Building Optimization to Save Energy and Reduce Emissions
Approved for funding through ERA and Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s (SDTC) joint call in 2017, Mariner Partners developed data analytics and process automation to improve the energy efficiency of large commercial buildings. By project completion in 2021, the technology successfully reduced energy consumption, thereby reducing emissions due to reduced electricity and fuel use.
SHIFT Energy, of the Mariners Partners Group of Companies, developed a software-based technology called Energy Optimization System (EOS™), which improves the operation of building systems and reduces the use of energy sources such as electricity, gas, and steam to reduce utility costs and carbon footprints. EOS™ reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy costs by optimizing the way building conditions are maintained. For example, it minimizes required operating times for boilers, reduces simultaneous heating and cooling, and improves overall building efficiency. The project aimed to demonstrate six months of EOS™ operation targeting 10 to 20 percent energy reductions in 16 buildings across healthcare, airports, and office towers.
EOS™ System Demonstrated Meaningful Energy Use Reductions
The project implemented the EOS™ system over a 48-month period at 16 sites within the target markets, healthcare, airports, and office towers across Canada. Five of these were Alberta-based sites, including the Kaye Edmonton Clinic and the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital. The demonstration realized GHG emission reductions successfully fell within the target range, and the average energy savings across all sites improved throughout the project. The project generated key learnings, for example, facilities that have longer operating hours and tighter space conditions to maintain, realize higher energy intensity and more opportunities for energy savings. During the project, Mariner developed new product automation and user experience tools to enhance the EOS™ service. The project data validated the EOS™ technology for the market, and demonstration partners signed contracts to extend the use of the system beyond the project period.
What’s next?
Going forward, Mariners Partners, through SHIFT Energy, will continue to invest in advancing the EOS™ solution, focusing on energy management opportunities. These include demand management and carbon reduction with energy efficiency as part of ESG initiatives. SHIFT will be developing partnerships with companies operating in Alberta and anticipates increasing the number of installed EOS™ units in Alberta each year. Additionally, SHIFT plans to establish channel partner relationships with players in the energy management ecosystem. Since project completion, SHIFT entered strategic partnerships with IOTech to further drive building energy efficiency and with Blackstone Energy Services to accelerate building decarbonization. Additionally, SHIFT is addressing an emerging opportunity to provide EOS™ on chiller plants.