Karen Mergler’s Post

☀ 🏢 Building-integrated photovoltaics (#BIPV) are the newest frontier of #solar and the latest #ClimateWin in Toronto. #SolarPanels have replaced building railings at a 1960s-era building on Wilson Avenue👉 https://lnkd.in/gqdh6_4T The solar panels, manufactured locally by Mitrex - Building-Integrated Solar Technology, are weatherproof and durable enough to be integrated into a building’s façade. The solar panels work double duty as an energy source and building #cladding, helping building owners reduce operating costs and #emissions while improving #affordability and #comfort for tenants. No solar fiction here, readers! Since 2021, solar cladding has been installed on various mid-to-high-rise buildings and structures across the #GTHA. Where do you see potential for solar cladding in your community? #SolarPower #SolarEnergy #Buildings #CleanEnergy #CleanTech #RenewableEnergy #ClimateChnage #Innovation #SolarPV

Here we go - - my first official post (of many, many, many to follow) on here under my Tenblock tenure and what a fantastic share to kickstart the new flow! Stephen Job 🌱 putting words into action on Tenblock's sustainability mission. #torontostar #mitrex #solarpanels #balcony #cladify #restoration #tenblock #sustainability #inaction

Skyscrapers could soon have a new purpose: storing renewable energy. This approach involves using skyscrapers to store potential energy when energy demand is low, and releasing energy when demand spikes. The recent article by CNN highlights the collaboration between Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Energy Vault to develop these gravity energy storage solutions. With SOM’s impressive track record in designing iconic buildings like New York’s One World Trade Center, Chicago’s Willis Tower, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, this partnership aims to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources and contribute significantly to the global energy transition. As the world moves toward net-zero emissions by 2050, grid-scale storage solutions like this are essential for balancing generation and consumption. Energy Vault and SOM’s project is set to pave the way for more sustainable urban environments, leveraging the heights of our cities to power a cleaner future. Read more about this exciting development in CNN’s full article: https://lnkd.in/g6mEXGHf #RenewableEnergy #EnergyStorage #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #EnergyVault #SOM #Skyscrapers #GravityStorage #NetZero2050 #UrbanEnergySolutions

Prevent, don't cool; A ‘critical blind spot’ in building industry energy debate. In this piece in Building, Design & Construction I talk about the flaws of the 'if in doubt, use air conditioning' approach to maintaining comfortable temperatures in homes and buildings. Luckily, that's starting to change as more architects recognise the sustainability benefits solar shading offers - something Passivhaus owners and designers have known for years. Read more below. https://lnkd.in/eeK8BceF

Find out all you need to know about solar tiles in our handy guide: https://buff.ly/4duV0w0 #diy #DIYDoctor #homeimprovement #home #construction #remodel #building #homeinspo #homesweethome #renovation #homerenovation #projects #project #ideas #realestate #exteriordesign

Many renters are missing out on lowering their energy bills because their landlords lack incentives to invest in energy efficient home solutions. However, if this report suggests higher returns for landlords who build sustainable homes, perhaps more will invest in electrification and sustainable home construction. There's also no doubts that investing in solutions like Quantum Energy Heat Pumps will offer an even better ROI than solar water systems suggested in this article. https://lnkd.in/gHUuWnDa

Leverage SIPs in roof, walls and floors to capture energy efficiency. As a key component to the Passive prescriptive path, SIPs bolster performance where structures need it most. #SIPsBuildBetter #PanelizedConstruction #PassiveHouse #PassiveStructure #Passive #EnergyEfficientHomes #HighPerformanceHomes #GreenBuilding #BuiltGreen #OffsiteConstruction #SwitchtoSIPs https://lnkd.in/gpPZBYc3

As the world moves towards sustainable energy solutions, solar carports are poised to play a significant role in urban infrastructure development. #SolarCarports #RenewableEnergy #SustainableLiving #CleanEnergy #GreenTechnology #EVCharging #EnergyEfficiency #UrbanDevelopment #OnlySunEnergy https://lnkd.in/d5xk6nQh

After all this time, energy-efficient branding (glad I still said passive solar, Passiv Haus, to differentiate): Passivhaus. https://lnkd.in/eW-PbcSh

Michael Stephenson of H2ecO, a 21 Degrees company, recently contributed as a panel expert at the “Strategic Energy Decision Making in Historic Country Houses” event at the esteemed Athelhampton House and Gardens near Tolpuddle, Dorset. Mike and his team installed an award-winning ground and air-source heat pump system at Athelhampton House in 2023. The event gathered over 60 historic estate owners and managers. It was hosted by Moulding The Builder one of the South’s leading building firms, a family-owned residential builder specialising in high-end Country House new builds and restoration, and SPASE Design, the lead designers of the decarbonisation initiative “Athelhampton Zero.” The focus was exploring Athelhampton’s transformative energy project, which reduced energy costs from £100,000 annually to just £500 while achieving near-net-zero carbon emissions. This remarkable outcome was made possible through a combination of tailored insulation solutions for the Grade I listed site, a substantial 130kWp solar installation, a 12-unit Tesla Powerwall battery array, and a blend of ground and air-source heat pumps powering the manor house, a rental cottage, and the coach house restaurant and reception area. The event featured presentations from four industry experts and a chairperson with first-hand experience integrating ground-source heating into his Grade I Jacobean property. Attendees gained insight into all aspects of the project, including design, regulatory compliance, operational considerations, technological integration, and funding. Guests were also given a guided tour of the Athelhampton Zero project, where they experienced the technologies in action, including the quiet operation of the ten air-source heat pumps near the “quiet garden,” which comfortably heat the main building and accommodations. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees impressed by the seamless and unobtrusive installation. Since earning the National Energy Efficiency Awards’ Multi-Measure Project of the Year in 2022, the Athelhampton Zero project has garnered accolades, including recognition from RICS, Architects’ Journal, and other prestigious bodies. #architects #countryhouses #energyperformance #energysavings #netzero #energysolutions