Moving Towards a Sustainability Energy Policy
A Long Term Plan to Reduce Environmental Impacts and Energy Costs At The University of Guelph
1. Outline
Renewable Energy Group Mission Statement
We are a student environmental organization working with the University of Guelph to transform the university’s energy policy to be more environmentally and economically sustainable. Our primary goal is for the University to undergo a campus-wide energy retrofit and to coordinate the efforts of students and administration in making significant investments in renewable energy generation.
With respect to this goal the Renewable Energy Group has:
- consulted with Physical Resources and outside industry experts
- researched funding and the feasibility of implementation of these projects
- organized educational events for the University community
- initiated planning for a campus solar technology demonstration project
- advanced towards conducting a student levy towards the purchase of green power
- secured a discounted rate with the city’s renewable energy retailer for future energy purchases
2. Long Term Vision
Our long-term vision is for the University of Guelph to be a national leader in both energy efficiency and renewable technologies. To achieve these goals both students and administration must commit to the following initiatives:
- A campus-wide energy retrofit
- A financial contribution from students to purchase green power
- Active role for students (educational opportunities, participation and input)
- To conduct wind and solar technology demonstration projects
- The institution of a Council of Sustainability at the university
While the Renewable Energy Group is currently involved in numerous initiatives to reduce our environmental and economic energy impacts, (see Appendix) we are calling the University administration to initiate the following projects:
2.1 Conduct a Campus-Wide Energy Retrofit:
The university should initiate an energy retrofit of all facilities on campus with the goal of reducing energy and water usage. This involves maximizing energy efficiency in existing buildings through the application of modern technology on heating, cooling, ventilation, insulation, lighting, and other systems currently in place. This retrofit should be conducted as soon as possible.
2.2 Create a Council of Sustainability:
We propose the university create an institutional body responsible for improving environmental quality, reducing waste and conserving natural resources and energy, thereby establishing the University as a practical model for other institutions for sustainability. This council should include administrators, students, faculty, and staff. The jurisdiction of this council would encompass review and revision of practices in energy management, waste reduction and recycling, dining services, procurement, building renovations and construction, landscaping, and transportation.
2.3 Investments in renewable energy:
The university should invest 75% of the energy costs savings incurred from the retrofit toward renewable energy generation. Given the rising cost of conventional energy, the university must continue to reduce its dependence on non-sustainable power. A natural progression from the cost saving measures of the retrofit is to invest in the production of economically stable renewable power. An investment in renewable energy of this nature would result in less exposure to energy market volatility.
3. The University of Guelph’s energy use:
3.1 Current Energy Use:
In the last fiscal year the University of Guelph:
- Consumed 97,000,000 kWh of electricity
- Burned 18,500,000 m3 of natural gas
- Spent $2,000,000 on water services
- Spent $17,500,000 on energy costs
- Emitted 57,257,000 kg of CO2
- Produced as much air pollution as 15,005 cars in one year
- 7% of the Universities budget is spent on energy
3.2 Future Considerations for Energy Costs:
- The University is in a growth stage. In a business-as-usual approach the university will increase its energy consumption significantly.
- The removal of the Ontario electricity rate cap on April, 1 2004 will result in a price increase for designated consumers (defined in existing legislation to include universities) per kilowatt-hour. The price of energy will increase from the current rate of 4.3¢ to 4.7¢ for the first 750 kWh used each month and then to 5.5 ¢ for any additional consumption. The result of this increase is an additional $1,163, 928 in energy costs at the university’s current rate of energy consumption.
- The University is facing budget constraints and is looking for ways to cut costs.
- The price of energy from conventional sources is expected to rise continuously in the coming decade.
- Green power potential is due to escalate in Ontario.
4. Financial Assistance
While the University is facing a budget shortage there are several possible sources of funding that would be able to assist through financing assistance, grants and discounted rates.
- Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency, $250,000. As a member of the Energy Innovators Initiative program, the University is eligible to receive upwards of $250,000 for retrofitting costs and up to $25,000 for costs incurred in planning.
- Canadian Federation of Municipalities, Green Municipal Enabling Fund, up to $350,000. Through a partnership with the City of Guelph, the University would become qualified to apply for and receive a grant of up to $350,000. Partnerships such as this have been successful in receiving funding in the past. The University of British Columbia partnered with the Greater Vancouver Regional District received $100,000, half of the total cost of their project, to create a Sustainable Development Research Institute at the University. Projects dedicated to improving the energy performance of buildings are eligible to receive funding.
- Canadian Federation of Municipalities, Green Municipal Investment Fund, financing of up to 25% of capital cost at an interest rate 1.5% below the Government of Canada bond rate. Financing at this preferred rate can be provided to Canadian municipalities and their partners for up to 10 years. Eligible projects are those that improve environmental performance and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, such as retrofitting
- Sustainable Development Technology Canada, grant amount dependant on project innovation and cost. Funding grants are allocated to universities partnered with a private sector commercial corporation to conduct projects intended to reduce green house gas emissions related to energy utilization, including energy efficiency. Funding grants are available through till 2006.
- Selectpower, a division of Guelph Hydro has offered a discounted rate for renewable energy purchases made by the university.
- The Ontario Government, has a mandate to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. To this end, they are “working towards putting in place a pricing and regulatory regime that encourages demand management and renewable energy.” Also, the Ontario Government “is currently considering a variety of conservation initiatives. Details [of which,] will be announced as the programs are developed.”
5. Benefits to the University
5.1 Economic:
- Conservation and renewable generation can provide significant long-term savings for the University.
- Future investment in sustainable electricity generation will ensure very stable long-term energy costs, shielding the University from volatile energy prices. The costs are simple and upfront, allowing for very predictable returns on investment. Wind and solar generation requires no fuel and extremely low maintenance costs.
- Electricity prices will likely fluctuate and rise, while sustainable energy costs will remain low and constant.
- This type of investment can be subsidized from many sources, drastically reducing capital investment.
5.2 Educational:
- The campus retrofit and renewable energy demonstration projects would provide a natural opportunity for hands-on student learning through involvement of students in such programs as Engineering, Environmental Science and Physics.
- With the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Canadian Government, student education provided by the retrofit and renewable energy demonstration projects would supply University of Guelph students with invaluable skills and experience for the future job market.
- Organized tours and seminars of demonstration projects would provide excellent learning platforms for students in related courses.
- The University of Guelph will become an educational leader especially in the post-Kyoto job market.
- Display materials featuring information would be developed and displayed on campus promoting awareness of renewable energies and energy conservation.
- The image of the University of Guelph as a leader in efficiency and environmental education will be enhanced.
5.3 Environmental
The retrofit will drastically reduce the university’s contribution to smog formation, which is responsible for health problems, environmental impacts, and a lower quality of life.
As a major contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, the university has a responsibility to prevent climate change and help Canada meet its Kyoto targets. These initiatives will reduce these emissions.
6. Support for our Proposal
- The Campus Master Plan for the University of Guelph states that, “the University will build and renew buildings, infrastructure and landscapes, in a manner that is land, energy, resource and waste efficient”.
- As a signatory of the Talloires Declaration, the university is committed to, “convene university faculty and administrators with environmental practitioners to develop curricula, research initiatives, operational systems, and outreach activities to support an environmentally sustainable future” and “set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of resource conservation, recycling, waste reduction, and environmentally sound operations”.
- In regards to our proposal, we have gathered the support of:
- 92% student approval of a campus-wide energy retrofit
- 86% student approval of reinvesting 75% of the energy cost savings incurred from the retrofit in sustainable green power generation
- 81% student approval to instituting a council of sustainability
- over 700 students as signatories the petition for a campus-wide energy retrofit and 75% reinvestment in sustainable forms of generation
- Professors: Doug Larson, Judith McKenzie, Dorothy Remmer, Barry Smit
- The Bachelor of Arts and Science Students Association
- Engineers Without Borders
- Ontario Minister of Energy, Dwight Duncan: “We would like to see all institutional buildings within the municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals sector improve their energy efficiency, and move in the direction Guelph Students for Environmental Change wishes to guide it’s campus.”
Appendix
A.1 Solar Demonstration Project
Working with Engineers Without Borders and members of the engineering faculty, the Renewable Energy Group is in the initial planning stages of a long-term project to install solar panels on campus. The project entails fundraising for costs, and the design and installation of the solar array. The solar array would not only provide emission free energy for a campus building but also create awareness about renewable energies and act as an educational tool for students.
A.2 Student Levy Towards the Purchase of Renewable Energy
Next year, we will be working towards approving a student levy so that the university can start purchasing green power immediately. A small levy of 50¢/semester from students would be put towards subsidizing the purchase of renewable energy for The Bull Ring
A.3 Proposal of Renewable Energy Infrastructure
We have also been investigating using the eventual energy savings, after paying off the retrofit costs, to be invested in green energy. There are many ways in which the University could begin to purchase green power. The first would be to install either Wind Turbines or Solar Panels on and around campus to begin producing our own pollution free, cheap energy. Secondly, we could invest install Wind Turbines off campus in areas of high wind to maximize our energy production. Finally, we could begin purchasing green energy from an existing green energy supplier. While these forms of energy are presently more costly than conventional power, they provide long term pricing stability and are not susceptible to volatilities in the energy market.
A.4 Education and Awareness
In order to work towards these goals we have been active in various areas. We are working on a formal proposal that we will present to the University Administration in March. We have put forward a referendum question that will be posed to the students in the CSA elections. We are organizing a speaking event called “Sun, Wind and Sky: Discussions on Renewable Energy and Retrofits” that is taking place in Thornborough 1200 March 9th at 5:30 featuring speakers on retrofits and renewable energy. We have been gathering endorsements of our proposal to gain credibility with the administration.