Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT:
PREPARED BY: Viive Sawler, Manager,
Office
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report
entitled,
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The
MECO officially began designing and delivering its programs and initiatives in the fall of 2005 and the MECO – Year in Review Report highlights the activities undertaken over the last year and one half, and as well provides a general description of some of the proposed plans for the future. A Scorecard is included in Appendix A that details the results and measures used for each of the Programs. The Scorecard is an evolving document that is updated on an on-going basis and as energy savings results can be verified. The majority of the electricity savings to-date came from the Cool Shops and Appliance Retirement programs, for a combined electricity savings of approximately 1.6 million kWh or 1100 tonnes of C02. A Financial Summary is also included in Appendix B of the report.
The plan for 2007-2008 is to move forward on implementation of the projects that are currently underway and to roll out a much more comprehensive retrofit and renewal strategy for high energy consuming facilities that will be put into a multi-year action plan that will yield significant savings. While the quantitative results, particularly, the energy saved including, electricity, gas and water, will be key in evaluating the MECO Programs once implementation of the larger initiatives is further underway, there are many other important benefits that may be more difficult to assign a value to but should not be discounted. For example, these include the leadership effort alone that the Town has shown through establishing MECO. The marketing, promotion and branding of MECO’s vision and goals has been instrumental in terms of raising the MECO profile and providing education and awareness to Town staff, residents, local businesses and the community as a whole.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable
1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial
5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6.
Attachment(s)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to provide Committee with an update on the programs and activities undertaken by MECO over the last year.
BACKGROUND:
Not applicable
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
MECO is responsible for leading, developing and implementing energy conservation programs that deliver realistic demand shedding and cost avoidance results and are in line with the Provincial goals of creating a ‘culture of conservation.’
The original MECO programs include; Cool
Shops, MECO@Work and MECO@Home Employee Awareness, Better Buildings
Partnership, Energy and Environmental Management Software (EEMS),
The electricity savings to-date come namely
from the Cool Shops and Appliance Retirement Programs. Cool Shops was the first
MECO program to be launched in the 2005 and the results of this program to-date
have been substantial, including a combined electricity savings of 202,500 kWh
for over 580 small retail shops in
The Haul Away Your Energy Hog Appliance Retirement Program, a partnership initiative between MECO, Mission Green and PowerStream delivered some tremendous results. A total of 1321 appliances were collected, including 845 fridges, 411 freezers and 65 window air conditioners. Assuming these were secondary appliances that were not going to be replaced, the electricity savings to the grid represents just over 1,400,000 kWh, which translates into a reduction of approximately 1006 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The other programs, namely the Better Buildings Partnership initiative is expected to deliver the most significant energy savings. An energy audit of Milliken Mills Community Centre was conducted in the summer of 2006 and implementation of retrofit projects is planned for 2007. Anticipated savings include over 375,000 kWh of electricity and 175,000 m3 of gas. A Sustainability Study has also been conducted at the Centennial Community Centre to examine the potential for locating a green roof, solar panel and/or other comparable technologies that would provide the best overall environment and energy benefits, including return on investment. The alternative technology options are currently being assessed but implementation is planned for 2007 on this project as well. Moving forward, it is anticipated that for 2007, a more comprehensive retrofit and renewal strategy for key energy consuming assets will be rolled out.
In conclusion, there are many exciting opportunities for the Town to continue to demonstrate its leadership position in energy conservation. MECO in partnership with other Town departments and PowerStream continue to dialogue on innovative initiatives that offer potential opportunity to yield more savings. These programs will be implemented as they are developed. The table below summarizes some of the 2007 MECO Plans and Future Considerations.
|
MECO Programs |
2007 Plans |
Future Considerations |
|
Cool Shops Audience: Small Commercial Businesses |
Program
to be continued but possibly re-branded – will offer a new small commercial
business program that goes beyond lighting and addresses other energy savings
opportunities |
Continued
roll-out of new and innovative energy savings programs to benefit this
audience |
|
MECO@Work Employee Awareness Audience: Town Staff |
Continue
programs for Town Staff – ramp up with more events, incentives and
educational materials |
Many
opportunities for continued education and awareness raising |
|
Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) Audience: Town Assets Energy & Environmental Management Software (EEMS) – simply a tool for BBP |
Implementation
of retrofits at Milliken Mills and Centennial Community Centres and roll-out
of further energy assessments and retrofit projects for Town owned
assets. Currently investigating possible
implementation of a Demand Response program |
Utilize portion
of PowerStream $ for implementation of retrofit and renewal opportunities |
|
Energy Conservation Workshops Audience: Residential |
MECO
& Markham Public Libraries to deliver 4 Energy Conservation Workshops in
partnership with PowerStream |
Depending
on interest and demand, may continue energy conservation workshop series |
|
FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program Audience: Corporate & Community Sources of Emissions |
Working
with Environmental Leadership Staff to move forward on Milestone One, to
create a GHG emissions inventory and forecast |
Will
continue PCP Program to achieve all five milestones and prepare a Local
Action Plan |
RECOMMENDED
BY: _________________________ ________________________
Viive Sawler, Manager, MECO Allan Seabrooke, Director,
_________________________
Jim Sales, Commissioner,
Community & Fire Services
Office