Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Reducing Emissions from Fleet Vehicles
For 2008, we worked on an anti-idling awareness campaign that included implementing anti-idling zones around ENMAX facilities. Replacing older fleet vehicles with newer more-efficient vehicles is also a focus of our fleet management. In total, ENMAX owns 28 hybrid vehicles, two of which were purchased in 2008.
Distributed Generation Technologies
ENMAX is piloting with its employees an array of solar and wind power generating products for the Alberta marketplace, in an effort to make our organization the preferred source of renewable energy technologies for the home.
Distributed generation is currently at work at two ENMAX office buildings in Calgary. Solar panels installed at our headquarters are tied into the electricity grid and meters track their production. Two wind turbines installed at our South Service Centre location are also tied into the grid. Together they produce an estimated 800 kWh/month. Single or small turbine installations generate minor amounts of electricity and they also generate awareness of alternative energy technologies.
In late 2008, ENMAX Energy announced a pilot program to allow employees to invest in and install new micro-generation technologies to help power their homes. By being some
of the first in their communities to install ENMAX solar panels, on-demand hot water heaters or micro-wind turbines, it is hoped that our employees will generate local interest in our new products and encourage other homeowners to consider these renewable energy options. Employees were also offered rebates on any micro-generation technologies and purchases of ENERGY STAR rated appliances.
The ENMAX Energy Interpretive Centre
In 2008, ENMAX Energy created a portable Interpretive Centre designed to display the latest alternative energy technologies we are currently exploring for the Alberta market to advance our plans to bring such technologies to the marketplace. The Interpretive Centre is equipped with a full kitchen, shower and utility room, and also features operating kitchen appliances powered by 100% solar energy via the photovoltaic and solar hot water heater panels mounted on the roof. In addition, it showcases the combined heat and power unit that ENMAX is researching, as well as energy efficient EasyMax® home services products.
Employee EcoPledge
ENMAX's EcoPledge program is intended to increase awareness among our employees about the many small, yet meaningful actions that can reduce their environmental footprint. The EcoPledge is also a key performance indicator for employees, which affects annual employee compensation. The number of employee pledges are tracked and employees are surveyed to determine what actions they've taken in areas such as reducing paper waste, recycling, minimizing electricity use, and using car pooling and teleconferencing as alternatives to single vehicle commuting and meeting travel.