Renewable Energy Transition - A Decade of Progress in Toronto

Urban Sustainability · Toronto, Canada · 2024

R · GIS · Open Data Toronto

↗ Open Data Toronto Blog Post ↗ Full Research Paper (Telling Stories with Data)

Analyzing Urban Sustainability & City-Owned Infrastructure

The Project: Utilizing the City of Toronto Open Data Portal, I conducted a longitudinal study (2010–2019) of renewable energy installations on city-owned facilities to evaluate Toronto’s progress toward its carbon neutrality commitments.

Map showing renewable energy installations in Toronto (2010-2019)
Geographical Distribution of City-Owned Renewable Energy Installations in Toronto between 2010 and 2019.
Map showing renewable energy installations in Toronto by size
Geographical Distribution of City-Owned Renewable Energy Installations in Toronto by size.
Chart of new renewable energy installations by type (2010-2019)
Count of new City-Owned Renewable Energy Installations in Toronto by type of installation between 2010 and 2019.

Strategic Insights

  • Diversification: Analysis shows a shift from large-scale FIT programs to more localized MicroFIT systems, balancing the city’s energy portfolio.
  • Equitable Expansion: QGIS mapping reveals a deliberate strategy to expand renewable infrastructure beyond the downtown core into peripheral areas like Scarborough and North York.
  • Policy Alignment: This research directly informs discussions regarding the city’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.