Did you know that renewable energy sources currently provide about 18% of Canada’s total primary energy supply? Water, wind, and biomass are the most common. In fact, Canada is the world’s second largest producer of hydroelectricity!
SDG 7 challenges us to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. That means not only reducing our reliance on fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy sources, but also improving energy efficiency and storage systems to make sure that energy doesn’t go to waste and ensuring that everyone has access to reliable electricity.
Colleges and institutes are leaders in our renewable energy future! They train people to work in the clean and renewable energy sector and support industry to find innovative solutions to energy challenges in their communities.
- At British Columbia Institute of Technology’s School of Energy students learn skills that prepare them to work in industries focused on increasing energy efficiencies and developing cost-effective alternative energy sources. (Some of the programs include Chemical and Environmental Technology, Smart Grid Systems and Technologies and Mechatronics and Robotics Technology!)
- The School of Construction and the Environment connects the natural world and the built environment and prepares students to work in areas like Residential Renewable Energy and Sustainable Energy Management.
- Northern Energy Innovation at Yukon University (in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College and Aurora College) explores the unique energy challenges faced by northern communities. This includes reducing reliance on diesel fuel, making diesel energy more efficient, and technologies that support off-grid communities.
- At Lethbridge College, the four-week Vestas Wind Turbine Technician Readiness program (launching later this year!) will help knock down some of the barriers to entry for women who are interested in careers in the trades and renewable energy.
- At Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Energy and Resources Lab is a hub for all energy-related applied research and training programs, focusing on alternative energy technologies, smart grids, and energy efficient home construction.
- At Conestoga College, Renewable Energy Techniques gives students the skills and knowledge to create, install, and maintain functional renewable energy systems using solar power, wind, solar-thermal technologies, and other forms of alternative energies.
- At Lambton College, the Lambton Energy Research Centre specializes in research, development, and commercialization of renewable energy management and optimization technologies.
- The centre’s Sustainable SmartHouse is as a teaching facility and testing lab for industrial partners pursuing research in renewable energy management and optimization.
- At Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, Nergica is a research centre dedicated to innovation in renewable energies, exploring solutions like wind and solar photovoltaic energies, reduction of costs related to energy infrastructure, and accelerating our transition away from fossil fuels.
- At Cégep de Jonquière, the Centre TERRE (Technologies des Énergies Renouvelables et du Rendement Énergétique) is both a research and learning centre that specializes in green technologies and renewable energies, including wind, water, sun, and bio energies.
- At Holland College, students in Energy Systems Engineering Technology explore how energy is produced, stored, distributed and used, and learn green building principles for things like insulation, heating and cooling, and electrical. Graduates can apply for a five-year equivalency toward their Certified Energy Manager designation.
- At Nova Scotia Community College, the two-year Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology diploma prepares students to work in energy assessment and management, energy-efficient design, renewable energy and energy storage, and greenhouse gas emission assessment.
We all have a role to play in energy efficiency! By being more aware of our energy usage at home, investing in clean renewable energies, and contributing to innovation in the field, we can improve our health and the environment, drive economic growth and create green jobs, and help to ensure affordable access to clean energy for all.