At Trent University, our energy conservation efforts aim to reduce costs and carbon emissions. We focus on efficient building operations to minimize energy waste, ensuring that only the necessary amount of energy is used.
Key initiatives include:
- Building Improvements: Enhancing existing buildings with efficient equipment such as boilers and improving building envelopes to reduce leaks. Trent is now an all-LED campus and has replaced most boilers with high-efficiency models.
- Plug Load: Replacing old equipment with energy-efficient alternatives and prioritizing standards like Energy Star and EPEAT for computers, printers, and kitchen equipment.
- Compliance: Reporting annually on energy use as required by O. Reg. 25/23 and producing a five-year energy conservation plan. For a comprehensive overview of our past reports, click here.
A significant energy milestone for Trent University is our 2.5MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which helps manage campus electricity demand more effectively. Trent joined Ontario's Independent Electricity Systems Operator (IESO) Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) program in 2017. This program incentivizes us to reduce electricity use during peak demand times in the province to balance energy and carbon in the Ontario grid. Through the combined efforts of Trent staff and the community, we saved over $1M in our first years. In 2022, we installed the BESS, which stores energy during low-demand periods and supplies about 80% of our needs when we are asked to use less from the grid. We are pleased to report more than $1.7M in total savings from this program.
Building construction at Trent also emphasizes energy efficiency. The Forensics Crime Scene Facility is Net Zero Energy, generating all its energy with solar panels. The Student Centre is 40% more efficient than standard, and the Life and Health Sciences building, and the Athletics Centre addition are LEED-certified, using about 35% less energy than if they were built to standard building practice.
As we advance our carbon planning, we will continue to prioritize efficiency, cost management, and a holistic approach to sustainability at Trent.
