IQALUIT PILOT PROJECT
The Iqaluit Pilot Project was launched in 2007 via a comprehensive Request for Proposals for an Investment Grade Feasibility Study and Savings Financed Energy Retrofit Program addressing the GN’s 39 owned facilities in Iqaluit. The scope of the RFP included: engineering, financing, risk management, project management, training and monitoring and verification. It was won by MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. (MCW CES).
Nunavut Energy
The Project
The Iqaluit Pilot Project involves the implementation of energy efficiency measures in all GN owned buildings within Iqaluit. The results of the Pilot Project will be used to roll out NEMP in other communities within Nunavut. The Iqaluit Pilot Project is currently saving the Government of Nunavut $1,242,033 annually, at a total cost of $10,609,299.
This document provides a list of the buildings included in the Pilot Project – Pilot Project Buildings.
Design Criteria
Several criteria specific to working in Nunavut had to be taken into consideration when developing the Iqaluit Pilot Project. As this was a pilot project attempts were made to identify solutions, which could be replicated in other communities. Some key ones are:
- Introduce and Monitor State-of-the-Art Technology in Eastern Arctic Conditions
Nunavut has a harsh climate, high energy and shipping prices, small remote communities, and an aging building stock. Historically, technologies are selected based on their successful use in southern communities, which contribute to increased maintenance costs and accelerated replacement. A number of technologies were selected, monitored and tested as part of the pilot project, with an eye towards replicating them in other communities.
- 5th Light: the Fifth Lighting Control System was installed in five buildings, after a monitored pilot project. Each Fifth Light DALI ballast has an IP address allowing complete control over the Internet. The Energy Manager controls the system. Savings in excess of 70% were achieved.
- Solar Domestic Hot Water: 3 buildings were outfitted with Solar Panels and the results are monitored at the site and through the fuel bills.
- CETox: CETox fuel enhancer was used to treat the heating fuel in a number of buildings, emission reductions and fuel savings were documented.
- Exterior LED Lights: Initially, exterior LED Lights were installed in four buildings, results were positive and the technology was extended to all buildings.
- Invest in Local companies/people
Extensive product training, formal training and mentoring was used to transfer knowledge to contractors and maintenance and operations staff to ensure that the new equipment and savings could be maintained. The NNI Policy was used to ensure local contractors and individuals were able to do the work.
- Competitive Bidding
The GN procurement regulations and guidelines were adhered to or exceeded. Where possible competitive biddings was the norm.
- Economic
The GN implements technologies, which recoup their costs within their lifetime and fit within the overall 3rd Party financing amortization period. All benefits are assessed, when making a decision including operating savings, avoided costs and utility savings. Only the utility savings, with a small amount of operating savings are included in the savings used to pay for the retrofit.
- Enhance Buildings
Where possible, old or failing building components were replaced even if the payback was increased. Foe example; Old Exterior Fixtures were replaced with new LED Exterior Fixtures.
- Savings Guarantee
All savings are guaranteed or stipulated. Where they are stipulated they are carefully monitored and savings established.
The Project Team
CGS Technical Services Division
The Technical Services Division is responsible for NEMP and is responsible for all aspects of the Iqaluit Pilot Project. TSD managed the development of the policy, procurement documents, negotiated the Energy Services Agreement, and manage and direct the engineering, construction, commissioning of all measures, which make up this Agreement. They also coordinate input from all client departments, and will actively monitor the savings in the years to come.
EnviroVest Energy Ventures Inc.
EnviroVest was contracted by the GN to develop the NEMP Policy and Program, the procurement documents, and assist TSD develop and award the Energy Services Agreement for the Iqaluit Pilot Project. EnviroVest is currently, advising the TSD on all aspects of the Iqaluit Pilot Project. (www.envirovest.ca)
MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. (MCW CES)
After successfully, winning an open competitive competition, MCW and the GN negotiated an Agreement, whereby MCW conducted the Investment Grade Feasibility Study, designed, tendered, commissioned and managed the measures. They also negotiated the financing with ManuaLife, provide a guarantee on some of the measures and will provide the first two years of the monitoring and verification services. (www.mcw.com).
Technologies
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Lighting Retrofits
Replacing existing lights with new energy efficient lamps and fixtures. Retrofits include replacing T12 fluorescent lights with T8s and replacing existing incandescent lights with compact fluorescents and LEDs. Other work includes redesigning some areas that are currently overly lit.
LED Lighting
Replaces existing exterior light fixtures with new LEDs. This work is slated for all buildings included in the Pilot Project.
Lighting Controls
Installing Fifth Light Technology lighting control systems in several buildings. Through the use of DALI (Dimmable Addressable Lighting Interface) ballasts and an advanced control system, light levels for each space can be set to meet the users’ specific preference and all lights can be scheduled off when the building is unoccupied.
Mechanical Upgrade
These entail a variety of retrofits to existing heating and ventilating systems, including:
- Boiler stack heat recovery (recovery heat that is normally wasted from boilers);
- Air handling unit heat recovery (recovering heat from exhaust air before it is removed from the building);
- Air handling unit variable air volume conversions (allow ventilation system flow to vary based on demand);
- Infrared heating (replacing existing steam heating with efficient oil-fired heaters);
- Motor replacements (replacing existing fan and pump motors with new energy efficient models).
Controls Upgrades
By improving the control of existing mechanical systems, a significant amount of energy can be saved through implementing new operational strategies such as equipment scheduling and temperature setbacks. This is accomplished primarily in three ways:
- Installing new direct digital control (DDC) systems
- Upgrading and reprogramming existing DDC systems
- Installing programmable thermostats
Building Envelope
Sealing around the perimeter of a building, including around doors and windows. This reduced the infiltration of cold air into a building and stops warms air from escaping.
Appliances
Replaces existing clothes washers and refrigerators with new more energy efficient models.
Water Efficiency and Conservation
Replacing existing plumbing fixtures (toilets, faucets, urinals, etc.) with new low-flow models. Especially effective is the installation of new waterless urinals, which utilize a chemical sealant in place of water.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies are an excellent way to cut down on fossil fuel dependence throughout Nunavut. They harness natural energy resources, converting them into energy that can be utilized at the building level. Several different renewable energy technologies have been installed in Iqaluit as part of the Nunavut Energy Management Program (NEMP) Iqaluit Pilot Project. Natural Resources Canada provide financial assistance to these technologies.
Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating
Solar water heating systems have been installed on three buildings in Iqaluit (Taammativvik Residence, Baffin Correctional Centre and Young Offenders Facility). These facilities are ideal for this technology due to being residences and therefore consuming more hot water (for showers, laundry, etc.) than other facilities.
Solar water heating utilizes solar collectors to collect energy from sun and transfer it to hot water. This is accomplished by passing cold water directly under the panels, where the water absorbs heat from the sun.
Solar Air Heating
A solar air heating system (or Solar Wall) has been installed on the older portion of the Baffin Regional Hospital. As with solar domestic hot water heating, energy from the sun is gathered by collectors and is transferred in this instance to air. Instead of solar panels, the collection surface consists of black metal cladding on the Hospital’s south-facing wall. The heated air is used for ventilation, reducing the amount of heat that is added to cold outdoor air before it is introduced into the building.
The Human Factor
Building Occupants
A very important part of the Iqaluit Pilot Project is the energy awareness component. Along with the energy savings produced from the introduction of new technologies (link), energy conservation can be achieved at a local building level. In this manner, building occupants play an essential role in ensuring the success of the Nunavut Energy Management Program. The day-to-day practices of building occupants can contribute significantly to the amount of energy consumed in a building and therefore informed and engaged building occupants are a key achieving energy savings!
The Government of Nunavut has published its “No Cost and Low Cost Measures for Saving Energy Guide”, which contains information on how building occupants can help to make their home/workplace more energy efficient.
Building Managers & Operators
Several initiatives have been undertaken to include building managers and operators in the energy conservation process. Building Managers and Operators are an integral part of achieving energy savings, as they control what actually goes on within buildings, including equipment operation, temperature set points, etc.
Building Operators and GN maintenance staff have also been provided with energy efficiency education via the Seneca College BES program. The Building Environmental Systems course is a college program that has been offered for the past three decades. The program is recognized by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) as the premier building systems course in Canada and as a result Seneca College has partnered with government organizations all over the country in order to bring building operations into the 21st century.
Education is an integral part of the Nunavut Energy Management Program. That’s why CGS, MCW, and The Nunavut Arctic College have all partnered with Seneca College to bring the Building Environmental Systems course to Nunavut. Currently operating as a pilot program, the NEMP will allow building operators from all over the territory to participate in a series of BES modules. As an added bonus, participating building operators are also earning college credits that can be put towards a full BES class I, II or III Certificate. By bringing the BES course to Iqaluit, the NEMP can effectively produce future generations of capable and motivated building operators that can keep Nunavut running clean and green.
For more information regarding the BES course, please see http://bes.senecac.on.ca/ Building Managers are also being involved in the project through an initiative to gain their input into how they see energy being used in their facilities. This process involves a questionnaire regarding energy use in their facility, followed by an interactive process to implement low cost and no cost measures in these facilities.
How You Can Help
The Government of Nunavut has invested in improving the energy efficiency of the various systems that it uses to heat, light and operate its buildings. We have provided training to our building managers and operators that will enable them to operate our facilities efficiency.
However you – the occupants of the buildings – use energy and water is just as important. By turning out lights when you are not using them, report leaky faucets and turning down the thermostat, you can make a difference and help the Government of Nunavut reduce its energy expenditure and reduce its energy impact on the environment.
For further information on how you can be part of the solution, refer to Save 10 or visit our energy savings tips.
Use of Local Labour
The Nunavut Energy Management Plan has been structured to take advantage of all of Nunavut’s rich natural resources – right down to its residents. That’s why the NEMP has prioritized local contracting as a way to keep Nunavut’s workforce involved in the issues that matter most to the territory. In fact, nearly all of the measures that make up the NEMP have been carried out by local contractors operating out of Iqaluit. That way, the people maintaining the local work force has become familiar with energy efficient technologies and will be better able to maintain them in the future.
As required by the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti (NNI) Policy, a minimum of 10% Inuit Labour is required for all work performed as part of the project. In many instances, this figure was greatly exceeded, including work performed by Inuit-owned companies.
Financing
Third party financing for the project was provided by MCW CES. The financing model used allows for the energy savings to pay for the construction cost of the project, meaning that no capital investment is required by the Government of Nunavut.
Project Replication
Energy conservation is an important part of Nunavut’s future. With the rising cost of energy in the Canadian North, programs such as the NEMP allow the territory to save both money and resources. Though the NEMP launched in Iqaluit, its merits and message are universal. The successes of the Iqaluit Pilot Project will be used to replicate the project in other communities within Nunavut.
