energy conservation

How demand-side management investments deliver a reliable, low-carbon grid

9/2024 - With the right public and private investments, demand-side management is one of the best tools we have to minimize the need for gas plants and grid expansion, keep electricity costs down, and build on Ontario’s past record as a leading low-carbon power producer.

Distributed energy resources reward households, businesses, and the grid

8/2023 - With distributed energy resources (DERs) moving swiftly from the margins to the mainstream in North America, Ontario can seize opportunities in a popular and reliable innovation in power system management.

Ontario’s next gas plant scandal

10/2022 - On October 7th, Ontario’s Minister of Energy directed the IESO to procure 1,500 megawatts of new natural gas plants to generate electricity. This decision was taken without any public consultation, based on a short IESO report with no financial analysis or comparison of other pathways. Amidst increasing fossil fuel prices and plummeting costs of readily available clean solutions, investing in new gas plants would be environmentally and fiscally reckless. But it’s not a done deal.

Fugitive methane emissions in Ontario are double the reported rate

5/2022 - There is growing consensus that ‘fugitive methane’ (gas leakage that occurs during the extraction and transmission of fossil fuels) is drastically underestimated -- but by how much? A new TAF report provides updated guidelines to account for the full life cycle emissions of natural gas, badly needed as we face crucial infrastructure decisions in Ontario.

Climate and affordability depend on these essential building code updates

3/2022 - Ontario’s building code is only updated every five to seven years, so we can’t afford to miss this opportunity to reduce carbon emissions by building better buildings that are cleaner and more affordable to operate. Read our recommendations to align it with an affordable, net zero future.

What is plan for clean energy when Pickering nuclear plant closes?

3/2020 - TORONTO STAR - This TAF-funded reported proposes how to fill the post-Pickering gap with clean electricity solutions by 2025.

Electric meters in a row measuring power use.

Ontario Conservation Cuts: Penny wise, Pound Foolish

4/2019 - Last month, the Province announced a massive cut to electricity conservation programs in Ontario. The cuts to conservation will actually increase total electricity system costs, leading to upward pressure on prices over time.

Breaking ground on gas absorption heat pumps – updates!

10/2018 - …

New TAF research shows big potential for heat pumps – even in cold climates

7/2018 - Our latest research on heat pumps reveals exciting carbon reduction potential. With high uptake from building owners, we could cut almost 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions in electrically heated buildings over the next 10 years. See our key recommendations to accelerate heat pump adoption in Ontario.

Picture2050: Today’s photos can show us our future city

1/2018 - To create something, you must first be able to picture it. Such visions often sprout from a seed that already exists; something you would like to see grow and expand to reach its potential. This is very much the idea behind the current #Picture2050 photo contest that's inspired by the TransformTO climate plan for Toronto.

New TAF research reveals carbon impact of electricity conservation

8/2017 - Quantifying the emissions impact of electricity consumption - and conservation efforts - is crucial for planning climate actions, whether it's a government policy or upgrades and behaviour shifts at home. TAF's latest research greatly improves such quantifications.

ABCs of GHGs: Are we underestimating the impact of electricity conservation?

1/2017 - …