Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba
To those living in Churchill, Manitoba, having power means much more than being able to turn on the lights. Using Churchill as a case study, we examine how local context can improve the suitability of energy security definitions for communities in northern Canada. Churchill is an isolated northern m...
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The Arctic Institute of North America
2022
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic75055 https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/download/75055/55887 |
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crarcticinstna:10.14430/arctic75055 2024-06-09T07:42:10+00:00 Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba Kvern, Michael Fitzpatrick, Patricia Fishback, LeeAnn 2022 http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic75055 https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/download/75055/55887 unknown The Arctic Institute of North America http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ARCTIC volume 75, issue 2, page 149-160 ISSN 1923-1245 0004-0843 journal-article 2022 crarcticinstna https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic75055 2024-05-14T12:53:43Z To those living in Churchill, Manitoba, having power means much more than being able to turn on the lights. Using Churchill as a case study, we examine how local context can improve the suitability of energy security definitions for communities in northern Canada. Churchill is an isolated northern municipality with no road access but is connected to the electrical grid. Energy consumption data were collected from utility providers and organized into a community energy profile. Semi-structured interviews (n = 23) and a community workshop (n = 12) identified challenges, opportunities, and a vision for Churchill’s energy system. High per capita energy consumption, especially of transportation (jet fuel) and heat (electricity and propane) sources dominate Churchill’s energy profile. The reliance on air travel and need for heating are realities that define energy systems in the North. Participants expressed desire for increased use of renewables and improved energy efficiency. Churchill is reliant on external sources of power and there is a need for agency and local decision making. Jurisdictional realities and the community’s desire for consideration of local context mean energy security definitions should take a regional approach. Recognizing these findings, we propose a new definition of energy security that fits the circumstances and desires of Churchill and the North. Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Churchill Arctic Institute of North America Canada ARCTIC 75 2 149 160 |
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Arctic Institute of North America |
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To those living in Churchill, Manitoba, having power means much more than being able to turn on the lights. Using Churchill as a case study, we examine how local context can improve the suitability of energy security definitions for communities in northern Canada. Churchill is an isolated northern municipality with no road access but is connected to the electrical grid. Energy consumption data were collected from utility providers and organized into a community energy profile. Semi-structured interviews (n = 23) and a community workshop (n = 12) identified challenges, opportunities, and a vision for Churchill’s energy system. High per capita energy consumption, especially of transportation (jet fuel) and heat (electricity and propane) sources dominate Churchill’s energy profile. The reliance on air travel and need for heating are realities that define energy systems in the North. Participants expressed desire for increased use of renewables and improved energy efficiency. Churchill is reliant on external sources of power and there is a need for agency and local decision making. Jurisdictional realities and the community’s desire for consideration of local context mean energy security definitions should take a regional approach. Recognizing these findings, we propose a new definition of energy security that fits the circumstances and desires of Churchill and the North. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Kvern, Michael Fitzpatrick, Patricia Fishback, LeeAnn |
spellingShingle |
Kvern, Michael Fitzpatrick, Patricia Fishback, LeeAnn Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
author_facet |
Kvern, Michael Fitzpatrick, Patricia Fishback, LeeAnn |
author_sort |
Kvern, Michael |
title |
Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
title_short |
Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
title_full |
Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
title_fullStr |
Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
title_full_unstemmed |
Empowering Churchill: Exploring Energy Security in Northern Manitoba |
title_sort |
empowering churchill: exploring energy security in northern manitoba |
publisher |
The Arctic Institute of North America |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic75055 https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/download/75055/55887 |
geographic |
Canada |
geographic_facet |
Canada |
genre |
Arctic Churchill |
genre_facet |
Arctic Churchill |
op_source |
ARCTIC volume 75, issue 2, page 149-160 ISSN 1923-1245 0004-0843 |
op_rights |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic75055 |
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ARCTIC |
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75 |
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2 |
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149 |
op_container_end_page |
160 |
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1801371076280713216 |