Edmonton, May 20, 2021 – – The Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA), a not-for-profit association dedicated to finding innovative solutions to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, has now approved funding for nine projects as part of its Green Building Technology Network (GBTN).
“Buildings generate nearly 40 per cent of global GHG emissions and as high as two-thirds of emissions in Alberta’s largest cities,” said Pamela Goertzen, Executive Director of SSRIA. “Our focus on industry collaboration and innovation will drive the development and dissemination of validated solutions to reduce building related emissions while supporting the global competitiveness of Alberta’s Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry.”
The approved projects, located in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Fort Chipewyan, were reviewed by an independent panel of industry subject matter experts. These and future GBTN projects will be testing and validating innovative solutions to reduce energy use of the test buildings and demonstrate how those solutions can be successfully implemented at a larger scale.
The projects cover a diverse range of innovative technologies, products, and processes including Passive House and Net-Zero Energy design for multi-unit residential buildings, smart controls and switches, high-performance building envelopes, machine-learning for automating ventilation, internet-of-things monitoring systems, earth-tubes, and sewer heat recovery. The teams who are implementing the projects are collaborative partnerships with representation from various fields of expertise so that the learnings are shared across the industry and not siloed within one company.
“We are proud to say that the Métis Cultural Centre is one of the GBTN approved projects. The Métis have always lived on the land in harmony with Mother Nature and through this funding we can ensure that the Métis Cultural Centre will meet our goals for creating an environmentally friendly and sustainable building. We hope this sets an example for other projects being built across the province.”
— Bill Loutitt, Chief Executive Officer of McMurray Métis Local 1935
“Triovest is eager to bring innovative technology solutions to ATB Place in collaboration with Siemens, CLEAResult, and DIALOG. Managing a national portfolio of over 45 million square feet across 370 properties, Triovest recognizes the need to translate practical, achievable, repeatable and measurable actions across property types and geographies, specifically when it comes to sustainability leadership. We are appreciative of SSRIA’s support and look forward to demonstrating that the application of machine learning for VAV systems will deliver tangible energy and GHG reduction, even on systems previously thought to be optimized.”
— Ward Woolgar, Sr. Director, Operations, Triovest
SSRIA is now accepting applications for more demonstration projects in both rural and urban centres. Successful applicants are eligible for up to a $500,000 grant for projects that incorporate innovative solutions to reduce energy use and GHG emissions, can be replicated in other buildings in support of a regional zero-carbon built environment by 2050, and that will share the project results and learnings with all interested industry members.
The funding for the GBTN is jointly provided by the Alberta Innovates Clean Resources – Clean Technology Program and Western Economic Diversification Canada. In addition, all Project Teams will be leveraging the public funding through in-kind or cash contributions.
For more information about SSRIA, the announced projects or future funding opportunities, please visit www.ssria.ca.
Contact Information
Pamela Goertzen
Executive Director
SSR Infrastructure Association
780-702-1201
pam@ssria.ca