Current and Future Energy Efficiency Measures

2024–2028 Corporate Energy Management Plan

The Corporate Energy Management Plan for 2024 to 2028 outlines strategic initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across corporate operations. By implementing targeted actions over the short, medium, and long term, we aim to make measurable progress toward our net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Based on the various short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals outlined in the 2024–2028 Corporate Energy Management Plan, the table below presents the anticipated progress toward reducing GHG emissions, prior to the purchase of carbon offsets. To achieve the goal of net-zero by 2050, carbon offsets may be purchased to compensate for any remaining emissions.

Term
Energy use in equivalent kilowatt-hours (ekWh) per year
Cumulative energy use percentage change
Utility cost in dollars per year
GHG emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year
GHG emissions change in tCO2e per year
Cumulative GHG percentage change
Baseline
170,991,163
even
$15,298,910
15,677
even
even
Current
183,068,655
7% increase
$15,858,607
21,292
5,615
36% increase
Short-Term Plan
171,858,341
1% increase
$18,185,122
22,128
835
41% increase
Medium-Term Plan
150,293,170
12% decrease
$19,313,404
13,265
8,863 less
15% decrease
Long-Term Plan
114,553,518
33% decrease
$25,480,611
4,495
8,769 less
71% decrease

Table 1. Short-term, medium-term and long-term plan for GHG reduction, utility costs and annual energy use within City of Windsor corporate assets

Below are brief descriptions of a variety of projects to be completed from 2024 to 2028 by the Energy Initiatives unit that support energy reduction goals. 

Corporate Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Conversion, Phase 3

The light-emitting diode (LED) conversion project involving 32 of the corporation’s largest electricity users began in late 2018. Phases 1 and 2 are complete, with Phase 3 to begin in 2025. This phase is estimated to have an annual energy savings of 818,625 equivalent kilowatt-hours (ekWh) and annual cost savings of $117,874. 

Battery Storage

Large-scale battery storage presents an opportunity to reduce expenses associated with peak-time electricity use. By charging battery banks “off-peak” and utilizing this stored electricity when costs are increased by time-of-use billing, grid electricity demand can be trimmed when costs are highest.

The City is investigating the potential for electricity bill savings and enhanced reliability that could be achieved with a battery storage system at the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant and Little River Pollution Control Plant. 

Net Metering

“Net metering” is an agreement with the local distribution company (ENWINSchematic of bi-directional metering, including solar panels, inverter, meter and grid Utilities Ltd.) and Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to utilize on-site the renewable power generated at a facility. Electricity production in excess of that utilized by the building is delivered to the local utility grid and credited to the customer to offset future electricity costs. Credits can be carried forward for 12 months. However, unused generation credits are reduced to zero and lost by the customer. 

The City of Windsor has recently implemented the net-metering initiative and these savings are anticipated to be presented as part of the next Corporate Energy Management Plan. 

Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Collectors

Administration is continuing to investigate combining solar-thermal collectors with photovoltaic (PV) modules to produce hybrid PV-thermal (PV-T) collectors. These can deliver both heat and electricity simultaneously from the same installed area and at a higher overall efficiency compared to individual solar-thermal and PV panels installed separately. Hybrid PV-T technology provides a particularly promising solution when roof space is limited or when heat and electricity are required at the same time.

In tandem with the net-metering project, opportunities to install hybrid PV-thermal collectors will be analyzed on an individual basis in order to leverage solar technology.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Optimization

HVAC upgrades are proposed to reduce heating loads and improve operational efficiency. This measure represents a budget to be put aside to optimize the HVAC system, and could include recommissioning measures or HVAC control upgrades. The most effective control upgrades will vary depending on the facility but could include items such as setpoint temperature setbacks, building automation systems (BAS), HVAC system scheduling, and demand control ventilation.

Electrification Measures

Ontario's electricity grid has a lower environmental impact than natural gas, making electrification of various measures a key step in the Corporate Energy Management Plan.

Similarly, if the wastewater process can be electrified and the equipment can be heated by hot water, it is recommended that the hot water be supplied by heat pumps to further decrease energy consumption and GHG emissions. 

Sub-Metering

Sub-meters are metering devices that monitor electricity, gas, water, steam and other utilities, providing real-time data every 15 minutes. Electrical sub-meters are installed to monitor systems/equipment — for example, pumps, motors, compressors, lighting, etc — that consume significant amounts of energy. 

Sub-metering can be used to measure the energy consumption of HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, compressors, pumps, and more. Sub-metering determines inefficiencies, thereby optimizing operations and reducing energy costs.

The City of Windsor is currently reviewing various metering technologies with the intent of introducing sub-metering to ten (10) of the City’s largest energy consumers. 

Energy Awareness and Education CampaignDiagram showing success linked to technological, organizational and behavioural change

Studies have shown that engaging staff working within a facility where an education awareness campaign was implemented, coupled with the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, resulted in energy savings as high as 15%. True efficiency requires a mix of behavioural, technological and organizational changes supported by strong leadership. 

Benefits of efficient energy management at municipal facilities include the following:

  • Saving taxpayers money
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Protecting the environment and natural resources
  • Contributing to the preservation of energy security at the national level

Additional Recommendations

Additional recommendations to consider are listed below:

  • GHG reduction studies and implementing energy conservation measures for high-emitting facilities
  • Investigating unused meters
  • Developing a plan to support electrical upgrades
  • Investigating renewable energy
  • Ensuring new builds are designed to minimize emissions
  • Investigating the feasibility of working with FVB Energy Inc. to generate heat for heated water systems
  • Continually investigating new technology 

Asset Planning Department/Energy Initiatives Unit

For more information, call 311.