Rankin Inlet (Jun 14/06) - A Kivalliq-based development corporation has been recognized for its efforts to improve energy efficiency at its subsidiary companies.

The Nunavut Development Corp. (NDC) was acknowledged for its participation in the Canadian Industrial Program for Energy Conversation during a recent board-of-directors meeting in Rankin Inlet.

Nunavut Development Corp. board of directors chair Louie Kamookak of Gjoa Haven and business advisor Brian Zawadski of Rankin Inlet display the energy-innovator plaque the corporation received this past month. - photo courtesy of Nunavut Development Corp.

Business advisor Brian Zawadski said the NDC became an industrial energy innovator in 2005 to help create a stronger economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through efficiency.

He said the NDC has to reduce energy needs as it moves forward.

"Fuel prices are going up and our meat and fish plants consume a lot of electricity because of their refrigeration needs," said Zawadski.

"I was researching ways to reduce our energy needs when I came across the Energy Innovator program through the Office of Energy Efficiency."

The program pays 50 per cent of an energy audit for successful applicants, up to a maximum of $5,000.

Zawadski approached 12 companies for audit price quotes before selecting Winnipeg-based SNC-Lavalin.

SNC conducted audits at companies in Cambridge Bay, Rankin and Pangnirtung to provide the NDC with a number of energy-reducing recommendations. Zawadski said some of the projects are costly and will take time to implement.

"A recommendation at our processing plants is to tap into cold from the outside during the winter, but it's more technical than simply opening a vent to let in cold air.

"The installation is $35,000 and there would be engineering costs, but we could recoup the money through energy savings in 14 years."

A system would be installed to turn a processing plant's refrigeration units off when outside temperatures fall to a predetermined level.

Filtered air from the outside would then be allowed to move inside the freezers.

Heat would also be exhausted to the outside from production areas and a heat-recovery system employed to warm other parts of the plant.

Zawadski said the $14,000 cost of this exhaust/recovery system could be earned back in about 18 months.

He said using low-flush toilets and a high pressure washing system to clean equipment instead of hot water and tubs would also add up to substantial savings.

"The audit shows where our energy dollars are being spent and the changes we can make to lower those costs.

"We'd like to implement one or two projects at each company this year, depending on cost, and then look at more costly changes as our finances allow."