BLOOM IQ™ (Impact Quantification)

The Bloom Centre for SustainabilityI M P A C T Q U A N T I F I C A T I O NBest use.Best return.85.7 m/s48,976 kWh$2,539,2206,455 m30.81 FTE1,287 tonnes297°C92,545 m3$11,600,000879 litres22,865 kWh61,382 tonnes8,775 m3$488,550559 hours22.65 ± 0.64 mg/L409 km75,500 litres8,361 hertz$76,658 NPV76 ppm82,360 kWh$3,490,244Making the right decisionIt’s what every organizational leader strives to do. Easy to say, but sustainability can be complex. Sustainability decisions involve trade-offs between economic, environmental and social impacts. There is also a requirement to balance the needs and objectives of all the impacted stakeholders. Decision-makers are challenged by what’s missing – an interconnected “big picture” view.For a new approach to be considered, it must be better than “business as usual”. But how do you know if it is? Relative to what? According to who?What’s needed is a holistic life-cycle approach to impact quantification that rigorously accounts for all impacts, both positive and negative. This is the role of BLOOM Impact Quantification (BLOOM IQ™) – a third party decision intelligence tool that presents a more complete picture – and provides organizations with a transparent and rigourous approach to evaluate and select the best option.Bridging the knowledge gapBLOOM works closely with organizations to determine the metrics and performance indicators that are important to their objectives and their impacted stakeholders. BLOOM identifies and analyzes the inputs to quantify the relevant net economic, environmental and societal impacts. Impacts over the entire life-cycle are quantified including: f the upstream impacts of system inputs; f direct and indirect impacts that occur during use or operation; and f downstream impacts that take into account end-of-life actions.The output is an easy-to-understand presentation of the options using metrics and language that are relevant to both decision-makers and impacted stakeholders. The BLOOM IQ™ can be customized to the specific needs of an organization making it ideal for integration into a variety of decision-making processes.BLOOM IQWhat can BLOOM IQ support?RISK MITIGATIONBRAND REPUTATIONCOMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPSRESOURCE EFFICIENCYIMPACT INVESTINGGREEN PROCUREMENT STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENTSUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENTPARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTSUSTAINABILITY REPORTINGTRIPLE BOTTOM LINE DECISION MAKINGCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYGREENWASHING CRITICISMSDUE DILIGENCELICENSE TO OPERATEThe Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATIONCASE STUDY ENBALA Power NetworksENBALA Power Networks is a smart grid solution innovator providing demand-side regulation service to the power grid. By coordinating and controlling the electricity consumption of large industrial users, ENBALA enables regional independent electricity system operators (ISOs) to regulate the power grid while using less reserve capacity. Freeing up this capacity allows generators to scale their generation up or down, depending on market conditions, and operate at improved efficiencies, thus reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.ENBALA’s technology does not change the quantity of electricity being consumed by industrial loads, rather it alters the timing of the load to meet requests from the electricity systems operator. Because of this, the claimed environmental benefits of their technology were initially met with skepticism. President and CEO Ron Dizy realized that his company would be much more credible if they could back up their environmental claims with solid data and a comprehensive technical analysis.“We felt we had a green story associated with our technology, but it wasn’t obvious,” explained Mr. Dizy. “Simply making the statement that you’re green is not necessarily compelling to whoever you’re pitching… there’s huge benefit to having a third-party assessment. It simplifies the conversation every time.”Mr. Dizy engaged BLOOM to analyze ENBALA’s technology and Ontario’s power grid, to model the likely effects of ENBALA’s technology on the grid’s behaviour, and to quantify the environmental impacts.The BLOOM IQ™ identified the full range of expected environmental benefits – lower emissions of greenhouse gases, VOCs, carbon monoxide and other criteria air contaminants – for every megawatt of regulation service provided by ENBALA. The analysis also monetized some of the indirect societal impacts of these emissions such as healthcare costs linked to air pollution.“BLOOM confirmed what we understood our environmental benefit to be,” said Mr. Dizy. “When we talk about the environmental angle, we always quote the study… it’s one of the key ways we demonstrate our environmental credentials.”The BLOOM IQ™ has proven to be a versatile resource for the ENBALA team, who routinely use it in sales and marketing, investor pitches and government funding applications.Ron Dizy: “It’s very possible that as we evolve our company and bring new technologies to bear, as we impact other parts of the electricity system, there will be environmental benefits that are achieved in a different way. Based on my experience with BLOOM, they will be my ‘go-to’ third party for quantifying those benefits.”BLOOM IQBased on my experience with BLOOM, they will be my ‘go-to’ third party for quantifying benefits.– Ron Dizy, President and CEO, ENBALA Power Networksenbala.com®The Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATIONCASE STUDY Kilmer Brownfield Equity FundThe Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund is a private equity investment fund run by experienced brownfield specialists dedicated to creating value for stakeholders through the clean-up and revitalization of environmentally-impacted brownfield properties in Canada. Kilmer achieved a Canadian first by using on-site zero valent iron and clay (ZVI-clay) technology instead of the traditional “dig and dump” approach to rehabilitate a Toronto brownfield site contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds. Because of the greater perceived risk, the initial decision to pioneer a more sustainable soil remediation process was not an easy one. According to David Harper, President and Managing Partner responsible for Environmental Risk Management at Kilmer, “one of the outcomes was to show that taking a different approach really wasn’t going to cost more, but we could achieve the same results and achieve them in a more sustainable way. That was certainly what we wanted to do, but we weren’t willing to take all of that risk ourselves”.To enlist partners, Kilmer applied for and received funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). To satisfy the funding requirements, Kilmer needed to conduct an environmental impact assessment for the ZVI-clay technology they were planning to use at the site.When presented with the short list of firms qualified by SDTC to do environmental impact assessments, Kilmer selected BLOOM. “We had actually worked with BLOOM before on other matters…so it was a no-brainer for us to continue with them.” But, according to Mr. Harper, there was more to it than that.“BLOOM had done work with SDTC in the past, so they knew their expectations better than we did. They already had the appropriate reporting protocols – and other methods – in place…which we were obviously happy about because it streamlined the process.”To establish a baseline, BLOOM identified and quantified the environmental impacts associated with the “dig and dump” approach. Impacts include emissions caused by digging and transporting contaminated soil and clean fill, energy consumption of machinery and trucks, impact on the road system, impact on landfills, and impact on quarry and aggregate resources.Using measurements taken at the property, BLOOM quantified the impacts of using ZVI-clay technology to treat soil contaminants on-site.After quantifying all of the relevant environmental impacts, BLOOM compared the net differences between the two approaches.BLOOM IQAccording to Mr. Harper, “The outputs are clear and concise. In terms of greenhouse gas reduction or waste diversion from landfills, when you present that to other stakeholders like regulators they get it.”The BLOOM IQ™ not only satisfied Kilmer’s SDTC reporting requirements, it provided reassurance to company decision-makers that they were on the right track. The intelligence presented in the BLOOM IQ™ can support the brownfield remediation industry as it moves towards the adoption of more sustainable practices. Mr. Harper noted that “there are a lot of requests for our advice from the government and other stakeholders related to best practices in our industry. We take those numbers and we show them: ‘Look, if you do it this way, these are the positive outcomes you can achieve.”The analysis that BLOOM provided has given us the confidence to apply innovative remedial solutions on other properties.– David Harper, President and Managing Partner, Environmental Risk Management, Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fundkilmergroup.comKilmer Brownfield Equity Fund L.P.The Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATIONCASE STUDY Ontario Clean Water AgencyThe Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) operates, manages, and maintains water and wastewater facilities for municipalities, First Nations, institutions and other clients across the Province of Ontario. With a mandate to provide cost-effective water solutions for its clients, OCWA continually identifies innovative, cost-saving technologies and encourages their adoption.“We’d become aware of a new technology solution – turbo blowers with fine bubble aeration – that promised to dramatically reduce energy consumption in wastewater treatment,” said Nick Reid, Vice President of Business Development at OCWA. “Because we operate a large number of wastewater treatment plants that could use this technology, we wanted to see if there was a program we could put in place for funding the capital costs and set up a repayment schedule of that capital investment based on the energy savings.”OCWA tested this new technology solution, and confirmed energy-saving benefits for wastewater treatment facilities. According to Mr. Reid, “despite the fact that most purchasing decisions to date have been made on a financial savings and energy reduction business case, we are beginning to see an emerging awareness in our clients of environmental footprint reduction as an important purchasing criteria.”Using the OCWA trial and facility data, BLOOM evaluated different roll-out scenarios representing 1%, 5% and 10% annual adoption rates over the course of ten years. In each case, BLOOM calculated reductions in greenhouse gases and other criteria air contaminants. They also determined the economic benefits related to operational savings. To make the environmental impacts more relevant to non-technical stakeholders, the impacts were also expressed as equivalent number of cars taken off roads. “We had a better understanding and appreciation of the impact of the savings. We were actually able to quantify an improvement on the environmental impact of these facilities.” said Mr. Reid.Not only did the comprehensive BLOOM IQ™ make it easier for OCWA to present municipal and provincial decision-makers with the benefits of turbo blower with fine bubble aeration technology, it also enhanced the Agency’s credibility.“It allowed us to show our stakeholders a depth of thinking and thoughtfulness about wastewater treatment and the positive economic impact of environmental benefits. The project with BLOOM helped us position our brand as forward-looking and innovative”, stated Mr. Reid.BLOOM IQUsing BLOOM IQ will give you a very strong indication as to whether or not the market will demand your technology, or if you’re just pushing something into a sector that’s not ready for what you have to offer.– Nick Reid, Vice President, Business Development, Ontario Clean Water Agencyocwa.comThe Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATIONWhat is included in BLOOM IQ?QUANTIFIED IMPACTSINPUT DATA SYSTEM BOUNDARIESHUMAN RESOURCESFINANCIAL RESOURCESRAW MATERIALSENERGYWATERMANUFACTURINGMAINTENANCEMATERIAL ACQUISITIONOPERATIONDISTRIBUTIONEND OF LIFEGREENHOUSE GASESAIR POLLUTANTSWASTEWATERSOCIETAL IMPACTSEXTERNAL ECONOMIC IMPACTSWASTEBUSINESS IMPACTSBLOOM IQIntegrate intelligence into decision-makingENBALA, Kilmer and OCWA were in three very different situations. The BLOOM IQ™ gave them the intelligence and confidence they needed to make informed decisions. BLOOM clients successfully use BLOOM IQ™ to improve their competitiveness, build strategic relationships, identify options and manage risks related to: f Procurement; f Investment; f Implementation; and f ReputationAll decisions involve tradeoffs – the challenge is finding the right balance, what BLOOM calls Best Use, Best Return. To support compelling business cases for optimal solutions, organizations must have access to comprehensive, credible intelligence.With BLOOM IQ™, private and public sector organizations can see the big picture. They are able to develop smarter business strategies and policies with reduced risk profiles, and implement solutions that create long-term value.Contact BLOOM today to find out how we can help you support Best Use, Best Return decisions.Michael Fagan Senior Vice President 905.822.4133 x 246 mfagan@bloomcentre.comMona El Hallak Technical Director 905.822.4133 x 239 melhallak@bloomcentre.comThe Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATIONAbout BLOOMBLOOM is a leading authority in the area of applied sustainability. For two decades we have developed a successful track record of bringing together public and private sector interests to drive change, and implement initiatives that deliver tangible economic, environmental and social benefit. Our name is derived from the organization’s desire to see a return on investments. We view business sustainability through the lens of “best use, best return” and take a pragmatic approach that leverages our problem solving skills, technical knowledge, passion and established connections to get things done. Our greatest strengths include our ability to think holistically and to discover new opportunities by applying “what if ” scenarios. BLOOM understands that to reap tangible benefits, sustainability concepts must become practical solutions. Yet despite the benefits, for many organizations, sustainability remains an elusive goal with no clear path on how to get there. We empower organizations to embed sustainability into both their business model, and their investment, procurement and policy decision-making. To enable change, build capacity and guide actions, we host and deliver the BLOOM Sustainability Applied conference. Grounded in practicality, this dynamic, interactive event brings together leaders and experts to demonstrate the business value of sustainability, and to share the paths they have navigated on their sustainability journey.BLOOM IQThe Bloom Centre for Sustainability | IMPACT QUANTIFICATION RiskThe Bloom Centre forSustainability101A – 2070 Hadwen RoadMississauga, ON Canada L5K 2C9t: 905.822.4133info@bloomcentre.comwww.bloomcentre.com