UNB Civil Engineers Spreading The Energy
FREDERICTON – Some UNB civil engineering students want New Brunswickers to know about energy.
On Saturday, the Association of Civil Engineering Graduate Students are hosting New Brunswick Energy Generation, a forum aimed to give New Brunwickers insight into their province’s energy sector. It will focus on energy generation methods currently used in the province, including a basic understanding of each method’s advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.
The forum follows a two-part discussion on shale gas the association held earlier this year.
“With high profile media attention on energy in the province it is important for the public to understand energy generation and the importance of diversifying energy sources,” said Laird Ferguson, one of the event’s organizers.
“It is important that New Brunswickers understand the various energy resources available and their implications as significant decisions are made regarding energy in New Brunswick.”
The event will begin with presentations on the Mactaquac Project, Background on Energy in the Province, and the Importance of an Energy Mix. Following will be two panel discussions, one on Renewable and Smart Grid Technologies and another on Thermal Energy. The closing presentation will discuss the next steps in the province’s energy future.
Ferguson said the event won’t just be a learning experience just for the public, but for the organizers as well.
“People ask ‘why are civil engineers the ones to host an event on energy?’ The answer is because as civil engineers we must look at the ‘big picture’ and what is the future of the province going to look like,” Ferguson said.
“It is part of our code of ethics to look out for the publics interest and that is what this is about, providing information to the public so that we can all make a decision on our future energy needs together.”