DID YOU KNOW?
PowerShift Atlantic is the only project of its kind that we are aware of in the world and has the potential to be part of the solution to address the global challenge of effectively integrating clean, renewable energy.
The PowerShift Atlantic project continues to attract international attention. The research project has been presented at a number of Smart Grid conferences around the world.
PowerShift Atlantic research has been recognized with a 2012 CEA Sustainable Electricity Award and the CanWEA R.J. Templin Award in the Group Leadership Award Category.
Electric utilities in the Maritimes already use a fuel mix that includes hydro, tidal, wind, biomass, coal, oil, nuclear and natural gas to generate electricity.
Current installed wind capacity in Canada is about 5641 megawatts (MW), equivalent to about 2% of Canada's total electricity demand, with:
- 164 MW in Prince Edward Island
- 294 MW in New Brunswick
- 317 MW in Nova Scotia
A single megawatt is enough electricity to power about 715 homes for one hour.
An average wind speed of 23 kilometers per hour is needed to convert wind energy into electricity.
In 2011, New Brunswick had the potential to generate approximately 10% of peak electricity load with wind generation.
On an average windy day in 2011, 10-15% of electricity consumed in Nova Scotia could be generated by wind.
New Brunswick's Energy Policy is targeting 40% renewable energy by 2020.
It's safe to predict that by 2020, 40% of Nova Scotia's electricity generation will come from renewable sources.
Today, PEI is able to supply 18% of the province’s electrical needs with wind.
