Energy Efficiency & Greenhouse Gas Reduction

The City reports annually on its energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions by facility, per Ontario Regulation 25/23. For more information on energy consumption reports, please contact the Manager of Energy Management at adam.mcmullin@barrie.ca or 705-739-4220 x 5097.

Ontario Regulation 25/23 also requires municipalities to update their energy conservation and demand management plan every five years. Please refer to the City's current Conservation & Demand Management Plan.

The Wastewater Optimization group was established in September 2017. This group is a combination of staff from wastewater operations, vertical infrastructure planning, energy management... and more! 

Highlights of the Wastewater Optimzation Group to date

• reduced utility costs (water/electrical) by $2.94 million dollars.
• reduced water consumption by 400,000 m3 (equal to 1000 pools)
• reduced electrical consumption by 1.4 million kilo-watt hours (kWh)
• avoided emitting 96 tonnes of GHG emissions​​

The City was awarded by the Mayor’s Megawatt Challenge (MMC) Program in November 2018. The award recognizes municipalities that reduce energy consumption by 10% year over year. City Hall exceeded this threshold by achieving an energy reduction of 16%.

Water Operations and Energy Management staff launched an optimization team that works to identify conservation opportunities at the Water Treatment Facilities. The latest project reduced electricity consumption by 20% through January and February 2019, realizing a cost avoidance of $20,000.

Operational efficiency at the East Bayfield Community Centre (80 Livingstone St. E.)  was significantly improved by replacing the building automation system. The team optimized the original ground source geothermal system to significantly improve energy efficiency. This has reduced electricity consumption 8% from 2017, generating a $43,000 cost avoidance. 

In 2015 the City converted over 10,000 streetlights to LEDs (light emitting diodes), the energy conservation initiative cost $4.8 million to complete and the City received an incentive for $969,000 from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). In 2016 there was a 45% (3,000,000+ kWh) reduction in electricity consumption resulting in $575,000 of avoided energy cost; this savings has continued annually.

• EV Charging Stations on Municipal Property 
• EV Charging Stations Map
• Electrifying the Barrie Transit Fleet
• Electrifying the City’s Fleet

The range of electric vehicles varies depending on the make, model, and capacity of the vehicle’s battery. Many electric vehicles have ranges between 150 to 600 kilometers on a single charge., with some higher end ranges reaching even longer distances.

Charging times can vary based on the charging equipment used and the battery capacity. Level 1 charging, which uses a standard household outlet, it typical will provide 3 to 8 kilometers range per 1 hours of charging. Level 2 charging stations, typically found at homes or public charging points, it typical will provide 16 - 97 kilometers range per 1 hours of charging or fully charge an EV in 4 to 8 hours. DC fast charging stations can provide an 80% charge in 20 to 30 minutes, but this depends on the vehicle and charger compatibility. 

Most electric vehicles are slightly more expensive to purchase than a similar gasoline or diesel model. However, electric vehicles are less expensive to operate over their lifetimes and so the cost of ownership can be less. A federal rebate of up to $5,000 on the purchase of new vehicles is also available. 

In the conversion of the City's fleet, staff are always pursuing new grant opportunities as they become available.

Replace devices with ones that use less energy by switching to a smaller, more efficient devices:

• energy star appliances
• high-efficiency furnaces or water heaters
• low flow toilets
• CFL lights

• turn devices off when not in use (lights, TV, computers etc.
• Use a programmable thermostat to lower temperatures when a home is unoccupied
• reduce heat loss by insulating or caulking and weather-stripping (furnace, A/C will run less)
• maintain your appliances properly (clean filters, and coils, yearly tune ups by professionals)

Appliances use approximately 15% of the energy consumed in our homes and are responsible for approximately 7.5% of the green-house gas emissions for each Canadian.

• Generally, the larger the appliance, the more energy it uses so ensure you buy the right sized appliances for your needs.
• Maintain your appliances properly (clean filters, and coils, yearly tune ups by professionals).
• Turn off your appliances when they’re not in use and ensure you buy the most energy efficient type. Energy star-rated appliances are your guarantee that the product is energy efficient.
• Some small appliances such as TVs, DVD players, Satellite decoders, and computer monitors continue to consume power even when turned off and should be shut-off with a power bar (if recommended by manufacturer).
• Save up to $125 a year on your electricity costs by getting rid of your old, energy guzzling fridge or freezer. Alectra offers free fridge and freezer pickup (conditions apply).

You can purchase green, non-polluting power from various electrical re-sellers including Bullfrog Power, Direct Energy and Ontario Power Generation.

The Provincial Government began a small scale residential renewable energy purchase program in 2009 called the Micro-fit Program. This program allows residents and organizations to install renewable power systems up to 10 kW in size and generate revenue!