Welcome to our weekly newsletter showcasing environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable world.
Have you ever pondered how ancient civilizations, lacking access to fossil fuels, ingeniously employed physics and engineering to fulfill their comfort needs like heating and ventilation? Interestingly, modern climate concerns are now leading us back to these ancient strategies.
This week’s highlights include the revival of building ventilation techniques pioneered by ancient Persians and Romans, the current status of monarch butterflies, and the introduction of a Canadian electric locomotive designed to operate in extreme -40 C winters.
In the realm of sustainability, Limberlost Place, a new net-zero building at George Brown College in Toronto, stands out not just for its 10-storey mass timber construction and rooftop solar panels, but for its innovative use of solar chimneys. These solar chimneys, inspired by ancient technology, facilitate passive ventilation by harnessing natural forces to move fresh air through the building, significantly reducing energy consumption while ensuring continuous operation even during power outages.
The solar chimneys are strategically integrated into the building’s design, optimizing energy efficiency in both summer and winter. The system’s reliance on passive ventilation minimizes the need for traditional mechanical ventilation systems, resulting in substantial energy savings. Moreover, students at George Brown College are actively involved in managing the building’s environment, contributing to a sustainable living lab experience.
In a separate development, Cando Rail & Terminals unveiled a groundbreaking electric locomotive powered by a lithium-ion battery, specifically engineered to withstand the harsh Canadian winters. This innovative locomotive, a first of its kind in Canada, successfully completed rigorous testing in frigid conditions, demonstrating its capability to operate efficiently in extreme temperatures.
Supported by funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta, Cando Rail & Terminals aims to manufacture a fleet of these electric locomotives over the next decade, with the ultimate goal of replacing their entire diesel-electric fleet. Each new locomotive is projected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly rail transport system.
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– Cameron MacCuish