Reducing Energy Use in Single Pad and Under Performing Multi-Pad Arenas

The Mayors’ Megawatt Challenge (MMC) is an initiative of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) bringing Greater Toronto Area municipalities together to achieve the collective goal of one-megawatt energy reduction. The MMC has identified the need to determine retrofit and demand management opportunities in order to significantly reduce energy use in 19 single pad arenas and older multi-pad arenas in the six municipalities participating in this systems-based solution study. Operational improvements to the energy and water systems will be given the same level of importance in the study as the determination of energy reductions expected from retrofit opportunities. A final implementation plan will outline combined efforts, strategies for dealing with municipal Councils, potential joint implementation ventures, implementation timelines, and performance tracking and reporting. A directory of best retrofit and operational practices for arena facilities will be developed. The TRCA estimates that an average savings of approximately 130,000 KWh annually can be achieved for many of the arena facilities, saving participating municipalities collectively over $350,000 annually at 2005 energy costs. The TRCA expects that for all 19 arenas involved in the study, a reduction of approximately 2,300 tonnes per year of GHG emissions is achievable.