We’re using community renewable energy generation, or community generation, to inspire collective action to reduce local emissions.
Community generation initiatives are renewable energy projects financed, owned, and managed by residents. Our partner, Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative (BVGEC), uses a unique ‘micro-generation model’ to give community members an opportunity to collaboratively invest in large power generation - in this case, our project will install solar power on a community building in Calgary.
Using this installation as a hub, we will directly reduce local emissions, educate Calgarians about community generation and the benefits of renewable energy, and work to expand BVGEC membership and investment.
solar installation
The Biosphere Institute and BVGEC have collaborated to install solar photovoltaic panels on the Temple B’nai Tikvah in Calgary. This demonstration project will be Calgary's first community generation project, partially financed by community funds under the Micro-Generation Regulations 2018. We installed interpretive signage and hosted open houses and a “Switching On” event to introduce the project to the community.
education campaign
A broad, multimedia education campaign was launched to dispel myths about renewable energy, promote community generation as a viable and accessible option to address the energy transition, and to inspire memberships in BVGEC.
By using an interactive educational approach, also worked to build relationships and identify future potential community generation host sites.
community generation - The Micro-generation model
We created an open source ‘guide to community generation’ detailing the journey of forming a community generation initiative using the Micro-generation model, in Alberta. By collaborating as co-ops, we can build capacity in order to encourage more renewable electricity generation and inspire a cultural shift to empower residents to control and profit from energy production.
This project was supported by grants and in-kind support from the following organizations:
