Employees at Newfoundland Power participate in EnviroFest, the organization’s annual event dedicated to community and the environment.SUPPLIED
Jonathan Brenton studied high-voltage electricity in college and has worked for nearly 13 years in regional operations and engineering at Newfoundland Power Inc. “Although my background isn’t in the field of sustainability, when I was given the opportunity to work on an innovative project that could reduce the impact of oil spills, my interest was piqued,” says Brenton, manager utility services.
Headquartered in St. John’s, the company operates an integrated electricity generation, transmission and distribution system for 278,000 customers throughout the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We encourage and empower our employees to do the right thing,” says Gary Murray, president and CEO. He says the company looks at what it can do better — or more efficiently — for customers and the environment.
“If someone comes up with an idea of how we could improve the way we do something, we don’t put red tape in the way,” says Murray. One project came about when employees pitched an idea to reduce the potential environmental impacts of accidental oil leaks from transformers.
They conducted research on synthetic ester, which is biodegradable and can safely operate at high temperatures due to a very high fire and combustion point. The chemical makeup of ester allows it to bond to water. This, in theory, can pull moisture from the paper insulation of a transformer’s core, extending its lifespan. These positive findings were enough for the company to begin a pilot with the synthetic ester. Now, 14 transformers are in service using ester to see how it reacts in the province’s climate and how it performs under similar load profiles to comparable mineral oil-filled transformers.
Another idea being piloted is the use of tilt sensors on poles with transformers. Five years ago, a hurricane sent some coastal infrastructure into the ocean. These sensors will give early notice of coastal erosion so the company can check and possibly relocate a transformer before it is lost.
Brenton finds employees are encouraged to bring sustainable ideas forward. “They are looked at seriously,” he says. “There is buy-in from our senior people to give employees time to work on sustainable innovation.”
This commitment to sustainability exists throughout the organization. A green team promotes internal initiatives such as recycling and waste reduction. The team recently replaced office waste baskets with small recycling buckets and conducted an e-waste recycling drive.
The company provides annual community funding grants and hands-on support through EnviroFest. This program supports initiatives across the island, such as improving a park area, enhancing a trail system, planting trees or building a community vegetable garden. Local employees can take a day to work with the community to transform a space.
Another way the company engages employees and community is through its work with Birds Canada. Listening devices on the company’s equipment can inform Birds Canada of the location of habitats. And the company accommodates when birds nest on a pole top.
Last year, residents near an osprey nest resting on a platform built by Newfoundland Power let the company know that the platform was looking ragged after the winter. Employees rebuilt the platform and put the nest back before the osprey returned in the spring. There is even a camera offering a live feed of an osprey nest near a substation in St. John’s, accessible from the company website.
“We find potential and current employees are looking for a company that exhibits similar values to theirs,” says Murray. “I appreciate the freedom to come up with ideas to make the utility better, and to be given the opportunity to run with them,” says Brenton.
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.