SITUATION

Toronto Hydro Corporation (the Corporation) shares a very positive and results-driven relationship with the City of Toronto. Through Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (THESL), it delivers electricity to every home and business in Toronto. The Corporation strives to provide reliable service and to be a leader in exploring clean and green technologies.

APPROACH

The Corporation plays a proactive role educating its customers and developing programs in support of conservation and demand management. Working with City neighbourhoods, THESL ensures reliability by investing in infrastructure and equipment, ensuring they meet high energy efficiency standards. Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. (TH Energy) is working hard to make many of the City’s own properties more energy efficient.

Collaboration is a top priority, and the Corporation works closely with city staff on policy development relating to environmental issues. For example, the Corporation was an active participant on the City’s “Committee for Climate Change” initiatives, which were unanimously passed by City Council, in 2007.

Summary of Events and Results

Project REBUILD

THESL is investing in the electricity distribution system. Our goal is to continue to provide reliable electricity to all our customers in the City of Toronto. As with any type of system or technology, over time it is necessary to repair, upgrade or replace equipment. Much of the existing system is nearing the end of its life expectancy and so THESL’s Project REBUILD will help to:

  • Improve service and reliability;
  • Reduce the frequency of power outages; and
  • Accommodate future growth and electricity service demands.

Activities with Low Income/Social Housing

  • 6,275 fridges were replaced with energy-efficient fridges
  • 7,687 stoves were replaced with energy-efficient stoves
  • 20,782 incandescent light bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • The appliance replacements contributed to a 1.6 MW demand reduction
  • THESL invested $1.7 million (through funding from the Ontario Energy Board and the Ontario Power Authority) in Toronto Community Housing conservation initiatives, saving 10 MW for tenants from 2005–2007
  • Ran conservation programs for Social Housing Services Corporation (through Ontario Power Authority funding), saving more than 1 MW for low income tenants. The programs also included education programs for building maintenance staff and tenants on conservation and efficiency.

Major Conservation Activities

  • Summer Savings for Residential Customers: 30 per cent of eligible customers achieved the savings target for a reduction of 57.6 million kWh.
  • Summer Challenge for Businesses: 24 per cent of businesses achieved the target, resulting in an energy savings of 87.8 million kWh.
  • peaksaver®: At the end of 2007, more than 46,000 customers were enrolled and 36,000 customers had peaksaver® switches installed, representing 45 MW of peak demand reduction.
  • The Great Refrigerator Roundup: collected 5,047 appliances and removed 1.37 MW from the grid.
  • Festive Light Exchange: The 2007 program achieved a savings of 1.8 MW, double the original 2007 target, and more than 3.5 MW have been saved through this program since inception in 2005.
  • The Business Incentive Program: Received 104 project applications for an estimated savings of 1.3 MW.
  • Low Income/Social Housing:
    • 6,275 fridges were replaced with energy-efficient fridges
    • 7,687 stoves were replaced with energy-efficient stoves
    • 20,782 incandescent light bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs
    • The appliance replacements contributed to a 1.6 MW demand reduction

Environmental Activities

  • Urban Canopy
    • The Corporation has been a supporter of the City’s Tree Advocacy Program since its inception: $50,000 per year committed, which represents 1,500 new trees planted annually.
    • The Corporation has been a primary sponsor of LEAF since 1998, planting 1000 backyard trees annually.
    • THESL’s “e-Billing” campaign with the Ontario Forestry Association resulted in the planting of 5,300 trees in Toronto in 2007.
    • The Corporation sponsored the “Taylor-Massey Creek Project” through which 1,175 native trees and shrubs have been planted along the Creek since 2004.
  • Environmental Stewardship
    • THESL converted to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper for bills and stationery in 2007.
    • THESL diverted 81.5% of waste materials from landfill through its internal Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program.
  • Renewables/Clean and Green Generation
    • TH Energy/WindShare wind turbine at Exhibition Place has produced approximately 4 million kWh of green energy since 2003
    • TH Energy retrofitted 58 community centres in 2007
    • TH Energy launched Adaptive Lighting Asset Management Program to test more energy-efficient street lighting technologies
    • 36 kW solar PV system at TH Energy has produced 1.4 million kWh of green power since 2004

TH Energy’s Projects with the City of Toronto

  • In the summer of 2007, TH Energy began working on a comprehensive energy efficiency project, valued at $6.025 million, in over 58 community centres for the City's Parks & Recreation Department. By providing a comprehensive approach, various efficiency upgrades are being implemented including the installation of new high efficiency boilers, retrofitting variable frequency drives and energy management training for building operators.
  • TH Energy teamed up with Exhibition Place to complete the facility’s third energy efficiency project with the installation and commissioning of the first tri-generation energy system for a Canadian municipality. This 1,600 kW  system uses the heat recovered from the engine to heat the building in the winter and provide cooling through an absorption chiller in the summer.
  • City Council selected TH Energy as the implementer of the new City Hall renewable energy project. This project is aligned with the City’s goal to achieve sustainable cost savings, greenhouse gas reductions and help reduce operating budgets.
  • TH Energy began working on additional renewable and energy efficiency projects in 2007 for Union Station, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.