Beat the Peak Electricity Saving Campaign-OCAD 2010 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

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 Peak 9.2 cents / kWh Winter 11am-5pm 7am- 11am Summer 5pm-7pm On Peak 10.8 cents / kWh Winter 7am-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

Suggestions Foster 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.

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