Introduction
BackgroundTown of Berwick: Berwick is located in Kings County, Nova Scotia, and is surrounded by agricultural operations. Kings County is home to approximately 90% of the agricultural activity in the Province of Nova Scotia. The population of Berwick is approximately 2,400. The major industry in Berwick is the Larsen's meat processing plant. Berwick is also home to the Berwick and District School, an arena with ice surface, and curling club. Berwick Energy Future and Green Municipal Fund ProjectsGreen Municipal FundThe Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesÙ(FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) provides loans and grants, builds capacity, and shares knowledge to support municipal governments and their partners in developing communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. GMF Funded Projects in the Town of BerwickBerwick Energy Fair (Completed): The 1st Berwick Energy Fair was held on Saturday, June 16 2007 at the Berwick & District School. There were 22 exhibitors in the gymnasium including local merchants, suppliers of insulation and heating equipment and services, wind energy generators and the project manager for the new fire hall, plus four student projects. Outside exhibits featured four energy efficient vehicles and BEC equipment. Four presentations were provided on a rotating basis in one of the classrooms. CFL distribution and completion of questionnaires were administered in one of the larger classrooms. Other Energy Related Projects in the Town of BerwickBerwick & District Volunteer Fire Department, New Fire Hall (Completed, New Building Officially Opened)A new fire hall for the Berwick and District Volunteer Fire Departments has been planned for several years. In November, 2006, AMG was engaged by the fire hall committee to analyse the most effective heat supply to the new building. Results of the analysis and recommendations for heating were provided in AMG's report Analysis of Energy Alternatives, Report for Berwick and District Volunteer Fire Department Version 1.0, 31 January, 2007. The solution proposed and now being implemented uses passive solar for the apparatus bay and air heat pumps for the remainder of the building with diesel used for backup heat and for domestic hot water. (Diesel is already required on premises for emergency electricity generation.) Building construction is well under way, with completion planned for later in 2008. Projected GHG reductions are 56.5 tonnes/year eCO2, representing 4.4 % of Berwick's current total related to buildings and non-transportation operations. The new fire hall opened for business in November of 2008. Demand Side Management (DSM) (Ongoing) Starting in early 2007, Berwick Energy began investigating means of controlling the demand for electricity, particularly at times of the utility peak. Four interval meters installed in January of 2007 allowed capture of data. Subsequent analysis has indicated demand characteristics of Berwick Energy customers, contributing to an understanding of ways to control demand to the benefit of the utility and ultimately its customers. Energy Monitoring Program (Ongoing) Berwick Agriculture-Energy Centre (BAEC) (Ongoing) BAEC was established as a not-for-profit organization in January 2008. The board comprises representatives from the Town of Berwick, the Berwick Electric Commission, the Municipality of Kings County, the Kings County Federation of Agriculture, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and AMG. The intent is to explore ways to connect energy with agriculture to provide cleaner energy sources and support the agricultural community in Kings County and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. |
The Berwick Energy Future (BEF) began in November 2006 as a Town of Berwick initiative aimed at establishing the Town as the leading community in Nova Scotia in terms of the generation and management of energy resources. The BEF has become the overall concept that encompasses all of the town energy related projects that are helping the Town of Berwick to progress towards this goal. 
Berwick is one of six municipalities in Nova Scotia that owns its own electric utility, trading as Berwick Energy and managed by the Berwick Electric Commission. Berwick Energy operates its own hydroelectric facility that provides approximately 5% of requirements and is used judiciously at times of peak demand to reduce purchases from Nova Scotia Power. This situation of self owned and operated generation by a municipal utility is unique to Berwick Energy in the province of Nova Scotia. 
Berwick Town Hall (Project Under Development): A comprehensive analysis has been prepared with a proposed path forward indicating financial payback of under three years and GHG reductions of 61.3 tonnes/ year eCO2, representing 4.7 % of Berwick's current total for buildings and non-transportation related operations. The report and proposed implementation plan were accepted by Town Council on 8th July, 2008. Having acknowledged completion of the analysis project, Town Council now is in the process of determining the priority for capital investement to establish a potential start date for the project. The solution proposed uses higher efficiency lighting with air heat pumps for heating and cooling. An alternative solution adds passive solar as a supplement for heating. Project start is proposed for April, 2009, with benefits achievable during the winter season 2009-2010.
Building on the DSM initiative, Berwick Energy installed an additional 180 interval meters in the RFM network in November and December of 2008. Two samples of 100 customers have been established, with half using energy monitors starting in December of 2008 and the other half in May of 2009. The two year study will examine the effect of the energy monitors in helping customers to reduce energy consumption in their homes. The program has received funding from both EcoNova Scotia and Conserve Nova Scotia.