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A Sustainable City

Corporate Energy Management

The City’s Energy Management Program (EMP) strives to effectively manage and reduce energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through;

  • organizational engagement
  • facilitating strong communication between departments
  • a robust operation and maintenance program
  • the ability to research and incorporate new alternative energy technologies within our energy system

Under Council’s guidance, the City has consistently shown leadership in corporate energy management, which has enabled the City to leverage a considerable amount of external funding to support and develop its program further.

Plan for SuccessBackground
Efficient use of energy and its conservation were first brought forward as a Council and corporate priority in 1991 with the Energy Conservation Policy. Some key considerations from that policy are still relevant today and are referenced to help improve our current EMP, these include the following:

  • considering life cycle costing when purchasing new equipment
  • upgrading facilities to the highest possible efficiency as budgets allow
  • encouraging all employees to suggest and initiate projects that will save energy

With Council’s continued commitment to increase energy efficiency and the success of numerous implemented retrofit projects, the City has been consistently recognized by BC Hydro as a Power Smart Leader (the highest level of recognition awarded). Richmond remains the only municipality to have achieved this level of recognition.

Current City Energy Management Program
In support of the City’s Sustainability Framework – Energy Sustainability Strategic Program (adopted in 2010), the EMP is focused on achieving the City’s energy reduction goals and GHG emission reduction targets.

The City’s current EMP adheres to corporate energy management best practices, which looks to:

1) minimizing energy waste by turning off unneeded equipment and systems through manual or automatic controls, followed by;

2) maximizing efficiency by ensuring equipment and systems are properly maintained and operating

Once time and effort have been put to these areas then replacing equipment and infrastructure with more efficient models or incorporating renewable energy into our energy system is examined.

 

Operational  

 Technological

Minimize Waste
(Match the Need)		  Manual Control

  • reduce use
  • reduce leaks
  • turn it off
 Automatic Control
  • reduce use through timers, dimmers, real
    time monitoring, etc.
Maximize Efficiency  Operating Conditions
  • ensure equipment is efficiently operating
  • ensure maintenance
    is up to date
 Efficient Equipment
  • replace equipment with more efficient models
  • incorporate renewable energy systems

 


















2010 and 2011 Achievements
Select highlights of the City’s EMP from 2010 and 2011 include:

  • The installation of solar thermal hot water systems to pre-heat water at Steveston, South Arm and Minoru pools.
  • The facilitation of a ballast and lighting retrofit, in conjunction with the Oval Corporation, for the Richmond Olympic Oval.
  • Numerous lighting retrofits and re-lamping at multiple facilities.
  • The development of a corporate energy awareness program, with support from BC Hydro, to promote energy conservation measures with employees.
  • The City adopted Alexandra District Energy Utility By-law No. 8641, which established the regulatory component of the Alexandra District Energy Utility, a wholly City owned and operated energy utility that will supply thermal energy services in the Alexandra neighbourhood. 
  • The completion of three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifiable Gold buildings that incorporated energy saving measures such as:
    • geothermal heating
    • solar hot water system
    • green roofs
    • high efficiency heat pumps and mechanical systems
    • passive design aspects to increase daylight within the building (to reduce lighting) and to allow for natural ventilation 

The three buildings that achieved the LEED Gold standard are Steveston Fire Hall No. 2, Hamilton Community Centre and the renovated RCMP Richmond Community Safety Building.

Watermania Pool  Solar Thermal Tube


2012 Initiatives
Some key EMP 2012 workplan action items, to meet important corporate strategies, are listed below:

  • Develop an energy auditing and study schedule and scope of work for City assets, most notably buildings.
  • Establish corporate energy and GHG emission reduction targets for the City.
  • Continue to facilitate energy reduction projects throughout the corporation.
  • Increase participation in community outreach programs concerning energy use best practices.
  • Initiate the Continuous Optimization program at four City facilities (supported by BC Hydro).
  • Facilitate a partnership with the Richmond School Board to further build up energy awareness with students. Investigate potential joint symposium with focus on youth
  • Improve building corporate facility benchmarking data capacity.

For more information, please review the 2011 Energy Update Report or the Energy Update Report Summary.

PDF Document 2011 Energy Update Report - Summary
PDF Document 2011 Energy Update Report - Full Version
PDF Document 2010 Alexandra District Energy Utility By-law Report

For more information on the ADEU, please contact John Irving, Director of
Engineering, at 604-276-4140 or john.irving@richmond.ca.

Contacts:

Alen Postolka
District Energy Manager
Phone: 604-276-4283
Email: Alen Postolka

Levi Higgs
Corporate Energy Manager
Phone: 604-244-1239
Email:  Levi Higgs