DCC has helped its Client-Partner, the Department of National Defence (DND), take a big step forward in energy efficiency and sustainability, with its first "net-zero ready" building.
The 3,389-m2, $15.7-million Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Facility at CFB Gagetown has nearly all the features required to run completely off the grid, including geothermal heating and its own well, water treatment system and septic system.
The last piece of the puzzle is solar arrays, which is scheduled to be installed next summer. They will provide power to the building and grid that will offset the annual electricity consumption currently purchased from the province.
The building is located in the range and training area 15 km from the Gagetown Garrison, so having it be as self-sufficient as possible is important to ensure ongoing operations, explains Scott Nason, Coordinator, Construction Services. He led the DCC team of Doug Thompson, Coordinator, Commissioning, Danny Dobbelsteyn, Coordinator, Electrical, and Michel Picard, Coordinator, Construction Services, on the project.
"Achieving net-zero energy consumption with a building is a first for DND," Scott says. "The project was a good starter step to learn from. DCC was instrumental in streamlining the problem-solving process and providing sound advice to resolve issues as we worked with advanced technology to ensure maximum energy efficiency."
The project won an award for best practices in environmental sustainability from the Real Property Institute of Canada. In addition, DND will be applying to have the facility's current LEED Silver certification upgraded to Gold once the solar arrays are in place.