Dr. Andreas K. Athienitis
Biography
Dr. Andreas K. Athienitis, a Professor of Building Engineering at Concordia University, serves as the Director of the Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies, a venture he co-founded. Holding the Concordia University Research Chair in Solar Energy and previously leading a NSERC/Hydro-Quebec Industrial Research Chair, Dr. Athienitis is globally recognized as a pioneer in smart net-zero energy solar buildings. He boasts fellowship status in esteemed organizations such as the Canadian Academy of Engineering, IBPSA, and ASHRAE. Dr. Athienitis has spearheaded significant research endeavors, including the NSERC Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings Strategic Research Network and the NSERC Solar Buildings Research Network, with a combined budget of $20 million. His accolades include the NSERC-ADRIQ Partnerships Award in 2012, and he has authored over 300 refereed papers and several acclaimed books. Furthermore, Dr. Athienitis has been instrumental in realizing award-winning innovative buildings like the Varennes net-zero energy Library and the EcoTerra House. With over 100 graduate students under his guidance, 16 of whom have transitioned into professorial roles worldwide, his impact on the field is profound. Currently, Dr. Athienitis chairs the Canadian Academy of Engineering’s “Roadmap to Resilient, Ultra-Low Energy Built Environment with Deep Integration of Renewables.” Moreover, he led the successful Concordia University CFREF proposal for $123 million on “Electrification of Resilient and Decarbonized Communities (Volt-Age)” and now oversees its Scientific Committee and Theme 1 on the built environment.
Presentation Abstract
His presentation will delve into the systematic modeling and early-stage design considerations for advanced solar buildings and communities. These structures are optimized to harness solar energy using building-integrated solar systems for electricity and heat production, as well as specially designed windows for passive solar heat gains and daylighting. Efficient energy storage systems, both thermal and battery-based, are also integral to these designs. Dr. Andreas will draw on exemplary Canadian case studies of net-zero energy buildings and solar communities to provide valuable insights into accelerating the adoption and enhancement of such sustainable designs. These efforts are aimed at achieving a decarbonized and resilient built environment. He will also highlight the challenges and strategies for integrating these designs with smart grids, including dynamic pricing schemes for electricity. The presentation will showcase results from three case studies, with a focus on optimal design, operation, and flexibility in load profiles for grid interaction. The Varennes Library, a smart solar net-zero energy institutional building completed in Canada in 2016, will be a key highlight, showcasing its ongoing monitoring and study. Dr. Andreas will conclude by discussing lessons learned from these projects, offering valuable insights for the design and development of carbon-neutral, resilient communities in Canada.
Anders MacGregor
Biography
Anders is a Senior Building Performance Consultant on Stantec’s Carbon Impact Team that specializes in the optimization of the energy performance of buildings through the use of whole-building energy modelling and promoting integrative design strategies. He is passionate about reducing the carbon impact of our future building stock by working with the design teams to optimize the building performance of new construction projects for reduced carbon emissions. Anders has dedicated his career to finding low carbon solutions to building design and has experience in helping design teams find feasible solutions to achieve sustainability and high performance goals by providing design guidance throughout the length of the project. As each new project presents its unique challenges, Anders uses energy modelling and parametric analysis of the building parameters to help design teams meet their performance targets.
Presentation Abstract
As the design and construction industry continues to change in response to climate change and building mandates supporting a zero carbon future come into effect, innovative design strategies must be explored. Anders will showcase Stantec’s response to low carbon mandates and the AIA 2030 commitment as it relates energy modelling and building performance. A case study will be presented which shows the strength of an integrated Carbon Impact team and the various modelling tools and strategies available to achieve zero carbon goals