Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
Sustainable buildings shouldn't necessarily be more expensive or complicated, explains George Steeves, president, Sterling Cooper Consultants Inc., whose projects focus on heat recovery and geothermal. "Sustainability is about less equip- ment, not more. It's about less complexity, not more," he says. As an example, Steeves refers to 1308 Hornby Street, a resi- dential high-rise tower in Vancouver, which uses a stack effect for ventilation with high and low windows in a space that allows heat and air to enter low and discharge high in a room. Utilities companies are also integral players in the quest to attaining maximum energy efficiency. "FortisBC works closely with developers and builders to help design and deliver inno- vative energy systems that combine natural gas and thermal energy," says Siraz Dalmir, strategic solutions senior manager with FortisBC Alternative Energy Services. "It's about finding the right energy mix and technology to suit the energy use objectives of the development and attract buyers." He says the trend toward higher-density, mixed-use developments like Marine Gateway in Vancouver has led to an increased interest in energy sharing systems that recover waste heat from commercial and office sections, and transfer it to the residential units. "Marine Gateway includes a grocery store as the anchor tenant in its commercial section. Grocery stores are ideal for energy sharing systems; they require a lot of refrigeration, which creates heat that can be stored using geoexchange technology and transferred to residential units when needed." The Ontario Power Authorit y ( OPA) plays a unique role in the province's electricity sector by planning the electricity system for the long term, contracting for clean elec- tricity resources and co-ordinating province-wide conserva- tion efforts. "As part of our conservation efforts, we fund a suite of saveONenergy conservation programs," says John Cannella, OPA spokesperson. "The programs are delivered t hrough local elec t ricit y ut ilit ies across Ontario and assist homeowners and businesses from the smallest retail stores to the largest industrial complexes in managing their electricity use." The saveONenergy programs are designed for both homeowners and businesses, and all are related to sus- tainable design. Included in the program is peaksaver PLUS in which participants agree to have their central air condi- tioner, electric water heater and/or pool pump adjusted when the demand for electricity is high. Among the other saveONenerg y incentives is the High Performance New Construction Program, which provides desig n assist ance and incent ives for building owners and architects who exceed the electricity efficiency standards specified in the Ontario Building Code. "Conservation remains one of our most cost-effective resources," says Cannella. "Peak electricity demand in Ontario has dropped more than 2,400 MW since 2005, the equivalent of powering 750,000 homes, as a direct result of conservation efforts." ■ Jasper Place Library, Edmonton, AB. Photo: Gerry Kopelow. Courtesy Hughes Condon Marler Architects and DUB Architects (in joint venture). 38/ June 2014 Sustainable Building Design p.34-39Sustainable.indd 38 14-06-03 9:46 AM