MDS Nordion Recognized for Excellence in Energy Efficiency by Canadian GovernmentOn November 22, MDS Nordion was recognized for its efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce day-to-day energy usage. The Government of Canada presented the 2007 ENERGY STAR® Market Transformation Awards to a dozen businesses and utilities from across Canada in recognition of their exceptional work in promoting energy-efficiency. These awards are part of a family of ecoENERGY Efficiency Awards supported by Canada's Government to celebrate best practices in innovation in energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. MDS Nordion was selected as a recipient of the award because of its deployment of a tool called LeanSigma - a methodology used to improve processes, eliminate waste and reduce variability in operations. Employees used the LeanSigma tools to examine existing processes in detail, identify areas of waste, and then standardize new, more efficient and effective energy saving practices and equipment. MDS Nordion received their award for two projects aimed at reducing the impact on the environment and its consumption of resources. The first project resulted in an 18% decrease in hydro consumption, achieved by changing and modifying lighting technology, including ballasts, lamps, and evaluating the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning schedules. The annual savings for the project totaled 3,277,654 kilowatt hours, generating enough energy to provide hydro to 327 homes annually. The second project looked at various ways to reduce natural gas consumption. The program succeeded in reducing consumption by improving insulation in buildings, modifications to the heating system and adjusting operations to gain a higher efficiency output from the company's systems. These systematic improvements resulted in a savings of 230,000m³ of natural gas on an annual basis, enough gas to fuel 83 homes. |
