Articles tagged with "Sustainability"

The article highlights ten abandoned buildings owned by the City of Montreal, illustrating their deterioration and the city's efforts or lack thereof in repurposing these structures. Buildings such as the former Dickson incinerator and meat inspection clinic show significant historical and cultural value but remain unused. The city is exploring various options for redevelopment, including housing projects and potential economic revitalization efforts. Despite ongoing evaluations, many properties face challenges such as vandalism and structural decay.

A recent study by SOLARCYCLE and Arizona State University found that solar panels made with 50% recycled glass perform as efficiently as those made with new glass. This breakthrough supports the creation of a sustainable supply chain in the renewable energy industry by reducing waste and enhancing solar production sustainability. SOLARCYCLE plans to open a solar glass factory in Georgia to utilize recycled materials for building new panels. The company also aims to establish a massive recycling plant to further improve solar panel sustainability.

The article discusses Toronto's ongoing and future construction projects aimed at enhancing the city's transit infrastructure. As Toronto grows, underpinned by its robust development and increasing population, there is a focus on transit-oriented projects and station upgrades. Developers are investing in mega projects that incorporate transit elements to ensure sustainability and improve connectivity. The article highlights the potential for improving processes to maximize benefits from developments and enhance the existing transit systems through better coordination.

A new commercial carbon capture facility, Carbon1 Mississauga, is being developed in Ontario by Carbon Upcycling Technologies and Ash Grove. This facility will utilize patented technology to sequester carbon dioxide from cement production to create low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials. The project, slated to begin operations in 2026, is supported by Canadian government funding and marks a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of the cement industry. It reflects a collaborative effort among various stakeholders to promote a sustainable future.

EnBW plans to convert a former nuclear power site in Philippsburg into one of Germany's largest battery storage systems. The facility will have a capacity of 400 MW and 800 MWh, enough to power approximately 100,000 homes, and will help stabilize the grid by storing surplus renewable energy. The project is strategically located near a large substation connected to the Ultranet power line. Despite clear plans, the project still awaits final investment decisions and a building permit, aiming for operation by mid-2027.

Chard Development acquired a site on 1045 Haro Street in Vancouver under receivership and has submitted a rezoning application to construct a two-tower development. The proposed project includes a 26-storey and a 25-storey tower with a shared podium, offering a total of 542 rental units. The development will also feature childcare facilities operated by the YWCA, retail spaces, and a public plaza. The project emphasizes diverse housing options and sustainable community integration.

Helion Energy has commenced construction of the world's first nuclear fusion facility in Chelan County, Washington, aimed at generating low-cost, zero-carbon electricity. The project plans to supply power to Microsoft data centers by 2028, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy. The facility represents a collaboration with Constellation Energy and is supported by significant backers such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Despite challenges, the company is progressing with its Polaris prototype to advance fusion technology.

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science have developed flexible perovskite solar cells that can be fabricated under ambient air conditions without expensive environmental controls. These cells maintain over 85% efficiency after 2,800 operational hours and withstand 10,000 bending cycles with minimal efficiency loss. This advancement could lower production costs and expand applications in wearable electronics and vehicle-integrated solar power systems. The technology shows promise for commercial viability with large-scale production capability.

WSP is set to provide engineering and technical services for an expanded waste-to-energy facility in Charlottetown, replacing an existing district energy plant. The facility, designed to nearly double its current capacity, aims to divert 49,000 tonnes of municipal waste annually and reduce 908,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions by 2052. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall, with operations commencing in 2028.

Carbon Upcycling Technologies and cement company Ash Grove are developing a pioneering carbon capture and utilization facility at Ash Grove's cement plant in Mississauga, Ontario. The facility, named Carbon 1 Mississauga, aims to capture CO₂ emissions from the cement kiln and convert them into low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials. Supported by federal funding, the project aligns with Canada's climate goals and is expected to become operational in 2026, producing up to 30,000 tonnes of these materials annually. It is a collaborative effort involving government, industry, and local stakeholders.

A project is underway in Canada to explore technologies that could lower carbon emissions from off-road heavy equipments used in construction and other industries. GHD has been contracted by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to identify obstacles to the market adoption of these technologies. The initiative aims to pave the way for the construction sector to become more environmentally sustainable.

Fengate Asset Management's portfolio company, eStruxture Data Centers, has obtained $1.35 billion in new financing to advance its data center development across Canada. The package includes $750 million in asset-backed securities and a $600 million revolving credit facility, marking the first rated securitization of this kind in Canada. This financing supports the growing demand for digital infrastructure driven by AI and cloud computing needs. The funds are part of Fengate's Infrastructure Fund III and Fund IV and involve capital from leading institutional investors.