2020 – CECA U of T Student Chapter

May 22, 2020May 23, 2020 Adrian Sin Green Energy Challenge 2020

Green Energy Challenge 2020: The Community Engagement Team

For past weeks, we’ve be doing a series of blog posts highlighting specific Green Energy Challenge (GEC) teams, what they’re all about and the people involved in the teams. Finally, we have the Community Engagement (ComEng) Team!

The Community Engagement Team

The Community Engagement Team engages with the community within Orde Street Junior Public School to raise awareness about environmental issues and the need for energy efficiency and conservation. Due to COVID-19, in-person engagement sessions had to be moved online. The team successfully transitioned to online learning, including targeted lesson plans for different age groups, interactive activities and videos!

This year, the Community Engagement Team has 3 members: Kin Hey Chan, Alexa Tumaneng, and Pavani Perera. The Team Lead for Community Engagement is Kin Hey Chan.

Community Engagement Team 2020: (from left to right) Kin Hey Chan, Alexa Tumaneng and Pavani Perera

What has the Community Engagement Team Done?

The ComEng team has developed a series of grade-appropriate educational videos, blog posts and worksheets to educate the students at the school about sustainability and green building concepts.

The ComEng team has created a game that encourages players to optimize their energy usage.

In-game photo showing the map layout of the game world

Thank you for sticking around for all the team showcases! I hope you enjoyed them all!

May 15, 2020May 10, 2020 Adrian Sin Green Energy Challenge 2020

Green Energy Challenge 2020: The Project Management Team

For the next coming weeks, we’ll be doing a series of blog posts highlighting specific Green Energy Challenge (GEC) teams, what they’re all about and the people involved in the teams. Next up is the Project Management (PM) Team!

The Project Management Team

The Project Management Team is responsible for the cost estimation required for the recommended retrofits, finding applicable rebates and incentives and scheduling the installation of the various components. They bring the work of the BEP, Solar and Lighting Teams together and develop a comprehensive costing strategy for the client.

This year, the Project Management Team has 5 members: Mahia Anhara, Nicola Liu, Keziah Nongo, Jade Huangfu and Bo Zhao. The Project Management Lead is Mahia Anhara.

So far, the PM team has began cost estimation for the project and scheduling. For scheduling, the tasks and their respective timelines have been determined and placed on a Gantt Chart. In terms of financing, applicable rebates, incentives and funding sources will be determined to help realize the project. As part of the PM team’s task, a cash flow analysis and a payback period will be determined for the project.

Stay tuned for the next team spotlight post on the Community Engagement Team!

May 8, 2020May 1, 2020 Adrian Sin Green Energy Challenge 2020

Green Energy Challenge 2020: The Lighting Team

The Lighting Team

The Lighting Team is responsible for doing photometric analysis to determine the ideal amount of illumination in an indoor space. A photometric analysis involves inputting the locations for the lighting retrofits and sizing them appropriately for ideal illumination in each part of the room. They are also responsible to recommend energy efficient lighting upgrades, such as conversions from incandescent lighting to light emitting diodes (LEDs). All these improvements help to increase the energy efficiency of the building and increase occupant comfort.

This year, the Lighting Team has 3 members: Jason Wang, Mahia Anhara and Chelsa Lou. The team lead for the Lighting Team is Jason Wang.

Lighting Team 2020: (from left to right) Jason Wang, Mahia Anhara, Chelsa Lou

What have they done so far?

In the beginning, the Lighting Team focused on collecting the existing conditions of the building. This included going around the building and measuring the level of light available in each room with a mobile app. They also captured images of the existing conditions and any problematic areas. The retrofits that are made will not only improve energy efficiency, but also occupant comfort.

Members of the Lighting Team auditing existing conditions

The Lighting Team is hard at work to improve lighting energy efficiency and occupant comfort! So far, they have successfully completed their product selections and related calculations. In the next coming weeks, they will do their technical analysis including, the photometric analysis and the ceiling plan.

Stay tuned for the next team spotlight post on the Project Management Team!

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Adrian Sin Green Energy Challenge 2020

Green Energy Challenge 2020: The Solar Team

The Solar Team

The Solar Team is responsible for designing the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System to reduce electricity usage from the electrical grid. This will help reduce the impact of pollution from electricity production and contribute towards a net-zero energy goal for the building.

This year, the Solar Team has 6 members: Keziah Nongo, Jason Wang, Sarah Garland and Chelsa Lou. The team lead for the Solar Team is Keziah Nongo.

The solar team is excited to design a grid-direct PV system that utilizes the school’s large roof space to develop an affordable renewable energy system!
GEC Solar Team 2020

What they have done so far!

The Solar Team is hard at work to deliver a cost effective and efficient solar system network to Orde Street Junior Public School! So far, they have completed the shading analysis and assessed PV system requirements according to the building and client needs. Through these analysis, they drafted a modular PV system design that is scale-able to different performance needs. They are looking to finalize their PV system design soon, as final electricity and heating data with the projected retrofits become available.

Sample of the Shading Analysis for Order Street Junior Public School

Stay tuned for the next team post of the Lighting Team!

April 27, 2020May 1, 2020 Adrian Sin Green Energy Challenge 2020

Green Energy Challenge 2020: The Building Energy Performance Team

The BEP Team

The BEP team has two jobs during the GEC. The first job is energy analysis, and the second is building retrofit design. This year, they are analyzing Orde Street Junior Public School located in downtown Toronto.

This year, the BEP team has 6 members: Bo Zhao, Ashley An, Binuji Liyanage, Jade Huangfu, Nasteha Abdullahi and Paul Go. Bo Zhao is this year’s BEP Team Lead.

The BEP team was responsible for identifying the existing building conditions. Since Orde Street Public School is located within an old building constructed in 1914, it is ripe for building energy upgrades! The BEP team gathered information about insulation, window quality, HVAC loads and vampire loads. This data helps to identify problem spots for building energy improvements

A member of the BEP team takes a photo of a window

Energy Analysis

Energy analysis involves conducting an energy audit of the building. This includes plug loads, HVAC loads, electricity usage and any potential natural gas demands. Using this data, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) Building Energy Tool can by calibrated to provide a building score that includes the building’s existing score and potential score.

Screenshot from Building Model Created in DoE Buidling Energy Tool

Building Retrofit Design

Using the results of the DoE Building Assessment, numerous energy efficiency improvements can be recommended for the building. Efficiency upgrades such as more efficient boilers, improved windows, wall insulation and thermostat upgrades are considered.

Stay tuned for the next team post on the Solar Team!