Energy Efficiency and Conservation
INTERNAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
improving occupant comfort (no new equipment was
energy consumption categories at these sites are heating
Offices
installed; it was just controlled better). Their efforts
and lighting. It has been a challenge to find cost-effective
Hydro is always looking to reduce energy waste in
proved to be effective, with 2013 being the year that HYP
commercial control solutions for these sites; however,
their facilities, and its main office, Hydro Place (HYP),
used the least amount of electricity since tracking began
Hydro is continually evaluating proposed technologies to
is no exception. In 2012, the Internal Energy Efficiency
in 2007. HYP used 420,000 kWh less electricity than the
meet their heating and lighting control requirements.
Advisor (IEEA) identified a number of energy conservation
previous year, which is equivalent to what 17 electrically
opportunities (ECOs) relating to the control of heating,
heated island homes use in a year, and it has reduced
Hydro’s vision for these types of facilities is to install small
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Over the years,
consumption by 882,000 kWh since 2007. All electricity
scale building automation systems (BASs) which will be
the team responsible for HYP’s operation have consistently
consumption was normalized for weather. The focus
linked via a network, and observed and/or controlled via
maintained a focus on reducing HYP’s energy consumption
on further energy consumption reductions at HYP will
one location. With that said, instead of waiting for an
and improving facility performance. In addition to energy
continue, while several of the regional offices have been
ideal solution, Hydro has pushed forward to do what is
savings, the ECOs have several other non-energy benefits,
selected to undergo similar HVAC optimization initiatives
reasonable to achieve energy savings at these locations.
some of which include increased occupant comfort, more
along with full lighting retrofits over the next two years.
The company is installing stand-alone low voltage
reliable operation of the HVAC system, and reduced wear
control circuits with programmable thermostats so that Other
night setbacks are employed. This initiative is laying the
Hydro’s line depots and other support buildings are
foundation for the company to realize maximum energy
In 2013, the HYP facility operations team, with help
relatively small structures and can have infrequent
savings in the future through the installation of small-
from the IEEA and controls contractors, placed a focus
occupancy; however, their annual consumption is more
scale BASs and by networking the facilities together.
on optimizing the operation of HVAC equipment while
than an average electrically-heated home. The largest
and runtime on HVAC equipment.
2013 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
33