With the aim of better understanding customers’ perceptions of environmental issues and power generation options, Nova Scotia Power again conducted an energy forum in 2009.
Fifteen-hundred members of NS Power’s customer advisory panel were surveyed online before the event, and those who attended the two-day event in Truro filled out written surveys that included the same questions at the end of the Forum.
Question areas focused on energy use, value and renewables.
What customers had to say:
- Most customers make a concerted effort to make their homes more energy efficient, with most having done so more than a year ago, indicating that Nova Scotians are not new to the idea of energy efficiency.
- Despite widespread uptake of energy efficiency activities, there remain a number of actions that only a minority do, including installing a programmable thermostat, or having an energy audit.
- In addition, consumers strongly believe that they should be trying to reduce their consumption of electricity, and that these activities help to save the environment. There is also the strong belief that those who make these efforts to conserve should be rewarded for doing so.
- Most believe that the responsibility for educating consumers about reducing electricity consumption lies with both NSP, the government and environmental associations.
- When asked which ways would be most effective in encouraging consumers to conserve energy, Nova Scotians clearly believe that understanding more precisely how much energy they use would be beneficial, in addition to having home energy audits and general conservation tips.
- When asked to evaluate different sources of power generation, Forum participants clearly believe that wind power is the strongest and best option in terms of Nova Scotia’s future energy generation, followed by solar, tidal and hydro. Participants did express concern about sustainable supply and other issues related to the use of biomass to make electricity.
Customer input through this format proved invaluable in directing NS Power's strategy as it moves forward in addressing environmental issues and making decisions about future power generation.
Click here to see the full summary of participant questions and expert responses.