Energy Ideas for Guelph

Guelph and Guelphites can do many initiatives to reduce energy expenses, promote renewable energy, stimulate economic development, and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I list several initiatives below. Some I heard this week while I attended the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) Community Power Conference 2010 15-16 November in Toronto. Some initiative ideas are from my own experience, and this is just the beginning of a long list that Guelph could consider.

• Solar PV and solar heating on new public and private construction. Build it into new structures such as our new Go Train station and the new car park on Wilson Street. PV panels can be used as a shade for cars on the top level of a car park. Panels can be awnings on the south wall, or simply installed on the south wall on a bracket. Solar heating can be passive air solar walls as well as sunlight through windows. 
• Energy sales can be included in the financial model of new construction.
• Solar PV on brown fields now create "Bright fields". They can also be installed on city owned lands, around water sedimentation ponds, or around the various industrial parks. 
• Solar-friendly homes can be designed and built in co-operation with the Guelph Home Builders Association. Many homes in my new subdivision are poorly suited for solar panels due to the complex, architectural roof designs.
• Building officials should be trained about renewable energy opportunities, requirements, and initiatives. 
• Guelph could require energy efficiencies more strict than the Ontario Building Code. 
• A 1 year tax property tax deduction for the first year of a new home if energy and water efficiency was built into the project
• Geothermal opportunities should be explored wherever possible, including new construction, retrofits, industrial, and institutional.
• Biomass from agriculture could be an option for the University of Guelph.
• Traffic research should be conducted. University of Guelph students could provide a GPS to employees and residents in various sectors and locations in the city for 1 week. All driving would be recorded on the GPS to study transit patterns. 
• A renewable energy and energy efficiency inventory can be created so people learn about various projects.
• The city website could be enhanced to provide more information about energy and water initiatives.