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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January Newsletter: News and Views

Energy@Work’s January newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Click below to view January’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking here to subscribe to our monthly updates.

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December Newsletter: News and Views

Energy@Work’s December newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Click below to view December’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking here to subscribe to our monthly updates.

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December Newsletter: News and Views

Energy@Work’s December newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Scroll down to view December’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking the button below to subscribe to our monthly updates.

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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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Newly Released! Empower Your Climate Conversations with CBC News: Climate Glossary

When delving into the topics of climate change, sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), the terminology and acronyms can feel as unfamiliar as a foreign language. To assist in deciphering the jargon associated with climate discussions, the CBC News website has introduced a comprehensive glossary. This resource is designed to facilitate a smoother understanding of the concepts and terms involved in these critical subjects.

Check out the glossary here!

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6th Annual Holiday Challenge: Stay Tuned for Results in 2024!

Energy@Work’s 6th annual holiday challenge is under way! This challenge presents the opportunity to discover how much energy can be conserved over the holiday period. Operations and tenants can work together and save energy since offices typically have a much lower occupancy over the holidays, which presents the opportunity to cut waste, see help from our Energy@Work elf.

Common areas of opportunity include:

• plug load or what is commonly called “Phantom Power”
  - this is a huge waste!

• 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 take place:
6:00 PM Friday, December 22nd, 2023
to
6:00 AM Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024

Questions can be directed to: HolidayChallenge@energy-efficiency.com

We’re looking forward to seeing what savings were achieved
- stay tuned for the January 2024 “News and Views” for results! 

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November’s Global Adjustment Mechanism (GAM)e Cost: $0.66 Billion

In November 2023, GA cost was $0.66 billion. This is a 11% decrease from October 2023 GA ($0.75 billion) and a 28% increase comparing November 2023 with September 2023 GA (it was $0.520billion).

If we compare November 2023 with November 2022, there was a 2% increase.

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.

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Monthly Feature: Energy@Work’s 2023 Highlights

2023 was an exciting year! We want to look back on some of this year’s highlights and build on the momentum for 2024:

1. Presenting at the RETScreen World Conference

• Energy@Work shared E-MAP case studies on the success of 28 commercial offices in saving 16,000,000 kWh, largely through operational initiatives. We shared what we learned and the powerful tools we used, like RETScreen, throughout the process
  * Two new webinars are planned in January and February, details to follow

2. Completed the 5th annual Holiday Challenge

• Another successful challenge concluded in January 2023. 231,752 kWh reduction was achieved, equivalent to the annual use of 27 Ontario homes! The 6th annual challenge is now underway with results to come in January 2024.

3. 2 Presentations at the Industrial Energy Technology Conference in Houston, TX

• Scott Rouse shared Energy@Work’s experiences:
  i) Operationalizing ESG: GHG reduction strategies with the economic advantages in developing a proactive approach.
  ii) Treasure Hunt that discovered $170,000 in potential savings

4. Amir Kamandlooie was named Energy Manager of the Year by AEEGTA

• Amir's relentless dedication and innovative ideas are precisely what made him a deserving recipient of this award. Not only was Amir awarded Energy Manager of the year but our nominations for AEEGTA's Wrench of the Year were also recognized Judy Arsenault and Paul Hang!

5. Over $500,000 was recovered for clients from utility billing errors

• Yet another value of monitoring and measuring consumption is the potential to discover and correct billing errors. A special ‘shout out’ to Reza Shadrokh's efforts in 2023 to identifying these errors.

6. Over $10,000,000 in monetary benefits through 28 Ongoing Energy Management Action Plans (E-MAP)

• 28 E-MAPs resulted in a collective savings of over $10,000.000 in monetary benefits. Our clients’ incredible results were in large part due to their commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency!
  Even with the best systems and products in place, success comes down to.
  "People" who make the projects work!

7. Energy@Work is approved as authorized Commissioning Providers by the IESO

• With our Commissioning Provider qualifications, we are authorized to complete the Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) program. Incentives for EBCx are available under Save on Energy as part of the 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management Framework!

8. 17 BOMA BEST Certifications achieved

• Helping our clients reach their targeted certifications levels, this includes:
  i) BOMA BEST Platinum certification,
  ii) the Historic Distillery District in their unique, one-of-a-kind category. Based on a study by the Journal of Portfolio Management, buildings which are BOMA BEST certified have higher net effective rates, lower rent concessions, higher occupancy, tenant renewal and satisfaction rates and lower energy consumption. We look forward to many more certifications under the newly released BOMA BEST V4.0!

9. Arranged and supported the annual BOMA Toronto GA Workshop:

• The workshop outlines the intricacies of the GA and the importance in making the right decision:
  * on June 15th (Class A or B), as well as
  * the second decision on June 16th (a strategy for the year).
  Stay tuned to join us at the 2024 May workshop!

10. Over 200 2023 EWRB submissions 

• This brings us to over 800 submissions in response to O. Reg 506/18. 

• Energy@Work went beyond compliance, to create customized property reports and benchmark with peers. The reports use the results reported to demonstrate how properties compare to determine what areas can be improved. 

11. Scott Rouse is named Energy Manager of the Year by Energy Manager Canada

• in acknowledgment of Energy@Work’s commitment to prioritizing efficiency strategies and the work we accomplish with our clients. Scott explores innovative approaches to help clients successfully navigate the ever-expanding terrain of efficiency, net-zero initiatives, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations.

12. 14 ENERGY STAR Building Certifications completed

• An ENERGY STAR building certification is an accreditation recognized globally. Awarded through the EPA, this recognition demonstrates that your building is amongst the top performers.

13. Over 30 (3,500,000 SqFt) ASHRAE level 2 commercial and residential audits completed

• Our audits do not sit on a shelf – they are used.
  Through a Level 2 ASHRAE audit, we paint a full picture of how a building is performing and find tangible and effective solutions, complete with targets for improvement. From there, we provide strategic advice on where to begin and opportunities to implement economic improvements. 

14. GHG Reduction Strategy: Resulting in GHG Manager Award

• Our client was able to achieve the GHG Manager Award using the GHG strategy developed with Energy@Work

15. News and views

• Another year's worth of news reported! Thank you for your feedback and comments!

• We look forward to staying connected with you through our monthly updates!

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On behalf of the Energy@Work team- thank you to all of our clients and partners! We look forward to reconnecting in 2024!
 

ESG commitment to diversity fun fact: The Energy@Work team speaks over 10 languages!