Ontario Tech University
OP-8: Building Energy Consumption

Baseline was adopted in line with Ministry of Energy mandated Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan development

Aim to meet ASHRAE standards (55-1992).

100% incandescent bulb phased out to LED modeled reduction of 85kw of demand. Going forward, implementing LED-only standard.

Occupancy sensor lighting systems and dimmable lighting systems applied in classrooms and offices campus wide.

Heat Mirror windows with a center of glass thermal resistance matching that of 25mm of polystyrene. Windows are super high efficiency, with special thermal properties to maximize the use of passive solar heat metal oxide-coated window glazing that blocks 99.5% of UV rays.

Geothermal Well Field UOITN is home to Canada's largest geothermal system (and the second largest in North America), a 1,500 - ton BTESS which sits hidden beneath the 7500 square meter quad at the center of the complex. The installation is made up of over 370 bore holes (180m deep) that are used to heat and cool the campus buildings. Water circulates through the underground network (150 kilometers of polypropylene piping). In the winter, the geothermal system takes heat from the earth, and carries it to the buildings. In the summer, the same system removes heat from the buildings and disperses it into the ground. The innovative system links each building to a central HVAC plant.

Cogeneration Plant A ground source heat exchanger is used as the primary source for heating and cooling at the centralplant. Thermal energy produced at the plant is used to heat existing and new buildings on the DurhamCollege and UOIT campus, while electricity produced is used to displace electrical load from the provincial supply grid.

Retrofitting lights in classrooms to LED and installing occupancy sensors. Installing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).

BAS The facilities are all operated with computerized comprehensive building automation systems. All incoming electrical feeds are monitored with electronic metering as well as sub-metering at the distribution points so that the ongoing building operation can be optimized. Centralized computer control systems off lights in rooms when they’re unoccupied using occupancy sensors, monitor air temperatures and automatically oversee other aspects of the interior space. CO2 monitors assess air quality and control the outside air use.

Vegetated Roofs Four buildings are constructed with extensive “green roofs” to total 1600 square meters. The use of grass and soil on rooftops to aid drainage, retain heat and improve air quality. Roof runoff water is collected in an underground cistern with a capacity of 250,000L. This water is then used for irrigation and flushing within the buildings surrounding the quad; reducing UOIT’s fresh water consumption of treated water from municipal sources.

Walls, Roofs & Insulation UOITN buildings are designed with high levels of insulation, in the outer envelope. The roof has an “R- Factor” of 30, the walls have an R-Factor of 24, and the windows have an R- Factor of 9 with thermally broken frames and no thermal bridging. Penthouse walls were all insulated to R-20 to avoid waste heat losses from the mechanical spaces. For a substantial capital cost saving for the perimeter heating system, the university buildings have a high efficiency glazing system, allowing for a complete neutralisation of the perimeter skin of the building. To significantly reduce the yearly energy consumption of the building our exposed concrete structure provides thermal massing and the sod roofing will reduce heat losses in the summer and solar gain in the summer. Windows The building envelopes were all designed with two types of windows. The first are high performance Heat Mirror™ windows with a center of glass thermal resistance matching that of 25mm of polystyrene. Windows are super-high efficiency, with special thermal properties to maximize the use of passive solar heat metal oxide-coated window glazing that blocks 99.5% of UV rays. The other type of window used is Softcoat LoE². These windows provide the highest level of comfort and energy savings year round. They block up to 84% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and deliver a remarkable 96% performance improvement in winter nighttime insulation (R-value) compared to non-coated air-filled insulating glass. The coating is virtually invisible to the eye – it is just like looking through clear glass. Controlling solar gain not only saves energy during the air-conditioning season, it improves the comfort and livability of sunny rooms during the spring and fall when the cooling system isn't normally used. Lighting Each building is designed around a central atrium that provides natural light through all the floors. Orientation specific solar shading is used to reduce solar gain. The lighting was designed with T5 & T8 luminaires with dimming electronic ballasts and comprehensive occupancy sensor coverage in the new buildings. Light levels are thus set at optimal levels and controlled by photo sensors in the spaces, and lighting energy is eliminated when the spaces are unoccupied.

Cogen plant/district steam is managed by Durham College who share our North Oshawa Campus Location