University of Toronto Sheds New Light on Energy Efficiency

Jun

28

2017

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2 minutes

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THE OPPORTUNITY

The University of Toronto is a trailblazer not only in academia and research but also in ensuring operational excellence.

Four decades ago, the University hired its first full-time energy reduction manager whose role was focused on finding ways to reduce water and energy usage on campus. Since that time, hundreds of energy and water reduction projects have been successfully undertaken reducing the institution's environmental footprint.

Today, this mission is overseen by the department of Facilities and Services, a department passionately dedicated to improving energy and water efficiency, ensuring value for money, mitigating risk and pursuing service excellence. This commitment recently came across in a major lighting retrofit that focused on upgrading '24/7/365' lighting on campus—a conversion to superior energy efficient LED lamps, de-lamping unnecessary fixtures and replacing bi-level lighting fixtures in stairwells and underground garages on the St. George Campus.

"There was an exceptional opportunity to reduce our energy footprint and energy costs while ensuring an excellent quality of light to our community", stated Ron Swail, Chief Operations Officer, Property Services and Sustainability.

THE SOLUTION

After consultations with Current, on feasibility studies, payback opportunities, and product choices, the Department of Facilities and Services under Energy Managers, Larry Yang and Anthony Wright, formulated a meticulous business case and rigorous bid proposal process for the project.

The retrofit involved upgrading and replacing approximately 10,000 T8, MR16, CFL and PAR lamps with 5,000 exceptional quality GE Integrated LED tubes and LED RS Can Downlights. In order to receive the full incentives available for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), all lamps had to meet the latest electrical safety standards and Energy Star/DLC certifications.

THE RESULT

Supervised by Senior Property Manager Ted Kent, the installation of the project went very smoothly and has been deemed a huge success. There was minimal inconvenience for the ‘Occupant Stakeholders’; installation of the new lamps was quick and easy and did not interfere.

The total electrical cost reduction is anticipated to be $363,000 per year. Along with the ‘Save On Energy’ incentive of approximately $125,000, the payback on the project is less than two years. The new lamps in conjunction with stairwell and lecture hall occupancy sensors now reduce lighting to only 20% when the venue is unoccupied. Environmentally this will reduce GHG emissions by 250 tons per year and save 2,470,000 kWh annually.

Taking advantage of Current’s advanced technologies, the St. George Campus re-lamping project further demonstrates the University of Toronto's commitment to being a leader in "green university" strategies.

As the university is committed to reducing its environmental footprint over the long term, the re-lamping project also paves the way for future investments in energy efficiency and positions the institution as a trailblazer in energy reduction and usage.

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