Energy conservation systems and equipment

2004 (preliminary)

This release presents information on energy conservation technologies, innovation and greenhouse gas emissions and the use of environmental management practices by primary and manufacturing industries in Canada. The data were collected through the 2004 Survey of Environmental Protection Expenditures.

Businesses use energy conservation processes and technologies for a variety of reasons, such as reducing pollutants emitted, reducing costs, or improving productivity.

Over half of businesses (57%) surveyed in 16 primary and manufacturing industries used technologies and processes to reduce their energy consumption in 2004. One-third used an energy management or monitoring system, while 30% performed an energy audit between 2002 and 2004.

Waste energy recovery and reuse was used by 29% of businesses to reduce energy consumption. At the same time, less than 10% of businesses indicated the use of other renewable energy systems or technologies, such as solar and wind energy, biomass energy and small-scale hydroelectricity.

Establishments in the pulp, paper and paperboard industry were most likely to indicate the use of energy conservation processes and technologies. Just over one-third (35%) used cogeneration, 28% used fuel substitution, 74% used waste energy recovery and reuse, 55% had a waste-to-energy system using biomass, and 60% used an energy management system.

They were also most likely to have performed an energy audit between 2002 and 2004, as about 59% of companies did so.

Energy-related industries such as oil and gas extraction, petroleum and coal products and pipeline transportation were also more likely to indicate the use of various energy conservation processes and technologies.

Just over one-quarter of businesses in 16 primary and manufacturing industries used innovative systems or equipment between 2002 and 2004 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was a slight increase over the 2002 survey results. Of these, 14% indicated the impact on their emissions was large.

Fewer respondents in energy-related industries such as oil and gas extraction and pipeline transportation reported introducing innovative systems and equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with previous survey results.

However, an increased number of establishments in non-energy related industries such as beverage and tobacco products and transportation equipment reported the introduction of innovative systems and equipment.

The 2004 Survey of Environmental Protection Expenditures also asked respondents to indicate what types of environmental management practices are in use at their establishments. These practices can be used to facilitate the reduction or prevention of pollution or to conserve resources.

While almost three-quarters of respondents indicated they used at least one environmental management practice, there was little change in participation rates from 2002.

The exceptions were the rate of participation in environmental voluntary agreements, which declined in 15 of 16 industry groups. In contrast, 13 of these groups reported an increase in the proportion of establishments that were ISO 14000 certified in 2004.

Tables from this data release are now available upon request. Information on pollution prevention and the obstacles and drivers to the adoption of greenhouse gas reduction technologies by primary and manufacturing industries are also available.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1903.

For more information or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jeff Fritzsche (613-951-2812) or the information officer (613-951-5220; environ@statcan.ca), Environment Accounts and Statistics Division.