Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,
and modern energy for all.
Goal 7 calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030. Its three core targets are the foundation for our work: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
SPARK Initiative
Brock has taken a giant step toward using clean energy campus-wide through the SPARK (sustainability, performance, adaptation, renewal and knowledge) initiative. With a greatly reduced carbon footprint through new infrastructure investments like automated water and power controls, Brock will be able to reduce energy expenditures across the board.
Completion of District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP)
Brock University recently completed its District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP), which has upgraded and modernized the University’s co-generation facility – a reliable and energy-efficient source of electricity, heating, and cooling on campus. Through the completion of the DEEP project Brock has significantly improved its energy efficiency, lowered its carbon emissions, and assists Brock in continuing in its commitment to meeting environmental sustainability targets.
Environmental improvements made through DEEP has resulted in a 15% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions via increased engine efficiency. Reduction of fuel use by these units are equivalent to removing 720 small cars from the road!
Campus Sustainability Dashboard
In Fall 2017, an energy dashboard software was installed in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, to monitor and provide an overview of water, gas, and electricity usage in the facility. It was used to determine where utility consumption adjustments can be made, and as a pilot project to test the potential of implementing the software across campus.
Brock University is now looking towards the future and expanding this type of dashboard to include many of the other campus buildings. With the hopes of increasing awareness on energy use and sustainability through providing transparent and accessible energy data to the Brock community.
The Brock community now can see energy distributions across campus on the new Energy Dashboard, located in Rankin Family Pavilion!
Energy Conservation and demand management
Brock University’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDM) outlines the University’s plan to reduce overall energy consumption. Three of the main goals outlined in the ECDM are:
- Demonstrate leadership in energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management in the sector, increasing the participation of the Brock Community in energy and emission reduction efforts.
- Reduce GHG emission intensity by 20% below 2013 baseline levels by 2023.
- Improve the operation of existing buildings and design new buildings to be energy efficient while incorporating alternative and low-carbon sources of energy.
THE IMPACT RANKINGS
As part of Brock’s 2022 submission to THE Impact Rankings, we shared information on how the university is working toward affordable and clean energy. This information ranked us in the top 600 of over 700 institutions around the world and gave us a score of 35.9/100.
Some key information we summitted includes:
- Brock’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDM) outlines proposed energy efficiency measures from 2019 to 2024. These measures include identifying areas of concern and then upgrading existing buildings to higher energy efficiency.
- Brock tracks consumption and the data is reviewed on a monthly basis, looking for anomalies. Brock trends energy data in our SCADA system and has developed RETScreen models for all its buildings. Brock also conducts individual building level audits of the electrical and HVAC systems (ASHRAE Level I and II equivalent) to identify efficiency and conservation measures.
- Brock’s District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP) aims to reduce our carbon footprint and increase sustainability on campus by replacing the 25-year-old-co-generation engines with state-of-the-art energy efficient units. The DEEP project highlights Brock’s efforts to become more environmentally sustainable and a leader amongst universities in reducing carbon emissions.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the Plaza building uses rainwater harvesting? This natural recycling strategy leads to 60% in water savings! Additionally, during the Plaza building construction process, 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (2024-2028)
The Niagara Region has released their most recent 5-year plan for energy conservation and demand management. The plan includes assessments of past initiatives, as well as new goals to strive for while working towards both the short-term 2030 Energy Reduction plan goals and the long-term 2050 Net-Zero goals.
Construction of Renewable Natural Gas Plant
As of 2023, Niagara Falls is now home to the province’s largest renewable natural gas plant that transforms landfill waste into clean, affordable energy. The plant integrates waste management with renewable energy production, and it aligns with Ontario’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. The plant reduces 48,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. That’s the equivalent of removing over 10,000 cars from the road every year!
Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc. Project
Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc. was formed by the Loeffen family in 2009. Their most recent project for renewable power generation aims to contribute to a cleaner environment. They partnered with Rankin Construction to establish 15 wind projects, including Ontario’s first full-sized wind farm.
