Energy Conservation
The University’s Community Energy Plan contains measurable goals for reducing utility use and conserving water. Guelph has committed $1 million annually to specific energy-saving projects, 50% of which is funded through the Energy Conservation Initiative described below, and invests on average another $1 million per year in upgrades such as new chillers and building envelope and HVAC upgrades.
The University aims to maximize energy, water and transportation efficiency to offset increasing energy demands from institutional growth. The plan anticipates achieving, on average, a 1.5% yearly efficiency improvement, with major renovations achieving a 25% efficiency improvement above the university average for particular building types. The University has also played an integral role in drafting the City of Guelph’s Community Energy Plan. Energy consumption and performance data is available on the sustainability website.
Energy retrofit and upgrading projects are prioritized in a five-year plan (2007-2012), supported in part by the groundbreaking Energy Conservation Initiative.
Mark Britton, the University’s energy management technologist, tracks and forecasts utilities consumption, analyses infrastructure to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, and works with departments to encourage and co-ordinate energy saving initiatives.
Major energy savings have come from reprogramming and upgrading the building automation system that controls heating and ventilation. U of G has also carried out lighting retrofits in major campus buildings; replaced incandescent light bulbs in residences with CFLs that reduce energy use from 60 to 13 watts on average; and installed a stack heat recovery system that now heats Rozanski Hall and the MacKinnon Extension and will also heat the MacKinnon Building beginning in 2010. See At Guelph feature article about energy conservation initiatives. The campus has implemented various information technology initiatives to reduce electrical loads, including adopting “green” standards for new PCs.
The Energy Conservation Initiative
In 2007, students voted to contribute nearly $5 million over 12 years to support projects to improve energy efficiency on campus (matched by the University). This commitment earned a Certificate of Recognition from the Ontario Power Authority’s Conservation Bureau and an Award for Student Entrepreneurship in Higher Education (honourable mention) from Oikos International.
The Energy Conservation Working Group, comprised of students, faculty and staff, recommends conservation projects for approval. A lighting retrofit for the McLaughlin Library was completed in 2008 with support from the student funds. Projects for 2009 include a major lighting retrofit of the University Centre.
Alumni, faculty and staff also contribute to an energy retrofit fund. Students have also voted to pay for wind energy to run the Bullring cafeteria.
Building Design
U of G also aims for greater energy efficiency and other environmental benefits from the design of new buildings and renovations to existing buildings.
The University’s current design standard for new buildings calls for 25% more energy efficiency than the National Energy Standard, and the Physical Resources department is in the early stages of developing a new high energy-efficiency and sustainable design standard.
Guelph is also constructing its first LEED building — OVC’s Primary Health Care Centre — targeting LEED Silver accreditation. The Pathobiology/Animal Health Laboratory building is also being built to LEED-equivalent standards, but without the goal (and associated cost) of LEED accreditation. The Axelrod Building, a major 50 year old building, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, including new, highly energy-efficient systems.
For more information about this report or sustainability initiatives at the University of Guelph, please contact:
Gillian Maurice
Sustainability Co-ordinator
sustain@pr.uoguelph.ca