Hydro Ottawa Cuts Substation Embodied Carbon by 12.3%
Hydro Ottawa has energized its 90 MW Piperville municipal transformer station in southeast Ottawa, achieving a 12.3% reduction in embodied carbon compared with its Cambrian substation.
The project achieved a net reduction of 618 tonnes of CO₂e through lower-carbon concrete, reduced material use and optimized design. Savings of 508 tonnes from building materials and 202 tonnes from station yard materials offset an additional 92 tonnes associated with heavier, high-capacity electrical equipment.
Construction began in November 2024 and finished in July 2026, with energization completed in August.
The facility increases distribution network redundancy, supports electricity demand and enables future integration of solar generation and battery storage.
Hydro Ottawa plans to apply similar lower-carbon design principles to four additional substations through 2030, including Hydro Road and Mer-Bleue.
The project supports the utility's goal of achieving net-zero operations by 2030.
Source: sustainablebiz.ca
