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Demand-Side Management
In Ontario, Gas Distribution has developed leading-edge approaches for the
efficient use of energy resources. We encourage consumer savings in natural
gas through more than 30 residential, commercial and industrial demand-side
management (DSM) programs.
We do this in different ways:
- we conduct energy audits of commercial and industrial customers' operations
to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency;
- we provide financial rebates and incentives to all types of customers, from
homeowners to large industrial companies, to encourage them to adopt energy-saving
equipment;
- we work with industry and trade associations in various sectors - such as
chemicals, construction, automotives, food and beverage, and pulp and paper
- to promote DSM programs and contribute to industry standards; and
- we partner with governments, suppliers and equipment manufacturers to
invest in new energy efficient technologies that benefit our ratepayers and
enhance the competitiveness of our business. One of our most successful
efforts has been a program to encourage the use of thermostatically controlled
natural gas construction heaters by new home builders. Enbridge helped to
develop the energy efficient heaters and partnered with equipment rental
companies to promote them, beginning in 2000. As of 2003, more than 80%of
gas construction heaters in the Ontario market were thermostatically controlled.
All of our DSM costs are recovered through rates. Under a shared-savings
mechanism, the Ontario Energy Board also provides an incentive to the
company if it exceeds DSM targets. Last year, Gas Distribution received an
award of CDN$8 million for exceeding DSM targets in 2000 and 2001 and
helping customers conserve gas and save on their energy bills.
Preliminary results from our 2003 DSM programs show gas savings of
about 80 million cubic metres over one year, enough to supply about 26,000
homes. To further the efficient use of energy by our customers, we embarked
on a major study last year of new ways of saving energy and promoting energy
savings to customers. Based on this study, to be completed in late 2004, we
will introduce new DSM programs in 2005 and 2006.
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