A perfect case for Systems Architecture

Working on the energy efficiency and sustainability part of the proposal for the multi-purpose community facility. The footprint of the building is 120 x 240 ft. The location is Sun Peaks Resort in the Interior of British Columbia. Elevation 1400m. Temperature range is -30C to + 30C. Significant load of snow during winter time. The primary (and the only in winter) use of the facility will be an ice-rink. In summer it is envisioned to be used for basketball and / or tennis courts.  In spring and autumn  it should  convert  into the venue for conventions and trade shows.  All these dictate the need  for airtight and well insulated structure -  for ice quality, climate control, humidity control  and sound protection.  It is proposed to utilize geothermal system  to draw energy for ice-making, as well as heating area
around the rink.  An excess heat would be used for heating of the adjacent building. At Sun Peaks, due to aquifer limitations vertical drilling can not be used. Horizontal loops must be considered instead.

This project is perfect case to take advantage of System Architecture principles to design, implement and operate the facility. The project implements a number of  innovative technologies and approaches to construction.    Modular design. Phased implementation. Flexible operation.

- Non-corroding aluminum structure and special fabric / sprung stressed membrane panels engineered to meet and exceed building codes.

- Low-emissivity roof, allowing to significantly reduce energy demand and improve quality of ice

- Strategically located translucent skylight provides natural sunlight with protection from harmful rays

- Night time low energy and high efficiency overhead lighting

- Energy efficient ice plant with thermal storage buffer and high-density foam insulation.

- Optimized ice rink pipe layout

- Heat transfer from ice to surrounding area, also allowing sharing excess heat with an adjacent facility

- Utilizing non-toxic refrigerant  with no ammonia usage.

- Energy efficient split space heating and de-humidification system.

- Efficient thermal and sound envelope insulation.

The Oracle of Omaha Makes First Investment into Solar: Other Investors to Follow Buffett?

Billionnaire investor, Warren Buffett has acquired a $2 billion solar project. Through his utility company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings, Buffett adds to his portfolio of wind and geothermal, amongst other diversified sources of energy.  What does this mean for the industry on a wider scale? Here is what Dr. Walter Cicha of the National Research Council’s IRAP Program says, “Buffet treating PV solar like an infrastructure play should really be a big boost for the U.S. solar scene. This should inspire other (hopefully big) investors.” Has the Oracle of Omaha found some prophetic insight into the future success of solar energy or is it another great value play? Either way, he has probably found good business sense for the decision, something, like Dr. Cicha suggests, should invite more investors to choose clean energy investments.

Invitation for Discussion

Sounds like another lobby. I heard the argument that making a new home solar ready will increase the cost of construction. It is not serious argument, considering $300 conduit comparing to $100,000 or $200, 000  and sometimes a million dollar house.
This is looking not further one's own nose - in just few years, when they will want to install solar, looking at the neighbors and everyone around, it will cost them much more to break the walls and ceilings to pull the pipes through ..
...With prices on the rise (BC Hydro 6% this year and 3% every year, but they wanted more, Propane up 11.5% from December 1st) the picture is changing more in favor of alternative or hybrid systems..
The cost recovery in 5-6 years is realistic. It is proven not only by "theory", but by practice - North Van
condo building is just one of many successful solar installations. (Europe has much more proven track
record than we are in North America). Yes, the availability and accessibility of the roof area, shading and other factors may affect the efficiency of the solar system. I should add it will also be affected by the poor or plainly wrong design and installation - I know examples of that, and they are negatively affecting public perception.  The solar industry, however, is at the same stage today where computers were 15-20 years back. Today we have products, which were not here just 2-3 years ago. The prices are also falling, which makes economic case even stronger.

Invitation for Beheading -)

I received the following email recently, which initiated a discussion.

Vladimir what is your comment on the following? "The solar water
heating industry needs to make the economic case on their own dime.
Taxpayers should not have to fund such feasibility studies in any form.
Furthermore, many academics and govt employees are biased in favor of solar
technologies, making the findings of such studies often the focus of heated
dispute among more 'objective' intellectuals.
 
 Statements such as "recovering the $6,000-$8,000 investment in short
order" have no basis in fact. The return on investment period is likely to
be 10-20 years or longer, and for many houses, the systems may be
impractical due to roof slope and orientation and lot shading throughout the
day.
 
 Ultimately, homeowners should not have to pay any costs towards
optional products they do not want in their homes. If the solar lobby cannot
make their products attractive to consumers without 'mandate handouts and
subsidies', that says a lot about the poor economics of their products.

BC's Quest For Carbon Neutrality

BCIT pays $279,000 a year of carbon tax.
UBC pays $1,500,000 a year of carbon tax.

What should be "Carbon" policy in BC ?
Report From Canada's Climate Policy Frontier