Energy Community of Practice
(2015-2016)Project Overview
For many municipalities, there is a disconnect between broader provincial planning policies and programs and local energy planning efforts, adding a layer of complexity and uncertainty to community energy planning activities.
The Ontario Energy Community of Practice (ECOP) initiative ran from 2015-2016 and focused on providing education and capacity building for Ontario municipalities, utilities, and other local stakeholders to develop and implement community energy plans. The intent was to help better align local, regional, and provincial energy planning activities.
ECOP was led by QUEST and the Clean Air Partnership with support from Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the ECOP initiative were to:
- Build an understanding of the benefits of community energy plans (CEPs) to accelerate energy efficiency and advance economic development opportunities
- Provide municipalities with training, resources, and skills to develop and implement CEPs
- Foster improved partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders (especially utilities) and better enable these communities to identify priority local energy projects
- Help municipalities understand the link between community energy planning and the IESO’s regional electricity planning program
ECOP Training Modules and Resources
ECOP Training Modules
The following ECOP Training Modules are provided in PowerPoint format, giving you the flexibility to use and modify the content according to your specific needs. The content of the modules is catered to the project’s two target stakeholder groups – municipalities and utilities –
Module 1: Community Energy Planning Benefits and Applications
Module 2: Community Energy Planning within the Broader Provincial Energy Planning Framework
Module 3: Community Energy Plan Implementation
Module 4: Community Energy in Action
ECOP Symposium
Presentation
Project Partners
Empowering Canadian Communities
QUEST Canada develops and implements projects with the aim to nurture strategic partnerships, facilitate connections, empower community champions, and influence decisions makers, supporting communities across Canada on their pathway to net-zero. Find out more about our projects:
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy for Indigenous Communities
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) for Indigenous Communities is a three-year project designed to help rural and remote Indigenous communities reach emission reduction targets by increasing their capacity to plan and implement land-based renewable energy initiatives (solar, wind, biomass, and geo-thermal). This project supports rural, remote Indigenous communities on their pathway to net-zero.
Equitable Engagement
The Equitable Engagement project works to incorporate Indigenous knowledge as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations into QUEST Canada’s capacity building-based initiatives. The aim of this project is to ensure current and future participating communities are equipped with the tools, resources, and knowledge required to engage all stakeholders on the pathway to a durable and just net-zero future.
Partnering for Indigenous Community Energy Capacity
Partnering for Indigenous Community Energy Capacity (PICEC) is an Indigenous, community-led initiative aimed at strengthening the understanding and knowledge of priorities, needs, and challenges surrounding community energy planning.