Energy Efficiency News
Alcoa Canada’s aggressive energy approach nets ISO 50001, and $40K from Ottawa

July 20, 2021 – Alcoa Canada is receiving a $40,000 investment from Ottawa for an energy information system that will enable the aluminum producer to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions at its Deschambault aluminum smelter.

Alcoa also contributed to the project, together with Quebec natural gas distributor Énergir, to bring the total investment to $350,000. The funding enabled the Deschambault smelter to obtain its ISO 50001:2018 certification for energy management.

“We are proud to be the first Canadian aluminum smelter to obtain ISO 50001:2018 certification. As a large energy consumer, we are aware of the importance of energy efficiency to reduce the impact on our environment and our costs,” said Pascal Rochette, plant manager.

Through its energy committee, which has been in place for more than 20 years, several energy efficiencies projects have been carried out over the years, Rochette notes, “and this certification demonstrates that our systems and procedures are rigorous, and that they meet our consumption reduction objectives.”

“All of our employees work hard every day to achieve this goal, and this certification is a source of great pride,” said Rochette.

Acquired by Alcoa in 1998, the Deschambault facility has been in operation since 1992, NRCan reports. It houses the Aluminum Centre of Excellence, a training hub and a centre for the development, transfer and standardization of best practices in manufacturing management.

Federal funding was provided by the Energy Efficiency for Industry Program, which offers financial assistance to help fund Canadian industrial facilities’ energy management projects.