By: Patrick Belzile, P.Eng., Ph.D., CEM, CMVP, Energy Transition | EXP
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, energy transition emerges as a solution for a more sustainable future. The energy transition refers to the actions taken to gradually abandon fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preserve the environment. The energy transition involves complex technical, economic and regional challenges, which raise certain questions — what are the most effective solutions? How can solutions be adapted to local realities? What role do engineers play in this transformation?
Examining these questions promotes a better understanding of the challenges, opportunities and innovations of the energy transition. Through concrete examples, we explore how experts design tailored solutions for buildings, industrial processes, municipal infrastructure and communities.
What are the fundamental principles in energy transition and how do they help build a more sustainable future?
When it comes to energy efficiency, the best source is the energy that’s not used.
The first step is to identify energy consumption gaps by conducting a thorough analysis of current usage. This approach helps detect periods of excessive consumption. Next, it’s essential to implement more efficient solutions tailored to local realities, including optimized heating, lighting and ventilation systems or advanced technology integration. The final step is to assess the potential for renewable energy generation, such as wind or solar, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These steps are an integral part of our energy team’s processes.
Energy sobriety plays a fundamental role in the transition — it encourages us to rethink usage and adopt more responsible behaviors that limit excess energy use and waste. Combining these approaches helps build a more resilient energy model, which is vital for a sustainable future.
What are the most profitable energy efficient changes that can be made for existing buildings?
Each building has its own energy ecosystem, which makes it difficult to generalize the most profitable measures. However, certain options stand out due to their effectiveness and return on investment potential. For example, converting fossil fuel heating systems to electricity can lead to energy savings, but may also increase the energy bill due to greater power demand. This emphasizes the importance of conducting a comprehensive analysis before making decisions.
Some measures, such as improving wall insulation, are difficult to implement in existing buildings. However, it is possible to integrate effective solutions during routine renovation cycles, like adding insulation during roof repairs or replacing existing windows with high-performance models. In these cases, the additional cost is often offset by substantial long-term savings.
It’s also important to consider the indirect effects of certain improvements. For instance, in older buildings , cleaning ventilation ducts improves indoor air quality. However, removing accumulated residue increases the amount of fresh air that needs to be conditioned, which can increase energy consumption.
Local climate also influences profitability. Installing LED lighting reduces the heat emitted by fixtures, which can lower air conditioning needs, but increase heating needs. If heating relies on fossil fuels, this may impact GHG emissions despite improved energy efficiency.
Finally, smart control systems, often wireless, are a profitable solution for existing buildings that require better energy management. These technologies automate energy use and tailor it to the needs of both the building and its occupants.
Energy suppliers offer various grant programs to support the implementation of energy transition solutions. Assessment tools help estimate potential grant amounts and measure the performance of proposed measures. In this constantly evolving context, EXP’s energy transition experts can help clients identify eligible measures, prepare records and monitor available programs to maximize a project’s financial and energy benefits.
Are solar panels an effective and sustainable solution for improving energy performance, and is their recyclability guaranteed?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, making them an attractive energy transition solution. Their lifespan depends on the type of photovoltaic film used. Generally, a panel loses around 1% of its energy efficiency each year of use. After 30 years, it will have lost about 30% of its initial potential, which sets its useful life between 25 and 30 years.
Solar panel production and eventual disposal causes pollution and generates GHGs, which raises questions about their overall environmental impact. About 90% of the materials, such as aluminum frame and glass, can be recycled. However, the recycling process is laborious and expensive, which often results in panels being deposited in landfills.
While solar panels can be a useful tool for generating electricity, their durability and lifecycle must be compared to other energy sources.
Is geothermal energy a relevant energy transition solution? Can we expect it to expand in Quebec or other regions?
There are two main forms of geothermal energy — low-temperature and high-temperature.
Low-temperature geothermal energy is most commonly used in buildings, notably through geothermal heat pumps. These systems exchange heat with the ground, where the temperature remains relatively stable from a depth of about 10 meters. To optimize heat pump durability, it is recommended to maintain a balance between the energy extracted from the ground for heating and the energy injected during air conditioning. Over the years, the average drilling depth has increased from 200 meters to 400 meters and can now exceed 800 meters. Despite its potential, the potential for developing low-temperature geothermal in Quebec is hindered by the high cost of drilling and energy prices, which impact the investment’s payback period.
Implementing high-temperature geothermal energy comes with significant challenges in Canada, mainly due to the stability of geological layers. Unlike volcanic regions like Iceland, where heat is accessible at shallow depths, in Quebec, it’s necessary to drill several kilometers down to reach temperatures around 100 C that make it possible to produce energy.
This option makes using high-temperature geothermal energy in Quebec, and elsewhere in Canada, much more complex and less financially advantageous.
What are the best practices for improving energy efficiency in industrial processes with high thermal consumption?
Various practices can optimize energy use in industrial processes with high thermal consumption. One practice is insulating heat-emitting sources. At high temperatures, a considerable amount of heat is transferred by radiation, which leads to significant temperature losses. Imagine the thermal sensation in front of a campfire — if an obstacle is placed between a person and the heat source, the temperature drops instantly. In an industrial setting, installing panels to block radiation can limit unnecessary cooling of certain areas and thus improve overall energy efficiency.
Another practice is conducting a pinch analysis, a method that identifies heat recovery opportunities within processes. By using these analyses, it is possible to determine how and where heat can be efficiently reused, which reduces external energy needs.
Another solution is to use absorption machines, which use heat to generate cooling. Thermoelectric materials, such as bismuth telluride, can convert heat into electricity with about 1% efficiency and undetermined profitability.
These approaches offer practical and effective solutions to optimize the energy performance of industrial installations while reducing or reusing thermal losses.
Supporting the transition to intelligent energy management
The energy transition is essential to confront current climate challenges. Behind every building, industrial process and region lie numerous opportunities for energy optimization.
The EXP energy transition team offers a complete range of energy management services, from energy audits to modeling, commissioning, system optimization and support for financial aid applications. In 2024, under Hydro-Québec’s 2035 Action Plan, the EXP team helped a client achieve energy savings equivalent to the annual consumption of over 840 households, and generate more than $4.7 million in financial support. These results demonstrate the potential for energy transition when guided by experts, adapted solutions and tools.
Energy challenges are increasingly complex, so it is essential for businesses, building managers, and municipalities to consider energy optimization possibilities for their installations. Energy transition not only provides practical solutions for improving performance and reducing emissions — it also paves the way for more sustainable and resilient resource management.
Contact Patrick Belzile to learn more about how the energy transition team can support your sustainable approach.