Increased electricity use in Liquids Pipelines

In 2006, electricity use on the Liquids Pipelines system was 3,672 gigawatt hours (13,219 thousand gigajoules), enough power to supply more than 325,000 homes. Energy use on the system was 33.1 per cent higher than 2005 levels while throughput was up 14.1 per cent.

Optimizing natural flow rates for pipelines

As products on our pipelines and power contracts change, we continually review natural flow rates for our liquids pipelines. The rates are designed to optimize pipeline operating pressures to match equipment and the types of crude oil transported. By applying these rates to the pipeline, we expect to lower the high costs of fuel and reduce maintenance.

Managing energy use at Enbridge Gas Distribution

In Enbridge Gas Distribution, we carry out a comprehensive energy management program to minimize energy use. We build energy efficiency into our various facilities by improving lighting, heating, information technology, and ventilation and cooling systems. At our Toronto head office, these efforts have continually lowered our energy consumption despite the fact we are using the available building space more intensively and adding equipment.

In 2006, we continued to run the back-up natural gas generator and responded to calls from Toronto Hydro and the market operator to displace the building load to offset peak hydro demand. Enbridge Gas Distribution and other building owners such as North York General Hospital and Ontario Power Generation cooperate in a program with Toronto Hydro to remotely dispatch generator power when called upon to reduce the possibility of local blackouts. The addition of standby generators at other Enbridge buildings for dispatching purposes continued through 2006.

In 2006 alone, as a result of all the energy projects carried out at Enbridge Gas Distribution’s Toronto head office since 1994, we saved 5,895,486 kWh or $488,407. When compared with 1990, our efforts to date have reduced the building’s hydro consumption by 48 per cent and resulted in a lower hydro bill than we received in 1988. Since 1994, we have saved $4,437,000. The pursuit of a green building is not only an environmentally sound practice, but also results in a better quality building with significantly lower operating costs.