Residents gathered at the Fawcett Community Hall on March 22 for an engaging and informative energy efficiency and renewable energy show hosted by Westlock County.
“I’m developing a three-year energy management program for the county, and it just makes sense to keep the community involved,” said Patrick Jean, municipal energy manager for Westlock County. “This is a good way to both show what we're doing and help people out.”
The event offered a hands-on and visual experience for attendees, featuring a variety of exhibitors showcasing energy-saving technologies and renewable energy solutions. Jean coordinated several organizations to provide expertise and interactive displays on residential energy-saving initiatives.
Among the presenters was Dora L’Heureux, stakeholder relations manager with FortisAlberta, who fielded questions on energy systems and offered guidance for those considering a switch to solar.
Fortis has recently launched a new outage alert system that sends text messages to customers during power disruptions and restorations. Unlike the general outage map available online, this system is tailored to individual properties, removing the guesswork about whether a home is affected or if an issue needs to be reported.
Residents can sign up for the alerts and access the outage map at fortisalberta.com/outages/power-outage-alerts.
L’Heureux also shared information on available grants for landowners and key steps to take when exploring solar power. One of those steps includes working with Fortis to assess whether local infrastructure can accommodate solar energy being sent back into the grid.
Jordan Kruhlak of Glean, a solar brokerage, explained that solar systems don’t necessarily require battery storage. Instead, homeowners can feed electricity directly into the grid during sunny periods and draw from the grid when needed.
Glean supports residents by helping them choose the right type of solar system and vendor, but both Kruhlak and L’Heureux emphasized the importance of early coordination with Fortis to avoid costly mistakes.
Matt Ingvardsen, a registered energy advisor with Energy Werx Corporation, was also at the event providing information on free home energy assessments. These evaluations review a home's energy systems, insulation, windows, and more, offering personalized recommendations to improve efficiency. Details on the EnerGuide home evaluations can be found at Natural Resources Canada.
Joseph Henke, representing the Emissions-Neutral Building Information Exchange (Enbix), showcased models of energy-efficient siding and discussed sustainable building practices. Enbix is a charity that primarily supports commercial builders in implementing high-efficiency construction methods.
Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about electric vehicles from the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta (EVAA). EVAA director Adam Eustace highlighted the fuel and maintenance savings EVs can offer. For example, a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD was compared with a BMW 330ix, showing annual fuel costs of $360 versus $1,993 respectively, based on 15,000 kilometres driven per year.
With a range of up to 400 kilometres for electric cars and more than 700 kilometres for some electric trucks, EVs are becoming increasingly practical for Albertans. More information is available at albertaEV.ca.
Susan Courty from Women in Renewable Energy was also in attendance, offering insights on geothermal energy and other renewable options. Her organization provides resources and support through womeninrenewableenergy.ca.
Jean said the county plans to host additional shows throughout the year, with the next event expected in June. These initiatives are designed to benefit residents across the tri-municipal area, including the Town of Westlock, Westlock County, and the Hamlet of Clyde.
