Renewable Heating Workshop to explore options for Canadian consumers

Canada’s industry associations for geothermal heat pump and solar technologies – the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) – will hold a joint workshop in cooperation with the United Kingdom. Entitled Renewable Heat Policy and Technology: Integrating Solar and Geothermal Technologies, the workshop will explore technical and policy options for Canadian renewable heating and cooling. It will take place at University of Toronto’s Hart House on the downtown St George’s campus, January 31, 2013. The UK government pioneered the first nationallevel incentive specifically for renewable heating regulation. UK Trade & Investment is providing funding support for the workshop and its policymakers are expected to share their experience with national level representatives from Canada.
“The solar thermal industry in Canada has a long history in providing domestic hot water systems and innovative heating and cooling systems all over the world,” said John Gorman, CanSIA President. “By integrating with heat pumps – whether geothermal, waste heat, sewer – our technologies have the potential to even more effectively shift electricity demand during peak periods, and contribute more to Canada’s energy future throughout all of our regions.”
“Though one of Canada’s most powerful renewable energy, conservation, and energy efficiency options, heat pump technology is also one of Canada’s most underutilized options,” added Denis Tanguay, CGC President & CEO. “Our goal is to see that change, in the medium to longterm. When integrated with solar thermal, thermal storage and waste heat sources, heat pump systems of all types have the potential to generate billions of dollars of economic activity in buildings and infrastructure, across the country.”