December 14, 2023

October Newsletter: News and Views

December 14, 2023

On October 19, 2023, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) made the announcement that there will be an increase in electricity prices for households, small businesses, and farms under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP):
•   Time-of-Use (TOU),
•   Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO), and
•   Tiered price plans

These are significant rate increases. It amplifies the potential to reduce your bill by paying attention to when electricity is used. Off-peak hours, 7 PM-7 AM on weekdays and weekends, has the lowest rate.
Energy@Work is suggesting a handy reminder by hanging this sign on major appliances, fridge, dishwasher, or laundry door for the off-peak hours. Feel free to print, design your own, or work with your children to design a sign and teach them about electricity and sustainability!

If you create your own sign, we’d love to see it and share it amongst our team.
Opportunities to use lower priced electricity include:

Laundry
Air conditioning/ heaters
Dishwasher
Charging electric vehicles
Meal prepping/ baking/ using electric stove, etc.

As always, the cheapest electricity is the electricity we DON’T use- conserve when you can!
References:
OEB: Ontario Electricity-prices for households & small-business
OEB: Historical electricity rates

October 31st is the final day that the MOE will accept Energy and Water data for the 2023 EWRB reporting period. EWRB provides insight on how buildings compare energy and water consumption and, when used, can help to improve efficiency.

In 2023, Energy@Work, we completed:

73 commercial EWRB submissions
151 Multi-residential submissions.This brings the total to over 800 submissions since

This brings the total to over 800 submissions since introduced in 2018!

Next step- how to use this valuable data? Energy@Work provides our clients with a report to gain further insight into how a building is performing, as well as a compliance certificate.

For more information on the EWRB process, click the image below to watch our short video:

Note: In 2024, the City of Toronto is also expected to require energy and water reporting, stay tuned for more information.

On October 18th, Energy@Work had the privilege of collaborating with Know energy to conduct a Commercial Office Treasure Hunt for the Madison Group team.

The primary goal was to uncover potential operational cost savings by fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between utility consumption and the Building Automation System (BAS). The focus of the training was Operators who serve as the 'eyes and ears' of the property. Through the Treasure Hunt, their knowledge of the building was compared with utility performance and, together, provided the motivation to identify areas for improvement.

Stephen Dixon and Michel Parent walked the team through the annual hourly energy profiles of four mid-tier commercial offices. At the same time, read-only access to the respective properties’ BAS was used to learn what systems were operating and the reason. With combined analysis of the BAS and hourly energy profiles, supported by a thorough dialogue, opportunities for improvement came into focus, empowering the operators to take proactive measures.

Rohit Jaitley, Property Manager for Madison Group, had this to say:
“The Treasure Hunt was a huge success! 100% turnout with 100% participation! We have a great team, and we continue to seek ways to maintain tenant comfort while reducing utility waste. This workshop created a deeper understanding between the Building Automation System and utility use. We highly recommend this type of workshop to others that are serious and want to see sustain savings with improved performance. ”

Energy@Work’s 6th annual holiday challenge is coming up! This challenge presents the opportunity to discover how much energy can be conserved over the holiday period. Operations and tenants can work together and save energy since offices typically have a much lower occupancy over the holidays which presents the opportunity to cut waste.

If you have participated in the challenge in previous years, please expect our kickoff email next week.
If you have not participated, you are very welcome to join in.

There is no cost or expectation. Individual results are not disclosed since the purpose of the challenge is to have fun by raising awareness of, and mitigate, electricity waste over the holidays.

Click here to register for the 2023 Energy@work holiday challenge

Common areas of opportunity include:

plug load or what is commonly called “Phantom Power”
- this is a huge opportunity!
systems continuing to run when not needed,
lights, particularly accent and interior lobby lighting,
TV screens and monitors have off switches which are rarely used in lieu of standby mode,
exercise equipment “in the ready mode’ but sitting idle.

This year’s challenge will occur between:
1) 6:00 PM Friday, December 22nd, 2023
and
2) 6:00 AM Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.
Feel free to join us and share this quick video to find out what all the fun is about.

Questions can be directed to: HolidayChallenge@energy-efficiency.com

In September 2023, GA cost was $0.52 billion. This is a 29% decrease from August 2023 GA of $0.736 billion.

If we compare September 2023 with September 2022, there was a massive 77% increase since September 2022 was $0.293 billion.
With these drastic monthly swings in cost, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”. We provide a monthly review of GAM costs, however, the reason for the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services include a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B in order to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

A NEW opportunity is available to obtain funding for:
“Performance Measurement Valuation Analyst” (PMVA) certification!
EVO World.org: PMVA.

Why is PMVA Certification so important?
The IESO joined the international community in recognizing the importance of International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). IPMVP is only available from EVO because they continue to invest in it and hold the copywrite. The ieso will now provide funding to support individuals obtaining this important certification
https://evo-world.org/en/products-services-mainmenu-en/protocols/ipmvp
Details on the funding are available from:
https://www.saveonenergy.ca/en/Training-ando-Support/Training-Courses

Feel free to contact Energy@Work for additional details and let us work together and help eliminate Greenwashing 😊

A quick note from Scott:

“It has been an extreme pleasure working for our clients that are making a difference by managing utilities, eliminating waste, reducing GHG and improving performance. The Energy@Work team deserves the credit for their continued support in finding innovative solutions and challenging the status quo to improve performance without compromise. Thanks also to our friends and allies in this journey who have contributed so much of their time and expertise.
Energy Efficiency is a team event, and I am glad to be part of a great team!
Thank you to Energy Manager Canada and ABB for this recognition!”

Click here to view the Energy Manager of the Year interview with Energy Manager Canada!

Scott Rouse has been honored with the Energy Manager of the Year award from Energy Manager Canada in acknowledgment of Energy@Work’s commitment to prioritizing efficiency strategies and the work we accomplish with our clients.

Energy@Work’s extensive industry expertise, combined with dedication in driving tangible, impactful change, is what truly sets us apart and makes Scott and the team deserving of this award.

Scott explores innovative approaches to help clients successfully navigate the ever-expanding terrain of efficiency, net-zero initiatives, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Recent examples include the 16,000,000-kWh saved and specifically the use of Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) to verify the savings! Another example is the award winning GHG Reduction Strategy. This is an example of how RETSceen is helping to focus efforts on practical operational improvements as well as linking with financial incentives. Finally, there are the over 200 Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) submissions with some leading to ENERGY STAR Building Certifications – more news to follow.

What’s next? The team is excited about several Existing Building Commissioning (EBCX) projects that were approved and are already underway. These projects will provide further evidence on the power of energy efficiency - especially in existing buildings.

Click here to view the Energy Manager of the Year interview with Energy Manager Canada!

Elizabeth Rouse

October 2, 2023

September Newsletter: News and Views

Elizabeth Rouse

October 2, 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 BOMA TOBY Award winners!

“The TOBY Awards are the commercial real estate industry’s highest recognition honoring excellence in building management and operations.”

Amongst the winners, we would like to congratulate:

Northam Realty Advisors' team at 483 Bay St

Winner of the TOBY award for buildings over 1,000,000 square feet!

Menkes Property Management Services' team at One York St

Winner of the TOBY award for buildings over 500,000 square feet!

Effective September 30th, 2023, the BOMA Best 3.0 portal will cease to be accessible for completing BOMA Best submissions. Instead, the newly launched BOMA Best 4.0 portal is divided into two distinct streams: "Smart" and "Sustainable," takes its place.

The pivotal distinctions between version 3.0 and 4.0 lie in the expanded opportunities for earning points. This expansion encompasses areas such as carbon reduction, equity, heightened engagement, resilience, and other avenues, facilitated by a more streamlined questionnaire.

The choice of pursuing either the "Smart" or "Sustainable" stream hinges on several factors and thoughtful considerations.
Sustainable: “To make buildings more sustainable by providing a road map on how to decarbonize, reduce water and waste, retrofit for accessibility and equity, and navigate climate risk.”
Smart: “ To guide owners and managers on digital transformation within the built environment to optimize operations, drive sustainability, create unique user experiences, and deliver financial value to their stakeholders and customers.”

Field guides for both streams and other resources are available: https://bomabest.org/

contcat energy@Work to assist with your BOMA best 4.0 submission!

Ahead of the 1st North American conference in June 2024, SDEWES, in partnership with Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC), is calling for submissions for publication consideration in special issues of several archival journals. The papers will be reviewed under the direction of the International Scientific Committee by the Scientific Advisory Board.

“The papers should report original, previously unpublished findings in the fields of sustainable development of energy, transport, water, food and environment systems, their integration, their technical, environmental, economic and social perspectives.”

Energy@Work’s submission has been officially accepted. Energy@Work’s paper will provide insight from 28 Energy Management Action Plans that can lead the commercial sector’s path to Net Zero.

Congratulations to Menkes Property Management Services’ teams at 4711 Yonge St and 1 York St on receiving 2023 LEAP awards from the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)! The awards are presented to property managers for their contributions to advancing sustainability in the real estate industry.

Menkes was awarded the prestigious GHG Manager Award at 4711 Yonge St. for their innovative decarbonization strategy. Their strategy for the building included both short- and long-term actions, as well as securing external funding for the plan.

The company also won the Tenant Collaboration Award for One York St. by offering engagement activities to influence behavior and achieve additional energy reductions following a detailed energy audit.

Congratulations!

Click the image to watch our quick video explaining the benefits of EWRB

The Ministry of Energy has announced an extension to the Ontario Regulation 506/18: Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking. The extension will allow reporting on 2022 energy and water data until October 31st, 2023.

Under this Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use regulation, buildings over 50,000 SqFt are required to report.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-energy-water-use-large-buildings#section-3

click here to contact energy@work to assist with your 2023 ewrb reporting

In August 2023, GA cost was $0.74 billion. This is a 31% decrease from July 2023 GA ($0.56 billion).

If we compare August 2023 with August 2022, there was a massive increase of 1230%! August 2022 saw a huge drop in the GA cost.

With drastic cost changes monthly, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”. We provide a monthly review of GAM costs, however, the reason for the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services include a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B in order to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

Join Energy@Work in welcoming the newest member of our team, Laman Temel as a Jr Energy Analyst!

“I am Laman Temel, a recent addition to the Energy@Work team, and I am thrilled to bring my passion and expertise to the energy sector. With a strong engineering background, I bring extensive experience in the installation, maintenance, and inspection of energy equipment. Furthermore, I have a proven track record in developing innovative technological solutions.

For the past two years, I have dedicated my efforts to researching and optimizing EV charging station plugs. This experience has honed my skills in data analysis and crafting strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction. Additionally, my knowledge of green building policies and certifications equips me to contribute effectively to sustainable projects.

I am excited to learn and grow within our dynamic environment, with a commitment to continuously expanding expertise. Driven by dedication and a deep passion for elevating every project to new levels of success, I am ready to make a significant impact at Energy@Work!"

Elizabeth Rouse

September 1, 2023

August Newsletter: News and Views

Elizabeth Rouse

September 1, 2023

Congratulations are due to the team at the Historic Distillery District for earning a Silver BOMA BEST Certification. The Historic Distillery District is a Toronto landmark. The beautiful property is home to iconic world-renowned festivals, boutique shopping and incredible cuisine. As it serves a multitude of purposes, it is the only property certified as an Open-Air Retail, Light Industrial property!

The BOMA BEST Certification takes a wholistic look at performance in the following categories:

Health and Wellness

Custodial
Waste
Stakeholder Engagement
Health and Wellness
Custodial
Waste
Stakeholder Engagement

Energy@Work has long attested to the value of an informed, collaborative team to ensure the best performance. The dedicated and collaborative team at the Historic Distillery District uses innovative strategies along with continual monitoring to ensure success in all categories to support their ESG objectives.

A BOMA BEST Certification “represents a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and is driving change.”

https://bomabest.org/

Congratulations to the team at Berkeley Castle on achieving this impressive ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® score. The 2023 score is particularly impressive as Berkeley Castle is a Historic building. Historic buildings have an additional challenge, in that these buildings were not created with the same advancements or understanding of efficiency that we have today.

Linda Leistner, Berkeley Castle’s owner and manager, has prioritized efficiency at her property. She enlisted Energy@Work to develop an Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) in 2017. Within the first 4 years, over 450,000 kWh ($369,540) was saved- as verified by Toronto Hydro!
View the full case study here: https://www.energy-efficiency.com/news/case-study-berkeley-castles-e-map-success

We have always said that the key component to an E-MAP is People, and this was no exception. Berkeley Castle’s team was committed to making and maintaining operational changes, tracking and monitoring energy use and staying connected during monthly E-MAP meetings to ensure all players knew their role!

Berkeley Castle first achieved ENERGY STAR certification in 2019 and re-certified in 2020, 2021 and again in 2023!

We look forward to Berkeley Castle’s continued success- a shining example of what mid-tier, Historic buildings have the potential to achieve!

The ENERGY STAR® and ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® name and symbol are registered in Canada by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada. Used with permission.

Thanks to a global effort to phase out ozone depleting substances the ozone is in recovery, according to the UN-backed panel of experts. It’s incredible to see what a global collaboration can achieve and serves as further evidence of what can be achieved (on any level) when a dedicated group works together to enact change.

If the current policies, which are providing numerous advantages in mitigating climate change, remain in place, the ozone layer is projected to recover by approximately 2066!

Click here for more information from the UNEP.

According to the latest data from Canada's official national greenhouse gas inventory, the Electricity Emission factor has experienced a significant spike in 2021.
The report reveals a 7% increase on the consumers' side. However, a more alarming statistic emerges when examining the generation side, where the electricity emission factor has risen by 12%. This notable difference between the consumer’s and generation's sides can be attributed to various factors that influence the overall emission levels, such as the amount of unallocated electricity. The decrease in unallocated electricity led to a decrease in emissions on the consumer’s side.

The increase will continue as Ontario relies on natural gas plants for electricity generation. The cost of natural gas will increase as Ontario and other provinces rely on natural gas for electricity production.

The most viable solution remains Energy Efficiency by reducing use and upgrading to efficient equipment. It may be time to explore the untapped 30% economic potential that exists in many buildings.

Click the image to watch our quick video explaining the benefits of EWRB

The IESO has announced an extension to the Ontario Regulation 506/18: Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking. The extension will allow reporting on 2022 energy and water data until October 31st, 2023.
Under the Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use regulation, buildings over 50,000 SqFt are required to report.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-energy-water-use-large-buildings#section-3

Energy and water make up some of the largest operating costs in a building. Reporting provides an opportunity to identify opportunities for energy efficiency, track usage and compare how your building stacks up to similar buildings.

Contact Energy@Work to assist with your 2023 EWRB reporting!

click here to contact energy@work to assists with your 2023 ewrb reporting!

In July 2023, GA cost was $0.562 billion. This is a 29% decrease from June 2023 GA ($0.561 billion) and a 37% decrease comparing July 2023 with May 2023 GA ($0.892 billion).

If we compare July 2023 with July 2022, there was a 29% increase.

With drastic GA cost changes monthly, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”.
We provide a monthly review of GAM costs however the reason for the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services includes a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B to win the (GAM)e.
Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

In June 2023, Energy@Work was authorized as an Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) agent for the IESO’s EBCx Incentive Program.
EBCx provides an opportunity to achieve savings by following NRCan’s proven 4-phase process. NRCan suggests that the EBCx program can result in savings of 8-15%.
The EBCx program is offering upfront funding as well, a unique approach which includes:

incentive to reduce electricity use, and
an incentive to sustain savings.

2 submissions have been approved and are underway, with many more to follow. Energy@Work is committed to helping operationalize ESG through proven programs that yield results that can be Measured and Verified (M&V) to Efficiency Valuation Organization’s (EVO) IPMVP. Get in touch at requests@energy-efficiency.com or learn more by visiting www.energy-efficiency.com

Elizabeth Rouse

July 31, 2023

July Newsletter: News and Views

Elizabeth Rouse

July 31, 2023

Click the image to watch our quick video explaining the benefits of EWRB

The IESO has announced an extension to the Ontario Regulation 506/18: Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking. The extension will allow reporting on 2022 energy and water data until October 31st, 2023.
Under the Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use regulation, buildings over 50,000 SqFt are required to report.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-energy-water-use-large-buildings#section-3

Energy and water make up some of the largest operating costs in a building. Reporting provides an opportunity to identify opportunities for energy efficiency, track usage and compare how your building stacks up to similar buildings.

Contact Energy@Work to assist with your 2023 EWRB reporting!

Click here to contact energy@Work to assist with your 2023 ewrb reporting

Statements issued by experts like Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), and Klaus Mueller, head of Germany's energy regulator, elicit concerns about the potential for rising energy prices and supply challenges during the upcoming winter.

The key factors influencing this situation are:

China's Economic Recovery: China plays a crucial role in the global energy market, and its economic recovery from the pandemic could have significant implications. If China's economy gains momentum later in the year and leads to increased energy purchases, it could put upward pressure on energy prices in the global markets.

Winter Weather: The severity of the upcoming winter in the northern hemisphere is another critical factor. If the winter turns out to be harsher compared to the previous year, it can drive up energy demand for heating purposes, potentially leading to a surge in energy prices.

Energy Crisis in Europe: The energy crisis in Europe is not yet resolved, as pointed out by Germany's energy regulator, Klaus Mueller. While storage levels may be different from last year, the most significant determining factor for energy prices and supply remains the weather and the overall energy demand.

Given these factors, there is a possibility of energy prices increasing, which could lead to challenges in meeting energy demand, especially if there are supply shortfalls during the winter.

Governments may have to intervene and provide subsidies for energy consumption to alleviate the impact of rising prices and potential supply shortages. The situation remains uncertain, and the probability of experiencing an unusually warm winter like last year seems low, further adding to the uncertainty in energy prices and supply.

It is essential for governments, energy regulators, and the international community to closely monitor the energy market and take appropriate actions to ensure energy security and stability during this period of potential challenges.

Source: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/IEA-Warns-Of-A-Spike-In-Energy-Prices-This-Winter.html

Energy@Work attended the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) webinar, "Leveraging EBCx to Develop a Long-Term Energy + Carbon Reduction Plan”. EBCx can indeed be a powerful tool in achieving energy efficiency and sustainability goals for buildings.

The key points for proper EBCx implementation include:

Proper Implementation: Understanding operations, funding, team skills, tenant feedback, and maintenance are essential for successful EBCx.
Collaboration: Effective communication and teamwork drive impactful energy efficiency improvements. Understanding building operations, securing funding, having a skilled team, gathering tenant feedback, and maintaining systems are all crucial aspects of a successful EBCx initiative.

The webinar provided an example of the significant impact of EBCx savings within the healthcare system, with each dollar spent resulting in approximately $20 worth of savings.

Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) was brought forward as it can be beneficial in identifying energy efficiency opportunities and system faults, but proper validation and calibration are necessary to ensure its effectiveness.

Energy@Work has been approved as an EBCx provider through the IESO. NRCan suggests a potential savings of 8 to 15%. There are also incentives available for organizations to participate in the EBCx program as well as an incentive for sustained savings.

Visit www.Energy-Efficiency.com for more information or get in touch via Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com.
Additional information on the EBCx program can be found on the IESO website.

The projected growth of smart lighting sales to USD $45 billion by 2028 indicates a significant increase in demand for smart lighting systems.

This growth is attributed to the combined benefits that these systems offer:
Lighting Efficiency: Smart lighting utilizes advanced technologies such as LED lighting and automated controls to optimize energy usage. By using less electricity than traditional lighting systems, smart lighting can lead to substantial energy savings for consumers and businesses alike. As energy efficiency becomes a priority in sustainable development, smart lighting solutions are likely to see increased adoption.
Tailored Lighting Solutions: One of the key advantages of smart lighting is its ability to customize lighting according to specific needs and preferences. Smart lighting systems can be programmed to adjust brightness, color temperature, and even ambiance, catering to different activities or times of day. This level of personalization enhances user comfort and convenience, making smart lighting an attractive choice for consumers.
Technological Advancements: Over time, smart lighting technology is expected to evolve and improve, offering more sophisticated features and seamless integration with other smart devices and home automation systems. As the technology becomes more user-friendly and accessible, it is likely to drive higher demand in the market.
Environmental Awareness: With increasing awareness of environmental issues and a growing focus on sustainable practices, there is a rising interest in energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions like smart lighting. Governments and organizations may also incentivize the adoption of smart lighting to promote energy conservation.

The projected annual growth rate of over 20% indicates a strong upward trend in demand. This rapid growth suggests that more businesses and consumers are recognizing the benefits of smart lighting and are willing to invest in these systems to improve energy efficiency, save costs, and enhance their overall lighting experience.

Source: https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/smart-lighting-market-poised-for-bright-future/

In June 2023, the GA cost was $0.789 billion. This is a 12% decrease from May 2023 GA ($0.893 billion) and a 10% decrease comparing June 2023 with April 2023 GA ($0.876 billion).

If we compare June 2023 with June 2022, there is a 2% increase ($0.763 billion).

With drastic GA cost changes monthly, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”.
We provide a monthly review of GAM costs however the reason for the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services includes a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B to win the (GAM)e.
Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

As a Sr. Energy Manager, Edward will play a crucial role in helping a portfolio of clients achieve their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. Edward provides his expertise by understanding root cause uses to achieve successful energy and GHG reduction strategies.

A few specific examples include:

Over 800 submissions to Ontario Regulation 506/18, the annual Energy and Water Reporting Benchmarking (EWRB)

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r18506 and participating in the EWRB Data and Analytics Task Force

Millions saved from making informed electricity rate decisions
5 active Energy Management Action Plans (E-MAP) that have contributed to 16 Million kWh savings
Presentation at the World RETScreen World Conference to help others appreciate this valuable NRCan tool and Co-authored article on Non-Routine adjustments in a pandemic
BOMA Toronto Global Adjustment (GA) Workshop to assist others in understanding the complex GA
Energy audits targeting 50% energy and GHG reduction targets

Edward's journey with Energy@Work began as a Co-op during his studies at Humber College. After this, he completed a white paper for Sustainable Building Canada that built on his capstone research project analyzing condominium EWRB data. Later, as an Energy Analyst, he supported the energy managers and enhanced his RETScreen skills. His commitment and passion for sustainability and building sciences were evident and he continued to grow into the Energy Manager role. His recent achievements include earning his Professional Measurement and Verification Analyst (PMVA) designation from Efficiency Valuation Organization. PMVA is essential in meeting Measurement and Verification requirements for the new IESO CDM programs.

Edward’s studies began on a different path. Edward graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Slavic Languages, Literature and Linguistics. This background provided a surprisingly supportive foundation in discovering and creating new opportunities, as his career path shifted to efficiency and providing sustainability solutions.

Beyond his professional achievements, Edward has a diverse range of talents and interests. In his personal life, he enjoys making and recording music with his band, Late Nite Snacks, which adds a creative and unique dimension to his character.

Energy@Work’s commitment to our clients and the environment is evident in our focus on increasing efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. We recognize that the key components of a successful strategy are People, Process, and Products, with an emphasis on the importance of informed and collaborative individuals working together to achieve common objectives. Edward's detail-oriented and team-player nature complements the company's values, ensuring that clients receive top-notch service and solutions.

Energy@Work is fortunate to have someone like Edward Newton on our team, and his expertise will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of creating a more sustainable future.

Congratulations once again to Edward on this well-deserved promotion!

Elizabeth Rouse

June 30, 2023

June Newsletter: News and Views

Elizabeth Rouse

June 30, 2023

IESO's program: Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) is now available to help commercial office building owners achieve and sustain energy savings with financial support.

We are excited to share in the launch of the IESO's EBCx program, offering a proven process that empowers commercial office building owners to optimize energy usage and sustain long-term savings.

With our authorization as an EBCx agent, Energy@Work has access to substantial financial support to assist you in attaining and sustaining energy efficiency. Energy@Work is equipped to secure the necessary funding for your journey towards net-zero, seamlessly integrating the economic and environmental aspects of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). By participating in this program, we can help you fulfill your ESG objectives while making significant strides towards reaching net-zero targets.

Impressive Results: Energy@Work's Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) has been validated by Toronto Hydro, demonstrating over 16,000,000 kWh in verified energy savings. This remarkable achievement positions us perfectly to collaborate with the transformative IESO EBCx program, offering an unparalleled opportunity to realize your ESG goals.

Ready to Take the First Step? Don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity! Reach out to us at Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com to get started on the path to a greener, more sustainable future.

Last week in Houston, Texas, the Industrial Energy Technology Conference (IETC) opening panel addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with ESG.

There was clear agreement that ESG has become an important force that cannot be ignored. There was also distinct conversations on the approaches that should be taken, requirements as well as the practicality of objectives, particularly Net Zero.

Energy@Work shared our experiences in preparing our GHG reduction strategy and the economic advantages in developing a proactive approach. Using our Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) as the first phase becomes the catalyst to sustained progress through proven results.

Thanks to Texas A&M for the organization and facilitation of such an important topic!

Thank you to Jose A. Garcia for inviting Amir to speak during the University of Toronto’s (UoT) Tools and Techniques for Energy Management class on June 27th. Amir had the opportunity to share his experiences with Measurement and Verification (M&V).
With the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) continuing to grow, as well as pressure to avoid “greenwash”, it is increasingly important that correct methods exist, and be understood, to verify results. That’s where M&V comes in. Amir has uniquely qualifying experience to speak to M&V as he was able to secure Toronto Hydro’s approval for electricity savings in the commercial office sector during the pandemic. This led to over 16,000,000 kWh savings.

Efficiency Valuation Organization’s (EVO) non-routine events and adjustment guidelines were proposed and approved. Equally important was the use of NRCan’s RETScreen to account for low occupancy.
Amir’s experience and challenges were shared with the UoT students to help them be prepared with practical and current industry best practices. Proper M&V was explained, what can be achieved as well as the exciting future that is in store for them.

Amir provided the following resources:
Articles: Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO)
Importance of Measurement and Verification (M&V) and how savings were proven that resulted in 16 Million kWh that Toronto Hydro was able to verify:

Video: Ontario’s complicated rate structure, particularly our unique Global Adjustment Mechanism (GAM)
Energy@Work organized and prepared the following presentation for BOMA to help the commercial sector prepare
https://www.energy-efficiency.com/news/hourly-ontario-energy-price-hoep-and-global-adjustment-ga-explained

The study was published in the Journal of Portfolio Management and explores the correlation between improved property performance and green building certification. The research analyzes 10 years of financial performance data across 58 million square feet of US and Canadian office space.
As stated in the study:
“The benefits uncovered through this analysis carry significant income and value implications, which are relevant for the appraisal/valuation community. Although it can be difficult to measure the financial impact of improved tenant satisfaction, what can be measured are the financial impacts of the added building stability through a more satisfied tenant base”.

According to the study, buildings which are BOMA BEST and/or LEED certified:

Have higher net effective rates;
Lower rent concessions (4% lower in Canada if LEED and BOMA BESt certified);
Higher occupancy rates (18.7% higher in Canada if LEED and BOMA BESt certified);
Higher tenant renewal rates (5.6% higher in Canada if buildings were certified by BOMA at level 3 compared to non-certified buildings);
Higher tenant satisfaction scores (7% higher in Canada if buildings were certified by BOMA at level 3 or 4, compared to non-certified buildings);
Lower energy consumption.

Additional supporting reference:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282438246_Green_Certification_and_Building_Performance_Implications_for_Tangibles_and_Intangibles

Should you have any questions regarding the above, or to get started on BOMA BEST certification, please do not hesitate to contact Energy@Work:
Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com.

BOMA Toronto’s race2reduce CREST awards recognize participant efforts to reduce GHG and continually improve building management and operations!

This year’s awards include:
Climate Champion: Awarded based on GHG reduction or lowest emissions.
Collaborative Excellence: Awarded based on the demonstration of collaborative practices
Innovation Excellence: Awarded based on creativity and innovation.

The first step is to review the categories and determine if your building is deserving of recognition!

Click below for the submission guide and more information on the BOMA CREST Awards.

Click here for BOMA CREST Award Details

The IESO has announced an extension to the Ontario Regulation 506/18: Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking. The extension will allow reporting on energy and water data until October 31st, 2023.

Under the Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use regulation, buildings over 50,000 SqFt are required to report.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-energy-water-use-large-buildings#section-3

Energy and water make up some of the largest operating costs in a building. Reporting provides an opportunity to identify opportunities for energy efficiency, track usage and compare how your building stacks up to similar buildings.

In May 2023, GA cost was $0.89 billion. This is a 2% increase from April 2023 GA ($0.87 billion) and an 8% increase comparing May 2023 with March 2023 GA ($0.82 billion).

If we compare May 2023 with May 2022, there was a 16% increase.

With drastic GA cost changes monthly, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”. We provide a monthly review of GAM costs however the reason for the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.

Energy@Work’s services includes a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B to win the (GAM)e.
Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.

BOMA International’s TOBY Awards Reception and Gala took place June 27th- congratulations to the award winners! A TOBY award is a symbol of the efforts made as a leader in commercial real estate excellence!