Ampersand – A Sustainable Community

October 3rd, 2013

Robert Smith, Director, Energy and Environment

The Minto Group

THE MINTO GROUP

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INSPIRATION – A ZERO ENERGY HOME

ASIA PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

• $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

ZERO ENERGY CONDOMINIUM CONCEPT

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PILOT PROJECT

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STRIVING FOR NET ZERO

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PROJECT CHALLENGES

• 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?

EQUILIBRIUM COMMUNITIES

• $550,000 in funding • Research based project

– Strategies – Business cases

• Sustainable community focus – Community design – Optimized use – Affordability

A collaborative initiative between Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY

and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative support

for Ampersand

$550,000 total funding from CMHC and NRCan

Activities include:

analysis for renewable energy; green financing;

stormwater run-off and water use reduction; and

sustainable landscape practices

consultation/alignment with approval authorities

showcasing performance

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

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AMPERSAND PHASE ONE

ENGAGE THE EXPERTS

CONNECTIVITY

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TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

• Bus rapid transit • Future Light rail transit • Promotes public transit • Community vision • 1 parking space/unit

– 50% development credit • $2,500/unit

STORM WATER RUNOFF

• Simple bio swale • Non innovative • City Planners in agreement • Pushback from Public Works • Poor perception

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

CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM

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POTENTIAL DISTRICT ENERGY

CHP PLANT FUEL OPTIONS

• Biomass / Gasification

• Liquid Bio-fuels

• Biogas

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

PARTNERSHIPS

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SHOWCASING AND AWARENESS

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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!

QUESTIONS?

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