Robert Smith, Director of Energy and Environment, The Minto Group Lessons Learned from an EQ Community

1. Ampersand – A Sustainable Community
October 3rd, 2013
Robert Smith, Director, Energy and Environment
The Minto Group

2. THE MINTO GROUP
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3. INSPIRATION – A ZERO ENERGY HOME

4. ASIA PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
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$500,000 in funding
Feasibility of building net zero on a community scale
Focus on energy reduction and generation
Testing of innovative technologies
Zero energy condominium (14 units)
Mixed use community of 1000 homes (new product)
Affordable

5. ZERO ENERGY CONDOMINIUM CONCEPT

6. UNDER CONSTRUCTION

7. PILOT PROJECT
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8. STRIVING FOR NET ZERO
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9. PROJECT CHALLENGES
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New product for our company
– Either high rise or low rise
Cost prohibitive to go with a centralized system
– Over engineered?
– 400% budget overrun
Trades unfamiliar with technologies
Fear of the unknown
Non – Canadian products (APP requirement)
– Reliability of foreign product
– Warranties
Structural issues with large PV array
– Engineering
– Integration with mechanical equipment
Can it be reproduced?

10. EQUILIBRIUM COMMUNITIES
EQuilibrium Communities Initiative support
• $550,000 in funding
for Ampersand
• Research based project
TM
$550,000 total funding from CMHC and NRCan
– Strategies
Activities include: cases
– Business
 analysis for renewable energy; green financing;
• Sustainable community focus
stormwater run-off and water use reduction; and
– Community design
sustainable landscape practices
– Optimized use
 consultation/alignment with approval authorities
– Affordability
 showcasing performance
A collaborative initiative between Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY
and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

11. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
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12. AMPERSAND PHASE ONE

13. ENGAGE THE EXPERTS

14. CONNECTIVITY
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17. TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
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Bus rapid transit
Future Light rail transit
Promotes public transit
Community vision
1 parking space/unit
– 50% development credit
• $2,500/unit

18. STORM WATER RUNOFF
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Simple bio swale
Non innovative
City Planners in agreement
Pushback from Public Works
Poor perception

19. ZONING ISSUES
• Originally zoned for low
rise
• Revised site plan to
increase density
• Pushback from the
community
• Will the market sustain
this type of product

20. CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM
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21. POTENTIAL DISTRICT ENERGY

22. CHP PLANT FUEL OPTIONS
• Biomass / Gasification
• Liquid Bio-fuels
• Biogas

23. DISTRICT SYSTEM BENEFITS
 Avoided costs of mechanical
equipment in buildings
 Avoided mechanical maintenance
in buildings
 Avoided heating fuel to buildings
 Reduced space required in condos
for mechanical room
 Consistent supply of energy

24. PARTNERSHIPS
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25. SHOWCASING AND AWARENESS
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26. Lessons Learned
It’s not easy the first time
Never stop innovating!
Benefits out weigh the
challenges
Engage the experts
Partnerships are key
Engage your customers!

27. QUESTIONS?
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