Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

 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

At Brock
In Niagara
Individually
Resources

Initiatives at Brock University

Did you know the Plaza building uses rainwater harvesting? It led to 60% in water savings?   Additionally, during the construction of building of Plaza 75% of construction waste diverted from landfills.    

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:   

  1. 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.  
  2. Reduce GHG emission intensity by 20% below 2013 baseline levels by 2023.
  3. 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. 

Initiatives in the Niagara Region

Construction of Renewable Natural Gas Plant 

Niagara Falls will be home to the province’s largest renewable natural gas plant that will transform landfill waste into clean, affordable energy. It is a $42 million project as well as employ approximately 50 people during construction with 2-3 full time jobs available after completion, expected end of 2021.  

Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc. Project 

Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc. was formed by the Loeffen family and started a project for renewable power generation to contribute a positive and cleaner environment. They partnered with Rankin Construction to establish 15 wind projects, including Ontario’s first wind farm.  

Individual Actions

Did you know that 789 million people do not have electricity?

  • Always cover pots/pans to reduce time needed for things to boil. 
  • Try to design combined energy efficient methods at home like solar water heating or solar electricity. 
  • Ask for solar air conditioning. 
  • Support renewable energy projects in the community, schools, offices, or at home. 
  • Use energy efficient lightbulbs and if possible set appliances to low energy settings. 
  • Use energy saving screen brightness modes to automatically darken with the time.  
  • Unplug items when not in use, especially when travelling. 
    • For example, phone chargers, laptops, TVs 
  • Always turn lights off when leaving the room. 
  • Turn down the thermostat and insulate rooms with carpets.  
  • Only fill a kettle with the amount of water needed. 
  • Hang dry your clothes. 
  • Read about innovative ways to produce clean energy.