reduce clear-cutting to 50 per cent will also apply to NewPage. Within the next few weeks, the province will release an economic impact analysis of recent policy changes on the forestry industry, particularly a clear-cutting reduction target. The provincial Natural Resources Strategy also will be released this spring.

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110411005

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES

Nominate a Student for a Power of Positive Change Award

Nominations are open for Nova Scotia's Power of Positive Change Awards, which recognize young Nova Scotians who make a positive difference in their schools and communities. To be eligible, students from grades Primary to 12 must demonstrate leadership by organizing a school or community activity or promoting positive attitudes and behaviour.

Submission deadline Friday April 22.

Criteria for the Power of Positive Change Awards and nomination forms are available online at: www.powerofpositivechange.ca

SuperNOVA in Your Classroom!
Durring May and June your students will have the opportunity to explore science through exciting, innovative and hands-on activities designed to meet general and specific curriculum outcomes. SuperNOVA offers the same grade-specific workshops, year after year. As students make their way through elementary school they will never see the same workshop twice!

http://supernova.dal.ca/

Acadia University
Robot Programming Competition
The Robot Programming Competition mission is to foster interest in computer programming, science, math, problem solving and teamwork among students in both junior high schools and senior high schools. Our approach is to present young explorers with certain robotics challenges and let their creativity and curiosity guide them to solutions. Acadia University hosts a Championship tournament where teams from across the province are given an opportunity to demonstrate their creative solutions to multiple challenges. Rigorous judging results in prize awards in several categories.

 

Robot Lending Program

http://cs.acadiau.ca/rpc/robot_lending.php
http://cs.acadiau.ca/rpc/index.php

Earth Day Canada - Eco Trivia
http://www.earthday.ca/pub/resources/psas/print/EcoTriviaPSA.pdf

Energy Quest - Energy Story - There are many sources of energy. In The Energy Story, we will look at the energy that makes our world work. Energy is an important part of our daily lives. http://energyquest.ca.gov/story/index.html

Don’t forget to check out the new games: http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/games/index.html
 

 

  

March 2011

 

 ENERGY COMPANIES SUPPORT LOCAL INITATIVES
  Attention -- Teachers in Strait Regional School Board

    CALLING ALL YOUNG SCIENTISTS  

The Eastern Counties Regional Library has recently received new items from Encana Corporation that will be added to the Encana Energy for Families Collection.  What is the collection?  It’s the books the library needed to support families and help kids learn about science and technology; a collection of books for kids who want to read about the real world. The collection, launched in the Fall of 2008 with funds from Encana, targets children from pre-schoolers to teenagers.  Over two hundred books make up the collection and are available at all library locations. “We’re pleased to support learning about science and technology by helping to add new materials to the collection,” said Lori MacLean, Communications Advisor for Encana.

To celebrate the new additions, branch libraries in Sherbrooke and Port Hawkesbury will be hosting displays featuring the Encana collection.  The Library invites children and their parents to take the opportunity to drop by and see the displays and check out some books.  Teachers may also want to view the collection to see what’s available.  A brochure describing the materials will be made available at all library locations. ECRL Chief Librarian Laura Emery is aware of the importance of the collection, stating “I don’t know how many children would complete their homework or science fair projects without these kinds of books being available through their local public library.  Schools don’t have the resources, and it’s fantastic that Encana recognized the need and wanted to support technology and science-related learning in this way.”

 

Requests for the materials can be made at any branch or link site, or online at ecrl.library.ns.ca.  The materials are grouped together and are accessible by clicking on the Encana Energy for Families Collection button when searching the catalogue.
In Nova Scotia’s offshore, Encana is the owner and operator of the Deep Panuke natural gas project.  For more information on Encana and Deep Panuke, please visit www.encana.com/deeppanuke.

 

Contact: 

Lesley Carruthers, Deputy CEO, Manager of Community Outreach Services
Eastern Counties Regional Library
Phone:  747-2597   Fax: 747-2500
Email:  lcarruth@nsme.library.ns.ca
Website:  ecrl.library.ns.ca


BREAD AND ROSES CELEBRATION
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH 8TH, 2011

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women established the Bread and Roses Bursary to help improve women’s economic equality, and to mark International Women’s Day. "Bread and Roses" is a poem that became an anthem for women marching for improved working conditions a hundred years ago. Today it’s linked to International Women’s Day – to recognize women’s accomplishments and contributions in paid and unpaid work.

 

Bread and Roses
As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing: “Bread and roses!
Bread and roses!”
As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women’s children, and we mother them again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread,
but give us roses!
As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread we fight for — but we fight for roses, too!
As we come marching, marching,
we bring the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler —
 ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life’s glories:
Bread and roses! Bread and roses!
James Oppenheim, 1911

The Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Encana Corporation and the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women are funding the Bread and Roses Bursary. There are 20 bursaries available to female students who are pursuing studies in trades, technology, or science-related fields at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses. The money can be used for transportation, child care, school supplies, and other necessities. The NSCC Foundation manages the fund.

 

 

Congratulations to all of the Bread and Roses bursary winners including Crystal Cashin and Jeannette Navarro - see photos above.

To learn more about the bursary and application process, go to www.nscc.ca and see links under Tuition and Financial Aid.

To learn how you can help, contact the
NSCC Foundation at (902) 491-3553 or patricia.macarthur@nscc.ca

 

 

  YOUNG WOMEN EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN NOVA SCOTIA

On International Women’s Day Tuesday, March 8, young women in Nova Scotia explored non-traditional careers in skilled trades and technologies through interactivity and applied learning at the Young Women’s Conference . The one-day career exploration conference was hosted at the NSCC Burridge Campus and was aimed at promoting skilled trade and technology careers for females enrolled in grade 9. Participants experienced a day of hands-on career exploration, discovering the many opportunities in skilled trades and technologies that are available to Nova Scotia’s youth. Workshops included non-traditional careers for women, such as computer service technician and automotive service mechanic, and stress the importance of strong math, science and communications skills to maximize career choices. “The conference gives young women first-hand experience in skilled trade and technology career opportunities,” said Courtney Gouthro, Executive Director of Skills Canada - Nova Scotia. “It provides them with a chance to explore well paid careers they may not have considered before, and that are increasingly in demand right here in Nova Scotia.”

This event is included in the ‘Skills InDemand’ series of events promoting skilled trades and technologies taking place throughout the province from now until May 2011. A partnership between Skills Canada - Nova Scotia, Encana Corporation, Nova Scotia Community College, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Tri-County Regional School Board and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education has made this conference possible. Skills Canada - Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies to Nova Scotia youth through a variety of programs and events.

For more information visit http://skillsns.ednet.ns.ca.

 

 

 

GET A TASTE OF SKILLED TRADES AND TECHNOLOGIES AT TECHSHOP

Each school year, about 300 students from high schools around Nova Scotia participate in six TechShop events as part of the Skills InDemand series of events hosted by Skills Canada - Nova Scotia. The workshops are held at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses across the province.  Elizabeth Woodworth, project manager for Skills Canada - Nova Scotia, describes the TechShop program.

What’s a typical day like for students participating in TechShop?
“Students begin their day in a career exploration session with six to eight mentors who are working, studying or teaching in skilled trades or technologies. After these mentors discuss their experiences, students get to ask career-related questions. Following this roundtable discussion, students break off into smaller groups for hands-on exposure to several different skilled trades or technologies.”

Careers profiled during TechShop include Heavy Duty Equipment Repair, Industrial Instrumentation, Machining, Steamfitting and Pipefitting, Welding, and more.
How have students responded to TechShop?
“The response has been really positive. At the end of each day, we ask students if they would recommend TechShop to a friend. Nine times out of ten students say they would. We also find that many students discover they have a real interest in pursuing a career in skilled trades or technologies.”

At a recent event held at NSCC Pictou Campus in Stellarton, Nova Scotia one student remarked, “I enjoyed TechShop. It made me strongly consider a career in skilled trades and technologies.”

TechShop is sponsored by Encana Corporation, one of the largest producers of natural gas in North America. Encana operates throughout Canada and the U.S., including offshore Nova Scotia where the company is the owner and operator of the Deep Panuke project. Since 2008, Encana has contributed $120,000 to make Skills InDemand programming possible in Nova Scotia.

If you have a child or student who would be interested in attending TechShop, or a similar event, please contact:
Elizabeth Woodworth
Project Manager, Skills Canada - Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 424-3719
Email: woodwoem@skillscanada.com
Website: http://skillsns.ednet.ns.ca

 

HARPER GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

 

Late last month Mark Warawa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Langley, announced $52 million in funding through Sustainable Development Technology Canada for 16 clean energy projects across Canada. This funding is part of a series of investments announced across the country totalling up to $63.8 million to support renewable and clean energy projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support high-quality jobs. The announcement was made at Westport Power, a company that is receiving a $2.3-million investment for a project that will allow trains to run on a combination of natural gas and diesel fuel. This technology will both save the sector money and cut GHG emissions by up to 25 percent. “Developing technologies that will help Canada's major economic sectors become more efficient while reducing their impact on the environment is key in helping to create a green economy for Canada,” said SDTC President and CEO Vicky Sharpe. “The SDTC funding will assist in getting these innovative technologies to the market sooner.” This announcement builds on the success of many initiatives that are helping to sustain and enhance Canada’s clean energy industry.

 

To view the complete article visit:
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/newcom/2011/201130-eng.php?PHPSESSID=c90824330db800301223b41f6ef2c7e4

 

 

NSP MAKES PITCH FOR LOAN GUARANTEE ON LOWER CHURCHILL PROJECT

 

The major private partner in the proposed Lower Churchill hydroelectric project says a loan guarantee from the federal government would lead to savings for ratepayers. On February 28, 2011 the president of Nova Scotia Power, Rob Bennett, told a Senate committee on energy that his company doesn’t stand to benefit commercially from a loan guarantee for the $6.2-billion project. But Bennett said customers would ultimately see lower rates through a loan guarantee because it would reduce borrowing costs on financing for the project. The previous week, officials from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador indicated they had decided a loan guarantee was the best hope of getting help from Ottawa to help finance the development of Lower Churchill in Labrador. That came after Quebec objected to a joint request by the two provinces for $375 million in federal funding for a $1.2 billion subsea link from Newfoundland to Cape Breton. Quebec contends federal cash for the project would be an unfair subsidy. Premier Darrell Dexter told the committee that the borrowing rate for Ottawa is much lower than it would be for Nova Scotia, which is grappling with a debt of more than $13 billion.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

DEVELOPERS SEEING GREEN IN GRASS FUEL CONCEPT
 
Grass fuel may be green, but it needs some help to catch fire, says Orville Pulsifer of Grapell Bioenergy Ltd. in Truro. Grapell is part of a small coalition of companies trying to launch a grass fuel pellet industry in the Maritimes that it claims could heat as many as 40,000 Nova Scotia homes by burning processed hay and other grasses. The other coalition members are LST Energy of Pictou, which is testing a prototype grass pellet furnace at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, and Sobenco Engineering of Prince Edward Island, which has developed a grass pellet production line. Pulsifer said there are about 40,000 hectares of underutilized fields in Nova Scotia that could be used to grow grasses that can be converted into low-emission, renewable energy-producing pellets. While he’s convinced of the fuel’s potential, Pulsifer said there are a number of challenges that have to be addressed before it is realized and that government needs to do more to support the initiative, a message the consortium delivered to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources in Halifax. Nancy Rondeaux, a policy analyst with Nova Scotia’s Energy Department, said the province is "interested in the possibilities" of grass fuel.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies

 

 

 

DALHOUSIE NATURAL GAS CONVERSION IS COMPLETE

Energy Minister Charlie Parker announced February 27, 2011 it would foot $1.4 million of the $1.8 million cost of the conversion project via the Sable Offshore Energy Producers-funded Gas Market Development Fund. About 110 buildings and two kilometres of district heating are using natural gas. Ken Burt, VP of Finance and Administration at Dalhousie, said the school expects to save around $1 million per year on fuel. Burt says the savings depends on the price of natural gas compared to Bunker C, and both fluctuate, but the school expects the economics will get better with time as oil prices climb faster than natural gas. Dalhousie currently has a $15 million energy budget. Nearby University of King's College is also using natural gas via an agreement with Dalhousie. With Dalhousie as another major anchor in the Halifax South End, residential customers in the area also have improved access to natural gas.

Heritage interim president and CEO Jim Bracken says natural gas has been Dalhousie's primary energy source for a few months now. He says much of the South End expansion anchored by the Dalhousie conversion has already taken place. "We continue to grow as fast as we can grow," said Bracken. "We don't want to get into a situation where we over build and incur more costs for ratepayers." Bracken says Heritage Gas currently has about 3,000 customers. Rochelle Owen, Director of Sustainability at Dalhousie, said the conversion will save the equivalent of the heating for 14,000 three-bedroom homes. The university also hopes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% over 2008 levels by 2020.

Dalhousie is the third university to complete its natural gas conversion over the last year. Mount Saint Vincent cut its operating costs by a projected 10% for a $367,000 conversion (see allnovascotia 2010-09-29). MSVU's participation was cited as a key factor in making gas available to residential customers in the Bedford area. Saint Mary's University has also converted last year, and went from spending $1.1 million of fuel in 2007 to $560,000 in 2009 (see allnovascotia 2010-11-29). The three Halifax universities, and possibly the hospitals, may also decide to band together to buy cheaper natural gas. Dal, SMU and MSVU hired a Maine consultant to look at what is the best option for buying gas for the schools. The three universities already leverage joint purchasing power through Inversity Service Inc. (ISI). The arrangement makes no difference to Heritage Gas, which makes its money on distribution, not selling the gas.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

HERITAGE GAS REACHES MILESTONE WITH 3,000 NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS

Heritage Gas Ltd., announced February 24th it has reached the 3,000 customer milestone for natural gas delivery in Nova Scotia.   The 3,000th customer is an apartment owner in the Clayton Park area of the Halifax Regional Municipality. “We are pleased that customer 3,000 is located in the recently completed Fairview, Clayton Park, Bedford expansion area.   New access to natural gas service for this customer and others supports the future growth of our distribution network.” said Jim Bracken, President of Heritage Gas. “We would not be here today without the ongoing support of our customers, thank you. We look forward to serving our new and existing customers and providing a lower cost, cleaner energy choice for today, and the years ahead.” Heritage Gas announced in October that it had completed its natural gas pipeline construction to Bedford.

Heritage Gas’ largest project to-date, the expansion added 30 kilometres of new pipelines to the natural gas distribution system and provided the foundation for further expansion into these growing communities over the next several years. Natural gas reduces green house gas emissions, delivers significant economic benefits compared to most alternate fuel choices and is the fuel of choice widely used throughout Canada. Availability of natural gas is a competitive advantage for businesses in terms of reduced operating costs. Homeowners along the pipeline route will benefit from the convenience and savings associated with the opportunity to choose natural gas for heating, water heating, fireplaces, ranges, clothes dryers, barbecues, and other outdoor living applications.  Natural gas is safe, reliable and abundant through access to Nova Scotian and North American natural gas supplies. Heritage Gas has invested over $200 million in over 300 kilometres of natural gas infrastructure to date and looks forward to continued economically prudent expansion of its infrastructure.

Heritage Gas Limited is a Nova Scotia-based company formed for the purpose of operating a full regulation class natural gas distribution franchise in Nova Scotia. Heritage Gas has over 3,000 customers in Halifax, Dartmouth, Amherst and the Halifax Airport area. Heritage Gas is owned by AltaGas Utility Group Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas Ltd.

 

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

 

URB SAYS NO PUBLIC MONEY FOR $1M WIND COMPANY BONUS

The provincial regulator has ruled Nova Scotia Power can’t pass on the cost to customers of a $1-million bonus it paid to an affiliate company to complete its own Digby wind farm last year. In a decision released Tuesday March 8, the provincial Utility and Review Board disallowed the bonus given to Emera Utility Services Inc., an affiliate of Nova Scotia Power’s parent company, Emera Inc., on a $25-million untendered contract. It was the sole bonus Nova Scotia Power handed out for wind projects. "The board finds that the proposed cost of the Digby wind project of $82.8 million requires a reduction of the $1-million bonus payment to EUS due to non-compliance with the code of conduct (laid out by the board) and inadequate evidence to support this payment as justifiable or warranted," said the 60-page decision. The regulator also knocked $2 million or more off the final construction cost of the project, bringing it down to about $79.8 million.

The province’s consumer advocate, John Merrick, argued in his submission to the board in January that Nova Scotia Power’s customers should not be on the hook for the $1-million bonus, and he questioned whether the utility got the lowest possible construction price by hiring Emera Utility Services. It received the bonus for performing "basic contractual obligations," and Nova Scotia Power hasn’t justified the payment, Merrick wrote. But the board determined that "while the transaction between NSPI and (its numbered affiliate) does not comply with the code (of conduct), the resulting acquisition of the Digby wind project represents the ‘best available deal’ at the time," said the decision released Wednesday March 9. Nova Scotia Power had no comment Wednesday on the $1-million bonus being disallowed. But it was "pleased that the board saw that Nova Scotia Power and its affiliates did what they could to move the project forward under difficult circumstances," said company spokeswoman Jennifer Parker.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

TEACHERS RESOURCES

 

HOG AND SEEK - An interactive game where players watch how busting each energy hog lowers energy costs. The ENERGY HOG is at it again! He’s invaded another house and is wasting energy in every room. You have 24 hours to fix as many problems as you can.

 

http://www.hogandseek.org/intro.html

 

 

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY FARM
Visit this interactive farm and learn about renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and methane biomass (cows!).

http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/farm.php
 

 

 

Considering an EFS Presentation in Your School?

 

Teachers or educational groups interested in hosting a full day or mini series EFS program are invited to contact us by calling 902-454-4329 or e-mail info@energyconsultant.ca

 

Your Ideas Count

Educators are invited to submit ideas & suggestions for information you would like to see made available to assist in both classroom and career planning, or for future newsletters by clicking here!

 

 

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To receive Newsletter-Links to future Newsletters please click "subscribe". You may unscubscribe at anytime by clicking the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of any Newsletter-Link email or by emailing us at "unsubscribe"

 

 

February 2011

Newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN YOUTH EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

As a part of African Heritage Month, 30 African Nova Scotian youths were given the opportunity to showcase their abilities in skilled trade and technology careers during the African Nova Scotian Youth Conference, Thursday, February 10 at NSCC’s Kingstec Campus.  It is aimed at promoting skilled trade and technology careers to African Nova Scotians currently enrolled in grades 9 to 12. Conference participants experienced a day of hands-on career exploration, and discover opportunities in skilled trades and technologies that are available to Nova Scotia's youth. Students were asked to choose three of six workshops that they would like to attend; Plumbing, Machining, Web Development, Motorcycle and Power Products Repair, Carpentry, Electrical, which stressed the importance of strong math, science, and communication skills to maximize career choices. In addition to workshops and activities, African Nova Scotian mentors participated in the day's events and shared their stories and encouragement. Mentors include those working, studying, or teaching in skilled trades and technologies. "African Nova Scotian youth get first-hand experience in skilled trade and technology career opportunities in Nova Scotia," said Courtney Gouthro, Executive Director of Skills Canada - Nova Scotia.."

This event is included in the 'Skills InDemand' series of events promoting skilled trades and technologies, taking place throughout the province from now until May 2011. A partnership between Skills Canada - Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, Encana Corporation, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Nova Scotia Business Inc., and the Nova Scotia Community College has made this conference possible. Skills Canada - Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies to Nova Scotia youth through a variety of programs and events.

 

For more information, visit:
http://skillsns.ednet.ns.ca/projects/african-nova-scotia-youth-conference/
http://skillsns.ednet.ns.ca

 

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PROMOTES MATH AND SCIENCE

A Halifax-based after-school program recently expanded to Saint Andrews Junior
School in Antigonish. "Our after school program has been running for five years in Halifax,"Charlene Davis, junior program officer with Imhotep Legacy Academy (ILA) said. "We recently received some funding to move to the Antigonish/Guysborough area and so we are expanding there." Operated out of Dalhousie University, ILA is a non-profit organization which provides a variety of free learning programs that blend real-world learning projects with rigorous academic enrichment, skill-building and leadership development activities. The program focuses on science and math activities and caters to Grade 7 and 8 students. It will be mentored by students from St. F.X. who, along with carrying out the activities, will be available during the sessions to help participants with math homework. Since the program relies on St. F.X. students, Saint Andrews Junior school. High's proximity to the university is one of the reasons it was selected and another, explained Davis, is the African Nova Scotian population at the school. She explained the after-school program was founded with the goal of seeing more African Nova Scotian students take an interest in science and math. "Basically the founders of the program realized there are very few students of African Nova Scotian decent in our universities who are taking math and science courses," she said. "And when you go into our communities you see even fewer who are in math and science professions. Antigonish represents a third branch out opportunity for ILA which has already taken their after school program to Truro and Sydney. The Antigonish program is being funded by the EnCana Corporation.

View complete article: 

http://www.thecasket.ca/top-news/after-school-program-promotes-math-and-science/

 

 

NATURAL GAS FROM NOVA SCOTIA OFFSHORE

TO LIGHT GAMES CAULDRON

Companies representing Nova Scotia's energy sector are fuelling the Halifax 2011 Canada Games -- literally.  Nova Scotia Power, Heritage Gas, Encana Corporation, Wilson's and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline are each contributing up to $50,000 to the Games. Heritage Gas, the natural gas distribution company in Nova Scotia, has contributed $25,000 and is supplying natural gas to fuel the Games cauldron, located at the new Canada Games Centre. Seven of the 11 Canada Games venues in the Halifax Regional Municipality are using natural gas, a cleaner energy solution in terms of emissions. The cauldron fuel originates from Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline's system, from the Nova Scotia offshore. Maritimes & Northeast, runs the pipeline which delivers natural gas from Goldboro to consumers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and New England. Nova Scotia Power is providing office space for Games staff in Scotia Square, which supports the company's focus on wellness and community. Encana has provided support for infrastructure, such as the Canada Games Oval. It has also donated its corporate tickets to the local community. Encana is building Deep Panuke, Nova Scotia's second offshore natural gas project, slated to begin producing this year. Wilson's $50,000 sponsorship includes propane for the oval and gas for Games vehicles near Ski Martock and Ski Wentworth.  

The Halifax 2011 Canada Games will be the largest multi-sport event held in Nova Scotia and the city's first Canada Winter Games. From Feb. 11 to 27, more than 2,700 athletes will compete in more than 20 sports, attracting thousands of visitors, VIPs, officials and media. The 2011 Canada Games has raised $8.1 million from corporate sponsors.

 

For more information, visit www.canadagames2011.ca or
http://www.canadagames2011.ca/en/home/halifaxthegames/media/pressreleases/naturalgasfromnovascotiaoffshoretolightgamescauldr.aspx

 

 

OVAL’S POWER BILL WILL HIT $100,000
MAYOR SAYS CITY MAY CONSIDER SWITCHING TO NATURAL GAS

The Canada Winter Games oval will use more than $100,000 worth of power annually, based on electricity bills for the skating rink’s first months in operation.  Municipal staff don’t expect to give Halifax regional council a report on how much it could cost to reopen and operate the oval next year, but the municipality’s facility development manager said it will likely use an average of $32,000 worth of power each month. "In the scheme of things, it’s not huge," Terry Gallagher said. "If you look at the scale of the accomplishment, as far as the use versus the cost, it’s still a very special project." Mayor Peter Kelly, who has come out as a strong supporter of a future use for the oval, said that he would want municipal staff to look at alternative energy options.  "If it is going to be permanent, then (with) natural gas in the area . . . I think we would have to consider changing over to a natural gas operation. That’s one thing that I’d like to have explored, to see the viability of going in that direction and to see what cost factors may be involved." On its busiest days, the oval has held more than 5,000 skaters, Halifax Regional Municipality says.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Natural_Gas_Distribution

 

LOWER CHURCHILL FUNDING COULD BE AVAILABLE

The Lower Churchill project will see an 824-megawatt power plant built at Muskrat Falls in central Labrador, which is slated to deliver first power by 2016 and full power the next year. Newfoundland and Labrador will need to raise more than $4 billion to pay for its share of the $6.2 billion Lower Churchill deal, which will see power generated at Muskrat Falls in Labrador and then piped first to Newfoundland and then to Nova Scotia through underwater cables. Former N.L. premier Danny Williams and N.S. Premier Darrell Dexter agreed in November on a 35-year partnership involving Nalcor, Newfoundland and Labrador's Crown-owned energy corporation, and Halifax-based Emera Inc., parent company of Nova Scotia Power. Several Conservative members of Parliament have signalled that federal funding for the Lower Churchill project might be available. Now-Premier Kathy Dunderdale and the head of Nalcor Ed Martin have been lobbying Conservative politicians, looking for federal loan guarantees for the project and an investment of $375 million to build the undersea cables.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Hydro

 

NUTTBY MOUNTAIN TURBINE BASES CRACKED

Nearly all of the 22 turbine foundations at Nova Scotia Power's Nuttby Mountain wind farm are cracked. "Wherever we identify cracks, they are being addressed. I think right now we are at 19 of the 22," NSP spokesman David Rodenhiser said Tuesday February 1. The problem came to light late last year when it was discovered five of the towers were moving beyond manufacturers specifications. During construction last July at the $120-million wind farm, concrete was not vibrated down to the steel base of the towers. Movement with the remaining towers is within acceptable tolerance levels, Rodenhiser said, but NSP decided to repair them anyway. "We've found some cracking in some of the other foundations …we decided the most prudent measure was to address those as well," he said. The repairs involve injecting an epoxy-like sealant into the 400-tonne concrete pads to stabilize the concrete. The German supplier, Enercon Canada Inc., supplied the turbines and is paying for the repairs, which are covered under warranty.

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Wind

 

 

DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR COAL GAS IN NOVA SCOTIA

The centuries-old process of converting plant material to coal generated large quantities of methane-rich gas that is stored inside the coal and the old dream of tapping the methane gas potential of Nova Scotia’s coalfields is going to stay a dream for a while longer. Subra Subramaniam, chairman and newly appointed CEO of Stealth Ventures Ltd. of Calgary, says the low market price for natural gas is making the development of coal bed methane projects uneconomical. "It’s just that we’re taking a little more time than expected because gas prices are the way they are," says Subramaniam. Stealth still plans to drill into the coal beds of the Cumberland Basin in an attempt to capture the methane gas trapped inside — just not right now. The abundance of coal gas is another way for Nova Scotia to take advantage of coal as a resource, beyond digging it up and burning it as fuel. Since 1994, the provincial government says, it has been promoting the idea of drilling into the coal bed in an attempt to draw out the clean-burning methane gas trapped in the coal seam.
 

To view complete article visit:

http://www.energyforstudents.ca/content/Other%20Renewable%20Energies

 

 

ATLANTIS TIDAL TURBINE TO BE BUILT IN PROVINCE

Nova Scotia's bid to become a North American leader in the development, supply and support of tidal energy projects took another step forward, Thursday Feb. 10, with the announcement that an international consortium will test one of the world's largest tidal turbines in the Bay of Fundy's aggressive marine environment. Atlantis Resources Corporation, a world-leading tidal technology and project development company, will work in partnership with Lockheed Martin and Irving Shipbuilding to customize, build, deploy and monitor their one megawatt AK-1000 Mark II turbine at FORCE's Minas Passage test site.

"I am thrilled to welcome Atlantis, Lockheed Martin and Irving Shipbuilding to the FORCE project team," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Together, we are working to harness some of the most powerful tides in the world to produce safe, clean, renewable energy for Nova Scotia and through that process develop the expertise, experience and infrastructure to be a resource for tidal energy projects across North America." The project will involve more than fifty per cent local content. Lockheed Martin, which has 130 full time employees in Nova Scotia, will be responsible for engineering design elements, production drawings and procurement of major turbine components along with systems testing. Irving Shipbuilding, with more than 1200 shipyard workers in the province, will oversee construction of the turbine base and assembly of the device in conjunction with other local suppliers.

Deployment of the Atlantis turbine is planned for summer 2012. FORCE is scheduled to install four subsea transmission cables to connect the test turbines to the electrical grid in the summer, giving Nova Scotia the largest in-stream tidal power capacity in the world.

 

To view complete article visit:

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110210002


MIKE HOLMES, MAKE IT RIGHT
PUT ENERGY INTO MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Personally, I’m so tired of hearing how making your home greener costs so much more, or that it’s a hassle, or that you can’t make a difference. Well, you can. With every green choice you make, such as switching to renewable energy sources in your home, you can make a difference. We need to stop thinking short-term. Start building to last, and start thinking about the future generations who will live in your home. More and more consumers are thinking this way, and are demanding green building materials and products for their homes — long overdue, in my mind. We need to change how we get our energy and how we consume it. Building science is a growing field and the industry is always moving, always improving. And we need to now focus on the installation and maintenance of these new green products and technologies that are continually being developed.

I’m always asking, Who’s teaching Green? Colleges across our country are stepping up and offering programs in green building and renewable energy. Programs available include Wind Turbine Technician, Geothermal Engineering Technician, Alternative Wastewater Collection and Management and Green Roof Construction. There are programs in solar equipment installation and maintenance and Advanced Housing programs focusing on green construction and smart homes. Wind farms and solar fields on campuses give students the opportunity for hands-on experience working in industry.  Some colleges are partnering with government, various sector councils and industry to make sure the programs offered are standardized and that the graduates will have the right skills to do the job the industry needs, both now and into the future. The Canadian Wind Energy Association, Solar Industries Association, and GeoExchange Coalition have all offered industry workshops and training to those already employed in the field. Now students across the country can attend college or university and get a fully accredited diploma or certificate in renewable energy. Students are being trained and certified to international standards in colleges from B.C. to Nova Scotia — and that makes me very proud.

To view complete article visit:

 http://www.nationalpost.com/news/energy+into+making+difference/4225727/story.html

 

 

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN NS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, announced three new investments worth $43 million that support renewable and clean energy projects across Nova Scotia. This is part of the Government’s action to improve economic and environmental performance, and support high-quality jobs. The funding benefits Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation’s pulp mill in New Glasgow, as well as Nova Scotia Power and the Point Tupper Wind Farm, operated by Renewable Energy Services Limited. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested more than $10 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment through investments in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and cleaner fuels. The Government has developed a broad suite of policies and programs to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 — a target aligned with the United States.

 

To view complete article visit:
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/newcom/2011/201110-eng.php

 

 

FATE OF CONSERVE NOVA SCOTIA PROGRAMS STILL UNCERTAIN

The Dexter government still hasn't determined the fate of nine provincially-funded programs designed to make Nova Scotia greener. They include a popular subsidy for home energy audits and a program to fund solar retro-fits for commercial and industrial buildings. The programs are all administered by Conserve Nova Scotia, which will cease to exist April 1. A new corporation called Efficiency Nova Scotia is supposed to replace it as a one stop shop for energy efficiency in the province, but so far all it's handling are programs designed to reduce the use of electricity. Brennan Vogels with the Ecology Action Centre said that's only half the job. "A quarter of the emissions, greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation. The other quarter is from heating and industrial processes and that sort of thing so there has to be plans and strategies to deal with those sectors," said Vogels. Dunsky Energy Consultants told the Dexter government last summer it should not only keep those programs, but should expand them and guarantee long-term funding of Efficiency Nova Scotia.

  

To view complete article visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/02/08/ns-conserve-ns.html

 

 

 

TEACHERS RESOURCES

 

Green Learning.ca
EnerAction Lessons in Sustainable Transportation

EnerAction has released an exciting new unit on Sustainable Transportation. It features three detailed lesson plans for Grades 4 to 7: Lesson #12 – Ride, Roll and Stroll, Lesson #13 – Back to the Future, and Lesson #14 – Once Upon a Bike. The lessons are supported by a set of ten Sustainable Transportation Case Studies.

EnerAction gets students talking about energy and helps them see the connections between energy consumption and their daily choices. The new Sustainable Transportation unit makes use of the HASTE online transportation calculator  ; it explores the way the movement of goods has changed over time; it considers the historical, cultural, and social role of bikes; it introduces students to success stories in sustainable transportation from around the world; and much more.

 

Click here to learn more or visit:

http://www.greenlearning.ca/eneraction/teacher-materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build a Hydro Generator

 

Build your own water-powered electrical generator with plastic spoons! With the re-energy.ca construction plan, you use plastic spoons and other simple supplies to build a model of a simple micro-hydro system. Your model will generate a surprising amount of electricity, providing you have a supply of pressurized water, such as from a lab sink.

 

 

 

Click here to learn more or visit:

 

 

http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator

 

 

 

 

 

Past Editions

February 2011

January 2011

December 2010

Novemeber 2010

October 2010

September 2010

June 2010

May 2010

April 2010