Project Ideas: Climate Change and Energy

Many of the University of Waterloo's campus buildings were built at a time when insulation, air sealing, and thermal bridging were not major concerns. Consequently, these buildings are not optimal for saving energy and are a large source of greenhouse gas emissions. How can we improve these buildings by prioritizing high-performance building envelopes?

Some co-op work terms require students to have access to a vehicle for their work. The University of Waterloo is concerned that the convenience of a personal vehicle may result in decreased use of sustainable travel choices for commuting to campus. How can the university better understand the challenges of personal vehicle access for students on co-op terms? 

We all know that it is bad to waste electricity. Since we have knowledge on peak electricity demand days, we can take steps to reduce our electricity use. How do we go about doing this?

Natural gas is the main resource used for heating on campus. The steam-based district heating system operates year-round and supplies steam for much of the university's heating needs. Can electrified alternatives be used in the summer months to reduce annual gas use?

Information Technology (IT) uses a lot of electricity, and often the computers, servers and supportive technologies are not optimized for energy efficiency. What strategies can the University of Waterloo use to reduce electricity use in computer labs and server rooms on peak demand days and throughout the year?

The University of Waterloo has a large untapped potential for renewable energy production that can reduce peak electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy systems are an important solution to the climate crisis and can also reduce the power draw during the five peak demand days that impact electricity costs throughout the year.

Food services currently uses natural gas for much of its cooking. With natural gas being the single largest source of energy emissions, is there a way to transition to electrified alternatives?

Action item 41 of the University of Waterloo's Shift Neutral climate action plan is the development of an institutional Transportation Demand Management Plan. Part of this plan involves finding creative ways to convince commuters to choose sustainable means when traveling to and from campus. What information does the university need to inform staff and students about the full environmental, social and economic costs of driving?

Is there a potential for ground source heat pumps in existing buildings on campus? How can we implement UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13, for affordable and clean energy and climate action?

At the University of Waterloo, commuting contributes an estimated 19% of emissions associated with the university. Parking fees can be a tool for incentivizing alternative commuting choices. However, an increase in parking fees alone is often a highly unpopular strategy. How can the university introduce best practices from other institutions to promote sustainable transportation?

There are 4 air handling units in the Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) that have a poor design which results in excessive stratification of inlet air. Past attempts to improve this situation have failed. How can these units be improved to more effectively mix incoming and outlet air?

How can Waterloo expand deployment of renewables on campus? Where would they make sense to go? What is their generation potential, and what is the financial commitment and payback? What other considerations should be explored?

Many buildings and rooms at the University of Waterloo are not performing at the level they were designed to operate at. Recommissioning involves identifying and addressing systems that are not operating at optimal levels and considering how these systems interact to affect overall performance. Which rooms on campus require the greatest improvement and how can we determine this?

There is a growing interest in wastewater heat recovery as an innovative approach to decarbonizing buildings.Can this approach be implemented on campus to reduce the energy and fuel needed to operate the district heating system? Can the system be reversed to provide cooling in the summer months?