British Columbia opens up new paths in energy management
published in sb magazine 6/2022
Author Taio Waldhaus (P. Eng, CPHD), Principal, AME Group
Many municipalities in British Columbia, Canada have signed up to the Paris Accord, declared a climate emergency and made commitments to eliminate carbon emissions from new buildings in the following decade(s). As aquatic centres are among the highest energy-consuming of municipal facilities, efforts have been made in the design and construction of recent aquatic centres to sever the connection to gas infrastructure, resulting in all-electric facilities. Taio Waldhaus takes a look at energy-efficient mechanical systems in aquatic facilities.
British Columbia’s electricity grid is over 90% carbon-free, resulting in very low emissions associated with the electrified facilities. On-site electricity production, such as photovoltaics, to offset the remaining emissions from the grid, results in net-zero carbon emissions to be achieved in new facilities as defined by the Canadian Green Building Council’s standards.
Rendering: AME Group
