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Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Geological Survey of Canada > Calgary
GSC Calgary Thinking green
Those engaged in conducting geological surveys are commonly in situations where they can truly appreciate the value of our pristine natural environment.
In 1991 our concern with matters that contribute to degradation of our natural environment led to a commitment to reduce our consumption of natural resources. Following the earlier successful implementation of a paper conservation and recycling program, we focused attention on our consumption of electricity, natural gas and water.
Our original building facilities, comprising laboratories, offices, project rooms, core and sample repository, library, bookstore and storage space, were built in 1967 to meet our specialized geoscience research requirements. The facilities have since been expanded four times to a total floor space of 18,580 m2 (200 000 ft2). The use of electricity, natural gas and water grew as the facilities expanded. By 1990 the 160 employees used 3,475,600 KWh of electricity, 26,000 GJ of natural gas and 42,000 m3 of treated city water, annually.
The Energy Management Program developed in 1991 was designed to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, to show responsible use of our natural resources, and to save money. This voluntary initiative resulted in an ongoing process of operational, physical and attitudinal change. In 1995, after several major energy efficiency improvements had been made by on site staff, an energy management service contract was awarded under the Federal Buildings Intiative to further retrofit the building facilities without using our own capital funds.
During the period from 1990 to 1998 conservation measures resulted in a substantial reduction in the use of electricity, natural gas and water, with a commensurate reduction in environmental impact associated with the production and use of these utilities. The functionality and comfort of the facilities have not deteriorated as a result of the changes and in many cases they have improved.
Conservation measures
| Type of Utility |
Reduction in 1998 over 1990 |
Total avoided use since 1990 |
Annual Savings in 1998 over 1990 |
Environmental benefits since 1990 |
| Electrical |
42 % |
7 500 000 KWh |
$83 000 |
Combined avoidance of 9161 tons of CO2 |
| Natural Gas |
15 % |
18 000 GJ |
$8 000 |
91 tons of SO2
46 tons of NOX |
| Water |
77 % |
182 000 m3 |
$31 000 |
Less water processing, chlorination and sewage treatment |
Chronology of activities since 1990 in reducing electricity, natural gas and water consumption
| 1990 |
- Peak year of energy and resource consumption. Concerns surface within the organization for the rising cost and impact on the environment.
- Establishment of paper conservation and recycling program.
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| 1991 |
- An inhouse Ad Hoc Committee on Energy Management is formed to address energy use. Several projects are identified as energy saving opportunities.
- Installation of time and minimum temperature controls for the air supply to shops.
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| 1992 |
- Replacement and upgrading of 50% of roof area from R 7 to R 22
- Internally conducted lighting review and adjustments saving 51,000 Kwh annually.
- Participation in Alberta's Energy Audit Program.
- Replacement of original exterior window caulking
- Installation of two water recirculating chillers to stop the use of city water for laboratory equipment cooling.
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| 1993 |
- Replacement of four main fan motors to high energy efficiency type under the Alberta Power Smart Program.
- Installation of eight variable speed drives for main fans.
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| 1994 |
- Replacement of 120, 28 year old constant volume air controllers with variable volume air controllers allowing minimizing and adjusting air supply to critical areas during off hours.
- Initiation of the first energy management service contract for NRCan.
- Establishment of cardboard recycling program.
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| 1995 |
- Award of energy management service contract to ESCO Landis and Gyr Powers Ltd. (Now Ltd.) under NRCan's Federal Building Initiative.
- Replacement of all fluorescent lighting to T8 and solid state ballast technology.
- Installation of 15 variable speed controllers for fume hood exhaust fans.
- Replacement of all core storage mercury vapour lighting to T8 and solid state ballast technology combined with motion sensors and timed switches.
- Control of main fans through pressure sensing technology.
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| 1996 |
- Installation of presence sensing flush-o-meters in men's washrooms resulting in 50% reduction of water use.
- Replacement of one old oversized chiller with 2 smaller and more efficient chillers for west science complex.
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| 1997 |
- Installation of two Low-Nox natural gas burners on two existing hot water boilers as part of NRCan's Greening of Government Initiative.
- Installation of timed lighting control to all hallways
- Installation of new sequence / load sharing control of two existing hot water boilers
- Cooling tower vari-drive installation
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| 1998 |
- Replacement of exterior security lighting from mercury vapour to high density sodium lighting.
- Bookstore chiller, fresh water cooling change to cooling tower re-circulation
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| 1999+
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- Continuing search for means to reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas and water
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Our concerns for environmental matters extend to the use of dual-fuel vehicles that can use both propane and gasoline, and the implementation of a "green procurement" program that places an added value on the selection of environmental-friendlymaterials. We continue to look for ways to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment. It pays!
Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency
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