Bringing Port City ingenuity to the pursuit of a clean energy future
I firmly believe Saint John Energy’s community-first approach is one of the key reasons for its tremendous accomplishments. It is what will continue to propel it forward on its robust and successful path into the future.
By Ray Robinson, Commentary, February 14, 2022
Amid the drive for a clean energy future for our province and our planet, Saint John stands as a beacon.
This is a community that brings ingenuity and determination to innovating solutions for a sustainable future – solutions that benefit not only its citizens but people across the country and around the globe.
“This well-earned reputation has inspired community support for the utility the likes of which I have never before witnessed in my career.”
Ever humble, Saint John may not fully realize the trailblazing that’s happening right here to create solutions to the climate crisis that confronts us.
But I can tell you, this city has a lot to be proud of.
For the last decade, I have had the privilege to lead one of the finest community-owned electric companies in the country. The devotion and talent of the workforce at Saint John Energy is second-to-none – it is no wonder, then, that the company has repeatedly earned among the highest customer satisfaction and reliability scores among electric utilities in Canada.
This well-earned reputation has inspired community support for the utility the likes of which I have never before witnessed in my career. The confidence people hold in Saint John Energy is not something we take for granted – we know it must be earned day in and day out. It is why every single employee is focused on putting the customer first.
It is this customer-first philosophy that drives us.
Moving forward with strength
After 100 years of service to Saint John – we were launched in 1922 as Civic Hydro – this company moves forward with strength and confidence, with a commitment to building the Utility of the Future here in Saint John.
“At the heart of our design for our next-generation grid is sustainability.”
At the heart of our design for our next-generation grid is sustainability – sustainability for the environment, sustainability for our finances and those of our customers, as well as sustainability for the grid itself as energy demands grow.
Our Utility of the Future is designed to provide clean, renewable energy for today and tomorrow. Construction of the Burchill wind farm at Lorneville is now underway. The 10-turbine farm, owned and operated by Natural Forces, will supply Saint John Energy with enough power to meet up to 15 per cent of the city’s energy needs after it comes online late this year.
We’re proud of this partnership with Natural Forces, just as we are proud of the many partners who are with us on this journey. There are far too many to mention here, but they are progressive-minded with a matching commitment to innovation.
National and international acclaim
Our partnership with researchers at the University of New Brunswick is helping us test and evaluate potential solar energy projects for Saint John. And top minds at UNB are helping us advance the technology we need to design an intelligent grid for our city.
“The Saint John Energy smart grid will help us become a greener city and province.”
Our smart grid, now in the early stages of deployment, is so advanced it has earned national and international awards from the Canadian Electricity Association and the International Smart Grid Action Network, respectively.
Most importantly, the Saint John Energy smart grid will help us become a greener city and province.
It will help us battle the steep financial and environmental costs of peak energy demand with sophisticated predictions of energy demand and careful balancing of energy resources.
Balancing renewable energy
In doing so, we will avoid steep charges for peak energy and assist NB Power in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Peak energy production in New Brunswick can double emissions compared to off-peak generation as fossil-fuel generation plants come online to meet the demand.
“The energy savings provide their own environmental and financial benefits.”
The smart grid will also help us balance renewable energy on the grid, and our Tesla Megapack battery will be indispensable – allowing us to store energy when it isn’t needed and to deploy it when it is.
The smart grid will allow us to provide Saint Johners with intelligent products like smart thermostats, smart heat pumps and smart water heaters – all equipped to work seamlessly with the grid to enhance energy efficiency for our customers and maximize their control of their energy use. In doing so on a wide scale, the energy savings provide their own environmental and financial benefits.
In building the smart grid from the ground up here in Saint John, we can design a system that is tailored for our customers’ needs. It also means our city and province benefit from the $13.5-million investment in this project.
Propelling it forward
The trailblazing happening in Saint John is being noticed, and followed, in Canada and around the world. And it is exportable – the innovation can benefit utilities near and far.
“Ryan is an outstanding leader who has fearlessly driven forward the innovation I have highlighted here.”
I firmly believe Saint John Energy’s community-first approach is one of the key reasons for its tremendous accomplishments. It is what will continue to propel it forward on its robust and successful path into the future.
It is with mixed emotions that I leave the city and Saint John Energy for a new opportunity with Holland Power Services in Maugerville. It has been a true honour to work with the small but mighty team at Saint John Energy, people who have a tireless commitment to their jobs and their city.
But I leave knowing that Saint John Energy will be under the leadership of Ryan Mitchell, who takes the helm in March. Ryan is an outstanding leader who, as our vice-president and chief development officer, has fearlessly driven forward the innovation I have highlighted here.
Canada Clean50 leader
“I know this community will continue to be a trailblazer in building a cleaner and more prosperous future for generations to come.”
Recently named to Canada’s Clean50 list as one of the nation’s top sustainability leaders, Ryan brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the energy and telecommunications sectors.
He has the skill and vision to carry Saint John Energy into its second century of service while upholding the reputation the organization has rightfully earned as a trusted industry leader.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Saint John Energy, our city and our province. I know this community will continue to be a trailblazer in building a cleaner and more prosperous future for generations to come.
Ray Robinson, a leader in the energy sector for more than 30 years, is outgoing President and CEO of Saint John Energy.
