Earth Hour

Provident Energy is encouraging all of our friends to participate in this year’s Earth Hour that is taking place on March 31^st at 8:30pm. Show that you care by simply switching off your lights for one hour. By spreading the word to all your friends and family, we can join together to celebrate Earth Hour. For more information, please visit the official website at www.earthhour.org/

SpringFest – April 17, 2012

Please visit Provident Energy’s booth (#318) at the annual SpringFest conference and tradeshow at the Metro Convention Centre on Wed April 17, 2012. SpringFest is a free exclusive 1-day event that includes seminars, refreshments, and networking with 200 exhibitors. To register, please visit www.springfesttoronto.com

We're Hiring!

Provident Energy Management is a leading provider of sustainable solutions to the commercial and high-rise residential building industry. Our key service lines include LEED and sustainability consulting, green building technology research, commissioning, submetering, and monitoring of energy management systems; with a strong focus on the high-rise residential sector.

Provident Energy is a member of the Tridel Group of Companies, Canada’s largest builder of sustainable communities.

Due to continued growth we are seeking an Energy Analyst to join the sustainable building consulting team in our Toronto office. A complete job description, including how to apply, can be found in the careers section of our website.

Renewable Energy & Solar PV Panels

Provident Energy Management is proud to announce the installation and connection of our rooftop solar photovoltaic system (solar PV).

Since 1985, Provident Energy Management has been committed to energy conservation and sustainability. There are several forms of renewable energy including solar hot water (solar thermal), solar walls, wind turbines, and water power to name a few.  Solar photovoltaic is another avenue to clean, green energy and PV power has many benefits:

• Solar power systems do not release any harmful pollutants or adversely affect natural resources.
• Solar power systems are fairly quiet and unobtrusive.
• Small scale solar power systems can take advantage of unused space on rooftops of existing buildings.
• They utilize Earth’s most fundamental economic engine: the Sun.

However, as with all advantages, there are disadvantages to solar PV:

• Obviously, electricity can only be generated from solar power when it’s sunny and power generation can be unpredictable.
• The system is fairly expensive to install and Provident Energy expects a simple payback of approximately 8 years.

The solar PV system was  granted a contract with Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program. The system was connected to the hydro grid in order to qualify for the program. The feed-in-tariff is a guaranteed purchase price for energy produced from wind, solar, water and biofuels. Our system was accepted into the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) microFIT program and we will be receiving a fixed rate for the electricity produced over the next 20 years.

Although, we cannot control the destination of the electricity generated (for example, the power generated may not be used directly at our office), the electricity generated to the grid will help to power homes and businesses in Ontario, offsetting electricity which would have otherwise increased demand from non-renewable resources. Please visit our website, www.pemi.com, to view our solar PV system’s current electrical generation. We generate electricity even on an overcast day!

Depending on the layout of the rooftop, solar PV systems could be a viable retrofit for some condominiums. Our solar PV system consists of 44 panels and covers 130 square meters of the rooftop. Generally, the panels are mounted on an angle facing south to maximize sunlight exposure. They have an estimated lifespan of 20 years and require minimal maintenance (for example, light cleaning to remove snow from the panel surface). The microFIT program is still available but new applications will be processed according to new rules.  New rules and rate prices will apply but they are currently unknown as the microFIT program review is still underway.

If your building is interested in pursuing a solar PV system, please contact the sales department at 416-736-0630, for more information or email us at info@pemi.com

Ontario Energy Minister visits Humber College's Sustainable Energy program

Ontario Minister of Energy Chris Bentley tours Humber College's Sustainable Energy and Building Technology classroom. Provident Energy's energy analyst, Jodi, is featured in the tour and interview.

Check out the summary and video on Humber's website.

Provident Energy in the News

Provident Energy was mentioned in an article from the Daily Commerical News that discussed condominiums and different energy saving solutions.

The Article: Condos Have Various Energy Saving Management Tools. Please visit the Daily Commerical News website to read the article --> Link To Article

Free Energy Assessments

If your building is interested in energy efficiency retrofits, Provident Energy offers free energy assessments. The first step would be a site visit where Provident Energy will examine all common areas to indentify potential energy saving retrofits (lighting, mechanical equipment, etc). We will then send you a report which will outline the cost of the various retrofits (as installed by Provident Energy), the estimated energy savings, and the estimated incentive. This energy assessment and proposal is free. Please also note that all quotations are complete turn-key solutions: supply, installation, recycling, incentive applications, and project management by Provident Energy.

Some of our retrofit options include:

• Building Automation Systems (BAS)/ Energy Management Systems (EMS) with 24-hour a day Energy Management System Monitoring
• Variable Frequency Drive Installations on make-up air units, pumps, and cooling towers
• Lighting Retrofits (corridors, garages, stairwells, etc)    
• Lighting Controls/Occupancy Sensors in Common Areas                                
• CO Monitoring for Underground Garages
• Individual Sub-metering Utility Systems (electrical, thermal, water)         

If you are interested in this free energy assessment, please contact the retrofit sales department at info@pemi.com or 416-736-0630, ext 5 to arrange for a site visit.