The skies are clear for Canada's renewable energy industry. Global trends and a glowing reputation have positioned the Great Green North as a leader in clean energy technologies, opening the doors for Canadian firms both at home and abroad.
“We're at a tipping point where the cost is feasible now for communities to invest in these types of energy technologies, so there's no need to be reliant on those old systems,” says Craig Ballard, Canadian Energy CEO, adding, “There's so much opportunity to do good that everyone who wants to can get in.”
Domestically, those opportunities exist among Canada's growing demographic of city-dwellers and business owners who are turning to off-grid solutions like solar energy and high-capacity batteries to offset rising energy costs. They can also be found within remote communities, a majority of which are eager to reduce their carbon footprint and connect to more reliable sources of energy.
“Canada has a large number of remote communities and many rely on expensive diesel fuel for power,” agrees Ballard. “Among those are First Nations communities which are making a strong push for environmentally-conscious energy alternatives. Now, since the price of technology like solar panels is far less than it has ever been, they're finding it less and less expensive to switch.”
Domestic renewable energy leaders are also making a name for themselves beyond the country's borders. Says Ryan Magee, Renewable Program Manager with Canadian Energy, “Globally, Canadian companies are viewed as being innovative and trustworthy and we come by that honestly because we are very innovative in our approach.”
That approach has no doubt granted Canada's renewable energy companies a competitive advantage in international markets. Closer to home, however, it's also one that has positioned Canadian firms to benefit from the anticipated dip in US clean tech activity following President Donald Trump's decision to withdrawal the US from the Paris Accord.
In a statement to press prior to Trump's election, Canadian Premier Trudeau echoed the idea that Canadian companies will likely have a chance to move in on an underserviced market south of the border, saying, “We know that this is the way the world is going and if the United States wants to take a step back from it, quite frankly, I think we should look at that as an extraordinary opportunity for Canada and for Canadians.”
North America is fast becoming an opportune market for Canadian clean energy providers. This is bolstered in part by the United State's growing focus on coal and South America's reliance on diesel fuels and bunker fuels, which makes it more susceptible to fluctuations in the market.
Here again, says Magee, these trends are opening up opportunities for Canadian suppliers to come forward with greener, more efficient and cost-effective energy alternatives: “There are certainly opportunities for Canadian technology in the US. If you look at the solar energy, especially the energy storage market, everyone is focused on either the utility scale or residential application. Although our products can work in both applications, the larger market is the industrial/commercial application.”
Certainly, Canadian Energy is among the country's innovators strengthen Canada's international profile. Its own CUB 2.0 (Containerized Universal Battery), for example, is the latest iteration of the company's off-grid power supply and energy storage solution and has become a leading example of a cost-effective Canadian-made solution that can – and has – been adapted for worldwide use.
It's success, adds Magee, is indicative of what Canada has to offer: “We understand [the stored and renewable energy market] is relatively young, but we also understand this is a huge market with a lot of potential.”
Craig Ballard (CEO) and Ryan Magee (Renewable Energy Manager) are with Canadian Energy. For more, visit www.cdnrg.com.