U of T Scarborough is getting a financial boost to make the heating and cooling system in the Andrews Building more energy efficient, helping to cut campus greenhouse gas emissions in the process.
The campus will receive $2.7 million as part of a new provincial innovation fund to support green projects across the three U of T campuses aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also receive a $3.5-million grant and a $3.5-million interest-free loan for a total of $9.7 million for energy efficient upgrades across campus.
As part of the funding, U of T Scarborough will get a geothermal field in the courtyard of the Andrews Building to help heat and cool the building, as well as replace older heating and ventilation equipment with more efficient equipment.
Converting to these newer systems will save approximately 2,829 tonnes of C02 emissions, says Jeff Miller, U of T Scarborough’s director of facilities management. Miller says this makes up approximately 40 to 50 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions on the south campus.
“This will reduce our greenhouse gas production in the south campus by about 46 per cent,” he says.
‘GREEN’ PROJECTS AT U OF T RECEIVE $26.7 MILLION BOOST IN PROVINCIAL FUNDING
A multi-year plan to further reduce greenhouse gas production on the south campus and through new developments on the north part of the campus, including the proposed residence at Ellesmere and Military Trail, is also in the works adds Miller.
In recent years, U of T Scarborough has committed to green building design through the recent construction of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC) and Environmental Science Building (ESCB). Both have received LEED gold certification for environmental design and building practices.
At TPASC, 40 per cent of the building’s heating and 99 per cent of its cooling are supported by a geothermal field with more than 100 well points, a green roof that covers about 60,000 sq. ft. and 1,854 solar panels on the roof that can generate up to 593 kW of power per hour.
The ESCB has also been recognized for having one of the highest standards in sustainable building design. It has been nominated for a LEED Innovation award by the Canadian Green Building Council.