Beat the Peak

Electricity Saving Campaign-OCAD

2010

Concept-Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro’s “Beat The Peak” campaign

OPA integrates a greener, cleaner, smarter power system plan

Message and tools of energy conservation taken to a broader audience - students across GTA

Students are major users of handheld electronics

Electronic devices, left plugged in, still draw power

72 000 pre-preprogrammed power bars distributed

Power Bars = Collective energy savings EQUIVALENT TO annual average electricity consumption of 425 households

Ontario Ministry of Energy reports: energy demand has declined since reaching its peak for usage in 2005

Campaign

University Channel Campaign Involvement

One –on-One education & engagement

Free distribution of 7,966 pre programmed power bars to universities

OCAD U received 1,380 power bars

Potentially save up to 15% of total electrical use

Insert scanned hydro bill

Toronto Hydro’s breakdown of household daily usage, plus the Time of Use comparison.

What is The Peak?Peak demand is the greatest amount of electricity that must be supplied at one given time, analyzed according to climate, member usage patterns, and known seasonal trends.

In 2001, electricity usage in Ontario was divided into different times with different according rates: Off Peak

6.2 cents / kWh

7pm-7am all year

Mid Peak9.2 cents /

kWh

Winter11am-5pm 7am-11am

Summer5pm-7pm

On Peak10.8 cents / kWh

Winter7am-11am, 5pm-7pm

Summer

11am-5pm

OCAD’s experience

Success

Students lined up to receive their free power bar and ask questions

Somewhat raised awareness to conserve power

OCAD U IT department slowly managing heat and energy from Data Centre using PUE

Failures

Many students are disconnected to the knowledge of peak and off peak times if they don’t pay their own electricity bills

Power bars were hardly used

Little awareness was generated

No activity has occurred since the one day event in Oct 2010

Other University’s energy initiatives

Wilfred Laurier has sub-meters that capture electricity usage, and transfer into a management system

York U created a residence competition to lower consumption for a month

McMaster’s solar panels power 40-60% of it’s recreation center

SuggestionsFoster more events and education sessions on energy conservation at OCADU for in school or at home power efficiency.

Beat The Peak continuation: info on more tools and where to get them.

Engage more students through regular sessions of raising awareness.

Take initiative your self: use money saving timers and power bars, apps to tell you peak hours.

ReferencesOCADU Sustainability Office

Ontario Universities Going Green Report-2011-PDF

Community Electric Cooperative

http://www.comelec.coop/BeatThePeak.htm

Toronto Hydro & Beat the Peak application

http://www.iappfind.com/app/455762003

Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan-2010-PDF

www.ontariohydro.com-Ontario hydro rates-time of use pricing

www.cnw.com-Canadian Newswire-Toronto Hydro helps consumers earn a green belt in conservation