Since 1999, University Health Network’s (UHN) Energy & Environment department, has steered environmental stewardship at UHN, bringing a sustainability lens to the hospital’s vision of “A Healthier World”.
Embodying the value of stewardship, the team supports UHN’s purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning” by collaborating across the organization to create a culture of sustainability. UHN leads healthcare environmental sustainability locally, nationally, and around the globe. In 2019, UHN was recognized with Global Green & Healthy Hospitals 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge gold awards for Climate Resiliency and Climate Leadership, and Smart Commute’s platinum designation for sustainable transportation.
By embedding a systematic approach to environmental stewardship, UHN receives a triple benefit to environmental, financial, and human health that far outweighs the efforts. This core UHN value powers patient and planet-centred care.
Installed energy valves on seven air handling units to improve low delta-T (the difference in temperature between chilled water supply and return) and the operation of chilled water pumps. The energy valves with built-in flow meters and temperature sensors continuously monitor the chilled water flow. Estimated annual savings:
GHG emission reduction of 14 tonnes
Cost savings of $41,000
Electricity savings of 358,000 kWh
Seven hundred and eighteen Green Team members are committed to greening UHN through day-to-day action. In 2019, 4,606 staff were trained. Since 2000, UHN has trained 35,795 staff as Green Team members.
Old metal halide lighting fixtures were replaced with LEDs. The lighting retrofit is expected to save $12,500 electricity cost per year, resulting in a two-year payback on the investment.
To date, UHN has installed 36 electric vehicle chargers across the portfolio.
Toronto General Hospital converted an old central chilled water plant into Enwave’s district Deep Lake Water Cooling system, which resulted in:
The project is expected to save over $22 million over 20 years.
The Deep Lake Water Cooling system was expanded to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in April 2020 and estimated to have saved 3,300,000 kWh of electricity to date.
Disclaimer: Profiles presented are based on information provided by participants. Participants’ GHG emissions performance published are based on utility data submitted and converted to GHG emissions. The emission factors applied aligns with the period of energy data reported (2019). The emission factors utilized for the conversion are calculated based on a combination of sources: Government of Canada (National Inventory Report & Canada’s Proposed Greenhouse Gas Quantification Requirements), Government of Ontario (Guide: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting), The Atmospheric Fund (A Clearer View on Ontario’s Emissions – Electricity emissions factors and guidelines) and Enbridge Gas Inc. (Chemical Composition of Natural Gas).