Pathways to Power: A Look at the Fuels of a Net-Zero Future

You wake up on a cold January morning to get ready for work. The temperature dropped overnight, so you adjust the thermostat before turning on the coffee pot. Ready for work, you walk to your car, starting it and leaving it idle briefly before driving off.

This daily routine for many people depends on energy at every step. The heat in your home might use natural gas, the electricity powering your coffee maker might be generated by fossil fuels – especially during winter peaks, and the fuel moving your car is still largely supplied by fossil fuels. In New Brunswick, over 70% of end-use energy demand relies on fossil fuels, half from refined petroleum products like gasoline. 

Access to reliable energy sources is a fundamental component of modern society that can be easily taken for granted. Outside of a monthly power or heat bill, most people will not have intimate knowledge of the current or future fuels that power our daily lives. The Gaia Project developed the Pathways to Power program to fill this knowledge gap, exploring clean fuels and how they will replace fossil fuels in the household as well as the broader economy.

Students participating in the Pathways to Power program looking at a New Brunswick energy map.

Through the Pathways to Power program, students will:

• Gain an introduction and learn about current and emerging clean fuel technologies 
• Strengthen their understanding of the connection between fuel-use and climate change 
• Build collaboration and critical thinking skills 
• Explore how different clean fuels can contribute to a net-zero economy 

But what is clean fuel? How is it impacting New Brunswick’s energy landscape? And why should students learn about sustainable energy sources? 

Exploring New Brunswick’s Clean Energy through Pathways to Power

With Canada’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the energy powering morning routines will have to change. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution: a fuel that works for driving may not be best for home heating. That’s why multiple clean energy pathways are being developed to replace fossil fuels in daily life and across the economy.

These energy sources are at different stages of readiness. Some, like renewable electricity, are already powering homes and devices. Others, like green hydrogen, are still emerging but could play a big role in transportation and industry. Clean energy projects are already appearing throughout New Brunswick. 

Renewable Electricity 

When you plug in your coffee maker or flip on the lights, the power could come from solar, wind, or hydro. Renewable electricity already makes up about 30% of NB Power’s generation. They have some of the lowest carbon emissions among electricity sources. Renewable projects are expanding with the Burchill Wind Farm near Saint John and the Shediac Solar Farm as well as the proposed Indigenous-led projects like Astuwicuwon Wind near Florenceville and Papoqji’jg Wind at Pabineau First Nation. 

Green Hydrogen 

Think about heating your home in winter or fueling heavy trucks that deliver food to grocery stores. Green hydrogen could eventually replace fossil fuels in these areas. Hydrogen is produced through steam methane reforming, a carbon-intensive process, or water electrolysis. Green hydrogen uses water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, keeping emissions low. While still early in development, a proposed green hydrogen project by Pabineau First Nation, who are partnered with ABO Energy, shows its future potential in New Brunswick.

Biofuels 

Every time you stop for gas, there’s a good chance you’re already using a biofuel blend. Corn ethanol is commonly mixed with gasoline to lower emissions. More advanced options like biodiesel and renewable diesel made from organic feedstocks such as vegetable oils and animal fats can power cars, buses, or farm equipment without changing engines or infrastructure. While New Brunswick doesn’t produce biofuels yet, Newfoundland’s Braya Renewable Fuels facility is a nearby example of this pathway. 

Renewable Natural Gas 

Even garbage and food waste from your kitchen can power daily life. When organic material breaks down, it releases methane, which is a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Instead of letting it escape, it can be captured and used for energy to heat homes or generate electricity. Captured methane from human sources is called biogas. Biogas can also be upgraded to pipeline-quality natural gas called renewable natural gas (RNG). It is chemically identical to natural gas but avoids the stronger climate impact. ECO360 and Fredericton Region Solid Waste already capture landfill gas for power generation. 

Powering the Future 

Back to your morning routine, now imagine it in 2050. Maybe your home is heated with renewable natural gas, your coffee maker runs on 100% renewable electricity, and your car is electric or powered by green hydrogen. The choices we make today about energy pathways will shape the future of daily life in New Brunswick and beyond. 

Interested in learning more? Register for our new high school program Pathways to Power to have your students explore current and emerging clean energy technologies through the lens of New Brunswick’s own projects and communities. This program has the choice of two offerings, a weeklong in-depth classroom pitch session and a 1-day interactive classroom map activity.

Author: Adam Mahoney, Program Coordinator, The Gaia Project

References:

ABO Energy. “Papoqji’jg Wind | Parc éolien Papoqji’jg.” ABO Energy, accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.aboenergy.com/ca/company/projects/papoqjijg-wind/index.php. 

ABO Energy. “Pabineau First Nation Partners with ABO Wind and Community Wind in Renewables for Green Hydrogen in New Brunswick, Canada.” ABO Energy, August 23, 2022. https://www.aboenergy.com/ca/development-construction/2022-08-23_pm_pabineau_abowind_cwf.html. 

Astuwicuwon Wind Power. “Astuwicuwon.” Accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.astuwicuwon.com/. 

Braya Renewable Fuels. “Braya Renewable Fuels.” Accessed September 11, 2025. https://brayafuels.com/. 

Canada Energy Regulator. “Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles – New Brunswick.” Canada Energy Regulator, modified July 29, 2025. https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-new-brunswick.html. 

CRSC Solid Waste. “Landfill Gas – A Green Energy Source.” CRSC Solid Waste, accessed September 11, 2025. https://crscsolidwaste.ca/landfill-gas-plant/. 

Eco360. “What Do You Do at the Eco360 Solid Waste Facility to Minimize the Environmental Impact of Your Operations?” Southeast Eco360, accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.eco360.ca/node/104. 

Government of Canada. “Net-Zero Emissions by 2050.” Canada.ca, last modified September 3, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/net-zero-emissions-2050.html. 

Natural Forces. “Burchill Wind Project.” Natural Forces, accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.naturalforces.ca/projects/burchill-wind-project/. 

NB Power. “What Is Peak Demand?” NB Power, accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.nbpower.com/en/save-energy/beat-the-peak/what-is-peak-demand. 

 

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