FORREX: Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange


Create an extension request Why do we need a Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange? A sustainable, highly-skilled, clean energy workforce is pivotal to the success of BC’s Energy plan. And while there is a commitment to the initial training required to create a job-ready talent pool, there is also recognition that continuous learning is needed to nimbly adapt to the rapidly evolving energy sector technologies, products and services (BC Energy Plan, 2007). As sustainable energy professionals are charged with reducing energy costs and GHG emissions through the implementation of energy efficient solutions, a new Clean Energy community of practice (CE-CoP) is emerging. However, facilitating continuous learning for this emerging CE-CoP is challenging due to its fragmented nature. Individual energy specialists are often embedded with small, medium and large-scale energy-users with limited communication among peers. Without support, this fragmented community will become a barrier to the integration of innovation and best practices, hence threatening the Province’s vision of global leadership in clean energy. Alternatively, to ensure that best practices are maintained and new knowledge is created among this emerging community of energy practitioners, a community of practice with formalized and effective knowledge exchange processes/products should be cultivated. A well-informed clean energy community of practice, paired with BC’s significant investments in renewable energy innovation, will ensure that high standards of practice are upheld and innovation is integrated quickly. What is the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange? The Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange is a catalytic, knowledge-sharing, web-based platform that connects researchers and innovators, regulators and businesses to facilitate communication and improve the adoption of alternative energy solutions by small to mid-sized energy-users. Energy practitioners will be empowered with timely, relevant information, tailored to their emerging information needs and be invited to a space where they can share, learn and adapt. Over time the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange will foster a strong sense of community and cultivate a shared, common language between energy-users and developers and researchers of alternative energy technology. What are the benefits? Increased capacity through development of cross-professional knowledge Improved efficiency through high return on involvement (more than just networking) Reduced time to adoption of innovation through effective lateral communication across “silos” Costs savings through development of common ground and integrative roles Leveraged investments by facilitating imaginative, co-created, shared solutions. Why FORREX? With a proven track record of nearly 15 years, FORREX has shown leadership in the natural resource sector by linking people to knowledge, and facilitating continuous innovation and improvement in natural resource policy and management – practices that have greatly influenced the ecological, social, and economic well-being of our communities. Through the contributions of staff, partners and donors, FORREX believes that knowledge can make the greatest difference when it is shared, empowering people to make more informed decisions. The Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources (FORREX) is a British Columbia, Canada-based charitable non-share corporation, founded in 1998 to help people develop science and knowledge-based solutions to complex natural resource challenges. Who do I contact for more information? Karyn Sutherland, RP Bio Lead, Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange Suite 400-235 1st Ave. Kamloops, BC V2C 3J4 Ph: 250-828-4967 Email: karyn.sutherland@forrex.org Interested in supporting to the development of the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange? Please click here to contribute to the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange and help FORREX continue to put knowledge to work. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Why do we need a Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange?
A sustainable, highly-skilled, clean energy workforce is pivotal to the success of BC’s Energy plan. And while there is a commitment to the initial training required to create a job-ready talent pool, there is also recognition that continuous learning is needed to nimbly adapt to the rapidly evolving energy sector technologies, products and services (BC Energy Plan, 2007). As sustainable energy professionals are charged with reducing energy costs and GHG emissions through the implementation of energy efficient solutions, a new Clean Energy community of practice (CE-CoP) is emerging. However, facilitating continuous learning for this emerging CE-CoP is challenging due to its fragmented nature. Individual energy specialists are often embedded with small, medium and large-scale energy-users with limited communication among peers. Without support, this fragmented community will become a barrier to the integration of innovation and best practices, hence threatening the Province’s vision of global leadership in clean energy. Alternatively, to ensure that best practices are maintained and new knowledge is created among this emerging community of energy practitioners, a community of practice with formalized and effective knowledge exchange processes/products should be cultivated. A well-informed clean energy community of practice, paired with BC’s significant investments in renewable energy innovation, will ensure that high standards of practice are upheld and innovation is integrated quickly.

What is the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange?
The Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange is a catalytic, knowledge-sharing, web-based platform that connects researchers and innovators, regulators and businesses to facilitate communication and improve the adoption of alternative energy solutions by small to mid-sized energy-users. Energy practitioners will be empowered with timely, relevant information, tailored to their emerging information needs and be invited to a space where they can share, learn and adapt. Over time the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange will foster a strong sense of community and cultivate a shared, common language between energy-users and developers and researchers of alternative energy technology.

What are the benefits?

Increased capacity through development of cross-professional knowledge
Improved efficiency through high return on involvement (more than just networking)
Reduced time to adoption of innovation through effective lateral communication across “silos”
Costs savings through development of common ground and integrative roles
Leveraged investments by facilitating imaginative, co-created, shared solutions.

Why FORREX?
With a proven track record of nearly 15 years, FORREX has shown leadership in the natural resource sector by linking people to knowledge, and facilitating continuous innovation and improvement in natural resource policy and management – practices that have greatly influenced the ecological, social, and economic well-being of our communities. Through the contributions of staff, partners and donors, FORREX believes that knowledge can make the greatest difference when it is shared, empowering people to make more informed decisions. The Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources (FORREX) is a British Columbia, Canada-based charitable non-share corporation, founded in 1998 to help people develop science and knowledge-based solutions to complex natural resource challenges.

Who do I contact for more information?
Karyn Sutherland, RP Bio
Lead, Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange
Suite 400-235 1st Ave.
Kamloops, BC V2C 3J4
Ph: 250-828-4967
Email: karyn.sutherland@forrex.org

Interested in supporting to the development of the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange?

Please click here to contribute to the Clean Energy Knowledge Exchange and help FORREX continue to put knowledge to work.
Your support is greatly appreciated.