Toronto's Exhibition Place is definitely a leader when it comes to energy efficiency. Previously the facility partnered with Toronto Hydro Energy Services to erect the first urban wind turbine in North America. Another project provided energy efficiency measures for six other buildings on site, with an investment of $1.57 million and a 7.6 year payback. Most recently the two organizations teamed up to implement the first tri-generation energy system for a Canadian municipality.

Onsite generation capacity
Tri-generation is the integration of cooling, heating and power systems to utilize multiple technologies for greater energy efficiency. At Exhibition Place, the newly installed system will use a natural gas combustion engine to provide 30 per cent of the facility's energy needs, delivering 1.6 megawatts (MW) of capacity and providing electricity, heating and cooling to buildings at the east end of the grounds. By reducing demand during peak load periods through displacing some of the work done by fuel-fired boilers and electric chillers, tri-generation is a cost-effective way to improve efficiency and reliability during peak periods.

Highly efficient
According to Jack Simpson, Vice President, Generation at Toronto Hydro Energy Services, “This project sets a benchmark in high-efficiency generation, exceeding 80 per cent overall efficiency versus only 40 per cent for conventional systems. The system will lower energy costs, provide greater security for Exhibition Place and save about $30 million in operational costs over the life of the system.” Some of the improved efficiency comes from harnessing the waste heat that is produced as a by-product of energy generation and re-using it for both heating and cooling purposes.

Model system
Toronto Hydro Energy Services conducted the original feasibility study for Exhibition Place and was selected for engineering and project management services because of its expertise in energy-efficient generation. Jack Simpson sees this project as a model for other large energy users such as businesses, industrial facilities, schools, hospitals and similar institutions. “As energy costs continue to increase, this type of project makes more and more economic sense and large consumers of energy will want to take advantage of these new technologies.” In addition to energy savings and operational cost savings, the tri-generation energy system at Exhibition Place will also lower harmful emissions, eliminating 7,400 tonnes of CO2 annually. That's the equivalent of taking approximately 1,450 cars off the roads every year.