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1. Why these technologies, why now?
As ENMAX Corporation strives to become “the Energy and Utility people everyone follows”, there are a few reasons that ENMAX Energy is working to offer customers alternative energy technologies:
- Alternative energy technologies allow homeowners to offset a portion of the energy they use that is generated from non-renewable fossil fuels with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This can reduce reliance on fossil fuel generated energy and could result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Some alternative energy technologies such as the solar photovoltaic and micro-wind turbines may reduce the need to build additional infrastructure to carry electricity. Instead of all electricity having to be transported from the source of generation, some of your electricity could be made right at your home from these technologies.
- As an industry leader and innovator, ENMAX Energy is committed to providing Albertans with simple and affordable energy solutions. We believe that an investment in alternative energy technologies is an investment in the future. To that end, we will be offering our customers innovative alternative energy products that will help them generate their own heat and/or electricity.
The alternative energy products that ENMAX Energy is exploring include: Solar Domestic Hot Water System (SDHW), Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels, Micro-Wind Turbines and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Units.
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2. What are the costs associated with installing these alternative energy products?
Traditionally, purchasing and installing these products has been an expensive proposition for an average homeowner. ENMAX Energy is in the process of exploring different pricing options to make the costs associated with these products more attractive for our customers.
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3. When will these products be available to the public?
- Research and field testing is currently underway.
- We are working to make the solar and wind technologies available to our customers as early as mid-2009.
- We are researching the combined heat and power units to develop a working product for Alberta homes.
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4. Who will these alternative energy products be available to?
- Technologies will only be made available to customers on the ENMAX Energy EasyMax® program.
- To begin with, we will offer solar technologies to customers who reside in the City of Calgary and surrounding areas and then expand our offer across Alberta.
- We will offer our micro-wind turbines to acreage and small farm owners in Southern Alberta around areas like Pincher Creek, Fort MacLeod, and Lethbridge.
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5. I’m interested in installing one or more of ENMAX Energy’s alternative energy product offerings. What are the criteria to be eligible for these products?
The alternative energy products we are offering are only available to customers on ENMAX Energy’s EasyMax program. We are in the process of setting up a pre-qualification tool that will require you to answer a few preliminary screening questions to determine your eligibility for installing these products in your home.
In addition to other requirements, you may be eligible for solar technologies if you own your home and your home:
- Is a single family detached house;
- Has a south-facing roof exposed to full sunlight during the day; and
- Has asphalt shingles on the roof.
You may be eligible for installing micro-wind turbines, if:
- You are an acreage or small farm owner in Southern Alberta; and
- You have unobstructed areas in a rural setting with high average wind speeds.
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6. If I am successful in the preliminary screening process for these products, what can I expect to happen next?
Here is what you can expect next to further determine your eligibility for installing these products in your home.
- Someone from ENMAX Energy will call you to find out more details about your home to determine further eligibility.
- If your home appears to be suitable for one of these products, an ENMAX Energy representative will come to your home for a site visit to confirm eligibility.
- If, as a result of the site visit, your home is deemed eligible and you still would like the alternative energy products installed, you will need to sign an agreement.
- ENMAX Energy will complete the permitting process.
- ENMAX Energy will install the alternative energy technologies in your home.
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7. Who will install and maintain these alternative energy products?
ENMAX Energy or its authorized agent will install and perform regular maintenance on these alternative energy products on your behalf. We will also take care of the permitting process, and any technology upgrades of these products.
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8. What kind of modifications will be made to my home if I have one of the solar technologies installed in my home?
It depends on which solar technology is installed and what the construction of your home is like. ENMAX Energy's representative will give you a better idea at the time of the site visit; however, with that in mind, typically you can expect:
- Holes drilled into your rooftop to mount the technology which will be sealed weather tight.
- Hidden wires or pipes routed to your utility room or electrical panel (for example, through your attic or chimney vent).
- An inverter or controller system (and storage tank if you have solar domestic hot water technology installed) in your utility room.
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9. What is a Solar Domestic Hot Water System (SDHW) and how does it work?
The solar domestic hot water system (SDHW) that ENMAX Energy is exploring supplements your existing hot water tank by pre-heating water with solar energy. This product uses a separate storage tank which feeds into an existing hot water tank. Instead of your hot water tank having to heat water from a very cold ground temperature, it gets supplied with water that has already been warmed by the sun. This may reduce the amount of fossil fuel generated energy needed to heat the water.
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10. What is a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel and how does it work?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are panels that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. There are different types of PV panels, differentiated largely by the manufacturing process, materials used, and end function (i.e., PV panels that are designed to replace roofing shingles, etc).
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11. What is a Micro-Wind Turbine and how does it work?
Micro-wind turbines are small-scale wind turbines that convert wind energy into electricity. The micro-wind turbines that ENMAX Energy is exploring are 12 feet in diameter and are mounted on a 33 foot pole. Unobstructed areas in a rural setting with high average wind speeds tend to be good micro-wind sites. We will offer our micro-wind turbines to acreage and small farm owners in Southern Alberta around areas like Pincher Creek, Fort MacLeod, and Lethbridge.
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12. What is a Combined Heat and Power Unit and how does it work?
The combined heat and power technology that ENMAX Energy is exploring utilizes natural gas to generate heat and electricity for your home. This product heats water just like a conventional boiler, but in addition to generating heat for your home, it supplies electricity that in turn offsets the electricity required from the grid. ENMAX Energy is in the process of researching combined heat and power units to develop a working product for Alberta homes. WhisperGen™ is one type of combined heat and power unit that we are researching.
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13. Can I receive a credit for any excess electricity generated at my home that is delivered to the electricity grid?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2009, Albertans can receive credit for any excess electricity they generate that is delivered to the electricity grid.
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14. Are any of these technologies already functional in Calgary or elsewhere in Canada?
Yes, and some of these technologies are operating worldwide. ENMAX Energy has set up field testing sites for these technologies and has been tracking and evaluating their performance to identify and bring the best options to Albertans.
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15. Will my small business be eligible to get alternative energy technologies?
Yes. Your small business will be eligible to get alternative energy technologies when some of these technologies become available to the public mid-2009.
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16. Who can I contact for more information?
If you have technical questions about these technologies, please email dg@enmax.com.
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If you know anyone interested in receiving more information about the alternative energy technologies ENMAX Energy is exploring, refer them to add their names on our mailing list.
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