Education

The Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud (CSDCCS), has 55 schools including 45 elementary. Like other Ontario school boards, CSDCCS faces higher energy costs as building systems age. As a conservation strategy the board benchmarks natural gas and electricity use across all its schools. This information is used to track problems and prioritize facilities for energy retrofits.

École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Mississauga was opened in 1985. At over 34,000 square feet, the single story facility offers a bright and airy learning environment featuring fifteen classrooms, one gymnasium and daycare space.

Summary

New condensing boilers were installed along with new air handling technologies resulting in:

• 39% reduction in first year post-project natural gas consumption and over 3,300 kWh of electricity saved

• Natural gas and electricity combined energy cost savings of over $4,000 in the first year

• Enbridge Custom Incentive of $4,525

• 29 Metric Tons reduction in CO2 emissions*

The project proves the value of technologies that work together to increase natural gas savings over what would be achieved from one measure alone—and with the added benefit of reduced electricity consumption.

Challenge

By 2014 CSDCCS had red flagged École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean-Baptiste as one of their ten worst performers in energy use. The school’s overall energy intensity at 20.15 ekWh/ft2 was above the current provincial average of 18.5 ekWh/ft2.

Daniel Duhamel, Enbridge Energy Solutions Consultant; Martin Dubord, Responsable des installations scolaires, CSDCCS; Ginnau Lacaze, Concierge en chef, École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s heating and ventilation systems dated back to when the school was built. Two oversized atmospheric boilers alternated in operation with each running at 100% capacity when in use. All of the air intake and exhaust fans operated at full capacity when in use, driven by motors with no speed gradation.

Despite the school’s high energy consumption, it was often difficult to deliver optimal heat to all fifteen classrooms.

* The figures provided are unaudited and have not been subject to the full extent of Enbridge’s regulated evaluation, measurement and verification process before the Ontario Energy Board.

École élémentaire catholique

Saint-Jean-BaptisteMultiplying retrofit savings with technology synergies

Solutions

CSDCCS found a combination of technologies that made for a more responsive heating and ventilation system while delivering both natural gas and electricity savings.

The energy efficiency upgrades were started in the summer of 2014 and put in service for the start of the school year and for the heating season.

• Two new Bosch Buderus condensing boilers were installed. These boilers achieve 97% efficiency by condensing the steam in flue gases, recovering latent heat which then is used to pre-heat the incoming feed water. This reduces the natural gas needed to reach the desired temperature in the water loop.

• Both boilers now operate at 60% capacity, reducing the loop temperatures for steady heat and further natural gas savings.

• Variable frequency drives (VFDs) were installed on air-handling units for the classroom areas. These devices vary the frequency and voltage of electricity supplied to the motors that drive the fans, adjusting their speed. This enables modulation of air flow to match the building’s needs. Reducing air intake when it is not needed further lowers the amount of natural gas required for heating, while slower operation of motors reduces electricity use.

• The VFDs allow the system to be programmed to come on gradually, providing for a slow start-up at around 40% and building up to between 73% and 75% at full occupancy.

• A CO2 sensor installed on the air handling unit for the gymnasium controls the quantity of outside air brought into this large space, matching it to needs.

• The ability to modulate air flow also improves occupant comfort throughout the building.

Enbridge offers both fixed and custom incentives for school retrofits that reduce natural gas consumption. Our Energy Solutions Consultants will provide you with details, determine if your project qualifies, and help make the application process as easy as possible.

Contact your Enbridge Energy Solutions Consultant and get started today.

1-888-427-8888

energyservices@enbridge.com

www.enbridgegas.com

As part of its Energy Management Initiative, the Ministry of Education created the role of the Incentive Programs Advisor to provide school boards with assistance in accessing all available incentives for energy saving retrofits.

For information on all energy savings programs in your area, contact:

Robert Smith Incentive Programs Advisor Education Sector Robert.Smith@ycdsb.ca

Results

Energy consumption and costs for 2014-2015 have dropped significantly compared with the previous year even though the winter was much colder than the previous year. Lower emissions enhance the school’s green profile.

• Natural gas consumption for 2014-15 was reduced by 15,500 m3 for a cost saving of $3,720

• Electricity usage was reduced by 3,357 kWh for a cost saving of $453

• Energy intensity was decreased by almost 25% from 20.15 ekWh/ft2 to 15.21 ekWh/ft2

• CO2 emissions were reduced by 29 Metric Tons

• Better, more responsive heating and air handling systems make for a more comfortable environment for learning and teaching

• The project’s energy savings qualified for Enbridge’s Custom Incentive (natural gas) and saveONenergy Retrofit Program Prescriptive VFD Incentive (electricity).

“ Energy efficiency incentives really add up as school boards update their facilities. Over the past four years CSDCCS has received more than $247,000 in natural gas and electricity conservation funding. Across the sector the total is over $7 million.”

Robert Smith, CET CEM Incentive Programs Advisor

Education Sector

Take advantage of incentives for your energy projects

2015-06-00233

“ Energy costs are on the rise so we have to look at anything that can be done to reduce consumption and costs. But there is also the ecological side. We are trying to save the environment for our future generations.”

Martin Dubord Responsable des installations scolaires

Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud