November 9, 2011

Toronto Dominion Bank branch in London, Ontario is intended to generate as much energy as it uses

London, Ont.

A retrofitted London, Ontario bank became Canada’s first net-zero energy bank branch and aims to generate as much energy as it uses.

Located at 1663 Richmond Street North, near Masonville Mall, 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.

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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.

Earlier in the year, TD Bank Group opened a newly built net-zero energy branch in Florida, but this was the first retrofitted branch.

“It’s an important test case for us because it will help us understand the scope of potential savings from retrofitting existing branches,” said Roger Johnson, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise Real Estate, TD Bank Group.

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 and educational signage.

TD has implemented various energy-saving initiatives over the past two years and plans to continue in the coming year.

Those plans include: 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; and the creation of a living roof on its flagship branch in Toronto at the corner of King and Bay Streets.

This year, TD was named the top Environmental Performer in the North American Banking sector by Jantzi Sustainalytics.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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