The Government of Canada works in partnership with industry through the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) to promote energy efficiency and improve productivity – helping to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the industrial sector. The 2014 CIPEC awards recognize 10 recipients in six categories for their leadership in improving energy efficiency through responsible energy use.
Corporate Stewardship
3M Canada Company, which has ISO 50001 certification for its plants in Brockville and London, has implemented ongoing company-wide energy consumption improvements. Its corporate commitment to energy management and its aggressive targets for reducing energy consumption will save almost $2 million annually in energy costs. Between 2011 and 2013, 3M has reduced natural gas consumption by 4 million cubic metres, reduced electricity demand by 1150 KW, and has saved nearly 12 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity use.
Chrysler Canada Inc. (Brampton) has achieved ISO 50001 certification and has a well-established energy management system that encourages continual improvement practices. Most recently, they have replaced control panels with new smart systems that have improved heating, ventilation, and exhaust systems throughout their plant facilities. These efforts have achieved a 27 percent reduction in gigajoules per day (GJ/Day) of non-production and 9 percent improvement in space heating efficiency.
Process and Technology Improvements
EBI Énergie inc. – Dépôt Rive-Nord, located in Saint-Thomas, Quebec, built a new biogas co-generation plant, which supplies electricity to the grid. The project has reduced GHG emissions and water usage, while taking into account energy and environmental considerations related to grid reliance. Annual energy consumption for the plant is 41 percent lower compared to a baseline building performance.
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC), with trout hatchery facilities in Clearwater, Abbotsford, Fort Steele, Summerland and Duncan British Columbia, developed innovative technology that significantly reduces water and electrical energy consumption for fish farming. The technology provides an option that is less expensive than off-the-shelf water recirculation pumping and results in a significant degree of energy improvement. Other hatcheries around the world are approaching FFSBC to apply the technology to their own processes. With this project, FFSBC is saving close to $20,000 in electricity and has achieved a 26.6 percent reduction in electrical intensity annually. It has seen an overall reduction of 44.2 percent in water use per year.
Energy Performance Management
New Gold Inc. (New Afton Mine), located in Kamloops, British Columbia, has ISO 50001 certification and is continuously monitoring, tracking, evaluating and verifying energy performance of its gold and copper mining facilities. New Afton Mine demonstrates its commitment to energy management through sustainable mining practices including, employee awareness and energy management information systems. These efforts have achieved a savings of nearly 4000 gigajoules of energy annually.
Employee Awareness and Training
KI Pembroke LP, situated in Pembroke, Ontario, has implemented energy saving measures to its facility including: upgrading compressor controls; improving plant ventilation systems and building envelop performance; and adding smart controls and timers. Many of these energy saving initiatives were the result of employee training and engagement. Overall, the company reduced energy consumption by more than 1.4 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity and more than 600 000 cubic metres (m3) of natural gas in 2013.
Integrated Energy Efficiency Strategy
PepsiCo Foods Canada, including its eight manufacturing facilities, thirteen distribution centers, and headquarters facility in Mississauga, Ontario, has a corporate goal of achieving business and financial success through their Performance with Purpose program which includes protecting the environment and empowering people. This innovative approach to energy management engages employees in environmentally sustainable practices and facilitates investments in energy-efficient equipment. As a result, PepsiCo has achieved 1.4 percent electricity use reduction and a total fuel usage (manufacturing and fleet) reduction of 2.4 percent from 2011 to 2013.
Barrick-Hemlo which operates underground and open pit mines in Ontario, has implemented a strategy with a suite of energy reducing projects in its mining operations since 2011. In doing so, Barrick-Hemlo has reduced energy consumption and its environmental footprint. As a result of the company’s commitment to energy performance, they have managed to identify 10 000 megawatt hours (MW/h) per year in energy savings, trim its operating costs, and increase revenue by more than $5.7 million per year.
Future Leaders
Andre Pelletier, PhD candidate, Limerick Pulp & Paper Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, devised an enzymatic method to pre-treat wood chips to save energy in pulping processes. This project has the potential to lower refining energy needed to produce pulp by 36 percent while improving paper product quality and reducing GHGs.
Antony Hilliard, Ph.D. candidate, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, devised a unique energy performance diagnosis tool to complement existing methods that are currently being used by energy managers. It has potential to change perceptions and use of data in a way that integrates well with the industry’s energy monitoring standards.
