Smart building specialist Johnson Controls announced it is collaborating with Canada’s Department of National Defense (DND) to achieve decarbonization and infrastructure improvements.
The firm said that the multi-phase project will be completed at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax and other Defense facilities in the region in alignment with DND’s Greening Government Strategy, which includes a pledge to achieve net-zero government operations by 2050.
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax is Canada’s east coast naval base and home port to the Royal Canadian Navy Atlantic fleet.
Through base-wide updates, CFB Halifax aims to achieve annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of 23%,and generate CA$3 million ($2.37 million) in savings annually, once upgrades have been completed.
After evaluating existing infrastructure to identify opportunities for enhancement, Johnson Controls has planned system updates in 112 buildings across the base and in the surrounding area to provide energy savings and reduce GHG emissions.
Johnson Controls highlighted that upgrades are being designed to decrease the base’s annual electricity consumption by 22%, GHG emissions by 23% and natural gas use by 21%.
“The Canadian government has set forward-thinking environmental targets for its agencies, including DND, and they require innovative solutions to get there,” said Nate Manning, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “Our team has worked to develop a net zero sustainability approach for the Base that is in lock step with Canada’s Greening Government Strategy. Through a combination of integrated solutions and training, we will give CFB Halifax facility upgrades they need to support a healthy planet while also prioritizing employee welfare and cost reduction.”
As part of the contract, which is valued at CA$53 million, Johnson Controls experts will optimize existing equipment performance by reducing operating times through controls optimization. Optimization upgrades will include the integration of variable frequency drives (VFD) and occupancy sensors, operational schedules, setpoint adjustments, carbon dioxide sensors and control point additions.
Johnson Controls will also support the Canadian Government’s decarbonization goals through the construction of solar wall technology to support low-carbon heating and operations, minimizing GHG emissions on the Base and contributing to a healthier community overall.
In addition to installing optimization controls and upgrading outdated equipment, Johnson Controls building experts will collaborate with CFB Halifax leaders to identify new strategies and processes to improve energy production. Proposed measures to increase efficient energy production include heat recovery, steam trap repairs, high efficiency boilers and heat pumps.
In addition to its collaboration with DND to complete upgrades at CFB Halifax and the surrounding area, Johnson Controls is also contracted to perform similar sustainability upgrades at CFB Bagotville, CFB Patewawa and CFB Kingston.
