screen shot of a Zoom callOfficials from the University of Windsor attended the virtual presentation Friday of a cheque from the Independent Electricity System Operator.

Energy efficiency earns incentives for university

Projects to reduce the University’s energy use earned more than $217,000 in incentives in 2021, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and electricity bills.

A team from Facility Services met Friday with representatives of the Independent Electricity System Operator, which manages Ontario’s power system, to receive the incentive cheque.

A retrofit of lighting in the Leddy Library saw 3,400 fixtures converted to LEDs and the installation of motion detectors, with a resulting annual savings of more than 1 million kilowatt-hours.

A similar improvement to the lighting in the basement of the University Computer Centre will save more than 46,000 kWh per year.

Installation of a sensor-based demand control ventilation system in the Essex CORe will reduce air circulation in research labs when they are unoccupied or not in operation, saving almost half a million kWh per year.

An upgrade to the roof of the law building added insulation and will result in a saving of almost 90,000 kWh each year.

“These are great projects,” said Colin McLellan, the University’s associate director for capital projects. “Any reduction in our electricity use helps reduce the financial burden to the institution.”

All told, the changes mean a projected reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of more than 51 tonnes a year.

The University also received funds for achieving its target in reducing use of natural gas, and toward the embedded energy manager program. With a total of more than 2,000 megawatt-hours of electricity savings in 2021, the University almost doubled its minimum target of 1,058 MWh.

Vicki Gagnon, IESO business advisor for the public sector, credited the UWindsor team for its success in reducing electricity and gas usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

“I am really pleased to present these incentives to the University of Windsor as you continue to work toward energy efficiency goals,” she said.