London, Ont., Selected for First-of-its-Kind Energy Efficiency Project
LONDON, ON, Oct. 31, 2011 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group today announced the opening of the first net-zero energy bank branch in Canada, which aims to generate as much energy as it uses. Located at 1663 Richmond Street North in London, Ont., the retrofitted TD branch uses solar panels - located on the surrounding property - to generate renewable energy. The site is expected to generate approximately 100,000 kilowatt hours of green electricity a year.
"This branch marks another step in our ongoing effort to reduce our energy use and meet our carbon neutral commitment," said Roger Johnson, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Real Estate, TD Bank Group. "Earlier this year we opened a newly built net-zero energy branch in Florida. In London, however, we've converted an existing branch to net-zero energy. It's an important test case for us because it will help us understand the scope of potential savings from retrofitting existing branches."
As well as the installation of solar panels, the conversion included work to make the facility more energy efficient - LED lighting has been installed in the branch and on the signs outside, and control and remote building monitoring systems have been upgraded.
The project also involves developing land around the branch for public use. The TD Green Energy Park will open next spring and include:
- A solar electric car charging station for customer use
- An amphitheatre for public use
- Sustainable and drought tolerant landscaping
- Educational signage
Over the past two years, TD has implemented various energy-savings initiatives, which have resulted in a significant decrease in its overall energy consumption. In the coming year, it will continue to implement its green building design standards, including:
- Installing solar panels at 10 retail locations
- Continuing to implement LEED building design standards
- Completing a retrofit of all exterior signs to LED lighting across Canada
- Creation of a living roof on its flagship branch in Toronto at the corner of King and Bay Streets.
"Changing our branches from energy users to energy generators is one more way that we can lead by example in the transformation to a greener economy," said Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief environment Officer, TD Bank Group. "Net zero energy is good for the environment and it makes good business sense - and that is fundamental to being the better bank."
This year, TD was named the top Environmental Performer in the North American Banking sector by Jantzi Sustainalytics.
About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 20 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust, TD Insurance, and TD Auto Finance Canada; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, and TD Auto Finance U.S.; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 7 million online customers. TD had CDN$665 billion in assets on July 31, 2011. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.