OTTAWA,
ON, July 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Hydro Ottawa
Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), the
largest community and affordable housing provider in Ottawa, announced the expansion of an existing
partnership to further reduce carbon emissions in OCH communities
through innovative energy-saving projects.
By combining Hydro Ottawa's energy efficiency and renewable
energy expertise with OCH's drive to offer innovative housing
solutions for sustainable living, this strengthened
partnership will play a crucial role in reducing Ottawa's carbon footprint. It will also lead
to lower overhead costs for OCH, allowing them to preserve
affordability and provide more environmentally friendly housing
options for low-income residents.
Ongoing and future energy-saving projects include:
- EV charging infrastructure to promote electric vehicle
car-sharing
- To date, the EV car-share program has seen 255 users
collectively travel 34,444 kilometers over 4,695 hours of drive
time
- New solar panels to generate clean energy on-site
- To date, 37 solar arrays have been installed and have the
capacity to generate 500,000 kWh
- Installation of heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling
- This major investment by Hydro Ottawa and OCH, includes
the design for the installation of 260 heat pumps for individual
townhomes, over time.
- Building automation systems (BAS) to optimize energy use. BAS
systems have been implemented in 18 OCH buildings and is
currently working on the design for another 27
buildings.
This collaboration highlights the power of community
partnerships in driving positive change. By working together to
conserve energy and tackle climate change, Hydro Ottawa and OCH are
demonstrating their shared commitment to building a stronger,
healthier community and contributing to a more sustainable future
in the National Capital Region
Quick facts
- OCH's goal is to align with the City
of Ottawa's Climate Change Master Plan of reducing
emissions by 96 per cent by 2040.
- Since 2010, $64.1M in cost
savings has been reinvested in improving OCH operations.
- Hydro Ottawa's
affiliate, Envari Energy Solutions, has been supporting OCH
with several initiatives, including their Building Automation
Systems, allowing OCH to reduce emissions and improve energy
efficiency.
- In 2022, OCH partnered with Hydro Ottawa, the Ottawa
Climate Action Fund, EnviroCentre, and car-sharing company
Communauto to launch a pilot EV car-share program at phase one of
Mosaïq Ottawa. The program
included the installation of EV charging infrastructure by Envari
Energy Solutions. Due to its success, the program will be expanded
to include another OCH development at 715 Mikinak later this
summer.
- Since its launch, the EV car-share program has seen 255
users collectively travel 34,444 kilometers over 4,695 hours of
drive time (as of June 2024). The car
is available to nearly 700 tenants living in five Ottawa Community
Housing communities.
- Hydro Ottawa and OCH are
actively exploring collaborating on future carbon reducing projects
to achieve mutual net-zero goals. Of note, this includes the
engineering and design for the future installation of heat pumps
for individual townhomes; and supporting OCH with their Long-Range
Capital and Carbon Plan to name a few.
Quotes:
"This partnership between Hydro Ottawa and Ottawa Community
Housing is about more than just energy efficiency – it's about
creating more comfortable, sustainable homes for residents. By
working together, we will implement solutions that reduce
environmental impact, lower energy costs, and improve overall
comfort. Hydro Ottawa is committed
to supporting our customers in every way possible as we move toward
a smarter energy future."
-
Bryce Conrad, President and Chief
Executive Officer
"This partnership with Hydro Ottawa is a significant
step toward achieving our mission. Together, we will implement
innovative energy-saving technologies that reduce our carbon
footprint, lower energy costs, and provide advanced energy
solutions to residents. This strategic collaboration aligns with
OCH's commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and reinforces
Hydro Ottawa's dedication to supporting green energy and carbon
reduction projects within the community. At OCH, we are dedicated
to creating sustainable, affordable housing options for residents.
Our combined efforts underscore our shared commitment to building
stronger and greener communities"
-
Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing
About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company
100 per cent owned by the City of
Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity
distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions,
telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a
smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability
and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its
operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies:
Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers
electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman; Portage Power – the
largest Ontario-based
municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of
installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000
homes); Envari – an energy solutions company offering products and
services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for
municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various
local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks - a high-speed
fiber optic network solutions and internet service company
providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable
connectivity to enable a strong digital future.
About Ottawa Community Housing:
Ottawa Community Housing offers approximately 15,000 homes to
about 33,000 tenants, including seniors, families, individuals, and
people with disabilities. These homes are located in various
communities throughout the City of
Ottawa and house a diverse population with different
languages, cultures, and ethnicities. OCH is Ottawa's primary community housing provider,
managing two-thirds of the city's housing portfolio and ranking as
the second largest in Ontario. It
operates at an arms-length of the City of
Ottawa. In 2024, OCH earned recognition for the seventh
consecutive year as one of the National Capital Region's Top
Employers.
SOURCE Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.