Energy@Work’s November newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Scroll down to view November’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking the button below to subscribe to our monthly updates.
Congratulations to the Recipients at the 2023 BOMA Toronto 2023 CREST Awards!
The 2023 race2reduce Commercial Real Estate Trailblazers (CREST) Awards honored participants from the R2R program that have demonstrated a continual commitment to improving building performance and reducing emission.
We would like to extend our congratulations to Menkes property Management Services’ team at 4711 Yonge St for receiving the 2023 Collaboration Excellence BOMA BEST Award!
The Collaborative Excellence award recognizes the success of collaboration between landlords, tenants and vendors. Demonstrated engagement and collaboration between stakeholders leads to significant improvements in building performance. This also fosters new conversations to explore additional opportunities.
In working with the team at 4711 Yonge St, we can attest to their efforts which are truly worthy of this recognition!
Congratulations to all the 2023 R2R CREST Award recipients on their achievements and to BOMA Toronto for another excellent awards ceremony!
Condo Owners and Renters: Understanding Electricity Unit Sub-Meter Providers (USMP)
Unit sub-meter providers (USMPs) deliver electricity metering and billing services to occupants of multi-unit buildings.
Master consumers (Owners, property managers or condominium corporations) contract a USMP to provide electricity metering and billing services to the residents in their building. Once the USMP is chosen, customers (unit residents) are individually billed and pay fees and service charges based on the agreement made between the master consumer and the USMP.
What the customer must know:
The decision to switch between electricity plans (Time-of-Use, Ultra-Low Overnight and Tiered prices) can only be made for the building as a whole by the master consumer, but effects the rates paid by the occupants.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulates USMP services relating to electricity, however the board does not regulate USMP fees, such as account set up, or other services, such as natural gas or water, or providing audits and energy recommendations.
The OEB enforces rules and laws, including the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010 (ECPA). To take enforcement action when a USMP is found to have broken the rules as set out in the ECPA, the USMP’s license or the USM Code.
For more information about OEB polices and further details visit: https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/oebs-consumer-protection-role/understanding-electricity-unit
RETScreen’s Newly Released Software, V9.1, Introduces Substantial Enhancements
RETScreen’s Clean Energy Management Software Platform, Version 9.1, launched on November 1, 2023. It introduces substantial enhancements to RETScreen Expert across various modules:
Portfolio Analysis Module
The Portfolio Analysis Module introduces a significant update known as the Net Zero Plan. This feature guides users through a ten-step Portfolio Decarbonization Framework. The purpose is to facilitate a portfolio-wide analysis, evaluating the feasibility and costs linked to achieving a carbon-neutral real Portfolio Analysis Module.
As well as:
Benchmark & Feasibility Analysis Modules
Virtual Energy Analyzer (VEA):
14 new AI-driven deep emission reduction archetypes, bringing the total to 45.
2 new archetypes tailored for auto parts plants, offering 30-40% cost-effective reduction in electricity and fuel consumption, and a deep retrofit archetype achieving 80-90% GHG emission reduction.
Advanced settings include optional peak load heating system, carbon shadow pricing, and offsite renewable electricity procurement.
Expansion to Electricity and Fuel Rate Databases
User-defined meter database for ISO 50001 implementation, sub-metering, and real-time monitoring.
Expansions to Energy Model Worksheet
Users can benefit from an electricity rate calculator based on both monthly and time-of-use rates.
Water equipment data is now accessible through a drop-down list in the User-defined model.
Comparison feature for Cooling Energy Demand Intensity (CEDI).
Emission Worksheet
Carbon shadow price and carbon offsets features.
For more information visit:
Stay tuned for several exciting workshops coming up in 2024! These will be using RETScreen 9.1 to demonstrate the value in understanding data, i.e.:
Data is the new oil – once it is refined!
6th Annual Holiday Challenge!
Energy@Work’s 6th annual holiday challenge is coming up! This challenge presents the opportunity to discover how much electricity can be conserved over the holiday period. Operations and tenants can work together and save electricity since offices typically have a much lower occupancy over the holidays which presents the opportunity to cut waste- particularly phantom power.
If you have not participated, you are very welcome to join in:
There is no cost or expectation. Individual results are not disclosed since the purpose of the challenge is to have fun by raising awareness of, and mitigate, electricity waste over the holidays. This fun video is free and can be shared with tenants and occupants!
Common areas of opportunity include:
plug load or what is commonly called “Phantom Power”
- this is a huge opportunity!systems continuing to run when not needed,
lights, particularly accent and interior lobby lighting,
TV screens and monitors have off switches which are rarely used in lieu of standby mode,
exercise equipment “in the ready mode’ but sitting idle.
This year’s challenge will occur between:
1) 6:00 PM Friday, December 22nd, 2023
and
2) 6:00 AM Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.
Feel free to join us and share this quick video to find out what all the fun is about.
Questions can be directed to: HolidayChallenge@energy-efficiency.com
October’s Global Adjustment Mechanism (GAM)e Cost: $0.75 Billion
In October 2023, GA cost was $0.746 billion. This is a 44% decrease from September2023 GA of $0.519 billion.
If we compare October 2023 with October 2022, there was a 44% increase (October '22 was $0.513 billion).
With these drastic monthly swings in cost, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”.
We provide a monthly review of GAM costs, however, the reason for the cost as well as the vast cost fluctuation remains a mystery.
Energy@Work’s services include a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B in order to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.
Monthly Feature: City of Toronto (CoT) Recommendation for Building Emissions Performance Reporting
CoT's Conceptual overview timeline for major Strategy actions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-239097.pdf
City of Toronto (CoT) Recommendation for Building Emissions Performance Reporting
CoT Proposes that Municipal Code Chapter 367 will:
i) require buildings greater than 10,000 sqft to report energy and water consumption annually
ii) publicly disclose the data
iii) potential fines
Energy@Work can assist, as certified verifying professionals.
“Municipal 367-3.A.(3) If the property contains a building totaling a gross floor area equal to or exceeding 9,290 m2, an attestation by a certified professional verifying the descriptive information and performance information as follows:
(i) for the first year in which the report information is required to be submitted for the property; and then,
(ii) every subsequent fifth year after the first year in which the report information was required to be submitted for the property.”
Proposed implementation is July, 2024.
This item was considered by Infrastructure and Environment Committee on November 29, 2023 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on December 13, 2023 for 2024 implementation.
It is too early to predict the details, but it is very clear that the CoT is serious about the Net Zero target by 2040 and is taking steps to help meet the target.
Our Recommendation:
Get your house in order. Take advantage of this legislations.
Understanding consumption, leads to identification of opportunities and the actions needed to save money, the environment and increase asset value!
Prepare to report your electricity, natural gas, and water accurately to be in position to understand the results so you know what your best next steps are. The results can provide insights for potential areas of improvement.
For assistance and to learn more contact Energy@Work at Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com.
We have been in the energy business for over 20 years, reporting to the EWRB since the province introduced it and have over 800 submissions.
Together, we can appreciate the value, take action and realize the benefits from reporting!