Bright Business Awards highlight energy efficiency in Nova Scotia

In October, Efficiency Nova Scotia announced its 2015 Bright Business Award winners at the Bright Business Conference at the Cunard Centre in Halifax, NS. These awards recognize both individuals and organizations for their achievements and leadership in the field of energy efficiency.
Ian Storey, founder and president of I.B. Storey based in Charlottetown, PE, has been awarded the Bright Business Leadership award, which highlights his significant contributions to the energy efficiency industry. His firm has completed work for an array of projects in Nova Scotia, including healthcare facilities, arenas, multi-purpose recreational buildings and more.  
“The leadership award is based on specific criteria, including an ongoing impact and market impact in energy efficiency. It isn’t based on one single project, rather it’s a series of projects,” said Storey. “It is awarded to an individual rather than a company corporation.”
His company, which specializes in energy cost reduction for refrigeration clients, has completed over 40 successful projects in Nova Scotia in the past four years. Additionally, Storey has taken part in over 600 projects throughout North America.
He explained that buildings in the Maritimes are typically decades old, and oftentimes, the facilities are still in operation while work is being done.
“It can be extremely challenging,” he said, “we can’t interrupt the services that are being provided, so there are a lot of logistics to the construction and planning.” Additionally, finding piping routes in older structures is always a retrofitting challenge.
Storey’s repertoire of Nova Scotian clients include the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the Town of Truro Cougar Dome and Colchester Legion Stadium, as well as Cole Harbour Place. According to a case study completed in June 2014, Cole Harbour Place has saved over 25 per cent of its total energy consumption since undergoing efficiency upgrades with I.B. Storey in 2008. This is nearly $600,000 in energy savings.
Other Bright Business Award winners include the Halifax Regional School Board, Truro Nissan, Intertape Polymer Group and ARCA Canada.