BNI Energy Savings Program sees expanded funding, additional rebates and process improvements. Shutterstock photo by Tyler McKay.
Notley government boosts benefits of BNI Energy Savings Program
On Wednesday, the Alberta government introduced changes to the Energy Efficiency Alberta’s Business Non-Profit and Institutional (BNI) Energy Savings Program.
The updated BNI Energy Savings Program will support more businesses by offering industrial-specific rebates for products such as pump-off controllers for pump jacks, compressed air leak detection and repair, process exhaust filtration and others.
“Alberta’s industrial operators create jobs and drive our economy,” said Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister responsible for Climate Change.
“By encouraging operators to replace old equipment with new energy-efficient products, we are helping Alberta businesses lower their energy bills, reduce their emissions and reinvest in their business,” said Phillips.
The program helps companies cut their energy use and GHG emissions by replacing inefficient and outdated equipment with new energy-efficient technologies.
According to Matt Dykstra, spokesman for Alberta Environment and Parks, most industrial facilities that are not large final emitters will qualify for the program.
As of December 2017, over 1,200 organizations participated in the BNI Energy Savings Program. Participants received a total of $3.5 million in rebates, or an average of $2,600 per project.
Monica Curtis, CEO of Energy Efficiency Alberta says so far, the BNI program has had outstanding program participation. “Expanded funding, additional rebates, and improvements to our processes, as well as the addition of products specific for the industrial industry builds upon our shared success to date.”
Expansion of the program “will return some carbon levy dollars to manufacturers to help them invest in equipment and technology that will reduce emissions and improve productivity,” according to David MacLean, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
MacLean added “Alberta manufacturers are committed to improving energy efficiency and competing for customers around the world.”
Here is a list of products that qualify under the program for small to medium industrial facilities:
- Pump-off controllers for pump jacks
- Variable frequency drives for combustion air fans
- Steam trap survey and retrofit
- Retro-commissioning for economizers and fresh air dampers
- Pneumatic to electric instrument conversion
- Compressed air leak detection and repair
- No-loss drains (compressed air)
- Chiller tune-up
- Loading dock door and pit seals
- Valve repair – chilled water / hot water
- Process exhaust filtration
Dykstra says once organizations have purchased and installed the equipment, they can submit product information and proof of purchase online to receive the rebate. He adds that many contractors will do the paperwork for their customers when they complete the installation.
For a complete list of eligible products and qualifying industrial sectors, and to learn about other opportunities to save energy, visit efficiencyalberta.ca.
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