ENERGY EFFICIENCY
INVESTMENTS DRIVE
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AT
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
“What started as smaller retrofit work has
now mushroomed into these amazing
campus-wide energy efficiency projects.”
– Dan MacLachlan,
Director of Design, Engineering and
Construction, University of Guelph
BENEFITS:
• Lower operating costs
• Reinvestment of energy
savings into academic
mission
• Increase in student
engagement
we started doing energy retrofits on campus, we’ve achieved electricity savings of
“Since
over $9 million.
” - Dan MacLachlan
The University of Guelph’s new $15-million thermal
energy storage tank is big, bold and incredibly energy
efficient. In fact, it symbolizes, in a larger-than-life way,
the University’s commitment to energy efficiency and
its willingness to continue on a journey of incremental
energy improvements, with all its unforeseen twists and
turns.
“We’ve come a long way in ten short years,” said Dan
MacLachlan, Director of Design, Engineering and
Construction. “One of our earliest lighting retrofits was
at our library, and a few years ago, we went back for
round two, installing new lighting controls and
photosensors that adjust lighting levels according to
the amount of natural light that streams in through the
windows. Since we started doing energy retrofits on
campus, we’ve achieved electricity savings of over $9
million. It’s a significant result, made possible thanks to
the Save on Energy program but also to our partners at
Guelph Hydro.”
Through a commitment to sustainability that’s
enshrined in its Strategic Plan, as well as the Campus
Master Plan, the University has invested $1 million
year-over-year in energy efficient upgrades. Total
electricity and demand savings since 2004 amount to
over 100,000,000 kilowatt-hours and 3.5 megawatts
respectively.
Most recently, as part of a separate energy retrofit
(dubbed the Green Gryphon Initiative), the University
invested a further $3 million for lighting retrofits, as
well as sub-meters in all of its buildings (which cover
over six million square feet), HVAC modifications and
an optimization of the building automation system.
This campus-wide initiative will achieve additional
energy and demand savings of 8,700,000 kilowatthours per year and 5.0 megawatts.
The star of the Green Gryphon Initiative is the new
22-million-litre chilled water storage tank – a
mammoth device that allows the University to cool the
water used for air conditioning at night, shift peak
demand, reduce daytime peak demand and save
roughly $1.75 million in utility costs per year.
“A few years ago, our students decided they really
wanted to put the University on the map in terms of
sustainability, and they were willing to put their money
where their mouth is. In addition to doing retrofit
projects that were largely behind-the-scenes, they
wanted the University to invest in projects that were
more visible. They voted in a $10 per semester
surcharge which the University matches, and those
funds are earmarked for sustainability projects,” said
MacLachlan. “What started as smaller retrofit work has
now mushroomed into these amazing campus-wide
energy efficiency projects.”
The students have spoken, and what they’re saying is
that energy efficiency is good business. It’s a good way
to save money, it’s a great way to maximize energy
resources, and it’s an even better way to put money
back into the teaching mission, rather than the
operational mission, of the university.
Save on Energy programs offer financial support and technical expertise
to help businesses across Ontario reach their energy-management goals.
Powered by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and
offered by local hydro companies, Save on Energy supports businesses
to realize the many benefits of using energy wisely. For more information
about how energy efficiency can help your business succeed, visit
SaveonEnergy.ca/business or contact your local hydro company.
Save on Energy programs subject to additional terms and
conditions found at SaveonEnergy.ca. Subject to change
without notice. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity
System Operator.