What Should a Made in Yukon Energy Conservation Plan Look Like? | Thursday, November 10, 2011

You might recall that earlier this year, Yukon Energy teamed up with the Yukon Electrical Company Ltd. and the Yukon government’s Department of Energy, Mines & Resources to collect information about how people use electricity in the territory and where the greatest gains might be in terms energy conservation or efficiencies.

We hired ICF Marbek to do what's called a Conservation Potential Review. Marbek is one of Canada’s top energy consulting firms.

Over the past several months, the company has been gathering information to answer the following questions:
• How do Yukoners currently use energy (i.e. what percentage of energy consumption goes towards heat, hot water, lighting, plug loads, etc.)?
• How much power would Yukon need in future years if there weren't any energy conservation/efficiency initiatives put in place?
• How much potential is there in Yukon for energy savings through energy conservation initiatives?
• Where are the greatest gains to be made in terms of energy conservation?

The consultants have been gathering the information using customer billing data, stakeholder consultation and customer surveys. They’ve processed all the collected data and are now ready to start discussing their findings with Yukoners.

Marbek is coming to Yukon for two-and-a-half days of workshops next week in Whitehorse with various stakeholders. The workshops will allow participants to talk about how much of the electricity savings identified in the draft study can realistically be achieved within Yukon’s residential, commercial and renewable sectors between now and 2030.

Marbek will take the feedback it receives during these workshops and use it to further refine its report. The final version of the report will be available to everyone as soon as it is completed.
 

Calculating Your Energy Usage | Thursday, November 10, 2011

Want to know how much it costs for your daily shower or bath? Need to better understand how much electricity your television or your computer uses?

We have a new tool that can help you manage your electricity usage and lower your power bill. Check out our energy calculator and let us know what you think.

That Time of Year Again | Monday, October 31, 2011

With winter upon us (the weather forecasters are calling for the temperatures to drop over the next 24 hours) it's time to do a check of your home. Is it ready for the cold weather ahead? We dropped in once again on the Kitchen-Kuiacks, the Yukon family taking part in a national energy diet contest. Take a look at their video full of tips on how to winterize your home.

Have any tips of your own? We'd love to hear from you.

Thieves in the Night | Monday, October 3, 2011

 Here's the Kitchen-Kuiack family's latest video in their challenge to reduce their energy consumption. This one's on phantom power. We love this family's creativity.

Saving Energy: the Baby Shower | Monday, September 19, 2011

Find out how the Kitchen-Kuiack family is doing so far with their Energy Diet contest. This week's entry centres around a baby shower.

Got any energy saving tips for them and for the rest of us? On an energy diet of your own? We'd love it if you would share your stories and suggestions on this blog.

The Energy Diet Challenge | Monday, September 12, 2011

The Kitchen/Kuiack household from the Marsh Lake area is setting an example for all of us. They are taking on the Energy Diet Challenge, an initiative set up by Shell Canada and Canadian Geographic. They are one of six families from across Canada going head to head to see how much energy they can save over the next three months. At stake are some great prizes, including a new hybrid car, and more importantly, a cleaner environment.

We encourage you to follow their blog, and send them words of encouragement. Perhaps you have some tips you'd like to pass along to them.

You might also consider going on an energy diet of your own. If you do, please tell us about your challenges and triumphs through this blog or through our Facebook page.

Photo: Energy Diet website.

Dollars to Sense Workshop | Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Looking to save some money on energy? We are partnering with Yukon Electrical Company Ltd. and Natural Resources Canada to offer another energy management workshop. This will be very similar to one we hosted in the spring.

Participants will learn how to identify energy savings opportunities and will be offered some low cost or no cost ways to save energy. This workshop is ideal for small business owners and First Nation and Municipal decision makers...essentially anyone responsible for making energy-related decisions.

It's taking place on October 26th at the Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse. Cost is $25 for the day and registration deadline is October 19th. Questions? (867) 393-5313 or stephanie.whitehead@yec.yk.ca. The registration form can be found here.

Partnering With Alexco on Energy Conservation | Tuesday, September 6, 2011

We've talked on a number of occasions on this blog about the fact that energy conservation is a critical element in helping us meet Yukon's growing need for electricity. The more we all save, the less new generation we will need to find. We're working with all customers classes on various energy conservation projects. Today we are happy to tell you about a new project we are undertaking in partnership with one of our industrial customers, Alexco Resource Corp. We are working with them to have an energy audit done at the Bellekeno mine, mill and camp. The goal is to help the mining operation reduce its current yearly electrical power consumption and peak demand load.

The energy audit will be done by Demand Side Energy, a Winnipeg firm that specializes in industrial audits. It will document past and current electricity use, compare that usage to other similar operations, and provide recommendations for energy saving opportunities. The auditing company will also provide a proposal for managing peak load.

The audit will be done next week. We expect the report to be completed by the end of this year. Alexco Resources will share the cost of the audit with us 50-50. If as a result of the audit, Alexco implements energy conservation measure that reduce their current annual consumption, we will reimburse them an additional 25 percent of the audit cost.

Our New Department | Thursday, August 25, 2011

Yukon Energy has a new department. The Energy Conservation Department has been formed to integrate energy conservation and efficiencies into Yukon Energy’s operations.

Energy conservation is an important element in helping us meet Yukon’s growing energy needs. At the energy charrette we hosted this past spring, and later in public and stakeholder surveys, we heard a very clear message from Yukoners that energy conservation had to be a major component of our energy planning. Creating a new department shows Yukon Energy's commitment to making energy conservation an essential part of what we do.

The two-person department made up of Manager Jessica Thiessen and Administrator Stephanie Whitehead will work on moving forward with Yukon-wide conservation programs that involve the public, private, and industrial sectors. They'll also focus on the Corporation’s own energy use, since it's important that Yukon Energy 'walk the talk'.