Peak Times

Confederation College’s Thunder Bay campus is a Class A electricity customer. As a Class A electricity customer, Confederation College takes part in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) program. The ICI program calls on Class A electricity customers to reduce their electricity demand during specific peak periods (“peaks”) to reduce electrical consumption across the Ontario grid for a specific period of time.

In Ontario, ICI peaks are generally influenced by other parts of the province and the weather being experienced. Traditionally peaks occur during the late afternoon in summer months when businesses are still running their air conditioning and people are returning home and starting their home air conditioners. With the push to electrify heating systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating, it is predicted that peaks may now occur during winter months as well. In Northern Ontario, winter peaks occur due to heating in colder months, but these peaks do not impact the grid to the same extent as summer peaks.

How do we know when a peak could occur?

Confederation College utilizes a peak prediction service to give us predictions of when a peak will occur to allow us time to prepare if a peak is officially called. This is how it looks in real time:

  • The Facilities team receives a summary a few days in advance of predicted potential peaks, allowing the team to plan.
  • Every evening throughout the summer there are updates sent indicating the probability of a peak the next day.
  • The Facilities team initiates our standard activities based on these notifications – the next day the team is updated every 3–4 hours starting at 6am on the potential peak period.
  • As the time of the peak gets closer, the notification frequency increases until a peak is officially called. 
  • When a peak is officially called Confederation College has a specific 3-hour peak window that we respond to by reducing our electricity consumption.

Peak Response

During a peak, the Facilities team reduces electricity consumption by:

  • Activating the Battery Energy Storage System to use power from the batteries rather than power from the electrical grid.
  • Shutting down all non-essential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  • Utilizing building control strategies to precool buildings ahead of the peak window to minimize occupancy discomfort when the systems are reduced or not running. 
  • Monitoring our BlackPAC energy dashboard to observe real time data and watch our building electricity demand drop.

Staff — During a Peak

While the Facilities team takes care of most of the energy savings initiatives during peaks, there is one simple way that all staff can contribute: Shut off all nonessential electrical equipment, such as lights, computers, plug loads, etc. during a peak. Most peaks occur after 4pm so ensure you turn off or unplug before you leave at the end of the day or before going on vacation. Information about when peaks will occur (including how long) is shared through Staff News.