Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/255439
Laima Cers, VP of marketing and business development for EnerCare, notes that energy sub-metering is popular with the owners or landlords of rental buildings because it allows them to manage utility costs in a way that is fair, and based on actual electricity use. In Ontario electricity sub-metering is mandatory in all newly constructed condominiums since 2008, and rental buildings since 2011. "Thermal metering, which monitors the cost of heating and air cooling in individual suites, is becoming more popu- lar, especially in LEED-oriented projects," Cers adds. Toronto Hydro is one of the local electricity distribution companies (LDC) that delivers the various components of the saveONenergy demand management programs administered by the Ontario Power Authority. Each LDC is given an energy savings target as a condition of its operating license. Albert Payne, a project consultant with Toronto Hydro, explains that as a delivery agent the organization works with customers, reviewing and advising on their proposed energy conserva- tion measures before the project is implemented. Approved projects receive incentives from the Power Authority. Payne says the lion's share of the incentives claimed have been for lighting, installing efficient compact fluorescent or LED lighting. However, that market is maturing. Toronto Hydro is pushing customers to adopt variable frequency drives for fan and pump motors, and particularly in the industrial mar- ket to upgrade compressed air and refrigeration systems. The saveONenergy program also offers incentives for energy monitoring and targeting programs, indirectly giving energy managers tools for managing and reducing energy consumption. The Ontario Power Authority also helps cover the cost of employing energy managers, covering 80 per cent of the cost for larger commercial and industrial customers. For smaller customers, Toronto Hydro employs roving energy managers, who move from location to location looking for potential energy savings. Total Power is a full-service company specializing in sell- ing and servicing critical, or back-up power systems. Typical back-up power applications include, but are not limited to, building life-safety systems, communications and telecom, municipal infrastructure, health care and data centres. The company also supports their generator systems in remote locations where power does not exist. Although generators are often used for back up, Total Power reports seeing chang- ing trends in Ontario, where some customers may use standby generators for short periods to earn incentive payments. Another change is the acceptance of a variety of fuel choices. While diesel generators are still common, Total Power notes that natural gas-powered generators are growing in popularity, and some provinces now allow natu- ral gas generators for use in life-safety applications. Natural gas offers a read- ily available fuel source, unlimited runtime, the perception of cleanliness in emissions and no need for tank main- tenance. All are big drawing cards for owners. However, diesel engines still offer certain performance character- istics for certain applications. Accord- ing to Total Power, the bi-fuel engine, which offers simultaneous combustion of both diesel and natural gas, with the benefits of both fuel types, represents an attractive middle ground. n Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems installation. Photo courtesy Houle Electric. february 2014 /31 energy Management Hemisphere Engineer.indd 1 14-01-13 10:35 AM p28-31Energy Management.indd 31 14-01-22 10:58 AM