Efficiency Manitoba announces applications are now open for year two of Innovation Fund 

Today, Efficiency Manitoba unveiled the seven projects that received funding through the inaugural year of the organization’s Innovation Fund and announced that applications are welcomed under year two of the Fund.  

Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba, was joined by Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba Jeff Wharton today at the site of a new commercial building partnership between Winnipeg-based Quik-Therm Insulation Solutions Inc. and Brandon’s Behlen Industries. Quik-Therm, one of the Efficiency Manitoba Innovation Fund recipients, has developed the Matrix all-in-one composite roofing insulation system that goes up quickly and achieves an R-52 rating without additional insulation, vapour barrier, or exterior sheathing. The effective R-value, the number used to determine insulation efficiency, is expected to be three to four times better than conventional pre-engineered systems. The system offers cost savings compared to conventional steel-framed designs. 

“An innovative product that reduces the need for electricity and natural gas energy is being proven through funding from Efficiency Manitoba,” said Minister Wharton. “We’re already talking about jobs and exports in addition to the energy savings and environmental benefits. This is a definition of a win-win.” 

“We’re excited about the early results from this project. The Matrix system offers superior energy saving performance, speeds construction, and is environmentally responsible,” said Quik-Therm President Ted Cullen, adding that the company is already planning on building a manufacturing plant to support future construction projects and technology usage. Behlen Industries manufactures pre-engineered steel buildings that ship worldwide.   

Several of the other Innovation Fund recipients featured also focused on making buildings greener. Bannerman Green Housing Not-for-Profit Co-op received funds to build green community housing; Shared Health Manitoba’s project expects to save energy by ensuring steam trap systems are continuously monitored and issues identified in real time; Summerhill is working with QEAtech and RRC Polytech in using drones and infrared technology to inspect local buildings for heat loss; GEOptimize is working with the Manitoba Métis Federation on embedding heat exchangers into foundation piles; PolySense Solutions Inc. has developed a novel technology to monitor power consumption in industrial settings, laboratories, and hospitals; and the University of Manitoba, Department of Biosystems Engineering is testing a smart vertical farming system that could help deliver fresh foods grown here at home throughout the year.  

“These projects give us a first-hand look at the ingenuity in finding new ways to reduce our electricity and natural gas usage,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “By showcasing these projects, we want to inspire others to submit funding applications this fall to support the future of energy efficiency in Manitoba.” 

The Innovation Fund is now accepting expressions of interest for its second year until November 4. For more information about Efficiency Manitoba’s Innovation Fund, please visit efficiencyMB.ca/innovationfund. 

-30- 

About Efficiency Manitoba 

Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s newest Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency. With legislated long-term energy savings targets to achieve, the organization has over 40 programs and offers available to help Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment. 

Photographs, video, and other media assets are available for download here.  

For more information, please email us at media@efficiencyMB.ca.

Efficiency Manitoba is now offering two new programs for Manitobans who carry out extensive renovation projects that significantly reduce their energy use. Through Home Energy Retrofits and the Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program, homeowners and businesses can receive rebates when they plan and complete multiple energy-saving upgrades that result in substantial electricity and/or natural gas savings—often called “deep energy retrofits”

Efficiency Manitoba’s Home Energy Retrofits offers homeowners a rebate of $75 to $150 per gigajoule (GJ) saved as a result of the renovation. Businesses who participate in the Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program may be eligible for a rebate of up to $12,000 for energy modelling as well as an incentive of up to $6 per square foot for achieved energy savings. While there will be significant variation in projects under these programs, a typical Home Energy Retrofit project could see an incentive between approximately $10,000 and $15,000, while a typical Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit project could see an incentive of approximately $240,000 to $600,000.

“We are pleased to see Efficiency Manitoba continually launch new programs to support the diverse needs of Manitobans as they relate to energy efficiency,” said Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba Jeff Wharton. “The rebates and assistance provided by their deep energy retrofit programs helps make large renovation projects more affordable and accessible to Manitoba homes and businesses, while also stimulating job growth in the energy efficiency industry to provide support services for these types of projects.”

Deep energy retrofits often involve major upgrades to building envelope components of an existing home or building. These upgrades include adding insulation, undertaking detailed air sealing measures, and installing high-performance windows and doors. Many projects also involve replacing or upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, or adding renewables like solar photovoltaic panels.

Home Energy Retrofits requires participants to have an EnerGuide evaluation performed on their home by a Registered Energy Advisor, who will identify and recommend upgrades to maximize energy savings, home comfort, indoor air quality, and resilience. Completing the recommended upgrades can result in energy use reductions between 50 to 100%. Efficiency Manitoba’s rebates can also be stacked with the Canada Greener Homes Grant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Eco Plus program, and other sources of funding and financing to lower the upfront cost of the retrofit project.

With the support of a design professional of their choosing, businesses going through Efficiency Manitoba’s Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program will have their entire building’s energy use analyzed with energy modelling software. Energy efficiency enhancements would then be designed specifically for that building to reduce its overall annual energy use by a minimum of 20% upon completing the whole-building renovation.

“Offering programs and rebates for deep energy retrofits is a great way to encourage Manitobans to take a holistic approach and major steps forward on energy efficiency,” said Colleen Kuruluk, Chief Executive Officer of Efficiency Manitoba. “It’s estimated that approximately 70% of existing buildings will still be in active use by 2050, so it’s vital that we take significant action on existing building stock to contribute to energy use reductions in Manitoba.

“If a homeowner or business owner is looking to significantly reduce their energy use, the technical support and financial incentives we provide ensure they’re able to do so at a reduced cost in a single project. We’re committed to making energy efficiency upgrades easier and more affordable for all Manitobans, and these two new programs will contribute to this commitment.”

To learn more about Home Energy Retrofits and the Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program, visit efficiencyMB.ca/retrofits and efficiencyMB.ca/business/deep-energy-retrofit.

For more information, please email us at media@efficiencyMB.ca.

Efficiency Manitoba is introducing an exciting new initiative to bring the conversation and passion around energy efficiency and sustainability to Manitoba classrooms. The initiative, called Generation E, is designed to teach students about the importance of saving energy while empowering them to make choices that contribute to a greener, more energy-efficient future.

To complement the Manitoba science curriculum, lesson plans and interactive activities initially geared towards Grade 6 and 9 students are available to teachers on a dedicated website. Simple resources have also been developed for elementary school teachers to introduce their students to basic concepts related to energy efficiency.

“I am pleased to see Efficiency Manitoba empowering students and teachers to engage in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability,” said Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba Jeff Wharton. “This initiative will encourage students to become lifelong advocates for saving energy and the important work Efficiency Manitoba does with Manitobans to reduce electricity and natural gas consumption in our province.”

In addition to educational resources, teachers across Manitoba now also have access to Efficiency Manitoba’s Generation E outreach coordinator, who is looking forward to educating students about energy efficiency. They will be reaching out to schools, delivering presentations in classrooms, and helping teachers use the online resources.

“Young people are attuned to the growing impacts of climate change. Generation E will help them grow their passion and show them that energy efficiency is an effective way to be more informed consumers of energy while reducing our carbon footprint,” said Colleen Kuruluk, Chief Executive Officer of Efficiency Manitoba. “Engaging educators in our work, we look forward to growing the knowledge base of our next generation of energy savers.”

Teachers and parents can learn more about Generation E at efficiencyMB.ca/education.

For more information, please email us at media@efficiencyMB.ca.

With support from Efficiency Manitoba, the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot) has completed an energy-efficient expansion to their potato processing facility in Portage la Prairie, which will deliver significant energy and utility bill savings while more than doubling potato processing capacity. 

The 400,000 square foot expansion included the design and implementation of several energy efficiency enhancements to the building expansion, production, and operations equipment, establishing this as one of the most energy-efficient facilities of its kind in the world. 

These improvements yield estimated annual electricity savings of 20.5 GWh (gigawatt-hours) and natural gas savings of 5.7 million m³ (cubic metres), contributing the equivalent of 6% of Efficiency Manitoba’s three-year average annual electricity savings target and 43% of the average three-year annual natural gas savings target. In addition, the natural gas savings result in greenhouse gas emission reductions of close to 11,000 tonnes of CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) each year. 

“Completing energy efficiency projects of this magnitude are vital to our province’s efforts in reducing energy consumption, mitigating the impacts of climate change on the environment, and supporting economic growth,” said Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba, Jeff Wharton. “I commend Simplot and Efficiency Manitoba on their collaborative efforts and encourage others to explore energy efficiency opportunities. Working together contributes to a healthier, greener future for Manitoba.” 

Efficiency Manitoba supported multiple processing-related energy efficiency opportunities. The most significant electricity saving upgrades included installing variable speed drives on 12 fans and 37 pumps, yielding over 9 GWh of annual electricity savings, with another 8.8 GWh of savings derived from more energy-efficient refrigeration systems. The installation of a heat recovery system, consisting of a series of heat exchangers which removes heat from the fryer exhaust to preheat process hot water and incoming fresh air through the building’s HVAC system, produces over 34% of Simplot’s natural gas savings. 

Other key energy-saving features associated with the construction of the expansion include improved HVAC, building envelope, and lighting systems. Through the support of Efficiency Manitoba’s New Buildings Program, Simplot’s final energy model confirmed their expansion exceeded the minimum energy efficiency requirements of the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings by 14.5%, which reduces the building’s operating costs by $270,000 annually.  

These energy efficiency enhancements were enabled by Simplot’s participation in Efficiency Manitoba’s Custom Energy Solutions Program and New Buildings Program. Efficiency Manitoba provided Simplot with technical support throughout the duration of the project and worked alongside consultants and other energy efficiency professionals to ensure energy-efficient measures were incorporated. 

Efficiency Manitoba provided Simplot with $2.9 million in incentives for successfully completing these energy-efficiency enhancements, and Simplot will save an estimated $1.7 million annually on their energy bills.   

“Our incentives and technical expertise illustrate our commitment to achieving long-term cost-effective energy savings,” said Colleen Kuruluk, Chief Executive Officer of Efficiency Manitoba. “Our work with Simplot also allowed us to collaborate with other energy efficiency industry professionals ranging from project engineers, building modelers, and contractors. These types of projects provide opportunities for the energy efficiency industry and support green job creation in Manitoba.” 

Efficiency Manitoba’s New Buildings Program and Custom Energy Solutions Program are designed to help Manitoba businesses make energy efficiency upgrades and enhancements to their buildings and operations. By offering financial incentives, energy modelling services, and technical consultation, these programs encourage businesses to incorporate energy efficiency into their project. 

“We appreciate the incentives available for energy efficiency projects, and our partnership with Efficiency Manitoba,” said Don Strickler, Energy Engineer at Simplot. “These incentives and efficiency expertise enable us to justify projects that otherwise may not have been implemented.” 

More information about Efficiency Manitoba’s programs for businesses can be found at efficiencyMB.ca/business. 

For more information, please email us at media@efficiencyMB.ca.