Leading sustainability journal publishes white paper on JCPI - In the News
A new white paper by Mohawk College’s Energy and Power Innovation Centre explores how Mohawk’s award-winning Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation incorporated sustainable building concepts and technologies to design Canada’s largest net-zero and zero institutional facility.
The white paper, “Mohawk College’s Net Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Building- A Living Lab for high efficiency and renewable energy technologies in buildings,” provides an overview of the design criteria and technologies that were considered and used to achieve this innovative building. It summarizes and puts into context the effort undertaken by Mohawk staff and faculty to incorporate global best practices for net zero buildings. The paper explores how, by integrating sustainability principles in the design phase, the project team of Mohawk, EllisDon, mcCallumSather, RDH and B+H are able achieve significant energy savings- up to 80% less than the average educational service building.
The lead author is Mohawk College student and IDEAWORKS research assistant Rutul Bhavsar. The white paper was co-authored with Dr. Tony Cupido, Mohawk’s Research Chair in Sustainability and Dr. Mariano Arriaga, General Manager of the Energy and Power Innovation Centre. The research team was supported by Stephen Jankus and Clyde Sterry of Mohawk’s Facility Operations & Engineering Services group.
The Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation was designed as a living lab, integrating academic and applied research activities into the building’s day-to-day operations. For Electrical Engineering Technology student, Rutul, the opportunity to research the impact of on an award-winning building has been a highlight of his time at Mohawk.
“It was a great learning experience working on the white paper,” says Rutul. “This project has helped me understand how various technologies used in Mohawk College’s building and other modern buildings can improve occupant comfort and reduce environmental impacts.”
The white paper is available for download on Journal of Green Building’s website.