Environmental
Management System (EMS)

After several years of work and development, an electronic Environmental Management System (EMS) was implemented as part of the continuous improvement of our environmental program.

This new system introduces automated work systems that allow for better task management (reduction in paperwork; avoidance of work duplication), enable accountability (responsibilities are tracked), and increase process efficiencies, while managing environmental risks.

This investment will also deliver measurable cost savings and improved operational performance as a result of greater reporting visibility and accuracy, as well as improved workflow.

In the next fiscal year, we will continue to roll out the functionalities of the EMS as we evolve our environmental program to make the most of this new tool.

Decommissioning of analogue transmission services

2013–2014 saw the completion of year two of the multi-year project to dispose of transmission assets (towers, antennas, transmitters, buildings) associated with the shutdown of analogue television services on July 31, 2012. The focus in 2012–2013 was to remove assets from leased sites and to dispose of surplus inactive sites.

As of the end of 2013–2014, decommissioning has been completed at 360 services and 31 sites have been sold. A total of 48.79 metric tonnes of e-waste and 606.79 metric tonnes of scrap metal were diverted from landfill and recycled through the decommissioning of analogue television sources.

Decommissioning is still required at an additional 139 sites, but this has been deferred to 2015–2016 due to budget reductions. Although we will continue site decommissioning and disposal of assets identified as part of this project, budget and financial restrictions will slow our progress in 2014–2015.

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Greening our Fleet

Regarding our fleet of vehicles, 2014 saw the introduction of eco-friendly driver training; the acquisition of 29, 4-cylinder, high-efficiency vehicles; an 8-year-old hybrid vehicle replaced with another hybrid vehicle and four satellite vehicles replaced with smaller, high-performance diesel engines .

Statistical analysis examining vehicle performance, cost savings and fuel consumption identified a negligible cost saving associated with the regular usage of our vehicles. However, the real difference is reflected in our acquisition cost. For instance: the Toronto 2012 front-wheel drive (FWD) hybrid costs $32,514, whereas a 4-cylinder Escape costs $24,078, resulting in a savings of $8,436.

Within the Transmission Division, the two smaller SUVs introduced in Montreal and Quebec City in 2012-2013 were successful in meeting operational needs and better fuel economy. Because of these positive results, five additional, smaller SUV’s were introduced to our fleet in in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Sherwood Park (AB) this fiscal year, replacing larger SUVs and pickup trucks.

Read Toward a Greener Corporate Fleetfor additional steps taken to reduce the carbon footprint of our vehicle fleet, such as the use of vehicles that offer lower fuel consumption.

E-waste recycling and expansion in the North

The e-waste recycling program was finalized in 2013–2014 with its expansion into Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Using existing methods of transportation, the process followed sustainable methodology by integrating existing barge shipments already travelling to Montreal. The e-waste was picked up by our certified recycler and responsibly recycled in their facilities.

Nationally, 218.97 metric tonnes of e-waste were recycled in 2013–2014, including 48.79 metric tonnes of e-waste and 606.79 metric tons of scrap metal recycled as part of the Transmission analogue transmitter decommissioning project.

Read this article to learn more about how CBC/Radio-Canada implemented a feasible and environmentally responsible ways to collect and recycle the e-waste, particularly above the 60th parallel.

LED lighting upgrades continue

Our efforts to upgrade and replace lighting in our studios and other operational facilities with newer, more energy efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights, among others, continues. This year, projects were completed in our Regina studio and the Edmonton and Halifax workshops.

The studio in Regina was converted to LED, changing out approximately 34 tungsten lights for 26 LED and five fluorescent lamps. The savings with this change is significant: the original tungsten bulbs used approximately 14,567 kWh/year with an energy cost of $1,365. The new LEDs installed in studio will use 910 kWh/year, with an energy cost of $85. This demonstrates a 93 per cent reduction in costs.

CBC Edmonton converted from indirect fluorescent to LED office lighting in their newsroom. The cost recovery numbers are being monitored, however benefits to this change have already been identified. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, the conversion provides an increased flexibility with lighting levels and an improved newsroom appearance on camera. In total, 54 LED light panels replaced 220 T8 fluorescent fixtures. The anticipated cost recovery time is 5.5 years accounting for removal and installation costs.

Details about the upgrades in the Halifax workshop are noted under the Data Centre Cooling Infrastructure section of this report.

Data Centre Cooling Infrastructure

A new project initiated in 2013–2014 was the implementation of Data Centre cooling infrastructure in Halifax. The intent of this project was to optimize the data centre design to ensure a resilient, reliable and efficient mechanical solution for the new Computer Equipment Room (CER).

Intelligent containment devices were installed in the Halifax Data Centre to actively evacuate the heat emitted from the equipment racks, and duct the hot air directly to the computer room air handlers (CRAH). This approach allows us to effectively monitor the inlet temperature and humidity, exhaust air temperature, and air volume emitted from data centre equipment. Monitoring results are then used to control the cooling equipment by matching it with the IT demand, ensuring compliance with American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) defined limits. All heat is captured and removed from the space, eliminating the potential for hot spots and the related equipment failure. This also ensures there is no wasted cooling or air flow, and that energy consumption is optimized.

Chilled water used by the CRAH is provided by highly efficient, roof-top chillers that operate in free cooling mode for over 170+ days per year in Halifax. The anticipated savings for these systems is 383,337 kWh (or $52,900 at current rates).

The new CBC Halifax station received a subsidy from Efficiency Nova Scotia for the overall efficiency of the project when compared to standard construction practices. This subsidy was given for both the Data Centre project, as well as an LED installation project that was also carried out on this site. The funding received is $175,000 and is based on $0.20/kWh saved, as well as our overall design to be 24 per cent more efficient than the Model National Energy Code for Building (MNECB). The overall lighting plan for Halifax represents a 68 per cent energy savings over the MNECB using a mix of different lighting types. The overall design will save 800,000 kWh (at current rates this is $83,185/year).