“ For most projects involving natural gas, we work with Énergir right from the start. The team is there to help us find the best solutions, optimize costs and maximize the value of grants.”
Nellie Robin, President of Groupe Robin
When a major international retailer approached Groupe Robin to set up shop in District 55 in Trois-Rivières, the Quebec-based firm specializing in the construction, leasing and management of residential and commercial buildings opted for dual energy to meet the energy needs of its future tenant.
An obvious choice
Given the context of a new construction and Groupe Robin’s operational and environmental goals, dual energy was the natural choice when identifying the most appropriate HVAC solution for the future 30,500 sq. ft. building.
“We focus a lot on the longevity and sustainability of our projects because we hold on to the assets in our portfolio for decades,” says Nellie Robin, President of Groupe Robin. “Dual energy meets both requirements: it’s an innovative solution that allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and represents long-term added value in the context of energy transition.”
This choice was no accident. It grew out of the partnership between Groupe Robin and Énergir.
High-performance, versatile equipment
Based on Énergir's recommendations, Groupe Robin chose hybrid rooftop units for its new buildings, primarily for their energy efficiency, ease of installation and operation, and their affordability once grants are applied.
These systems, which combine an electric heat pump with a natural gas burner, provide heating, air conditioning and ventilation.
In total, the building was equipped with:
- Four 20-tonne units
- One 6-tonne unit
- One 3-tonne unit
With a combined power of 97 kW, they help avoid some 20 tonnes of GHG emissions per year.1
Compounding the benefits
Dual energy, which uses electricity for heating most of the time and natural gas in times of extreme cold2 or when demand for electricity is very high, reduces natural gas consumption and can also help lower operating costs.3 In addition to these economic and environmental benefits, several other factors prompted Group Robin to choose this solution:
- The grants obtained4 (over $223,000 through the Business and Institutional dual-energy offer)
- Special electricty rate5 for the tenant
- Énergir’s guidance and support, from project start to finish
30,500 sq. ft.
Building area
$223,000
Grants received
94 kW
Combined capacity
~ 20 tonnes
GHG avoided per year1
A shared ambition
The relationship of trust between Groupe Robin and Énergir is built on some 40 years of partnership on energy efficiency projects involving all kinds of buildings, including multi-residential properties, seniors’ residences, hotels and businesses. “Énergir’s programs are perfectly aligned with our vision and business model, which is to design, build and manage high-performance, sustainable buildings that contribute to the energy transition and offer a distinctive living environment for our communities,” says Ms. Robin.
“Decarbonization is an integral part of our sustainable development practices. We rigorously manage our energy consumption by integrating energy-efficient solutions into all our buildings right from the design stage. That’s because an energy-efficient building offers benefits for everyone involved—the tenant, the community and the owner—and sets us apart from other companies in our sector.”
Continuous improvement: A logical and pragmatic approach
Groupe Robin is no stranger to dual energy, but this project’s success further cements the firm’s commitment to using this solution both for new builds and existing property retrofits. “Every project is an opportunity to do better, to reduce our GHG emissions and to create more long-term value,” Nellie Robin says. “We’ve initiated life-cycle assessments and carbon footprinting for several of our buildings to better guide our future choices. It’s important to take the time to conduct these energy audits and turn to professionals like Énergir and other experts for help to make the best decisions,” she concludes.
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1. Énergir generally relies on Protocol QC.30, “Fuel and Combustible Distribution,” which applies to fuel and combustible distributors (such as Énergir) under the RMRCECA, to quantify emissions related to the combustion of fossil natural gas and RNG. For more details on the methodology used, visit the page Methodologies for Calculating and Demonstrating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions.
2. -12°C or lower or -15°C or lower, depending on the region.
3. Compared to an equivalent building heated entirely by natural gas. The average annual savings for space heating vary based on several factors, such as the type of building or the equipment installed.
4. Certain conditions apply. Grant amounts vary depending on the power of the equipment installed and the work done to install them. To learn more about the terms and eligibility criteria of the grant program, visit the Business and Institutional dual-energy offer web page or contact your Énergir representative.
5. By switching to dual energy, business customers benefit from the dual-energy rate of their electricity provider.
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