District Energy - 2008 Third Quarter

Chair’s
Message

Life can take some funny turns. Yet so often they are just the right turns at just the right times.

Take, for instance, the fact that I turned from an 11th grade English teacher to a Toronto city councillor. And from a city councillor to president and CEO of Enwave Energy Corp. And now, as a non-engineer, I have become chair of the International District Energy Association.

I assure you, it is a special honor and a privilege to serve the district energy industry and IDEA’s members. I appreciate your trust, and I will work diligently to uphold IDEA’s principles and continue to move the organization and the industry forward with confidence and purpose.

Bob Smith of RMF Engineering leaves big shoes for me to fill, however, as he has championed our cause around the world during his 2007-2008 term as our chairman. I respect all that Bob has done and value his industry insights. I’m sure all of you join me in thanking him for his service to our industry and the association.

Bob turned over the gavel to me at IDEA’s 99th Annual Conference & Trade Show during the chairman’s banquet held July 1, Canada Day. Hailing from Toronto, it couldn’t have been more apropos.

that is being done in our individual countries, in our individual operations. Our individual systems need to remain strong; we need to continue informing, connecting and advancing so they remain robust systems that reliably serve their customers and succeed in their local communities.

For decades, IDEA members have been high achievers, and this year is no different as evidenced by the awards bestowed at the annual conference.

A hearty congratulations go to David Toombs of Citizens Thermal Energy, winner of IDEA’s person-of-the-year Norman R. Taylor Award; Northwind ^TMPhoenix, this year’s recipient of the System-of-the-Year Award; and Cliff Braddock of Austin Energy, who was named IDEA’s Unsung Hero for 2008. All demonstrate the excellence we have right here in our own organization. We are all better for their contributions.

Our thanks go to Patti Wilson of Affiliated Engineers for contributing her time and talents as technical chair of this year’s conference. And we welcome three new directors to IDEA’s board: Aurel Selezeanu, Duke University; Bob Maffei, Perma-Pipe Inc.; and Patti Wilson, Affiliated Engineers. Johnathan Coleman of JAColeman Associates was re-elected to a second term.

The collegial spirit that is IDEA is reflected in these individuals, in these organizations. Together we can tell the story of “Local Energy, Global Solution.” Together we can create change.

I have learned in my life to speak with actions rather than words. You can expect that from me over the next 12 months. As we commemorate our 100th anniversary year, I will embody the international theme I’ve chosen. We will build on Bob Smith’s mission to “Sustain, Energize and Grow” and set the foundation for the chairmanship of Juan Ontiveros to follow.

I hope you sense the excitement and the possibilities as I do. “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo

At the time it appeared I was just the second chair from Canada in IDEA’s 99- year history. It turns out that was close, but not quite right. Actually I am the third IDEA chair from the Great White North. The first was John Vandermolen from the University of Guelph in 1981. The illustrious John Gray from Dearborn Chemical took the helm in 1991, and now, 17 years later, another Canadian is leading the pack. It is with

great admiration that I follow in John’s footsteps.

Although the board’s leadership is important, we depend on a steady captain at the helm. We’ve certainly found that in Rob Thornton. Since Rob took over as IDEA president in 2000, IDEA’s bank account has grown more than ten-fold, and the association now logs $2 million in annual revenue. By any measure, that is absolutely tremendous, and we are lucky to have him.

In recent years Rob has helped us truly realize the ‘international’ part of our name. Whether we’re learning from the long-term successes in northern Europe, applauding the newfound success in the Middle East, saluting the successful addition of new customers in the United States or heralding the success of alternate fuel sources in Canada, we’ve come together as one to celebrate the industry and rightly take pride in our accomplishments. District energy is smart energy that is both sustainable and profitable.

That’s why I’ve chosen “Local Energy, Global Solution” as my theme for the year. It is no longer enough to act locally. We have to act nationally and globally and ensure everyone is doing his or her part. Global warming is being acknowledged the world over, no matter what has caused it. What we do now to effect change, to slow global warming, is critical.

The time has come for IDEA and district energy to play a leadership role on the world stage. District energy is the low-hanging fruit. It is real. It is not a new technology. It is not a technology we have to wait to test or to research. It is here today, it works today, and it holds great promise for our cities, our nations and the world.

Our challenge over the coming year will be to show that district energy – a technology that works globally – can be our local solution. It is staring our political leaders in the face, and we need to let them know it. We need to bring district energy best practices from around the world to the attention of those who set policies that can make – or break – our energy and environmental future.