Efficiency Measures:
Success Stories, Planning and Studies:
Links
Other
History and Overview
Since our beginning, Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been developing and improving a sustainability and resource management plan.
Kwantlen was one of the first post-secondary educational institutions to join the federal government's Energy Innovators Initiative and register with CSA Climate Change - Greenhouse Gas Registries (GHGH) in 1995.
By late 2000 we had a major energy retrofit project planned, funded and underway.
In 2003, we received the Leadership Award under the Colleges and Universities sector (for 2002) for outstanding environmental efforts and for being the top Canadian post-secondary Institution in "going green."
The honors were presented at the sixth annual Leadership Awards ceremony in Ottawa's Canadian Museum of Civilization.
CSA GHGR Inc. president Robert Flemington explained that organizations are chosen for the Leadership Award for showing a significant decrease in the intensity of GHG emissions, demonstrating senior management commitment, setting future reduction targets and preparing detailed action plans and progress reports.
"Kwantlen's facilities staff's success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is commendable and their leadership in this field should be an inspiration to all North American institutions and industries. They have shown what creativity and perseverance will achieve," remarked Skip Triplett, past President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Karen Hearn, Director of Facilities at Kwantlen Polytechnic University noted "Kwantlen has achieved and will continue to achieve savings by retrofitting lighting, heating and air conditioning equipment; developing awareness and communications programs; and training operators and building managers to optimize energy performance."
"This energy reduction is even more exceptional because Kwantlen's buildings are all less than 13 years old and were built to modern state-of-the-art standards."
Along with the obvious savings, we have also achieved a number of hidden savings. For example, our more efficient lighting systems save energy but also reduce the number of lamps on campus. If these (7,000 removed) lamps were stacked end-to-end they would be as high as Mt. Everest, and this reduction is permanent.
Natural Resources Canada has recognized Kwantlen Polytechnic University for its outstanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We have committed to reduce total GHG emissions by 20 per cent from our 2000 emissions.
An important part of our long-term sustainability and resource management plan involves a commitment to developing and implementing a formalized (and ongoing) reporting program.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University reports have been awarded Gold or Silver Reporting Status, achieving as much as 98 out of 100 points in analysis of our reporting framework by the GHG Registries.
Points are awarded for program development procedures, inclusion, implementation and innovation in a comprehensive resource management plan, in addition to showing how standard topics will be dealt with (eg. Goal Setting; Measure Identification; Monitoring and Verification Protocols; Education, Training and Awareness). Our commitment to an efficient management plan will help us deal with future challenges through sustainable actions.
View our Gold Report (PDF)
View our Silver Report (PDF)
For more information on Leadership Awards or Climate Change Reporting, and to view our report, please visit Canada's Climate Change — CSA website .
Awards Over the Years
In the past 5 years Kwantlen has received a number of Sustainability related Certifications or Awards.
Designated a BC Hydro Power Smart Partner in 2002
Received Leadership Award as Top Canadian post-secondary Institution in "Going Green"
The Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, presents Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Karen Hearn, Director of Facilites and Dan Brown, Manager, Physical Plant, the 2002 Leadership Award for outstanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognition by Natural Resources Canada’s as an Energy Innovator in their ‘Energy Innovators Initiative’
Power Smart Certification
Kwantlen received a Power Smart Certified Energy Efficiency Leader designation from BC Hydro in 2004 (only two post-secondary institutions and a total of nine BC organizations who have received this certification (June 2007).
The Certified Customer designation is presented for demonstrating exceptional energy and environmental leadership.
Read about obtaining Certified Customer status in BC Hydro's Power of Business magazine article (PDF 64 KB).
Welcome
Kwantlen has always been guided by the principles and standards of sustainability. Read about our efforts and experiences and perhaps find a few ideas for your home or place of work.
"Through its long-standing commitment and leadership in energy conservation and environmental sustainability, Kwantlen Polytechnic University is setting an example for other educational institutions to follow." — Bev Van Ruyven, BC Hydro Senior VP of Customer Care & Conservation
Our Environmental Commitment
Our mission statement emphasizes the "importance of participation in and service to society."
“We believe one responsibility of Kwantlen Polytechnic University is to demonstrate environmental stewardship in our communities” said Skip Triplett, past President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. "We actively pursue environmentally responsible policies and practices, as well as fiscally sustainable policies and practices."
Acknowledgments and Awards - 2008/2009
The Energy conservation leaders in both the private sector and government are among the winners of BC Hydros latest Power Smart Excellence Awards. BC Hydro CEO and Premier Gordon Campbell presented the awards to 18 residential, commercial and industrial organizations from across the province.
The award represents both significant energy reductions and demonstrated leadership in sustainability. Kwantlen was one of only nine BC organizations (2 post-secondarys) honoured in May 2004 with a “Certified Energy Efficiency Leader” award and one of only three in 2008 receiving this new top award, presented by BC Hydro senior executives and Premier Gordon Campbell. Kwantlen was the only post-secondary institution even nominated for this award. At Kwantlen, the push towards energy efficiency came directly from past President Skip Triplett. A culture of conservation is keenly felt and supported at all levels of the organization.
Dan Brown, Tom Knox, Karen Hearn, Gordon Lee
Achieving Our Vision
Kwantlen has significantly reduced its electricity and natural gas consumption through proactive energy management and has committed to a Program of Continuous Improvement, dedication and effort. By the end of 2010 our goal is to reduce our electrical consumption by 45 per cent, and our natural gas consumption by 25%, compared with our base year of 2000. At that time our new conservation goals will be stated in a common unit of 'equivalent' kiloWatt hours, to allow a better evaluation and understanding of our active campus operations.
Kwantlen's Executive and Energy Management Team have always had a strong commitment to improve energy efficiency and together have gradually evolved a set of guidelines:
- We strive to ensure our site, buildings, and operations offer users an enjoyable experience and make them feel part of their community.
- New building projects are designed to a minimum LEED Gold Standard.
- Upgrades to existing buildings have Life Cycle Cost principles applied for energy & resource efficiency.
- We look for smaller annual savings or avoided costs in preference to those from a multi-year cycle (eg. 4% per year is worth more than 20% savings in 5 years).
- We actively seek peer support; publicity; staff and student buy-in; funders and programs.
- We annually review our written resource management program to improve and solidify it.
- In addition to saving energy, a portion of our electrical energy is purchased from 'Green' renewable resources.
Energy Efficiency Measures — Past Projects
Our energy efficiency project started (installation) in 2001 and completed by late 2002. This was a pilot project for the province of BC under the "Green Building Initiative". The contracted cost of the project was $1.4 million dollars and is paid for entirely from energy savings. The project included upgraded lighting, heating and ventilation systems.
Key Project Elements:
- Lower energy consumption reduces our impact on the environment.
- Less susceptibility to future energy price increases (risk management).
- Created significant employment in $1.4 Million project, mostly local economy.
- Sought and obtained over $300,000 in Provincial/Federal funding.
- First pilot for Provincial Green Building Initiative and helped develop guidelines.
- Repaired a chronic heating problem on one campus.
- Improved parking lot safety with better/brighter lighting.
- New mechanical controls give improved occupant comfort.
- New lighting improves user comfort.
- New heating systems (Horticultural) increased student learning opportunities.
- Over a million dollars in energy cost savings every three years – unadjusted for inflation.
- Installation of the new and improved building systems gives a cost avoidance value of $100,000 per year over the life of the project. Cost-avoided values are future costs avoided as a direct result of the work undertaken.
- Greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by an estimated 460 tonnes per year or the equivalent of 150 cars permanently removed off the road.
Our Greenhouse Gas Emission reductions are about 30% lower than the year 2000.
- There are also many 'hidden' savings. As an example, more efficient lighting systems save energy but also reduced the number of lamps on campus. These lamps are forever out of the system, and don’t have to be purchased and reinstalled every 5 to 6 years.
Stacked end-to-end the (over 7,000) lamps we permanently removed would be as high as Mount Everest.
Current Initiatives
LEED Staff training
Four Facilities staff are certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Leeds Buildings (New)
All our new buildings are either LEED registered or designed and built with LEED principles in mind (smaller additions are not registered).
Renovations
‘Life Cycle Costing’ principles are used for renovations, balancing the total (lifetime) cost instead of just comparing the lowest up-front cost options.
Water Conservation Measures
Our latest initiative is water management. This program is in the beginning stages of reviewing meters, consumption and potential savings. To this point savings have been identified in reducing the water flow from washroom faucets, and we have purchased and installed new aerators in the summer of 2006. Savings are expected to be about $4,000 per year in water and natural gas (heating) costs. This is less than a 1 year return on investment.
Management Plans
We have committed to managment of our resources through development and updating of our Resource Management Action Plans. This provides a framework for us to determine and evaluate our progress.
Success Stories
Since completing our retrofit in 2002, Kwantlen has been continuing to find, review and implement resource conservation projects.
Read more about some of these energy efficiency success stories:
Reports — Resource Management Plan
Kwantlen Polytechnic University worked with BCHydro to develop parameters for our Resource Management plan. We update this regularly.
View Kwantlen's most recent Resource Management Action Plan
Ecological Footprint Study (Geog. Dept)
A study initiated through the Geography Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with assistance from many other departments (eg. Facilities, Purchasing, etc.). Click here to view or download the Ecological Footprint Study
Continuous Improvement Matrix
Continuous Improvement (or Continuous Management) is the ongoing commitment to continuously improve. This matrix is a good way to track your current status and set new goals. Click here to view or download the Continuous Improvement Model: Outline Matrix.
The Greenhouse Gas Registry
In 1995 Kwantlen was one of the first post-secondary educational institutions to register with Canada’s Climate Change Voluntary Challenge and Registry Inc (VCR). After a successful eight-year partnership between Industry, the Canadian Government and all Provinces and Territories, the current 2006 registries (CSA Climate Change Services) constitute a universally accepted, fully functional and cost effective platform for reporting GHG emissions, removals, and reductions. Registries are linked together by sharing a central set of data files, ensuring related data sets are consistent across different functions. To accommodate varying approaches that may be taken to handle measurement, reporting, and management of GHG emissions, the database structure can document and record transactions on entity, facility, and/or project basis.GHG Registries, based out of Ottawa, is part of the CSA Climate Change Services portfolio. CSA Climate Change is a specialized team within CSA Group - a knowledgeable and experienced asset for government and industry as they help Canada adapt to a changing climate and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG Registries maintains two primary integrated registries that together have been designed to satisfy the registry needs of GHG management policy in Canada.
The registries are:
Canadian GHG Challenge Registry and Canadian GHG Reductions Registry.
For further information go to http://www.ghgregistries.ca/index_e.cfm
Energy Saving Tips
Energy conservation succeeds with everyone's participation. Please join the effort with these energy saving tips. Choose a sector to learn about some no-cost and low-cost energy conservation and efficiency actions to reduce energy consumption, electricity bills, and natural gas bills along with some suggested long-term energy efficiency investments you can make in your home or workplace. Most of the suggestions noted here can be used at home and help save money. Take an active part in conservation.
- Remember to turn the lights off when you leave the room
- Turn off your computer & printer when you leave for the day
- Minimize use of copies - send email attachments
- Close blinds at night to keep in the heat
- Open the blinds in the daytime to minimize artificial lighting
- Walk, bike, take public transport or carpool
- Turn off your car if you are stopped for more than 15 seconds or so
- Please do not idle
Download BC Hydro's Power Smart Tips for Work
View further energy saving tips at www.bchydro.com
Recycling on Campus
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has a campus wide recycling program for the following materials:
- Fluorescent Lamps & Ballasts
- Batteries
- Printer & Toner Cartridges
- Computers & Electronics
- Masonry Debris
- Shop Oil Interceptors
- Used Oil and Oil Filters
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Plastic
- Hazardous Wastes (eg. Mercury)
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- Used Antifreeze
- Kitchen Oils & fats
- Lab Chemicals
- Metal
- Hard Cover Books
- Used Tires
- Pallets
- Paper (All Types)
- Glass
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Contact Us
For further information on Kwantlen's energy, environmental or sustainability programs, please contact:
Tom Knox
Phone: 604.599.2445
Email: tom.knox@kwantlen.ca