Energy@Work’s use of RETScreen extends across our portfolio and now has the capability to verify savings during the pandemic. RETScreen’s new version, 8.1, will make it easier to capture findings by allowing users to factor in Non-Routine Adjustments (NRA) within the program.
When the pandemic hit, building occupancy reduction caused uncertainty on many different levels, including verification of savings from a Pay for Performance program. We track, report, and help to reduce our clients GHG footprint and costs through the Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP). Our challenge was verifying savings independent of the occupancy reduction.
EVO’s guidelines provided 7 Approaches to Identify Non-Routine Events (NRE) such as Covid as well as 10 Methods for Non-Routine Adjustment (NRA) to exclude the impact of NREs and update the electricity baseline. By applying EVO’s NRA/NRE guidelines we were able to achieve over 16 million kWh in savings across 28 properties, verified by Toronto Hydro.
RETScreen version 8.1 now offers the capability to factor in Non-Routine Adjustments directly through the RETScreen software, providing a reliable turnkey tool for M&V plans.
Congratulations to the RETScreen team on this exciting new development!
Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) shared Energy@Work’s approach of capturing verified savings during the pandemic in their M&V Focus article: EVO’s Guidelines to Quantify Electricity Savings During a Pandemic
Our Key elements included:
1) People, Process and Products
2) Measurement and Verification (M&V) including COVID response
3) Experience with the new IESO EPP program and lessons learned
Scott Rouse and Amir Kamandlooie presented at the Energy Leaders Consortium, hosted by Partners in Project Green. The session was conducted for Industrial Energy Professionals and focused on demonstrating results using Measurement and Verification (M&V). Scott and Amir outlined M&V results Energy@Work has achieved, the value and process of M&V and details on the new IESO Energy Performance Program (EPP).
Presentation is available by contacting Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com
BOMA Canada's National Awards Gala offered a great opportunity to look back on a difficult year and recognize industry leaders who have demonstrated meaningful and continuous commitments to building improvements.
Energy@Work is proud to work with some of this years’ award recipients:
365 Bloor Street East (Postmedia Place) - Managed by Greenrock Commercial Services Ltd:
Winner of BOMA Canada’s National Earth Award in the Office category
The National Earth Award recognizes the highest scoring BOMA BEST Certified building as leaders in resource preservation and environmentally sound commercial building management.
The diligent team at 365 Bloor Street East are committed to their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Their efforts have resulted in continuous improvements and success, year after year leading to this year’s National award. Special shout out to Alaric da Cunha and his team!
Michael Hasko - Dream Unlimited Corp:
Winner of the Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award was presented for the first time at this year’s gala. The newly created award recognizes an individual under 35 years who has exemplified leadership, initiative, and service to the commercial real estate community. We continuously see the consistent efforts Michael Hasko puts forth and it’s great to see his hard work recognized at the National level.
Michael credits his team for the results and we know that every team needs a leader
– great choice this year!
Elena Muto - Menkes Property Management Services:
Winner of the Elaina Tattersdale Sustainability Champion Award
The Elaina Tattersdale Sustainability Champion Award is a new award presented for the first-time at this year’s gala. This award recognizes a sustainability champion who is an unsung hero in the commercial real estate community. Elena Muto has been a driving force behind the countless energy efficiency and sustainability achievements at 4711 Yonge Street, managed by Menkes.
Congratulations and well deserved!
Although the electricity rates did not go down, as we feel they should have, the rates did not go up. Electricity rates will stay the same and hopefully we will have better news on May 1st, 2022, if the Global Adjustment costs are audited as recommended.
Please visit https://www.oeb.ca if you would like detailed information.
The theme of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) was prevalent during the 2021 BOMEX keynote session, presented by Stephanie Mehta.
Mehta described the "Next Normal" to be an intersection of the following 8 pillars: Dynamic, Transparent, Antifragile, Collaborative, Intelligent, Sustainable, Inclusive, and Empathetic, and affirmed the landscape is ever-changing requiring great flexibility.
She stressed that the "next normal" will be driven by People while requiring transparency to eliminate “green-wash” in order to generate meaningful success.
“Fostering innovation isn't tied to a physical space, but rather to collaboration” and, as we have found, collaboration is synonymous with 'people'.
This is mirrored within Energy@Work, particularly since the beginning of COVID when our team transitioned to permanent remote work, whilst being recognized with the 2020 Collaborative Excellence and, recently, the 2021 Innovative Excellence r2r CREST Awards. These achievements wouldn't have been possible without the meaningful collaborations and commitments within our internal team, and externally with our clients on a regular basis. It truly is a team effort.
Collaboration strategies have been abundant since the beginning of the pandemic. Whether it’s adapting to a new software, reassessing which qualities and strengths are necessary for certain roles, or bringing together cross-functional teams. It's clear that 'people', and the way we interact and support one another will be the key to success in the “next normal”.
Contact Us for more details on how your commercial office or multi-family building can join NRCan's registry of Canada's ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings.
“ENERGY STAR certified buildings save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.”
https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/building_recognition/building_certification
The September GAM cost is back up $0.67 billion, this is a 22% increase from August’s GAM cost – “why?”.
Energy@Work provides a regular review of GAM cost and continues to ask “why?”.
GAM costs are largely Nuclear (OPG and non-OPG). However, conservation continues to be reported as the reason for GAM. Another ‘why?’ question that remains unanswered.
Energy@Work’s services includes a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for either Class A or Class B to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million.
We assist in evaluating Class A eligibility and assess potential strategies for both Class A and B.
Congratulations to 25 York on achieving the highest BOMA BEST score globally- 99.2! Their score has earned them a BOMA BEST Platinum certification.
25 York has demonstrated their commitment to operational excellence and energy efficient strategies. They continue to implement innovative ideas while maintaining tenant safety and comfort. Their success has resulted in:
i) 2021 Canadian Green Building Award in the Existing Building category,
ii) the 2021 BOMA Toronto Climate Champion CREST Award,
iii) the 2019 TOBY Award, as well as
iii) becoming Canada’s first-ever Fitwel certified office tower in 2018.
“We are thrilled to be able to set the bar extremely high with respect to industry benchmarks,” said Cindy Woyslaw, general manager, Menkes Property Management Services. “However, what’s more important and meaningful to us is that we can not only meet but exceed the expectations of our tenants when it comes to providing them with a sustainable, healthy workplace.”
https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/25-york-street-earns-highest-boma-best-score/
Stay tuned, stay connected and stay safe!
We thank everyone that has provided feedback and for your comments: positive and negative!
We appreciate to hear your thoughts and welcome your feedback on how we can improve and/or include other areas of interest to you, please email: Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com
Thank You:
- Energy@Work