Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology Showcase Earth Rangers Center Newsletter

FROM OUR FALL 2013 E-NEWSLETTER

Top 5 Retrofits of the ERC You Should Copy

The Earth Rangers Centre is an advanced green building designed to embody Earth Rangers’ values, to show that we practice what we preach, and to serve as inspiration to everyone who walks through our doors. We host thousands of visitors every year and we often hear the same questions:

What was the payback of this system or that strategy?
What is your total energy cost?
Are you net-zero energy yet?
What would you repeat in a “normal” building?

Many of the retrofits found in the ERC would make perfect sense in any existing building. Here are the top five strategies you should consider incorporating into your building.

Data Centre Renewal

The Earth Rangers Data Centre, originally constructed in 2009, won many prestigious awards for its energy efficient, innovative design. Four years later, much of its hardware is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Earth Rangers has also grown significantly since then, as have our IT requirements.

This offers us an opportunity to improve the functionality of our network and services, while also seeking to dramatically cut the energy use of this system. So far this year, our data centre and plug loads account for 32% of the total energy consumed by the ERC.

EnergyWise Network Switches for power-over-ethernet (PoE) devices and smarter management of office equipment like monitors, printers, phones and more
Replacing aging desktop PCs and phones with an integrated thin client solution to simplify IT service requirements while saving energy
A new wireless network that manages access in a secure fashion
HVAC improvements in the data centre that will utilize “free” cooling and our existing geothermal system to halve the cooling load of the room

We’ve already begun work on this project, and expect to complete it early in the new year. Along with Cisco, we’ll be sure to keep you informed of this exciting project and our ongoing partnership.

The Earth Rangers Centre as an Educational Tool

The Earth Rangers Centre continues to be used as a tool to educate and engage the next generation of green builders through our Cement Association of Canada sponsored post-secondary tours.

In addition to our many tours, current green building professionals can now use the ERC to maintain their LEED Accredited Professional credential, through self-reporting after reading our recently published case study in Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine.

Blue Water Project Update

We announced this spring our successful application for an RBC Blue Water Project grant.

The water system at the ERC manages all water needs entirely on-site and sees 1.7 million litres of water recycled annually. This grant allowed us to purchase and install additional meters to complete the water monitoring system for the green roofs, white roof, rain water capture and reuse systems, storm water mitigation strategies and wastewater treatment plant.

We have now installed the additional meters, and are in the process of commissioning them. We’re starting to collect data and evaluate the now complete water cycle at the ERC.

These meters will allow us to demonstrate the effect and performance of every water saving strategy at the ERC, including the capture of rain water from our roof surfaces.

PartnerUpdate

Artex Environmental Awarded 2014 Clean 50 Award

We’re proud to announce that our partner, Paul Blanchard, President and CEO at Artex Environmental, has been recognized for a 2014 Clean 50 award as an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism.

Artex provides best in class electronic waste recycling, and is the exclusive eWaste recycler for Earth Rangers. Since January 2011, Artex has ethically and environmentally responsibly recycled over 30 million tons of eWaste! See how they can help your business safely, securely and responsibly recycle its end-of-life electronics. Learn more.

Assa Abloy EcoDoor

Our new EcoDoor has been installed, and we’re waiting for some cold weather to undertake an infrared scan. This scan will show a marked improvement over our old, leaky rotating door.

Cement Association of Canada: Rediscover Concrete Workshop

At the recent FCM Conference in Vancouver, Earth Rangers’ Executive Director Peter Kendall spoke during a cruise of the waterfront, discussing biodiversity, climate change and how buildings can play a part in improving environmental impacts.

Mister Chemical Ltd.

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Mister Chemical Limited, a local distributor of cleaning and janitorial products. MCL offers a complimentary cleaning audit, scoring their clients green cleaning programs, and offering support to improve the effectiveness of their clients’ sustainability efforts. Earth Rangers is working with MCL to audit our own green cleaning program and will be recognizing the top scoring partners of MCL with an award to celebrate their commitment to environmentally responsible cleaning. Read more.

From our Spring 2013 E-NEWSLETTER
FROM OUR SPRING 2013 E-NEWSLETTER

ERCShowcase.com is now live!

We recently launched our new website for the Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology – ERCshowcase.com.

Featuring exciting new interactive content, ERCshowcase.com demonstrates how we’re making use of the next generation of green building technologies, including the latest in energy metering, efficiency and generation, water conservation and reuse, carbon offsets, EV charging and more. Be sure to have a look at the website and learn more about our amazing building and the sponsors who helped make it all happen.

Sustainable Buildings and Communities: CanmetENERGY Natural Resources Canada Research

The Earth Rangers Centre has partnered with Sustainable Buildings and Communities, CANMET Energy, a division of Natural Resources Canada. We’re working together on an ambitious metering and monitoring project at the ERC. The project consists of two parts, one to further quantify energy consumption and what to target to achieve net zero energy consumption, and the other to extensively meter, monitor, and model the performance of our earth tubes.

Work has started on the first stage of the project, in which we are adding metering devices to plug loads and devices that currently fall under the “other” category in our metering system. Plug loads are growing concern in buildings, particularly in the ERC since we have been quite successful at decreasing the consumption of most of our other building systems. The data gleaned from this project will inform our next set of conservation measures.

The second part of the project involves our earth tubes. Measured data will be used by the building science specialists at NRCan to develop a design guide for earth tubes. Once complete, architects and engineers will have a guide that clearly defines best practices for earth tubes and that establishes design criteria. This guide will accelerate the adoption of earth tubes in building across the country, decreasing the energy used for fresh air tempering like it has for the ERC. We will continue to post updates in our blog as this project progresses, so keep checking back for updates!

A special thank you goes to Holcim Canada who has recently renewed their sponsorship of the Earth Tubes tour stop. To learn more about the earth tubes at the ERC please visit our site.

Media Coverage Highlights
Buildings Magazine Buildings.com showcased our Facility Team in a recent feature article. “Some buildings are simply left humming along after having earned some mark of energy certification. But this ho-hum approach won’t suffice for these building managers. For them, being efficient and sustainable isn’t just a nice distinction in the community or a plaque on the wall. It’s their job.” Link Canadian Property Management Magazine Canadian Property Management Magazine featured an article about our LEED Platinum certification, including praise from Canada Green Building Council’s CEO Thomas Mueller. “I would like to congratulate the Earth Rangers Centre for becoming the highest rated LEED for existing buildings project in Canada. This is the first time ever that the CaGBC has certified a building initially as LEED Gold for New Construction, and then seven years later as LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance. It is key for LEED certified buildings to not only achieve this high level of performance, but maintain it as well. Earth Rangers took this a step further by exceeding the performance targeted under their initial certification. This project sets a benchmark in Canada that any building owner can follow to create lasting dividends for the environment and their pocketbook.” Link
Building Partner Update

We are excited to welcome Assa Abloy Canada as a new Building Partner. Assa Abloy Canada provides door opening solutions and will showcase their many offerings at the ERC. Highlights include a new thermally efficient door in our theatre and replacing our drafty rotating reception door with a dual-pane, insulated alternative. We will be conducting an infrared scan before and after installation at these locations, and sharing improvements in thermal comfort and the energy savings that result.

Schneider Electric, recently included in the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World” list for the second year in a row, completed a video case study of the Earth Rangers Centre. The video features Schneider Electric Canada President Daniel Peloquin, our Executive Director Peter Kendall and ERC Director Andy Schonberger. Have a look: Link

Firestone Building Products’ white, TPO membrane roof above the second floor offices at the ERC keeps us cool in the summer, and directs day light into our skylights year round. We are pleased to welcome Firestone Building Products to our list of Building Partners. Firestone has already featured the ERC in their annual calendar, and we look forward to future collaboration with their team.

Host your Event at the ERC!
The Earth Rangers Centre is the perfect choice if you’re looking to host your team-building or corporate event at a unique location. Located on over 12 acres of breath-taking scenery, the facility houses some of the leading sustainable technologies currently available. A free tour is included with each rental. Please contact Sonia Albertini 905-417-3447 x 2274 or salbertini@earthrangers.com for rates and availability.
LEED UPDATE:

LEED® EB Platinum:

The Earth Rangers Centre, already LEED® for New Construction Gold Certified in 2006, is now certified Platinum under LEED® for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EB)! Scoring a total of 92 of a possible 110 points, the ERC is the highest scoring LEED EB certified building in Canada. This certification proves that not only did we design and building the ERC to the highest green building standards, but that we are continuing to operate and manage the impact of our ongoing operations in a similar manner.Indeed it proves that operations can actually exceed design goals. ...Read more...
From our June 2012 E-NEWSLETTER
FROM OUR JUNE 2012 E-NEWSLETTER

The Earth Rangers Centre is Showcased in Construction Canada
Andy Schonberger and Dr. Scott Tarof of Earth Rangers had an article published in the April edition of Construction Canada, showing the benefits realized by Earth Rangers as a result of its choice of concrete as a base building material, and the effect that that choice has on biodiversity. The aggregates industry is making significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint, and the Earth Rangers Centre is a perfect example of those benefits in action. Read more
The Smart Grid for Water
Energy is rightfully top of mind for building professionals, and it should be with its cost and environmental impact. Looking at buildings specifically, which consume about 40% of primary global energy this is natural and obvious focal point. Less obvious is the link that water has to energy, but it is there nonetheless. High performance buildings aim to do more with less and are designed to be resource efficient buildings. ...Read more...

I (Really Do) Work in a Green Building
Shan Bates' post on how a tenant could benefit from buildings systems integration struck a chord with me. It's probably because it is what my Facilities team has been working on for the past 3 years. I work for Earth Rangers, a not-for-profit that is focused on the education and inspiration of the next generation of environmental stewards - like my four year old son. ...Read more...

Green Collar Jobs are a Science and an Art
There isn't necessarily a straight line to reaching the senior ranks of a green career. These days you might need to pick up a variety of skills along the way. Just ask Andy Schonberger, the Director of Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology in Woodbridge, Ont. Going through high school, he knew he wanted to be an engineer, he says. "But I was always raised with that green bug at home," ...Read more...

Building Partner News

MCW Wins Consulting Engineering Ontario Award
The Consulting Engineers of Ontario host a gala each year to recognize the knowledge, expertise and contribution made to the economic, social and environmental well-being of Ontario. We are extremely proud to announce that our MCW Custom Energy Solutions was the winner of an Award of Excellence for the HVAC retrofit of the Earth Rangers Centre. Click here for more.

Artex Environmental Joins as Data Centre Sponsor (E-Waste Solution)
We are excited to partner with Artex Environmental because of their dedication to safe, secure, and environmental best practices for handling of electronic waste. ARTEX is a certified primary processor with the Ontario Electronics Stewardship Program (OES) that provides end of life E-waste services. Their solution sends zero e-waste to other countries, zero waste to landfill, while offering the most secure form of data security ... Read more...

JouleX Joins as Data Centre Sponsor (IT Energy Management Solutions)
Joulex is the leading innovator in enterprise energy management systems. Its flagship solution, the JouleX Energy Manager (JEM), is being used at the ERC to drive down the energy consumption of IT infrastructure throughout the building. ...Read more...

Salivan Landscape Joins as Sustainable Site Sponsor
Salivan Landscape founded in 1923, is one of the most experienced and largest landscape companies in Southern Ontario. They provide ongoing maintenance of the ERC's native, drought hardy species, and keep our grounds impressive and appealing with full-service maintenance, architecture and construction of the highest caliber... Read more...

Green Cricket Joins as Green Washroom Sponsor
We are pleased to announce that Green Cricket has become our exclusive supplier for Foaming Hand Wash and commercial cleaning solutions. Cost efficient Green Cricket products are ideal for Property Managers, Educators, Retirement Residences and Health and Fitness facilities looking to create healthier environments for staff, tenants and guests or needing to address health issues such as fragrance sensitivities or allergies.
OTS Video About the Gym
In January, 2012, we completed the gym renovation project. This project was undertaken with a green building angle. The recycled Pro-fit rubber floor was donated by National Rubber, and refurbished machines outfit the space for tenants to use. Check out this video case study of the project. To see what other OTS products we use at ERC, click here.
From our February 2012 E-NEWSLETTER
2011 Energy Savings:
The Earth Rangers Centre facility team had a target of 10% energy savings for the 2011 calendar year over 2010. The numbers are in, and we surpassed our goal! We achieved a 17.8% savings over 2010, despite an increase in heating requirements.This equates to 123,000 kWh, enough power to supply nine and a half average Canadian homes for a year! Much of these energy savings can be attributed to ...Read more...

TUTORIAL: Build your Own Preventative Maintenance Program:
The Earth Rangers Centre facility team has developed some unique solutions to building operations problems. We are going to use our building tour and this newsletter to share some of these innovations. The first in this series is our Preventative Maintenance Program, which Brett Sverkas, our Facility Manager, developed. We have implemented our own unique Preventative Maintenance Program that is web-enabled. It allows our facility staff to maintain, document and track maintenance of our systems. Click here to see our video tutorial on how you can build this for your company.

Schneider Electric and Earth Rangers Receive Global "One" Award:
The ONE Solution Provider Trophy campaign is an internal Schneider Electric competition that showcases key projects and initiatives which support Schneider's business integration efforts. These efforts are focused in three focus areas: One Team, One Solution Provider, and Planet & Society. Schneider Electric Canada submitted the 'Earth Rangers EcoStruxure Green Building Solution' project as a contender for the One Solution Provider Trophy. The project involved integration efforts to combine energy metering, information systems, and building automation into a comprehensive, usable and engaging energy management solution for the building and its occupants. ...Read more...

Consulting Engineers of Ontario Award:
MCW Custom Energy Solutions, our Mechanical Room tour stop sponsor and consulting engineers, are in the running for recognition by the Consulting Engineers of Ontario for their work on our parking lot, geothermal, and HVAC upgrades. You can see by our 2011 energy numbers that they are in a good position for this recognition and we wish them luck in the competition. The awards will be announced in the spring. Good luck MCW!

CBSF New Sponsor of ERC's Green Office Tour Stop:
Canada's Best Store Fixtures (CBSF) helps North America's most successful retailers create their own flexible, customized fixture program. These fixtures are built with Forestry Stewardship Council Certified Wood (FSC), and all off-cuts are recycled. CBSF has come onboard as a building partner for ERC's Green Office tour stop. CBSF fixtures were chosen for our print shop, in the form of a light table, printer table, and storage fixtures for our education program materials production, as well as ...Read more...

BASF Helps to Reduce Enviromental Impact via its Concrete Products:
Concrete plays an integral role in heating, cooling and ventilation at the Earth Rangers Centre. In almost every space, concrete is visible. Radiantly heated and cooled slabs, earth tubes and the thermal mass construction of the building all rely on concrete as the base building material. The concrete industry is working to reduce the environmental impact of its products and BASF has two innovative solutions: ...Read more...

Tire-Derived Products: Sustainable Materials Build Ontario's Economy: Author Andrew Horsman
There was a time when the construction industry only cared about tires if a tire on a piece of equipment or truck was flat. Now recycled tire products are materials that help create a building, as the importance of sustainable building takes hold and scrap tires are being converted into everything from roof shingles to parking lot materials. From golf cart to open pit mining truck tires, Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) helps to divert the approximately 12 million scrap tire equivalents produced in Ontario every year...Read more...

Improving the Global Water Situation Through Sound Plumbing Practices:
Ever since the first sewers were built in Iraq in 5000 BC, the first sanitary systems were constructed in India around 2500 BC and much later when the Romans built their famous aqueducts, plumbing has had a remarkably enabling and ennobling effect on human endeavour and progress. When the Romans first developed their aqueducts there were approximately 55 million humans on the planet, less than 1% of the 7 billion or so humans alive right now. ...Read more...
From our November 2011 E-NEWSLETTER
Greenbuild Expo:
We were happy to have had the opportunity this fall to participate on the trade show floor of the Greenbuild Expo, the worlds largest green building conference. Hundreds of delegates came to see how the partnership between Earth Rangers and Schneider Electric is helping to push what's possible in a green building. ...Read more...

Our Energy Report Card:
This summer's heat was handled efficiently at the ERC. How efficiently? We used the traditional refrigeration equipment for only 3 days the entire summer! How did we accomplish this? By cooling directly with the ground and using the building automation system to ideally control the geothermal to keep the building cool. ...Read more...

LEED Update:
We are awaiting Canada Green Building Council's audit of our LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance submission. We look forward to achieving the Platinum level of certification in the near future and will keep you posted on our progress. ...Read more...