The University of Calgary announced this week a groundbreaking sustainable energy solutions partnership with Direct Energy Business Services that will be the catalyst for a new generation of sustainability initiatives and buildings on campus, with built-in technologies directly involving students and researchers.
While sustainable energy is an ideal for many Alberta businesses, not all commercial operators have access to the financial resources required for investment in some of the capital expenditures needed to build their own sustainability solutions. What few realize is that sustainable energy solutions do have a direct link to their organization's bottom line - in a positive way. The University of Calgary's evolve program, for instance, is expected to yield more than $30M in energy savings.
Working with Alberta's leading commercial operators, and being an Alberta business itself, Direct Energy Business Services has seen a lot of interest in regaining control of energy costs so that organizations can concentrate their financial resources on their core business.
What few operators realize is that one way to support sustainability can be achieved through energy efficiency, which also supports their goals of controlling energy costs.
Energy-efficient equipment and practices - even at new facilities - can achieve savings of 20 per cent or more, while reducing the burden on the province's energy supply.
One example of marrying cost-savings to energy efficiency, and ultimately support of sustainability, is just across the border at the Okanagan University College in British Columbia.
Working with the OUC and the City of Kelowna, Direct Energy Business Services built an energy conservation plan that was able to lower OUC's energy usage by a significant amount.
The project involved the installation of new, high- efficiency boilers, the optimization of heating and ventilation systems, and the amalgamation of the campus' electric meters at the North Kelowna campus.
Meanwhile, the Kelowna campus saw the replacement of pipes and installation of new chillers, as well as the condensing of water heaters. Core heating, cooling and ventilation systems were upgraded across both campuses, resulting in vast efficiency and comfort advancements.
The initiative resulted in $300,000 a year in energy savings. But what's just as impressive as the annual savings is the project's effect on the environment. The OUC's carbon dioxide emission reductions are equivalent to planting 418 acres of trees, or removing 166 cars from the road.
While not all businesses are in a position to undertake projects of the size and magnitude of the OUC's, there are ways that each of us can save money and support sustainability.
Direct Energy Business Services has created the Efficiency Cost-Controller program designed specifically to help Alberta's businesses install or upgrade HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems easily and affordably.
Under the Efficiency Cost-Controller program, Direct Energy Business Services purchases the HVAC equipment on behalf of its natural gas or electricity customers, and amortizes the repayment of the equipment over the life of their commodity contract.
"This program allows us to bring our large-scale consumption-management knowledge to all of our commercial customers," said Peter Dixon, Vice-President, Canada West. "Direct Energy Business Services views energy in a holistic way - not just its supply, but also its consumption, and how we can help manage that consumption and demand for our customers. The investment in the best HVAC equipment pays off for customers who see their energy demand managed more wisely."
As part of the program, Direct Energy Business Services conducts a site assessment and energy audit before proceeding with the development of proposals outlining budgets, financial returns, and the eventual installation of the right professional equipment for its customers.
"The Efficiency Cost-Controller gives all Alberta commercial customers an opportunity to take advantage of the latest in energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, while easing the financial burden of that investment by building it into their energy bill," said Dixon. "We're able to eliminate upfront costs on the investment while continuing to provide energy price stability and the convenience of a single supplier and bill."
Let us show you how we can reduce your operating costs with a personalized energy solution today! For a proposal or information package: CALL: 1-888-827-9811 EMAIL: Alberta.business@ directenergy.com FAX: 403-290-4643 WEBSITE: www.directenergy.com/ business
Direct Energy Business Services, a competitive retailer of Direct Energy Marketing Limited, offers natural gas and electricity price protection while providing comprehensive energy solutions to 25,000 commercial businesses throughout Canada and the U.S.
It also offers a complete range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning services including energy retrofits, installation, maintenance programs, service and repair, building automation services, energy management software and financing for capital-intensive projects. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.directenergy.com/business.
You are not required to purchase natural gas, electricity or other goods or services from Direct Energy Business Services to be entitled to receive regulated gas services or regulated electricity services from a regulated provider in your service territory. For a current list of licensed retailers you may choose from, visit www.customerchoice.gov.ab.ca or call toll-free 310-4455.
