Body: Council Type: Agenda Meeting: Regular Date: January 9, 2013 Collection: Council Agendas Municipality: Frontenac County
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Document Text
Green Energy Task Force Committee Agenda
Date and Time
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Place
County of Frontenac Administrative Boardroom 2069 Battersea Road, Glenburnie
Members: Matt Fiene, Community Member David Hahn, Chair Maris Krumins, Community Member
Brad Leonard, Community Member Janet Gutowski, Warden, Vice Chair Denis Doyle, County Councillor John Inglis, County Councillor
Page 1.
Call to order
Adoption of the agenda
Disclosure of pecuniary interest and general nature thereof
Deputations and/or presentations
Adoption of minutes
2-5
•
Minutes of Meeting held November 7, 2012
Communications
Reports/Topics for Discussion
6-11
•
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
Other business
Next meeting date •
The next meeting of the Green Energy Task Force is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the County Boardroom.
- Adjournment
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AgendaItem#5•
MINUTES OF THE GREEN ENERGY TASK FORCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 7, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the County of Frontenac was held in the Frontenac Room of the County Administrative Office, 2069 Battersea Road, Glenburnie on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. In attendance: David Hahn, Chair Warden Janet Gutowski Deputy Warden Denis Doyle Councillor John Inglis Maris Krumins Regrets: Brad Leonard Matt Fiene Guests: Ian Scott, LAS Energy Efficiency Service Provider, Local Authority Services Greg Allen, Sustainable EDGE Ltd. Staff: Elizabeth Savill, CAO/Clerk (arrived at 11:10 a.m.) Anne Marie Young, Manager of Economic Sustainability Angelique Tamblyn, Executive Assistant (Recording Secretary) Kieran Williams, Municipal Management Intern Louise Dignum, Administrative Assistant 1.
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. 2.
Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was received. 3.
Disclosure of pecuniary interest and general nature thereof
The Chair requested that it be noted that no member of the Committee declared a pecuniary interest.
Deputations and/or presentations Presentation by Ian Scott, LAS - Green Energy Act Requirements
Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 7, 2012
Page 1 of 4
Received by County Council November 21, 2012
Minutes of Meeting held November 7, 2012
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AgendaItem#5•
Mr. Scott provided a presentation to the committee (the PowerPoint is available from the agenda web site). He is responsible for the Eastern Ontario region and will provide assistance without charge. The use of the tool offered by LAS does involve an annual fee. Mr. Scott acknowledged that the work done to date by the County has put it ahead of many other municipalities in meeting the July 2013 reporting deadline under the Act. The County and Townships could work together although each will be responsible for assessing their own buildings. Committee Recommendation THAT the Green Energy Task Force receive the presentation made by Ian Scott, LAS, addressing the reporting requirements placed on municipalities by the Green Energy Act. CARRIED 5.
Closed meeting: Nil
Adoption of minutes
Committee Recommendation THAT the minutes of the meeting of September 5, 2012 be formally adopted as amended to show Deputy Warden Doyle as present at the meeting and to reflect that Deputy Warden Doyle had made contact with Sonja Persram of Sustainable Alternative Consulting. CARRIED 7.
Business arising from the minutes: Nil
Communications: Nil
Reports/Topics for Discussion 2012 Work Plan Update
Rationale for Community Energy Plan Chair Hahn introduced Greg Allen of Sustainable EDGE Ltd. to review the energy landscape and to share information on community energy planning. Some of the points made by Mr. Allen included:
- Resources are becoming more scarce
- Opportunities need to be found including financing options, human resource capability development
- Energy plans should be tailored to the needs of the community
- Conservation is the first priority
- Funding programs and incentives may not remain available
- Retrofit opportunities are becoming available and should be explored that spread the cost to the consumer (repayments collected through annual property tax billings)
- Ontario has just approved a program of this type
- FCM is a champion Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 7, 2012
Page 2 of 4
Received by County Council November 21, 2012
Minutes of Meeting held November 7, 2012
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These efforts can be economic stimulators – economic sustainability projects Other options that municipalities can take include widening shoulders along roads, facilitating car pooling by creating parking areas, etc
Committee members agreed that sharing this information, undertaking outreach and educating ourselves and the public are both important elements in the short term. Developing a common community vision of the benefits of this approach needs to be undertaken. Warden Gutowski spoke to the opportunities to speak to our community members about the impacts that can be achieved through working from home and embracing Leed® standards. Taking some steps forward, looking at what we have done already and constantly sharing with the broader community and councils ensure we remain aware of the challenges facing rural communities. Committee members noted that the County of Frontenac will present the annual rural award tomorrow at the SWITCH Harvest Luncheon. Deputy Warden Doyle asked about the FIT 2.0 regulations and was advised that Joe Gallivan, the County’s Manager of Sustainability Planning has been involved and contributing through a working group established by the province. Deputy Warden Doyle also advised that he continues to be in contact with Sonja Persram of Sustainable Alternative Consulting and went on to say that since the Minister has now amended legislation to permit municipalities to finance household energy conservation retrofits that he thinks a county staff member, such as Anne Marie, should be assigned to be the ongoing contact with Sonja. He also mentioned that there was work being done on setting up a pilot program to work out the details of how such loans would be handled, and that if we get involve at this point perhaps Frontenac County could participate as the rural pilot location. Solar Power Production Warden Gutowski reported that she had attended the last SWITCH meeting and as a result the Township of Central Frontenac is exploring opportunities to lease a municipal roof to a cooperative. Consulting Services Seeking Energy Cost Reductions Committee members expressed concern over losing part of the savings/revenues to be gained if consulting services may be available through LAS and questioned why, given the capital sources available to municipalities, the County would not invest in the recommended actions and benefit from the full savings/revenue directly. Committee members agreed that further discussion was warranted. Queen’s – St. Lawrence College Project Ms. Savill provided a brief overview and advised committee members that the students are collecting information for 1991, 2001 and 2011. It is an ambitious and comprehensive study and staff has shared concerns over the availability of some of the historic data being sought. Committee Recommendation THAT the Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee receive this 2012 Work Plan Update report, including the attachments: Solar Power Production; Consulting Services Seeking Energy Cost Reductions; Queen’s-SLC Project; and, Rationale for Community Energy Plan, for information only. Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 7, 2012
Page 3 of 4
Received by County Council November 21, 2012
Minutes of Meeting held November 7, 2012
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CARRIED 2013 Proposed Work Plan Committee members discussed the proposed work plan at length and reached a number of conclusions:
- Global influences may shift priorities for 2013
- The community energy plan effort should go beyond a concept plan
- Energy conservation is vitally important and should also create easy “wins”
- New program opportunities may be opening up and a pilot project should be explored
- Public awareness of opportunities will be important Committee members requested County staff to contact Ms. Persram to explore a pilot project opportunity. Committee Recommendation THAT the Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee present to Council of the County of Frontenac for approval its the 2013 Proposed Work Plan as presented including the Proposed Planning Activities for 2013, the Proposed Schedule of Meetings, and the Proposed 2013 Budget with the following amendments: • • •
Under Proposed Planning Activities for 2013, number 3: Amend to read: “Undertake the first phase of a Community Energy Plan for the Frontenacs” Under Proposed Planning Activities for 2013, number 5: Amend to read: “Promote energy conservation to the public and seek opportunities to facilitate conservation” Under Proposed 2013 Budget: Delete the reference to “OSEA” CARRIED
Other business: Nil
Next meeting date
January 9, 2013, 10:00 a.m. 12.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m.
David Hahn, Chair
Elizabeth Savill, Clerk Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 7, 2012
Page 4 of 4
Received by County Council November 21, 2012
Minutes of Meeting held November 7, 2012
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AgendaItem#7•
2013-006 GREEN ENERGY TASK FORCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT To:
Chair and Members of the Green Energy Task Force
From:
Elizabeth Savill CAO
Prepared by:
Louise Dignum Administrative Assistant
Date prepared:
January 2, 2013
Date of meeting:
January 9, 2013
Re:
Green Energy Task Force – 2013 Work Plan Update
Background Council of the County of Frontenac approved the 2013 work plan of the Green Energy Task Force (GETF) and the current year’s work plan contains a number of measures that warrant further discussion and possible brainstorming.
Comment Work Plan activities:
- Maintain expertise in the Green Energy sector ensuring valuable advice can be offered to Council as required (strategically support webinars, workshops and conferences) a) OSEA’s Roadmap to 2020 Monthly Webinar Series December’s webinar was Centralized vs. Decentalized Energy: Lessons from Germany, and an overview can still be accessed at: http://www.ontario-sea.org/Page.asp?PageID=1209&ContentID=4137&SiteNodeID=394. The next webinar will be on Thursday January 17, and is entitled ‘Using Local Improvement Charges to Increase Green Energy Participation’. This will be a very topical discussion considering our participation in the LIC PAPER pilot project (discussed below). b) Also, the FCM is hosting a webinar on ‘Renewable Energy – Choices for Municipal Action’, Thursday February 23 Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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Session summary, Globally, approximately 16% of energy consumed comes from renewable sources. The technologies used, and policies to foster their uptake, continue to gain traction as viable components of the energy mix. This webinar introduces some of the renewable energy sources and technologies available in the Canadian landscape for heating and cooling and power generation. These include biomass, geothermal heat pumps and solar energy. The webinar discusses the realization of renewables in the municipal context as well as the potential challenges in their application. c)
Finally, the Canada All-Energy 2013 Exhibition and Conference will be held on October 2-3, 2013 at Exhibition Place, Toronto.
The world-class All-Energy conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain key industry insights across all areas of the renewable energy sector. Featuring the views of leading industry specialists, international experts, and politicians, there is no better forum for helping you to stay up-to-date on renewable energy developments. Six tracks will provide valuable insight covering a multitude of topics including: Generation Covering wind, solar, wave & tidal, district heating, CHP, bioenergy, geothermal and more! Investment and Finance Get educated on the different sources of investment, from private equity/venture capital to community ownership funding; insurance and risk. Energy Efficiency Covering energy management, monitoring/metering and green building solutions. Integrated Systems Become immersed in intrgration – from smart grids and cities to the complete energy system package – learn how the pieces fit together. Transportation Discover the latest on low carbon vehicles, charging/re-fueling infrastructure and biofuels. Labour and Skills What career opportunities exist in clean technologies? What skill requirements are needed to train and develop the right talent? How do you attract the next generation of energy leaders? 2. Offer assistance to the County and the townships on Green Energy activities including municipal solar installation projects, conservation, etc.
Local Improvement Charge PAPER project update:
A letter of interest was sent to Sonja Persram, who has forwarded it on to Mary Pickering, the Vice-President, Programs and Partnerships at the Toronto Atmospheric Fund. Mary, along with other interested municipalities, are setting a group agenda to move forward with funding applications. Through further communications with Kevin Behan, Director of Research at the Clean Air Partnership, we were updated that the TAF has put together a working group that is Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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currently trying to collect data to inform pilot development plans (they have developed and are disseminating an RFQ). An information report on PAPER initiatives is attached.
MicroFIT and FIT options for County revenue generation:
As many of you are aware, the new FIT 2.1 rules have been designed to increase the scope for municipal participation in the FIT program. Research is currently being undertaken to assess potential opportunities at the County complex. Previous discussions have addressed rooftop rental to independent energy developers and will not be evaluated here. The SmallFIT (10kW500kW) application window closes January 18th and it is not feasible to have a County application in place in time to make use of the current window. However, we have multiple opportunities at the County property to have either a MicroFIT (<10kW) or a LargeFIT (>500kW) project on site. Conversation with Mr. Leonard highlighted the following possible options for discussion:
Apply for a MicroFIT installation
A MicroFIT application could take the form of a rooftop or ground-mount solar PV installation. MicroFIT has the quickest and simplest application and approval process, as well as the lowest start-up cost ($60-80,000 estimated). However, the small generating capacity of the project means it will provide a much smaller revenue stream than other possible options. Additionally, MicroFIT applications can also be terminated without penalty. This could be of strategic importance in progressing in spite of the current potential uncertainty surrounding the (Provincial) programs continuance. The timeframe for MicroFIT development is comparatively short and, allowing time for County Council endorsement, approval for a project could be obtained within a reasonable time horizon. If, on the guaranteed continuance of the program in the spring, it is deemed to be more desirable to continue with a LargeFIT project instead of the MicroFIT, the existing application could be cancelled and larger opportunities could be pursued. Steps Required: Discuss nature of project (rooftop or Ground-mount) Request to staff for administration support Rooftop installation will require roof assessment by a qualified engineer Light level and site suitability for generation testing may be appropriated A cost/benefit analysis and determination of ROI Seek Council approval for application Application and submission to OPA Standard tendering processes Apply for a LargeFIT installation Currently the LargeFIT application window is closed, however it may be prudent to be prepared for a possible LargeFIT opportunity in future (possibly in the spring). Any future application window dates will be heavily influenced by the Provincial political landscape over the coming months. A LargeFIT installation will provide the largest long-term revenue stream for the County. It is also a very progressive action that supports our sustainability commitments and leads by example. In addition, after the 20 year contract the solar cells will still have 5 years left under warranty on guaranteed generation that can continue to earn revenue or generate energy for direct use. For the property in question, the installation would be a ground-mount solar facility located on the acreage behind Fairmount Home. Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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Such large projects involve a 3 year development window before construction, and entail large upfront costs ($1-1.5 million, estimated). These projects also have an intricate and involved application process that will require dedicated project management. Steps Required: Request to staff for administrative support A cost/benefit analysis and determination of ROI Seek Council approval Determine funding sources which might include, among others, Investing in Ontario grants, reserve allocations, municipal capital borrowing funds Establish 3 year timelines (pre-construction) Hire project management Light level and site suitability for generation testing Application and submission to OPA o This multi-stage process involves separate approvals from various agencies 3. Develop a concept plan for a Community Energy Plan for the Frontenacs Chair Hahn, in discussion with others, has identified some next steps in development of our Community Energy Plan. Such steps involve consideration of the following: a) Submission of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) i. Creation of criteria, e.g. Past consultant experience including past work and plans created, as well as proposed approach ii. Greg Allen may be able to provide review of RFQ if desired iii. Determine timeline for submissions iv. Seek Council approval b) A request to County staff for administrative support c) Identification of common components, what form it will take and what will it look like? d) Public education – perhaps informing a core group that can act as wider energy representatives/educators in the community e) Advertising/attraction of the above group For further consideration as progress is made on the aforementioned items: f) Evaluate RFQs to create a shortlist and review previous example plans g) Outline key parameters/components for RFP h) Set targets for ourselves as a County, and as a community (would require identification of data sources for County-wide level) Useful and informative website: http://smartgrowth.ca/cep_e.html Here are a few aspects of what an overarching energy plan could contribute:
- Setting a clearly defined vision and objectives that attends to our rural context.
- Establish a comprehensive and inter-related assessment of status, mapping, and metrics.
- Engaging the broader community and stakeholders.
- Examining opportunities and barriers. Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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- Developing priorities, timelines, and goals.
Support economic development opportunities in the energy sector as they arise
The ongoing development of community energy co-operatives may provide future opportunities. Currently representatives in Central Frontenac have been in discussions with Queen Street Solar regarding possible rooftop rental in Mountain Grove. In addition, any FIT project, Micro or Large, which the County were to initiate directly would create significant opportunities. 5. Publicly promote energy conservation Some communities piloting the aforementioned PAPER project have advertised it by sending out energy conservation packs to each resident. Such an action would tie in well with conservation priorities, as well as possibly be an advertiser for the community energy plan. Funding options are under investigation. The OPA operates a Conservation Fund that is aimed at “supporting innovative electricity conservation projects that:
Build marketplace capacity for conservation actions Test new or unique conservation program elements Verify the energy savings potential and cost-effectiveness of novel demand-side technologies and processes Can be scaled-up to achieve significant energy savings in Ontario.
Also, the OPA, in association with AMO, is now awarding Municipal Community Conservation Awards These new awards recognize Ontario municipalities for their commitment to energysaving initiatives, community energy planning, and strong conservation leadership. Awards are given in categories based on population and the 2012 winners were the Town of East Gwilliambury, the City of Markham and the City of Hamilton. Entries are judged on the submission describing two specific initiatives undertaken, as well as a brief outline of how they apply to the following four categories, Leadership, Innovation and Market Transformation, Corporate/Internal and Community Engagement, and Conservation Achievements. 6. Liaise with like-minded groups including SWITCH; Wintergreen; Limestone school board; etc., and the other County Advisory Committees Nothing to report this period. 7. Maintain an understanding of the grid capacity and connection issues in the County Ongoing. 8. Comment on the draft communications plan being developed for Council’s approval in 2013 A staff Working Group has been identified and the first steps of gathering feedback, drafting and approvals have begun. The goal is to have a Draft Communications Plan complete for Council’s consideration by July 2013.
Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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Committee Recommendation THAT the Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee receive this 2013 Work Plan Update report for information; AND FURTHER that the Green Energy Task Force seek authority from Council of the County of Frontenac to proceed with the submission of a MicroFIT application located at the County Administration/Fairmount Home property.
Green Energy Task Force Advisory Committee Report – 2013 Work Plan Update January 9, 2013
2013-006 GETF - 2013 Workplan Update
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