A Leading Smart Energy Community in Canada

Our promise

Shediac is committed to leading the way in Canada by taking concrete actions to reduce its carbon footprint and becoming a truly energy efficient, energy smart AND smart energy community!

WHY IS A SMART ENERGY COMMUNITY IMPORTANT?

In 2018, the Town of Shediac pledged to become leaders in responsible and sustainable energy use. Shediac residents know that living in one of the most pristine regions in the world comes with responsibility. As a community, we must collectively act to ensure we protect the environment we live in and work to lower our carbon footprint from all sources, including energy.

THE STRENGTH OF PARTNERSHIP

In 2019, a leading-edge project took flight called the Shediac Smart Energy Community Project! Supporting the Town in this ground-breaking initiative are NB Power, federal government funding partners NRCan and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and research partner the National Research Council ofCanada (NRC). Together, they have partnered to develop Smart Grid Atlantic, a four-year federally funded research initiative aimed at helping Atlantic Canada move to a smarter, cleaner, more resilient, and efficient power grid. A modernized power grid that Shediac residents will help pioneer!

WHAT YOUR MUNICIPALITY IS DOING

As part of our commitment to creating a sustainable energy future, the Town of Shediac has been working on energy related initiatives for some time. Here are just a few!
  • Conversion to LED Streetlights. In 2013 we began work with NB Power on a joint pilot project to change all of our traditional streetlights to highly energy efficient LED lighting. Over several months in 2013, 733 streetlights in our community were converted to LED. Since 2013, all new subdivision developments are designed and built with LED streetlights only. As of October 2020, there are 786 LED streetlights.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging! In July 2016, a double Level 2 EV charging station was installed in Shediac. This was a partnership with NB Power for both local use and to provide this level of service to the significant market of out of town tourists. NB Power has since installed a ‘fast’ Level 3 Charge EV outlet to increase services at this same location. In 2022, there are plans to install 2 more EV chargers at the Shediac Rotary Parc, Home of the Giant Lobster.
There are
THREE key components
of this project:

Conducting a Residential Smart Energy Study with nearly 500 Shediac residents

Building NB Power’s first Community Solar Farm in Shediac.

Creating two net-zero buildings: Shediac Multipurpose Centre and Shediac’s Government of Canada Pension Centre

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Every one of us can do our part to use energy in a responsible manner. Here are some easy tips you can apply in your daily life to help us live our vision of becoming a leading smart energy community in Canada!

No cost to you!

  • Shut off your lights when you leave the room.
  • Unplug empty refrigerators and freezers.
  • Keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
  • Check refrigerator door seals for tightness. Signs of mold on door seals indicate they need cleaning and possible replacing.
  • Don't let ice build up in refrigerators and freezers - defrost at least annually.
  • Use small cooking appliances when you can, especially in the summer months.
  • Hand dry dishes instead of using the dry cycle on the dishwasher.
  • Make sure roofing cables are turned off when they aren't needed.
  • Use a clothesline or drying rack to dry clothes whenever possible.
  • Wear slippers or socks and a warm sweater instead of setting thermostats higher.
  • Open window coverings to let in free solar heat on sunny winter days.
  • At the end of the heating season, make sure all baseboard heaters are "off" at the circuit breaker in your electrical panel.
  • Check the status of heating devices in garages and other small buildings on your property and make sure only required heaters are active.
  • Vacuum baseboard heater fins at least once a year.
  • Keep baseboard heaters free from obstructions like furniture.

Low cost to you!

  • Choose lighting products to match the amount of light needed in each room.
  • Use LED nightlights to light unoccupied areas.
  • Reduce energy consumption with LED bulbs, they use 75% less energy and last 25X longer than regular incandescent bulbs.
  • Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators. A water-efficient showerhead uses about 50% less water and saves an average of $25/yr.
  • Fix leaking hot water pipes and faucets as soon as possible.
  • Insulate hot water copper piping near your water heater but be sure not to insulate the relief valve at the top of the tank.

— PARTNERS —

— FUNDERS —

— RESEARCH PARTNER —