Retrofit results in greener production at GM plant
General Motors is using less power to build engines and transmissions at its St. Catharines plant.
Taking advantage of the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Save on Energy conservation program through Alectra Utilities, GM has found energy efficiencies at its propulsion plant with a smaller carbon footprint.
The automaker replaced 854 interior bay metal halides with 700 energy-efficient LED fixtures and upgraded 17 air makeup units with high efficient motors and VFD (variable frequency drive) controls. Both of these projects will result in an energy reduction of 6.19 million kWh, which will reduce GM St. Catharines’ carbon emissions by 310 tonnes.
The LED lighting and VFD speed control of high-efficiency motors use less energy, extend equipment life, improve light and air quality for the work environment, and help reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions, the company said.
“Alectra Utilities is committed to working with our business customers to ensure that they are receiving technical expertise from our conservation and demand management account specialists,” said Raegan Bond, vice-president conservation and demand management for Alectra Utilities.
Peter Scott, manufacturing engineering manager at the St. Catharines plant, said the move fits in nicely with the company’s vision for the future.
“General Motors is committed to a world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” he said. “Working with innovative companies like Alectra to reduce electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions are critical to helping GM drive toward this bold vision.”
The company has worked with Alectra Utilities on multiple energy-saving projects since 2012, including a micro-hydro project that allows for the use of gravity-fed canal water to supply cooling water to the plant. In the past six years, the two companies have combined efforts at the St. Catharines facility that have resulted in an annual total of 30.7 million kWh of energy savings and carbon emission reductions of 1,535 tonnes.
The total energy savings from all the conservation initiatives is equivalent to powering 3,600 homes each year.