EMA’s October Speaker Session, which took place on October 15, 2015, was full of exciting plans for energy management and conservation that had the audience engaged with important questions and comments.
We began with Greg Lehoux – BC Hydro, who discussed Strategic Energy Management in BC. 32% of BC Hydro’s total load comes from the industrial sector. The forecast for demand is increasing and solutions are implemented to ensure we can meet BC’s supply of electricity.
Build More
New Resources – i.e. Site C Dam
Reinvesting in Existing Assets – i.e. Upgrade of Revelstoke Dam
Buy More
Purchase from independent power and energy providers
Conserve More
BC has energy to conserve from residential, commercial & industrial customers.
Conservation through Projects is difficult to maintain however, Hydro has seen 76% savings from 40 Energy Managers. This is 1/3 of the energy savings seen by Hydro, or 200 GWatts per year, enough to power 18,000 homes.
Future energy savings opportunities may arise from electric vehicles by taking the saved energy from the cars while they are parked and charging. Then giving that energy back when it’s time to drive. Opportunities for Energy Management are all around us and are simple tasks with powerful results.
Dorota Kwasnik, Energy Manager – Port Metro Vancouver, provided an Overview of PMV Latest Emissions and Energy Conservation Initiatives. Port Metro Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and 4th largest in North America. The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is a collaborative effort between the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver to reduce emissions from shipping and port operations in the Georgia Basin – Puget Sound airshed.
Their approach & targets are relative to 2005 results:
• Reduce diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions per ton of cargo by 75% by 2015 and 80% by 2020, to decrease immediate and long-term health effects on adjacent communities.
• Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per ton of cargo by 10% by 2015 and 15% by 2020, to limit contributions to climate change and reduce associated environmental, health, and economic impacts.
Since 2009, PMV reduced 11,056 tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e) and in 2014, reduced 78 tonnes of criteria air contaminants and 2,656 tonnes CO2e.
Port-related industries account for a large proportion of the industrial energy consumed in the Vancouver area. The total Port uses approximately 2,000 GWh/ywhich is more electrical energy than 200,000 single family homes.
Energy efficient equipment, buildings, and operational practices are good business decisions that reduce costs and exposure to energy pricing. An energy conservation culture can be a powerful driver of corporate responsibility that in turn helps advancing social acceptance to thrive, as well as, create competitive advantage for Gateway.
Port Metro Vancouver believes clean hydroelectric energy is an asset to our Gateway and launched in partnership with BC Hydro in 2013.
The potential for saving energy within the Port jurisdiction is considerable. Therefore, Port-based companies receive consulting and financial (utility) support to:
• Implement energy-saving measures
• Install energy measurement and control strategy
• Introduce Energy Management Systems
Paul Cass – Ballard Power Systems presented the motivating topic regarding The Fuel Cell Clean Energy Alternative. The need for clean energy in North America is not as bleak as other continents with extremely poor air quality, however there are emerging needs that require our full attention. Climate change, severe weather patterns and energy security are significant drivers for the use of Fuel Cell Technology.
Ballard is the leader in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells which directs hydrogen to the anode and oxygen (from the air) to the cathode. The hydrogen separates into protons (hydrogen ions) and electrons. The free electrons produced at the anode are conducted in the form of usable electric currents. The oxygen, electrons and protons combine to form water and heat.
Ballard Fuel Cells are chosen as a sustainable and affordable alternative during power black-outs, operating forklifts and deployment of public transportation buses worldwide. The Fuel Cell bus eliminates tailpipe emissions (NOx,SOx & particulate matter), improve fuel efficiency, decrease noise pollution, improves fuel efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2014, Ballard Power Systems saw a revenue of approx. $69M, have 200 patents & patent applications; access to ~1,500 additional patents & patent applications and are strategically aligned with United Technologies Corporation & Anglo American Platinum.
Andrea Linsky, BCIT Program Head – School of Construction and Environment shared an overview of the Sustainable Energy Management Advanced Certificate (SEMAC) Program which is a partnership between BC Hydro and BCIT. Currently, we estimate that the BC electricity demand will grow between 25% and 40% in the next 20 years. BC Hydro needs qualified people to fill current and proposed Energy Manager Positions that will lead in meeting the new energy demands by conservation strategies in the public/private sector. This online/part-time study program is designed to support employment opportunities in the emerging field of sustainable energy management, with focus on the energy demands of commercial, institutional, industrial and community facilities.
As of January 2015, they have graduated 7 groups from the SEMAC program. Graduates are working as an EM or ES within organizations such as:
Major corporations
Post-Secondary institutions
Municipalities
School Districts
Health Authorities
Consultants
Energy engineers
Maintenance managers
Small Business Energy Advisors
The SEMAC program acts as a transition point for those wanting to integrate energy management within the operations of an organization, or provide support services to the energy management industry.
For more information go to: http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/5070adcert#overview