Energy & Water

Energy & Water

Facilities Management has a multi-disciplinary team who works on conservation and efficiency projects with partners of Western. For the last 25 years, our experts have made improvements to the buildings and their systems to save both water and energy. A few of our initiatives include:

Energy

Water


Conservation and Demand Management

energy conservation and demand management

In 2014, Western set Energy Conservation goals that would drive investment and innovation within our facilities. These goals included:

  • Achieving a 9% reduction in energy use intensity (ekWh/m2) below 2012 levels
  • Reducing overall energy use by 4% below 2012 use
  • Reducing direct Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions below the 2009 baseline
  • Reducing water use intensity (m3/m2) by 8% below 2012 levels

Facilities Management continues to support these and more conservation and demand management intitaives.

Click for recent projects undertaken with conservation outcomes.

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

Electric & hybrid vehicles

FM has invested in both a hybrid car and electric vehicles reinforcing a commitment to alternative fuels and reducing carbon footprint.

Electric vehicles:
  • Are virtually silent
  • Can travel up to a maximum speed of 40km/h
  • Are licensed for road use, although they are intended to be used in a closed environment, such as a university campus
  • According to the distributor, Vantage low speed electric vehicles can reduce annual carbon emissions by more than nine tons and operate for one-tenth the cost of comparable gas-powered units
  • Western is the first university in Ontario and the second in Canada to purchase these electric vans

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Solar Powered LED Lamps

Solar panels

The University Student Council (USC), in partnership with FM, installed two solar powered LED lamps on campus in the summer of 2012. The project cost $16,000 and is an initiative genereated as a a result of the USC's 2010 Student Legacy Fund Challenge.

Quick facts:
  • The solar panels are mounted onto two poles along Oxford Drive in front of the University Community Centre
  • Energy captured from the solar panels is stored in batteries that directly power the attached LED lamps.
  • The lights work on a sensory system, and turn on only when it is dark outside - they store enough energy to stay on until morning
  • These solar panels have a life expectancy of 20 years, and the LED lights are expected to last up to 50,000 hours

Ultra-low freezer replacement initiative

Thermo-Fisher ultra low freezersWestern is working with researchers to replace old, energy-intensive ultra-low freezers with new, energy-efficient Thermo Scientific TSX Freezers. The initiative will help mitigate risks that are associated with older, less reliable units, as well as, help promote a higher level of research while saving energy and supporting the University’s carbon reduction goals.

Draw Recipient List

Program facts:
  • The program brought 34 new TSX freezers to campus and will be distributed to eligible researchers following two random lotteries
  • The new freezers use up to 70% less energy than older ultra-low freezers
  • Advanced features of the new units include wireless monitoring, touch-screen interface, and quiet operation

Eligible Models and their Specs:

  • TSX40086A/D
  • TSX50086A/D
  • TSX60086A/D
  • TSX70086A/D

Full specifications for the models listed above can be found here: https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/TSX40086A

  1. Electrical Requirements:
    1. 115V / 60Hz 9.0/15 (NEMA 5-15) for the Freezer “A” designation 
    2. 208-230V / 60Hz 4.0/10 (NEMA 6-15) for the Freezer “D” designation
  2. Dimensions for the freezers:
    1. TSX40086 A or D Exterior Dimensions:
      1. HXWXD   78.0” x 28.3” x 37.6”  or (198.1 x 71.9 x 95.5 cm)   
      2. Designed to pass  through a 34 ½” in door
    2. TSX50086 A or D Exterior Dimensions
      1. HXWXD   78.0” x 34.0” x 37.6”  (198.1 x 86.4 x 95.5 cm)
      2. Designed to pass  through a 34 ½” door
    3. TSX60086 A or D Exterior Dimensions
      1. HXWXD 78.0” x 39.6” x 37.6”  (198.1 x 100.6 x 95.5 cm)
      2. Designed to pass  through a 36” door
    4. TSX70086 A or D Exterior Dimensions
      1. HXWXD  78.0” x 45.2” x 37.6” (198.1 x 114.8 x 95.5 cm)
      2. Designed to pass  through a 36” door

 

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Energy Report (O.Reg. 397/11)

In compliance with O.Reg 397/11, Western University willfully completes and posts a summary of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Click here for the most recent report.

Please contact Heather Hyde (hhyde@uwo.ca) for more information.

Referencing the regulation; On or before July 1 of each year after 2013, every public agency shall submit to the Minister, publish on its website and intranet site, if it has either or both, and make available to the public in printed form at its head office the public agency’s Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emission Template for operations conducted in the year following the year to which the last annual Template related.  O. Reg. 397/11, s. 5 (7).

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Water Conservation

Residence faucets

At Western University, we recognize the importance of clean, fresh water to individuals, our community, and the environment. We are committed to conserving water efficiently and seeking innovative ways to manage consumption. Visit the Sustainability Water Conservation page for up-to-date information.


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Bottle Refill Stations

Bottle Refill

EZ H2O Bottle Filling Stations are being installed and can be retrofitted to many current water fountains on campus. The initiative encourages the use of reusable water bottles, minimizing disposable plastic waste in the environment.

Key features:

  • The 'green ticker' counts the quantity of 12 ounce bottles saved from the landfill by refilling reusable water bottles

Western has eliminated single use bottled water on campus. Visit the Sustainability Refill. Rehydrate. Repeat. page for up-to-date information.

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