This research investigates means for achieving net zero energy dwellings and neighborhoods through maximizing solar potential of dwelling units, isolated and in assemblages. This study will help the community planner to design an efficient layout to achieve maximum solar fraction. Optimum combine building loads in community will lead to a more energy efficient mechanical and electrical design and system. EnergyPlus, building simulation program will be used for estimating the response variables of energy solar potential and energy demand.
This project with the nature of business research tends to talk about LED development and variable applications, specifically about solar/LED at the community public lighting, complying with the roadway lighting design code approved by the city of London, ON and relevant professional bodies. The content analysis of main LED suppliers and LED industry, together with evaluating the results of completed pilot LED cases will provide constructive suggestions on the creation of a solar/LED street lighting system for smart communities.
Due to some complex technical problems, both power plant’s generators and local grid transmission lines do not have the potential to generate and transmit enough electricity to cover and meet all load demand during peak hours.
S2E Company is developing a Smart Community in London, Ontario. This community will have the state of the art sustainable practices in community development. This community will be Net ZERO energy which simply means that it has zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually, minimize water usage, designed with sustainable storm water management, built electric car ready, emphasis Smart Grid technology and demonstrate a microgrid.
One way to improve the efficiency of a building is to use thermal storage material. A recent thermal storage strategy is to use phase change material (PCM) which allows for the storage and release of thermal energy. One of the main advantages of using PCM over traditional thermal storage (like concrete) is that PCM can achieve the same level of thermal storage as concrete while using less material. Using PCM can also reduce and delay peak load, improve thermal comfort, and reduce the overall energy consumption of a building.
City parks and outdoor recreational opportunities are among Toronto’s most valued resources. The Discovery Walks Program has been one of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s flagship outreach efforts to engage residents and tourists alike in learning about culturally and environmentally significant areas across the city. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a mobile interactive Discovery Walks application that delivers an in-depth and customizable experience to users.
Incorporating the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) into Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPV/T) system has the potential to reduce building heating and cooling costs and dependence on non-renewable heating fuels. ASHPs could boost the quality and quantity of heat output of a BIPV/T system by delivering a seasonal Coefficient of Performance (COP) of between 2.0 and 4.0, which means 2-4 times more energy output than the amount of energy (electricity) consumed.
Combining Building Integrated Photovoltaic / Thermal (BIPV/T) system and Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) with a thermal storage potentially can increase the efficiency of the heat pump and therefore reduce cost of heating and cooling for the building. In addition, this system potentially can reduce the GHG emission. A hollow core concrete floor can be used as a heat storage. Excess heat during the day can be stored in the concrete and be used during the night when the heating demand of the building is higher.
The proposed project will survey “best-in-class” decentralized water conservation technologies and approaches such as rainwater harvesting systems and greywater recycling systems for use in single family residential dwellings in Canada. The proposed project will also survey all tools and resources provided by water conservation authorities such as CMHC to homeowners, building designers and municipalities. The proposed project will work with S2E to develop a final comprehensive report which will allow for the research results to be applied to S2E’s Project Smart Community.
Healthcare professionals treating trauma patients can vicariously experience trauma from long term exposure to suffering, resulting in compassion fatigue. The impact of compassion fatigue on the psychological well-being of healthcare workers is detrimental, decreasing patient care and retention of healthcare providers. In an effort to reduce compassion fatigue, Mount Sinai Hospital has implemented a 4-hour workshop for employees to increase professional’s knowledge of compassion fatigue and improve worker’s skills for dealing with stress in the workplace.
