February 4, 2010TowerPower Toronto1 TowerPower: Renewable Energy Lessons Learned Presentation to TowerWise FIT Seminar February 4, 2010 David Booz

February 4, 2010 TowerPower Toronto 1

TowerPower: Renewable Energy Lessons

Learned

Presentation toTowerWise FIT Seminar

February 4, 2010David Booz

February 4, 2010TowerPower Presentation to

TowerWise FIT Seminar 2

Agenda

TowerPower TorontoWindward Co-op ProjectLessons Learned



TowerPower Toronto

A roundtable of condo and Co-op residents who meet 5 times per year to discuss challenges and opportunities for renewable energy on multi-unit residential buildings.



TowerPower Toronto

Our Mission: To assemble all the relevant financial and other

information needed by those in multi-unit buildings to persuade their building's decision-making bodies of the worthiness of adding solar water heating and/or solar electric panels to the rooftops of those buildings

To widely disseminate that information, once it has been compiled

To gain the support of the City of Toronto (and its Toronto Atmospheric Fund), Toronto Hydro and other public and private bodies for one or more pilot projects that demonstrate the cost effectiveness of solar water heating and solar electricity production.



TowerPower Toronto

Formerly the Downtown West Multi-Unit Solar Energy ProjectMulti-Unit Residential division of the DWSEP DWSEP – community solar project, facilitated

installation of 27 SDHW and 13 PV systems in 2007 and 2008.

Usually one or two speakers per meeting.Reports from some of approx. 12 MURBs with green committees actively pursuing renewable energy projects.



TowerPower Toronto

Next meeting: March 10, 2010Windward Co-op, Waterview Room, 34 Little Norway Crescent, (1 block west and 1 block south of Bathurst and Queens Quay).Subject: Case Studies on Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Initiatives at MURBS



Windward Co-op

Located opposite Toronto City Centre Airport at 34 Little Norway Crescent.Member-owned federally incorporated cooperative.25 Townhouse units & 76 apartment style units in eight-story towerConstructed in 1987.All electric heat in units, some gas heat in common areas.



Windward Project

Windward wanted to do a renewable energy projectGot involved with TowerPower TorontoMet some key people who could help.Tim Grant & David Booz of TowerPowerFidel Reijerse of RESCo



Initial Project Steps

Formed a small committee, led by Jim Mulheron.Co-op is a commercial building that houses peopleLooked at renewable technologies: rooftop wind, solar PV, and solar hot waterEconomics of the solar hot water showed a roughly 9-year payback. Left some room on the roof for future PV. No shade risk due to waterfront site.



Feasibility Study

Community Power Fund (www.cpfund.ca) provided an $ 8500 grant to conduct a feasibility study, a legal review, and engage the membership.Windward engaged RESCo Energy to perform the feasibility study.Energy audit had been done. Many granting agencies require proof of on-site energy reduction before supporting a renewable energy project.Study showed Windward’s capital projects committee that homework had been done.



Feasibility Study continued…

Feasibility study included: Confirm structural adequacy of the roof. Engaged seven vendors to ensure a competitive

bidding process. Pre-survey of building and development of detailed

specification package. Site meetings with all vendors. Evaluation of bids and vendor recommendations. Estimate of project costs; summary of incentives and

rebates; analysis of savings and returns, and options for financing.

Identification of project risks.



Financing

Had to get financing in place to proceed.Community Power Fund paid for feasibility study.Sustainable Energy Funds provided zero-interest loan for 20 years covering 49% of costs.Community Power Fund grant covering soft costs – engineering, design, permitting.Government rebates – EcoEnergy for Renewable Heat plus Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive.



Financing continued…

Total System Cost: $ 250,000CPF – Feasibility: 4%CPF – Soft Project Costs: 17%Government Grants: 30%Sustainable Energy Funds: 49%(All numbers approximate)



Notes on Financing

This model is not necessarily applicable to other projectsCondos and/or apartments may not qualify for this funding.City of Toronto Energy Funds are for non-profit organizations.



More Notes on Financing

The Community Power Fund provides support for community power projects, but their focus as circumstances change, so need to maintain contact with them.Government rebates don’t pay until equipment is installed and commissioned. Need “bridge” financing to cover that gap. Windward self financed with a loan from

reserve funds.



Solar Domestic Hot Water System

Provided by SolSmart Energy Solutions Inc.Drainback style No glycol freeze protection Lower maintenance, higher efficiency

76 flat plate collectors, total 225 m2Separate systems on townhouses and tower.Expected to provide 37% of annual hot water




Photos courtesy RESCo Energy Inc


















Results

Windward puts up zero dollars for $ 250,000 system that will produce about 37% of the hot water required. They will own and operate the system and see immediate savings. Savings from reduce gas and electricity costs,Carrying costs for financing are less than energy savings. Anticipate 7 or 8-year payback; about a 10% annual return.



Lessons Learned

Windward project not about making a profit; it is about reducing the carbon footprint of the building. It is about the future.Note, however, that cost savings drove the project. Economics still challenging – but wait until prices for conventional energy go up. And they will.Still for early adopters, however, good to get in before the oil sands hit the fan.



More Lessons Learned

Takes a long time – about 3 years for Windward projectNeed a small, committed committee with the ear of the boardRequires persistenceMust get buy-in from ownersLegal issues with Condo and Co-op acts.Projects are site specific – townhouse project quite different from tower project.Strong system integrator; strong vendor



Even More Lessons Learned

Explore funding opportunities – differ by building ownership, change over timeTAF and Better Buildings Partnership are good sources of informationWork with granting agencies – they are there to help.



Questions?

Thank you

David BoozTowerPower Toronto

[email protected]

Documents

February 4, 2010TowerPower Toronto1 TowerPower: Renewable Energy Lessons Learned Presentation to TowerWise FIT Seminar February 4, 2010 David Booz