Backgrounder

For immediate release
May 8, 2007

ENERGY CONSERVATION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario

Managing energy use is an essential part of solving climate change. Conserving and using green, renewable energy whenever possible helps reduce our emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

Today, the McGuinty government is delivering results on its commitment to reduce its energy consumption by 62 million kilowatt hours over three years.  By replacing old chillers with the state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly technology, the government will reduce its electricity use in the first year of operation, by just under 10 million kilowatts hours, which is enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes.  It is estimated that this initiative will save the government $4.5 million over the next 30 years.

Deep lake water cooling technology uses water from Lake Ontario to provide a reliable, efficient and sustainable source of cooling for offices. The technology is already in use in some buildings in the downtown Toronto core. It is now being extended north from the Queen Street area to Queen’s Park.

"We are proud to include the entire Queen's Park Campus as a customer of our Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) system.  This connection was the catalyst that was needed to expand the network northbound through the city. The McGuinty government's commitment to DLWC has enabled Enwave to extend the environmental benefits of this innovative technology to more buildings than otherwise would have been possible,” said Dennis Fotinos, President and CEO, Enwave Energy Corporation.

Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling System

Enwave’s three intake pipes draw water from 83 metres below the surface of Lake Ontario. Naturally cold water makes its way to the City of Toronto’s John Street Pumping Station. There, heat exchangers facilitate the energy transfer between icy-cold lake water and the Enwave closed chilled water supply loop.  This cold energy cools Toronto’s leading office buildings.

Enwave uses only the coldness from the lake water not the actual water to provide the alternative to conventional air-conditioning.

About Enwave Energy Corporation

Enwave Energy Corporation, one of the largest providers of district energy in North America, is Ontario's leading provider of outsourced cooling, heating and energy management services. Anchored by three modernized steam plants, one chilled water plant, and over 30 kilometres of distribution network, Enwave supplies reliable energy to over 150 buildings in the downtown Toronto core.
Enwave Energy Corporation is owned by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) and the City of Toronto.

Other steps the McGuinty government is taking to lead by example, clean up Ontario’s air, and protect the ozone layer:

• Using energy from wind or low-impact hydro generation, purchased from Bullfrog power, at the ministry of environment’s head office

Announcing the phase-out of a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance in large refrigeration equipment and chillers, and designating any surplus as a hazardous waste, beginning in 2012.

 

For further information:
Arlene Mercurio Office of the President and CEO 416 338 8904	Lori Theoret Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal 416-325-1810
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca

 

Back to News Releases