Climate Action Initiative | BC Agriculture & Food

The Growing the Margins: Rural Green Energy Conference & Exhibition will once again extend GTM’s successful track record by further exploring new technological, operating, policy, regulatory, financial and other challenges and opportunities facing farms and related food and rural industries as they strive to improve their energy efficiency, better utilize byproducts - - and ultimately improve their bottom lines.

Solar Canada 2011 is the largest and most influential conference and trade show for the solar industry in Canada. The number of exhibitors at this annual solar marketplace increased from 40, in 2007, to 198 in 2010. And attendance jumped from 400 visitors, in 2007, to more than 4,000 last year. CanSIA, Canada's solar advocate, is working to support the solar industry's bid to have solar energy widely deployed throughout Canada as a recognized and established component of Canada's energy mix, enabled by a solar industry that competes on a global playing field. By 2015, the solar industry is expected to support more than 35,000 jobs in the economy and displace 15 to 31 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, providing a safer, cleaner environment for generations to come. In 2011, CanSIA expects some 5000 exhibition visitors and conference delegates to attend this dynamic two-day event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. CanSIA—promoting the transition to a solar energy future

BC Hydro is pleased to present Gwynne Dyer as the 2011 Power Smart Forum Keynote Speaker. An award winning journalist and columnist, Dyer’s commentary on international affairs is translated into a dozen languages and syndicated in nearly 200 newspapers in more than 45 countries. His latest book, Climate Wars, is a best-selling, groundbreaking investigation of how nations will behave when climate change really strikes home. In 2010, Dyer was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions as a columnist, documentary producer, broadcaster and author. An impassioned speaker, Dyer will engage Forum attendees with a global perspective, including the geopolitical challenges and social implications of adjusting to a changing climate. More Information Register for webcast (Note: it will say that in-person registration is full. You may still proceed with webcast registration)

Business and governments are beginning to experience the impacts of climate change in a range of areas: business interruption, asset management and economic development and security. Join our animated panel of experts to look at how a changing climate is affecting the business environment and consumer lifestyles in British Columbia. You’ll gain valuable insights on the need for formal adaptation/resilience strategies – economic, environmental and social – and how to integrate them with climate mitigation strategies, including energy conservation and efficiency. More information Register for webcast  (Note: it will say that in-person registration is full. You may still proceed with webcast registration)

Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency is offering a workshop series that investigates energy cost-savings opportunities for industries and businesses across the country. Workshops will be held in three locations in BC.  The workshops are intended to help businesses and organizations to: lower operating and production costs, improve competitive position, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase operational efficiency. Specific details on each workshop can be found by clicking the links below: Kelowna

• Energy Management Planning - March 9, 2011
• Energy Efficiency Financing - March 10, 2011

Vancouver

• Spot the Energy Savings Opportunities - April 12, 2011
• Energy Management Planning - May 3, 2011
• Energy Efficiency Financing - May 4, 2011

Victoria

• Spot the Energy Savings Opportunities - February 15, 2011
• Energy Monitoring - February 16, 2011

The cost of the workshops is as follows:

• One workshop: $340/person
• Two workshops: $595/person
• Three workshops: $850/person
• Four workshops: $1105/person

Note: additional individuals from the same organizations can be registered for only $255/person per workshop. Registration for these workshops is available on-line.  Questions can be directed by emial to Dollarsto$enseWorkshops@NRCan.gc.ca or by telephone to 613-943-2361.  More information on the worshops can be found on the official website.

This conference will provide information about biogas production in the farm, food processing and rural sectors; including new research, technologies, programs and processes.  The program will focus on case studies and lessons learned in specific areas including: lower cost methane recovery, managing digestates, urban sources organics for rural biogas systems, safety and design and innovations from around the world.  The Conference in linked to, and shares the exhibition with, the Growing the Margins Conference occurring at the same time.

This annual conference focuses on technological, operating, policy, regulatory, financial and challenges and opportunities facing farms and related food and rural industries. The conference will be of interest to agricultural producers and partners with an interest in improving energy efficiency and use of biproducts and ultimately, improving the bottom line.  The conference is linked to the 3rd Annual Canadian Farm and Food Biogas Conference which occurs at the same time.

This year as part of the Horticulture Growers' Short Course, the Agricultural Research and Development Corporation (ARDCorp) is hosting an Agri-Energy Forum to raise awareness of, and provide information about, renewable energy technologies relevant to BC agriculture. This one day event, to be held during the Pacific Agriculture Show, will include presentations on agri-energy technologies including: on-farm anaerobic digestion, gasification, geo-exchange and wind systems. There will also be sessions on renewable energy pricing and project financing. For a more detailed agenda of the Forum please visit the ADIAC website.   For more information on the Pacific Agriculture show, please see the link below.