Northern Lights College

Project: Construction of Energy House — Education and Research Facility focusing on Alternative Energy programming

Status of Project: Substantially Completed

Project Description

This project involves construction of an 807 square metre Energy House building for the new Centre of Excellence for Clean Energy Technology. The new centre provides certification and trades skills for the renewable energy sector and supports applied research into renewable energy. The new facility includes two classrooms, meeting facilities and working applications of energy saving, water conservation and renewable heating technologies, such as solar panels and geothermal (ground source) heating. The facility is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification.

Primary Areas of Benefit

1. Expands or enhances utility of training space: Energy House accommodates an additional 199 full-time equivalent students per year in the trades and technology sector. Energy House offers certificates, diplomas and trade certificates in Wind Turbine Maintenance; Solar Thermal, Solar Electric and Geothermal Installation and Maintenance; Biomass Heating; and Plumbing, specializing in grey water and rainwater collection systems.
2. Improves energy efficiency: The facility is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. It anchors the Green Campus Strategy to reduce the campus’ carbon footprint, and water and energy use over the next three years. Special environmental features include a design to showcase renewable energy and green building technology in electricity production, solar and geoexchange heating, and water conservation.

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