| ||||||
| | | | | | |
| ||||||
| | | | | ||
| ||||||
| ||||||
| | |||||
| |
Heads Up Energy Efficiency NewsletterSummer 2006
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
"Since GPSI's Energy Supervisor was installed, there has been an obvious improvement in the comfort level within the health clinic. There is a constant and consistent temperature whenever we're here. I know that others have seen similar improvement." Sean Fenzi, IRS Innovative Rehabilitation Services, Pitt Meadows BC |
A Winning Technology
Energy Supervisor is specifically configured for each building's layout; heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system(s); and customer requirements. Sensors positioned throughout the building are linked to an embedded computer that measures environmental conditions and regulates HVAC and lighting systems according to the customer's requirements. Installation is performed with minimal disruption to normal operations and does not require reconfiguration of existing building automation systems or HVAC equipment. As a fail-safe procedure, the building reverts to its previous environmental settings if Energy Supervisor is turned off. This capability to revert to the pre-existing mode enables building managers to compare how much energy the building uses with and without the system and provides a simple method to confirm savings.
Satisfied Customers
The District of Maple Ridge, a municipality of approximately 60 000 people east of Vancouver, operates a 30 000-square-foot building housing up to 100 employees. The centre includes offices, garages and workshops. Because different parts of the building are occupied at different times of the day and year, the old conventional system resulted in wasted energy. Annual bills for natural gas and electricity totalled $60,000. Following the installation of Energy Supervisor in 2003, consumption of natural gas declined by 40 percent and electricity by 25 percent, saving $18,000 annually.
The effectiveness of the system in Maple Ridge made it a clear choice for a Canada's Energy Efficiency Award, which in turn encouraged more customers to try the technology. After GPSI received the award, another British Columbia community, Pitt Meadows, installed Energy Supervisor with equal success. In 2005, Hydro Ottawa installed the system in two of its own facilities and reported to the Ontario Energy Board in 2006 that initial results show electrical and gas savings in excess of 25 percent.
Find more information about Energy Supervisor at www.gasprotection.com
or by telephone at 604-467-2625.
Thirty-nine post-secondary students from across Canada have seen their future, and it is green – both environmentally and financially! Recently, Natural Resources Canada announced the 2006 Energy Ambassadors, a talented group of post-secondary students recognized for their projects related to energy efficiency.
Launched in 2002 by Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency, Energy Ambassadors recognizes and rewards undergraduate post-secondary students for achievements in the field of energy efficiency. To date, the program has focused on the role of energy efficiency in reducing consumption and conserving energy today for a prosperous future.
Among the many successes of this year's competition, Jon Douglas and Amanda Ford, students at Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, created a project, "Building Green," that looks to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability as guiding principles for architectural design. The students have developed plans for a business facility that would incorporate the latest in energy efficiency and environmental solutions. Their dedication led to plans for a facility that could become a model of integrated efficiency strategies.
Xavier Kirouac-Laplace, student at the École de technologie supérieure of the Université du Québec in Montréal, also developed a project related to buildings that studied the energy efficiency of green roofs. His project, one of the twenty to have been rewarded this year, compared energy gains of green roofs to traditional tar-covered roofs. Mr. Kirouac-Laplace's initiatives gave more positive conclusions than expected, and this Mechanical Engineering student has now started a business specializing in green roofs.
Each winner or winning team of this year's Energy Ambassadors Student Competition receives a prize of $1,000 per person (maximum of $3,000 for team entries). Energy Ambassadors also had the opportunity to meet with energy efficiency leaders from industry, utilities and the non-profit sector at Globe 2006, the Biennial Trade Fair and Conference on Business and the Environment.
Other 2006 winners include:
|
|
The new energy-efficient |
The new Research Centre owned by the British Columbia Cancer Foundation opened in March 2005 in Vancouver. As a result of its innovative design, the building was selected for funding under the Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP).
The research complex was planned to maximize energy savings through various features, including extensive use of natural lighting, waterless urinals and low-flush toilets. During construction, materials from the Vancouver area were favoured in order to lower transportation costs and associated greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 24 percent of building materials used in the complex were recycled.
The Foundation believes it can save over 48 percent in energy costs, along with 43 percent in water costs through its environmentally friendly choices. It also believes that the environmentally sound design of the building will provide annual savings close to $400,000. This is proof that environment and economy can go hand in hand.
In addition to all its "green" aspects, the architecture of the complex includes a number of symbolic features. The large spiral staircase, built with recycled materials, represents human DNA, while the many circular windows that allow natural light into the complex are "eyes focused on research."
CBIP is a program administered by the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada, whose mission is to promote the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings. For more information, visit the Web site at oee.nrcan.gc.ca.
It's easy being green: In today's office rental market, building to LEED standards is not an option, it's expected
Menkes Developments have announced a $250-million 30-storey tower in Toronto with Telus Corp., its lead tenant occupying 60 percent of the 780 000-square-foot site. Owner, Peter Menkes plans to build the site according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards. Mr. Menkes says that in today's rental market, there is no option but to build to LEED standards and that everyone is doing it. Oxford Properties Corp., a subsidiary of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, announced recently its new tower in Calgary will be built according to LEED standards. First Capital Realty Corp., the largest community shopping centre owner in the country, recently announced that it is "going green," using the LEED program as its yardstick for a new mall in Toronto.
Originating in the U.S., the Canada Green Building Council acquired franchise rights in Canada to the LEED system about three years ago. The non-profit group is funded by members who pay based on the size of their business.
LEED buildings must conform to a checklist across six categories:
Source: The National Post, Financial Post, page FP3, July 12, 2006
New building code promises to save energy
On June 28, the Government of Ontario introduced its new building code, which includes increases in energy-efficiency requirements. According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the higher-efficiency standards in new home construction slated for 2007 should be recovered in three years through reduced energy bills, as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new house built in 2007 will be over 21 percent more efficient than one built today. To achieve this, the new code requires that windows be more energy efficient by 67 percent, that ceiling insulation be increased by 29 percent, walls by 12 percent and foundation walls by 50 percent. Also, high-efficiency gas and propane-fired furnaces will have an efficiency rating of 90 percent.
Source: The Hamilton Spectator, Final Edition, New Homes, Page NH3
Twelve home owners to compete in an environmental home renovation TV series
Twelve home owners from across Canada have been selected to appear in an environmental home renovation TV series called "Code Green Canada," which began showing on May 25 on CBC. They will be competing to retrofit their homes with energy-saving technology and appliances in an effort to reduce their homes' energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The prize winner at the end of the series will win a 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. Each home owner is given expert advice and $15,000 to spend on the installation of new furnaces, lighting fixtures, appliances, insulation, double-paned windows and any other technology currently on the market capable of reducing energy consumption.
Source: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), page A6, May 27, 2006
Please note: "In the News" uses material not originating with the Government of Canada. NRCan does not take responsibility for accuracy of content.
Seneca College
Building Environmental Systems Program
The Building Environmental Systems (BES) program is designed to meet the needs of public and private organizations that want to assure progressive procedures and standards in building management. BES incorporates best management practices in areas such as air quality, water and energy use efficiency, waste management, ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gas emissions within the framework of a building's heating, refrigeration, air handling, water treatment and electrical systems.
Find more information about the program at the Seneca College BES Web site.
Business and Sustainable Development: A Global Guide
 |
The BSD Global Web site, developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, explains the strategies and tools that companies can draw on to translate an aspiration of sustainability into practical, effective solutions. Case studies from around the world are provided as an example of each measure. |
The site's six sections cover:
For many of the topics covered on this site, links are provided to case studies and useful Web resources.
Consider these heat-beating tips to keep you cool in the summer months.
Excerpted from Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) publication: Saving Energy Dollars in Hotels, Motels and Restaurants.
Do you want to find out more about how the OEE Buildings Division and related programs can help you? Contact us by e-mail, by phone or by visiting any of our Web sites:
EnerGuide for Existing Buildings (EEB)You can view a description of these activities at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/ici and a description of all OEE programs and activities on the OEE's Web site (oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/programs).
 |
|
Question: What percentage of energy will be saved by the new, energy-efficient B.C. Cancer Institute? Send your response by e-mail to Contact us or by fax to 613-947-4121, using "Heads Up EE-Quiz" in the subject line. The first three readers to submit an entry will win an OEE luggage tag. For the sake of fairness, time zones will be taken into account. All entries received by August 18, 2006 will have a chance to win a collector "Energy Innovators" black umbrella. Look in the September/October issue for the correct answer. Answer to the March/April Quiz: The unscrambled "winning words" are Existing Buildings Awards. Congratulations to Anne Ruzicka, Edmonton Catholic Separate School Board (Edmonton AB) and Gary Zubick, School District No. 68 (Nanaimo BC) who each won luggage tags. Anne Ruzicka also won the draw for the Energy Innovators umbrella. |
Please let us know what you think of our newsletter. Feedback is welcome and encouraged! If you have any problems opening or receiving the newsletter, please let us know.
If you have any other comments or suggestions (including story ideas about specific topics or activities in your organization), call 1-877-360-5500, fax 613-947-4121 or Contact Us. If you know anyone interested in a free subscription, have them fill out the form on the Contact Us page.
Past issues of Heads Up Energy Efficiency are posted on the Archives for HUEE Newsletter Web site (oee.nrcan.gc.ca/commercial/technical-info/archives.cfm).
Thanks to the Heads Up Energy Efficiency Web-friendly format, you can link directly to the OEE Calendar of Events. It includes a broad variety of conferences, workshops, trade shows and other events of interest to readers interested in energy efficiency. In particular, you’ll find listings associated with programs of Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), such as the Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP) for new buildings, EnerGuide for Existing Buildings (EEB) (formerly the Energy Innovators Initiative), the Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI), the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) and the Industrial Building Incentive Program (IBIP). Check it out today – or any day – for up-to-date news on what’s on in energy efficiency.
Effective March 2005, the European-based Centre for the Analysis and Dissemination of Demonstrated Energy Technologies (CADDET) has reduced its level of activity. However, its extensive Web site will remain live in order that users can continue to access information from around the world on commercial energy-saving and renewable energy technologies. These include case studies, technical reports and other information dating from 1988 to the end of March 2005. The CADDET Web site can be found at www.caddet.org. Bilingual Canadian case studies and links to CADDET can be found at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/commercial/networking/caddet.cfm.
| | ||
|
OEE Home
