Resources
"Join us for the Home Retrofit Fair on March 1 at the College of the Rockies!
It's where homeowners get information on making energy improvements to their homes.
Local tradespeople, suppliers and professionals will be addressing topics, including:
* Rebates & RetrofitAssist
* Your Home as a System
* Energy Advisor role
* Return on investment of home retrofits
* Home sealing and insulation including some DIY actions
* Home Performance Contractors Network
* Heat Pumps - HVAC - Questions to ask your contractor
* Building Science Meets the Hammer: Passive House Retrofits
And more!
The affordability, comfort, health, energy efficiency and environmental impact of our homes are all improved through energy retrofitting.
This event provides education for participants on technologies, strategies and support available locally!
Find certified contractors and Retrofit Assist (recently launched by RDEK and is a concierge service that guides homeowners through the entire retrofit process - see https://www.communityenergy.ca/projects/retrofit-assist/ ).
This event is hosted by the College of the Rockies Sustainability Committee, Community Energy Association, EK Climate Hub & Wildsight Kimberley-Cranbrook. It's free and everyone encouraged to come learn and share information!
Watch EKCH Facebook for updates!
Regional Transit Study Final Report and Next Steps
March 2024 update to Council on the Regional Transit Study, including recommendations and next steps.
Read Here
Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency: The retrofit journey
Are you interested in learning more about retrofitting your home to make it more comfow for your home (Dec 4, 6:00pm to 7:30pm PT)
Interested in saving $ & emissions by CAR SHARING?!
Here's a short intro to car sharing
Please do our survey:
1. User survey (renting a vehicle)
2. Hosting survey (renting out your vehicle)
Air filters to protect yourself from the health impacts of wildfire smoke:
Build a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box fan filter:
SFU air filter workshop:
Can BC Mine Operations be Decarbonized?
Mark Seeber, Senior Technical Advisor for Medatech is working with Teck's new Highland Valley Copper mine to make it a low carbon operation and discusses the success underground and the challenges for surface mining. Summary:
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Mark pointed out that there are huge challenges confronting the widespread adoption of battery-electric solutions for large surface haul trucks in the mining industry;
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Though the road haul with the BEV tractor-trailer down the mountain from Highland Valley to Ashcroft is feasible due to descending the mountain loaded, this is not often possible in open pit mining applications. Generally the haul truck is always climbing a grade loaded and returning to the pit empty.
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The challenges are such that BEV technology might only be the answer for some open pit mining operations.
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A critical point Mark raised is the quantity of electricity required to electrify/de-carbonize surface mining operations at the province wide (or larger) scale. This limitation applies regardless of the technology used: BEV, trolley (wired) systems, even hydrogen if 'green' -- that is, not produced from fossil fuels.
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So what are the possible de-carbonization paths forward for the surface mining industry?
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use electricity (renewable only) only for mining required for materials needed for the energy transition;
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require mine designs that enable BEV or trolley electrification or conveyor systems -- that is, mostly downhill for loaded hauls;
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on-site electricity generation (brownfield areas, already mined) -- pumped storage hydro, solar, wind, geothermal. (e.g. what is the temperature of water being pumped out of waste rock in pits?)
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Hydrogen is a big issue. Gray -- out of the question as derived from natural gas. Blue....if CCUS technology proves out and results in economically competitive (with electricity) hydrogen production. Green is an obvious answer....but if renewable energy is going to be used to produce green hydrogen, why use hydrogen as the energy carrier when we already have infrastructure to deliver renewably-generated electricity to many mine sites? One possibility is on-site (mine site) renewable electricity generation used to generate hydrogen which then fuels haul trucks. In comparison to using renewably-generated electricity for BEV haul trucks, this might address at least two problems: (i) battery re-charge time; and (ii) the dangers in transport (truck, train or pipeline) of hydrogen.
Energy Decarbonization and Meeting CleanBC 2030 Targets
Concerns about decarbonization of the energy sector and BC Hydro’s ability to meet the growing demand for low carbon electrification of energy in BC is on everyone’s mind these days. On Nov 16, 2023 BC Hydro presented on meeting future demand and answered questions from elected officials
At this webinar the Pembina Institute also reported on Renewable Natural Gas and the Zero Carbon Step Code
Kevin Pennock, KORE Executive Director, spoke with the EK Climate Hub about KORE's " ReHub " . It's purpose is to help keep outdoor rec gear out of the landfill. The focus is on textiles at this time and KORE is looking at all of the possibilities: RE: pair; RE: sell; RE: use (swaps); RE: duce (rental); RE: education; RE: purpose; RE: cycle.
Kootenay Carshare presented to the EKCH on the Air Carshare Program.
See below for the slides of this presentation.
Effective Messaging for Climate Action: Extending the Outreach
Mary Stockdale gives us a set of principles to aid in climate communication. We know that talking about climate change is critical and is difficult (no one wants to be Debbie Downer but it's important not to gloss over what's happening). This is helpful guidance on values based communication. Mary is an Adjunct Professor in Culture and Global Studies at UBC’s Okanagan campus (UBCO), and engaging communities in climate action is her central concern. Download the slide deck and exercises to learn more!
YouTube Link
Dr. Ilona Hale talks about the climate impacts of the healthcare system and what we can all do to help. Dr Hale is a family physician at the Kimberley Medical Clinic and a researcher and assistant clinical professor with the UBC dept of family practice. Her research interests include anything related to prevention and health promotion particularly very early prevention of chronic disease during infancy and more recently she has been working on projects related to reducing the environmental impact of healthcare.
Sophie Larsen, The Living Lab COTR Project Team Primary Investigator spoke with us about reducing COTR campus’ carbon footprint via composting and growing food that is then consumed onsite.
*New* May 1, 2023 Zero Carbon Step Code
The BC Government has established a new code for municipalities to require lower carbon emissions in new buildings. There are 4 steps to achieve low emissions. Stay tuned as your municipality helps ensure new builds don't have to be retrofitted in a few years time.
Do heat pumps work in our cold climate?
Yes! Listen to Bruce Murdoch on the CBC at minute 37 for more info.
The Heat Pump Torture Test - December 2022
Food Recovery Depot presentation by Shannon Duncan, Coordinator with Healthy Kimberley Food Recovery Depot
Climate Advisory Committee -
A Presentation by Mary Stockdale of the Vernon Climate Advisory Committee
Why Culture Matters! Broadening the Climate Conversation.
Thomas Teuwen will speak with us about why culture matters for a resilient future; the barriers to culture shift, and working with these characteristics common to us all. Thomas reflects on the barriers that are getting in the way and approaches to working with (rather than against).
(Please note that the first 30 minutes of the webinar is a Deep Canvassing update on the Cranbrook project)
Access Bruce Murdoch's case study presentation on building a net zero home below.
Case Study: Net Zero Home
Access CleanBC's presentation on the benefits of a heat pump below.
