| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.26 |
| Liaison | Stephanie MacPhee |
| Submission Date | Dec. 9, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.34 / 6.00 |
Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Grid-purchased electricity | 220,059 MMBtu | 206,077 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site renewables | 17.68 MMBtu | 0 MMBtu |
| District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) | 129,015 MMBtu | 138,270 MMBtu |
| Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) | 55,511 MMBtu | 52,541 MMBtu |
| Total | 404,602.68 MMBtu | 396,888 MMBtu |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | May 1, 2019 | April 30, 2020 |
| Baseline Year | May 1, 2014 | April 30, 2015 |
A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
An energy team was formally established in 2014, and as such this is when Ryerson started to monitor its energy footprint and progress.
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area of building space | 4,220,789 Gross Square Feet | 3,674,022 Gross Square Feet |
Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Site energy | 0.10 MMBtu / GSF | 0.11 MMBtu / GSF |
| Source energy | 0.16 MMBtu / GSF | 0.17 MMBtu / GSF |
Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
| Degree days (see help icon above) | |
| Heating degree days | 6,225 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 587 Degree-Days (°F) |
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 370,338 Square Feet |
| Healthcare space | 1,434 Square Feet |
| Other energy intensive space |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
The Ryerson website promotes the individual shift to energy reduction on our website by sharing energy reduction lifestyle tips on the Simple Sustainability Tips tab.
The Sustainability Office Team conducts guest lectures for sustainability-related courses every term, where the Energy Engineer shares our initiatives to improve energy efficiency on campus.
Ryerson hosts campus-wide Earth Day and Earth Hour events every year including running a social media campaign sharing tips on energy reduction and engaging students, faculty and staff to participate in a campus-wide clean-up.
Each year, new students are engaged by the Sustainability Team during orientation to learn how they can pitch in to help Ryerson reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Other events related to energy and carbon reduction include Healthy Commute Week where students are encouraged to use sustainable modes of transportation, and Waste Reduction Week. Other seasonal campaigns include 12 days of Sustainable Christmas.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
All new buildings must receive LEED Silver certification at a minimum with a specific focus on energy efficiency. In 2018 and 2019, sub-meters were installed in all buildings across Ryerson’s campus in order to more accurately measure the energy and water consumption at the building level. This information has helped to enable effective decision making when it comes to developing energy conservation initiatives and targets, as well as identifying unusual energy consumption of individual buildings more quickly.
Occupancy sensors have also been installed in approximately 60% of buildings on campus.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
All new constructions and renovations are required to install LEDs. To date, 3 existing buildings have been retrofitted with LEDs. Additional LED retrofit projects are planned for 2 more buildings this academic year.
More information here: https://www.ryerson.ca/facilities-management-development/sustainability/energy/
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
NA
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
NA
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
In 2018 and 2019, Ryerson retro-commissioned three buildings on campus, including:
- Victoria Building (VIC)
- George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre (ENG)
- Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC)
Given the average age of the majority of buildings on the Ryerson campus is around 25 years, it can be expected that the operational use and performance of a building from an energy standpoint diminishes over time, leading to reduced energy efficiency which can impact building occupants.
The process of retro-commissioning existing buildings is a multistage process, involving:
- In-depth analysis of a building’s actual energy use and performance
- Making adjustments to the building’s automation control system
- If needed, implementing equipment upgrades
These investments and upgrades improve building energy performance, increase energy efficiency and improve standards for building occupants for years to come.
In 2020 onwards, the department will complete the retro-commissioning of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) and the central chiller plant which is used to cool 14 buildings on campus.
The Pitman dining hall and kitchen area was in need of a total overhaul and refreshment and this task was undertaken the summer of 2018. The project team decided that all new equipment and appliances had to be Energy Star rated. Also all the light fixtures all over are LED's and they are on automated energy saving timers that go off in the night and come on in the mornings. Some rooms like the office and store rooms have motion sensors that turn off the light after some duration.
All new construction and renovation projects are subject to review from the Sustainability Team, which ensures that the design makes use of energy efficient appliances whenever such options are available.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Additionally, all new buildings moving forward have to be designed such that Total Cost of Ownership, including maintenance and energy costs, are taken into account.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.