Nova Scotia Power and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) want to lead the way to a more sustainable energy future and improve the way energy is used across our province.
Building sustainability
When planning for the two buildings at its Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth, NSCC went beyond physical space, focusing on sustainability. The first building at the Waterfront Campus constructed in 2008 is 50 per cent more energy efficient than most new buildings.
The Centre for the Built Environment (CBE) opening in 2010 will go even further. Nova Scotia Power is making a major investment in NSCC to establish a strategic partnership to advance energy sustainability knowledge and practices using the CBE as a focal point for new models of environmental building methods and the use of sustainable energy.
The building itself aims for carbon neutrality. The physical building will use solar, wind and geothermal energy. It will feature a green roof and bio-walls that support indigenous plant life outside and exotic plants inside. The building is designed to evolve with new building technologies as they become available. The building will be a living lab where faculty, students and industry partners can test new systems and monitor their effectiveness in real time. It will enhance student learning and allow the construction sector to develop leading-edge environmental knowledge and sustainable practices.
Environmental research
Nova Scotia Power and NSCC will explore new ways of reducing energy consumption in built environments (new and retrofit). Our work together will increase practical knowledge about the use of renewable energy technologies. The CBE offers a showcase opportunity to apply and demonstrate renewable energy technology in a highly public venue. The resulting collaboration has the potential to benefit not only graduates of NSCC, but also all citizens of Nova Scotia for decades to come.