Resilient Pipes & Wires

Project Overview

Almost 90 percent of Canadian natural gas, thermal and electric utility distributors have been significantly impacted by a weather event in the past decade. Despite concerns that climate-related events like high winds, heavy rains, ice storms, extended extreme cold weather, heat waves and storm surges are threatening the reliability and resiliency of Canadian energy distribution services, there remains limited documentation related to the level of awareness of climate change adaptation and the types of adaptation measures being pursued by the distribution sector. Resilient Pipes and Wires focused on documenting how energy distribution companies are adapting to climate change and assessing the role of policymakers and regulators in improving the resilience of energy distribution systems across Canada. This project was completed in 2015.

Key Objectives of the Project

The objectives of the Resilient Pipes and Wires initiative were to:

  • Assess the level of climate adaptation awareness and measures within the Canadian energy distribution sector
  • Document the state and scope of climate adaptation awareness and measures
  • Identify issues associated with these measures
  • Outline the drivers and barriers for taking measures
  • Identify the policies relevant to climate adaptation measures in the Canadian energy distribution sector
  • Document how these policies were acting as drivers or barriers
  • Recommend measures to address barriers and leverage drivers

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Project Partners

Empowering Canadian Communities

QUEST Canada develops and implements programs and 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 programs and projects:

Enabling Low-Carbon Energy Projects for Investments

Enabling Low-Carbon Energy Projects for Investments

Communities in Canada are increasingly developing local, low-carbon energy projects, but many face road-blocks with regards to financing. Simultaneously, Canadian investors are seeking low-carbon investments, but are challenged to find local opportunities at scale for investment. The Enabling Low Carbon Energy Projects for Investment (ELCEPI) research project aims to offer recommendations and solutions to close these financing gaps, while connecting the barriers and enablers for investment to larger socio-economic issues.

New Brunswick Smart Energy Communities Accelerator Pilot Program

New Brunswick Smart Energy Communities Accelerator Pilot Program

The NB SECA Pilot Program successfully established a community energy planning accelerator to assist a series of New Brunswick communities and one First Nation, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to develop and implement community energy plans and understand the net economic benefit they can provide.

Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy for Indigenous Communities

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.