Join BOMA Toronto’s 2024 Earth Hour Weekend Challenge: March 22nd, 6:00pm to March 25th, 6:00am

For the 11th year, Energy@Work is proud to act as program advisors to BOMA Toronto’s 2024 Earth Hour Weekend Challenge!

The Earth Hour Weekend Challenge aims to foster collective efforts between landlords and tenants, encouraging the identification of operational and behavioral strategies to eliminate energy waste over the Earth Hour weekend. The Weekend Challenge’s “Top Reducer” is recognized at BOMA Toronto's annual Celebration of Excellence Gala on May 29th, 2024!

The Earth Hour Weekend Challenge. Participants will need to report consumption data for three consecutive weekends: March 8 to 11, March 15 to 18, and March 22 to 25.

Click here to register to participate in the Earth Hour Challenge Weekend

For more information, watch the February 2024 Earth Hour Challenge information session hosted by BOMA Toronto, Energy@Work’s Scott Rouse and Gabriela Vieira Guinzani presented. The information session guides participants through the challenge's key aspects and explores winning strategies.

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How Will You Participate on March 5th, World Efficiency Day?

Dedicated to promoting responsible energy consumption, the World Energy Efficiency Day was established in 1998 at the International Meeting on Energy Efficiency in Austria. World Energy Efficiency Day provides an opportunity to spread awareness on reducing unnecessary waste, supporting production processes through renewable sources, and encouraging communities worldwide to set an example with sustainable habits and meaningful recycling of resources.

Here are practical actions that can be incorporated into our daily lives to promote energy efficiency:

1. Disconnect electrical appliances and chargers that are not in use.

2. Turn off lights that are not necessary – use natural light!

3. Purchase appliances with energy efficient features.

4. Set computers to energy saving mode.

5. Walk, ride a bicycle, or use public transportation.

6. Share your ideas and learn from others!

On March 5th Energy@Work will be a guest speaker in Professor Raghad Kamel's Energy Accounting class at Seneca Polytechnic. We look forward to joining the class to share with students what we do in our E-MAPs, explain their impact in real-world projects, showcase RETScreen and the diverse tools we use every day. 

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Reminder: 2024 BOMA Certificate of Excellence (COE) Annual Award Submission Deadline is March 11th

A Certificate of Excellence is granted to properties that have achieved a minimum COE score of 70%. The property with the highest score in each category is honored as a Local TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) winner. These local winners are then eligible to compete nationally, with the possibility to advance to the International Competition.  
 
To apply for a Certificate of Excellence all entrants are required to have a valid BOMA BEST certification. A copy of the valid BOMA BEST certification and/or official BOMA BEST letter must be available during the onsite inspection as well.

For assistance with your BOMA BEST Certification email: requests@energy-efficiency.com

Companies meeting the standard of excellence will be recognized at the prestigious BOMA Toronto Celebration of Excellence Gala on May 29th.

Click here for more information on BOMA Toronto’s Certificate of Excellence Awards

Join Us in Welcoming Jr. Analyst Marianne Estupinan to the Energy@Work Team

Join Energy@Work in welcoming the newest member of our team, Marianne Estupinan as a Jr. Energy Analyst!

“As an energy engineering technologist, I am dedicated to consistently delivering high-quality work that exceeds expectations and excels in both collaborative team efforts and individual leadership. My strong educational foundation in energy systems, sustainability analysis, and project management has garnered me profound knowledge in the engineering field. 

I’m thrilled to join the Energy@Work team. The opportunity to learn and contribute to cutting-edge work in the energy sector aligns perfectly with my passion for driving sustainable solutions.”

We are delighted to welcome Marianne to our team and are already impressed by the valuable contributions she is making. We believe she's an excellent addition, and we're confident you'll agree!

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Energy@Work’s Holiday Challenge Results are in!

A big thank you to all participating buildings in the 2023 challenge! Your commitment to friendly competition and energy efficiency has truly made a difference.
 
The 6th edition of the challenge took place from 6:00 PM on Friday, December 22nd, 2023, to 6:00 AM on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. It yielded exciting results, achieving an impressive overall reduction of 390,142 kWh (10.9%) which can power a Canadian home for 12,261 days (over 33 years!). Additionally, the overall savings were over $40,000!

A big round of applause to everyone who played a part! Your dedication to energy efficiency is admirable.

As we conclude this challenge, we're already looking ahead to the future. Get ready for more opportunities to make a positive impact in our next challenge, see you in December 2024!

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Transforming Transit: Ontario's 'One Fare' is a Step in the Right Direction

In a move towards a more connected and cost-effective transit future, Ontario launched the "One Fare" initiative on February 26, 2024. This program aims not only to save money for transit riders but also to enhance the overall transit experience by promoting connectivity and sustainability.

This program is anticipated to foster over eight million new rides annually, particularly benefiting students, seniors, and commuters relying on GO Transit, TTC, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit.

This initiative aligns with the broader goal of encouraging more people to opt for public transportation, not only saving on individual expenses but also actively contributing to energy conservation as transportation is the 2nd biggest GHG emitter in urban areas!

At Energy@Work, we take great pride in being strong advocates for cycling. Named Toronto’s bike friendliest business, we won in the “Best Overall” category for 2 consecutive years. We offer bike passes to utilize Toronto’s City bikes and keep a spare bike in our office for employees to use at their discretion. We have worked with Downtown BIA to circulate the following booklet “Take Your Gym to Work” and continue to leave our cars at home when possible.

Click here to view the complete “Take Your Gym to Work” booklet

The Energy@Work team will continue to opt for public transit, when feasible, and will continue encouraging the use of alternative transportation to reduce the use of personal vehicles!

Click here for more information on the one fare program  

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January’s Global Adjustment Mechanism (GAM)e Cost: $0.51 Billion

In January 2024, GA cost was $0.51 billion. This is a 25% decrease from December 2023 GA of $0.69 billion.

If we compare January 2024 with January 2023, there was an 11% decrease (it was $0.58 billion).

The Class B January rate was $45.88/MWh ($0.046/kWh)

The Average HOEP for January was $43.3/MWh ($0.043/kWh)

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 vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services include a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

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Monthly Feature: Data Is the New Oil, When Refined! Join Us on March 7th for a Workshop Supported by NRCan’s RETScreen

Data: The new oil, when refined, and RETScreen is the refinery.

March 7th, 2024, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am

Interest in Smart Grid, Green Button, Energy Management, etc. – starts with the DATA.

Join us for dynamic 90-minute workshop supported by NRCan’s RETScreen. At this event, we'll answer the question:
“How does refining utility interval data provide valuable insights?” We’ll explore the perspectives of: Utilities, Customers, and Service Providers.

Event Highlights:

• Utility Perspective: Explore how raw interval data can unveil crucial insights for energy use. Learn how tools like RETScreen can reveal energy profiles, empowering utilities to better serve their customers and optimize their own operations.

• Customer Perspective: Gain a deeper understanding of your plant or facility's performance and the reasons behind it. Dive into topics like base load analysis and harness the power of RETScreen's new features to decipher energy profiles, assess operational impacts, and track carbon emissions.

• Service Provider Perspective: Discover how third-party providers leverage RETScreen’s advanced features to support Measurement and Verification, ESG reporting, Net Zero initiatives, and energy efficiency programs.

Featured Speakers:

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COP28 Summit Concluded December 13th:

“the pace and scale of deployment of renewables and energy efficiency must increase”

World leaders have adopted a draft decision after intense negotiations at COP28, focusing on climate priorities.

COP28 featured a record attendance, significant funding commitments, and various pledges, including those related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and methane reduction.


What does this mean for 2024?
Now, more than ever, there is a pressing demand for energy efficiency, a goal best achieved through the implementation of an Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP). E-MAPs serve as a strategic roadmap for optimizing energy usage in your building, helping you align your climate objectives with global trends.

The average Ontario Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for commercial offices is around 25 ekWh/sqft.yr. However, in our database, we are seeing around 20 ekWh/sqft – 25% better. Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) IPMVP Guidelines were used to prepare the Measurement and Verification (M&V) Plan.

This means that Energy Efficiency continues to offer a major opportunity to reduce cost, respond to environmental pressures and increase asset value: The perfect ESG response.

Consider what is available:

Consider what is available:
-    Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) incentives are available through Save on Energy. Energy@Work, as authorized Commissioning Professionals, can help get you started. 
-    For precise monitoring and goal targeting, we highly recommend utilizing RETScreen's latest software release, V9.1.
-    Notably, Toronto Bylaw 367 mandates energy and water use reporting for buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet: Deadline July 1st, 2024.
Energy@Work can serve as your licensed professional to assist with compliance.

Energy@Work is here to help. Whether it’s developing your ESG strategy, exploring EBCx or starting your Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP), feel free to contact us to get started or to accelerate your success! 

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EVO Released a White Paper Offering Guidance on Measuring and Monitoring Decarbonization in Energy Efficiency Investments for Financial Institutions

Amongst the methodologies is the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP)- The “world’s paramount M&V protocol”

Decarbonization is increasingly vital in the fight against climate change, encompassing the adoption of energy-efficient measures, strategic planning, and equipment upgrades. Financial institutions are under growing pressure to align with climate-related recommendations and initiatives, compelled by societal demands and regulatory mandates. Decarbonization not only aids in achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets but also facilitates compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, making institutions more appealing to investors and aligned with global sustainability objectives.

Accurately assessing energy savings and emissions reductions is paramount for measuring and verifying the impact of decarbonization, instilling confidence in reported data and enabling effective risk management. EVO's newly released white paper, titled "What Financial Institutions Need to Consider for Measuring and Monitoring the Decarbonization Impact of Energy Efficiency Loans," provides guidance for financial institutions on measuring decarbonization in energy efficiency investments, protocol selection, and the significance of monitoring the climate change impact in loan operations.

Among the methods highlighted is EVO's IPMVP protocols. Energy@Work has had a great experience using IPMVP’s M&V protocols and can attest to the effectiveness. Notably, during the pandemic, we were able to quantify 16,000,000 kWh in savings, which were verified by the Toronto Hydro Electric System.

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