[news 2005 - 2006]

Kingston's Confederation Place Hotel installing energy-saving solar hot water heating technology

Innovative system invented at Queen's University expected to save more than 20 tonnes of greenhouse emissions

Aug. 22, 2005

For immediate release

KINGSTON, ON – Patented solar-powered hot water heating technology developed at Queen's University in partnership with EnerWorks, Inc. of London, ON will soon be providing the hot water supply for Kingston's Confederation Place Hotel and Conference Centre.

The 94-room facility is the first commercial user in Eastern Canada to enjoy lower utility bills from installing Enerworks energy-saving solar hot water technology.

The EnerWorks commercial solar water heating system, which uses solar energy as its power source, will be used to heat the hotel's swimming pool, hot tub and guest room showers, as well as its kitchen water supply. The technology is expected to save the hotel up to 48, 000 kWh (about 7,150 m2 of natural gas) per year.

The innovative technology will reduce the hotel's reliance on traditional power by about 11 per cent, says Bill Allinson, co-owner of the family owned and operated Confederation Place Hotel. “We're pleased to lead the way in Kingston in adopting this alternative energy system, particularly as it has a Kingston connection,” he says. “We estimate we'll be saving approximately 21 metric tonnes per year in greenhouse gas. This has been made possible through a combination of federal and provincial programs designed to promote energy saving measures.”

“Kingston is a leader in renewable energy installations,” says Michael Noble, President, and CEO of EnerWorks Inc. “Previous solar hot water installations, such as the Science 44 Queen's Student Co-op Housing, have shown that the Enerworks technology is reliable and saves money -- and now commercial users such as the Confederation Place Hotel can enjoy the same energy savings.”

“All commercial users of hot water, from farms to restaurants, and from laundromats to all types of accommodation, can realize real savings by installing modular, pre-engineered solar hot water appliances,” he says.

The EnerWorks solar water heating system was developed jointly by EnerWorks and Dr. Stephen Harrison of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Queen's University. The patented technology was licensed to EnerWorks by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen's University.

EnerWorks has begun large-scale commercial rollout of its residential solar water heating appliances and is supplying 800 solar collectors for North America's first solar residential district heating project in Okotoks, Alberta. The company will also be providing solar technology for a 500-home thermal utility project in the Toronto area combining solar charged ground source heating and solar water heating.

About EnerWorks:

EnerWorks in partnership with Queen's University is a manufacturer and developer of solar thermal appliances and systems for the North American market. Its focus is on clean, intelligent, cost-effective solar thermal energy solutions for residential and commercial markets in both new and retrofit applications.

Contacts:
Mike Noble
President and CEO
EnerWorks Inc.
P: 519. 268. 6500
E: mnoble@enerworks.com
www.enerworks.com

Bill Allinson

Co-Owner and Manager

Confederation Place Hotel

P: 613. 549. 6300

E: wma@hojo.ca

John Molloy
President & CEO
PARTEQ Innovations
P: 613. 533. 2342
E: jmolloy@parteqinnovations.com