Community Energy Fund: 2024 Recipients

2024 Community Energy Fund Projects

Municipalities

Municipal District of Big Lakes (High Prairie, AB)

Big Lakes County will use the funds they receive from ATCO to upgrade the lighting in five of their fire service facilities, three of which also provide community social services. This project will replace old, inefficient fixtures with high-efficiency LEDs, helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.  

Town of Okotoks (Okotoks, AB) 

With support from the ATCO Community Energy Fund, Okotoks will launch a one-year pilot to improve the delivery of its DIY Energy Audit Kit program to Okotoks residents. This enhanced initiative will include personal consultations with a Conservation Educator and Climate Change Specialist, offer energy-saving items as incentives, and upgrade their currently existing audit kits to include indoor air quality monitors. Additionally, Okotoks will host four targeted workshops to educate residents on energy efficiency and new technologies. 

This project supports the Town?s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and aligns with their efforts to reduce community emissions through improved energy efficiency of homes.

Town of Sexsmith (Sexsmith, AB)

With financial support from ATCO, the Town of Sexsmith will upgrade its Public Works lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. By replacing outdated incandescent and fluorescent lights with LEDs, the town expects to cut energy use by at least 75 per cent compared to incandescent bulbs and 44 per cent compared to fluorescent tubes. This project builds on Sexsmith?s commitment to sustainability, complementing their existing Solar Farm and further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This upgrade will boost energy efficiency and support the town?s climate-friendly initiatives. 

Town of Stony Plain (Stony Plain, AB)

The Town of Stony Plain is making strides towards greener transportation by installing two Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers. One charger will be at the Public Works building to support the Town?s electric fleet, while the other will be publicly accessible at the Town Office. This initiative will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, provide a model for sustainable practices, and expand the EV charging network west of Edmonton, making electric vehicle use more practical and convenient for residents.  

Town of Swan Hills (Swan Hills, AB)

ATCO?s funding will be used to upgrade the Swan Hills Keyano Centre?s lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. By switching to LEDs, this 400-seat community facility will lower its energy use and maintenance costs while continuing to serve residents, businesses, and non-profit groups in the Swan Hills area.  

Village of Standard (Standard, AB) 

The Village of Standard is advancing its commitment to sustainability with a new solar photovoltaic system that will offset a large percentage of the electricity consumption for all Village-owned buildings, including the firehall, arena, curling club, library, and more. The system is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 245 tonnes annually. 

Non-Profit or Charitable Organizations

Demmitt Cultural Society (Demmitt, AB)

The Demmitt Community Centre will enhance its energy management with new battery storage. This initiative aims to stabilize power usage during peak season. With over 5,000 event attendees annually, this popular community facility will be able to complete these upgrades to reduce their energy costs and decrease reliance on the grid, while showcasing advanced energy technologies.   

Lac Bellevue and District Recreation & Agricultural Society (St. Paul, AB)

The Lac Bellevue Agricultural Society is turning its campground into an energy-efficient space by installing ground-mounted solar panels. This initiative will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy costs through clean, renewable energy.  

The project will also replace old lights with energy-saving LEDs and run workshops to teach campground visitors about solar energy and conservation. Their ultimate goal is to achieve a net-zero energy facility that serves as an example for other regions.  

Sustainable Red Deer Society (operating as ReThink Red Deer)

This organization is receiving funding for a feasibility study that focuses on helping youth in Red Deer explore careers in renewable energy by learning from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Participants will gain hands-on skills in solar energy design and managing urban farming sites to grow food for those in need, while also reconnecting with the land in a meaningful way.  

After completion of the study, the plan is to make a compelling case to install solar panels at numerous urban farming sites in Red Deer. These solar sites can work together to create a ?Virtual Power Plant,? providing clean energy to the local grid and helping Red Deer reach its sustainable energy goals.  

Schools/Educational Programming

Buffalo Trail School Division: Dewberry School (Dewberry, AB)

The land-based program at Dewberry School, offers students in grades 7 through 9, hands-on learning about nature, sustainability, and Indigenous practices. Through projects like designing small-scale solar-powered devices and wind turbines, students will explore renewable energy principles and the benefits of solar energy, while contributing to reducing the school?s carbon footprint. 

In addition, students in grades 10 to 12 can also earn their Greenhouse Green Certificate by converting a school bus into a solar powered greenhouse. Combined with the Poultry Green Certificate program, students will create a full-cycle farming operation, to help further promote sustainability and prepare them for a greener future.

Student Energy (Calgary, AB)

This project, led by the Student Energy UofC Chapter, will promote renewable energy and energy efficiency within the Siksika Nation Reserve. This pilot project involves installing solar photovoltaic systems to power sustainably built units within the reserve. The system is expected to cut the homes' energy bills by 20 to 30 percent and improve energy security by reducing reliance on the grid, especially during peak times. This initiative will showcase the benefits of solar energy and offer a model that can be replicated for other homes. 

Students will also benefit from hands-on experience in renewable energy, project management, and community outreach, enhancing their awareness of sustainable energy practices.

The King's University (Edmonton, AB)

The King?s Centre for Visualization in Science, a research and dissemination centre of The King?s University, will create an interactive tool that uses a colour classification system to illustrate the sustainability of different hydrogen types. This resource will target educators and students to enhance their understanding of hydrogen?s environmental impact and energy potential. This innovative learning tool will cover hydrogen production methods and their carbon intensity, supporting informed decisions about energy use and sustainability in Alberta and beyond.