Electrical Energy

Responsible use of electrical energy is a land stewardship practice

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using less electricity from the grid means we don't need to burn as much fossil fuel (which causes carbon, mercury and other pollutants to be emitted)

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being less dependent on coal and oil extraction means that fewer natural spaces are destroyed through mining and pollution
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living more simply reduces human suffering brought on by climate change and resource scarcity

A large part of the “fossil fuel burn” at Windhorse results from the use of electricity from the Nova Scotia Power Corporation grid. Our goal is to become electricity neutral within five years.

Our efforts involve two tracks:

  1. conservation
  2. low-impact power generation.

In terms of conservation, we are focusing on energy efficient lighting and appliances, and on reducing our habitual patterns of electrical usage, especially regarding any use of electrical heating appliances, even toasters. We are making changes which will reduce the use of electricity in our energy-intensive woodworking shop.

In terms of on-site energy generation, four of our buildings now use off-grid solar power, and we are in the planning stage for installation of supplementary solar power for Juniper Lodge. We will install a pilot wind turbine in 2008 to offset electrical use in the main farm house.