Mayor's
innovation Challenge
2021 Finalists
The Big Idea
The “Big Idea” is to create a solar thermal roof over the new Platform Innovation Centre parkade and enable Calgary to advance its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) mandate.
The Big Idea
The “Big Idea” is to create a solar thermal roof over the new Platform Innovation Centre parkade and enable Calgary to advance its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) mandate.
SolarSteam’s Technology
What is novel about SolarSteam’s technology is its transformative design for extreme climates using a transparent membrane enclosure that protects our lightweight concentrating solar system. Our curved mirrors concentrate sunlight onto a receiver tube that produces thermal energy for district heating & cooling as well as industrial process heat applications.
SolarSteam’s Technology
What is novel about SolarSteam’s technology is its transformative design for extreme climates using a transparent membrane enclosure that protects our lightweight concentrating solar system. Our curved mirrors concentrate sunlight onto a receiver tube that produces thermal energy for district heating & cooling as well as industrial process heat applications.
Green Building Transformation
In our design, the solar thermal collectors are surrounded by a protective, durable, and lightweight exterior membrane, sheltering the mirrors from the external environment. The roof structure is made of timber and steel which transfer the loads to the existing interior concrete columns and cores.
The upper floor is made of regionally sourced timber to improve the building’s lifecycle impact. Timber is a carbon sink as it sequesters carbon from the atmosphere during its growth, this can greatly assist in making a net zero building addition. Our design includes an optional glazed enclosure on the roof deck level which not only adds more functionality for existing tenants, but also generates additional income for the building owner.
Green Building Transformation
In our design, the solar thermal collectors are surrounded by a protective, durable, and lightweight exterior membrane, sheltering the mirrors from the external environment. The roof structure is made of timber and steel which transfer the loads to the existing interior concrete columns and cores.
In our design, the solar thermal collectors are surrounded by a protective, durable, and lightweight exterior membrane, sheltering the mirrors from the external environment. The roof structure is made of timber and steel which transfer the loads to the existing interior concrete columns and cores.
The upper floor is made of regionally sourced timber to improve the building’s lifecycle impact. Timber is a carbon sink as it sequesters carbon from the atmosphere during its growth, this can greatly assist in making a net zero building addition. Our design includes an optional glazed enclosure on the roof deck level which not only adds more functionality for existing tenants, but also generates additional income for the building owner.
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The upper floor is made of regionally sourced timber to improve the building’s lifecycle impact. Timber is a carbon sink as it sequesters carbon from the atmosphere during its growth, this can greatly assist in making a net zero building addition. Our design includes an optional glazed enclosure on the roof deck level which not only adds more functionality for existing tenants, but also generates additional income for the building owner.
Customized and Contextually Designed
project location
Located in the heart of Calgary’s historic East Village, the Platform Innovation Centre is an architecturally beautiful structure, with the potential state-of-art SolarSteam system installations.
With ample southern exposure, the aim is to showcase an eye-catching architectural landmark while inspiring Calgarians and visitors with SolarSteam’s innovative technology and its vision of a net-zero future.
- Platform Innovation Center
- District Energy
- Calgary Central Library
- Calgary Municipal Building
- Studio Bell
- Arts Common
- East Village
project location
downtown Calgary
Located in the heart of Calgary’s historic East Village, the Platform Innovation Centre is an architecturally beautiful structure, with the potential state-of-art SolarSteam system installations.
With ample southern exposure, the aim is to showcase an eye-catching architectural landmark while inspiring Calgarians and visitors with SolarSteam’s innovative technology and its vision of a net-zero future.
- Platform Innovation Center
- District Energy
- Calgary Central Library
- Calgary Municipal Building
- Studio Bell
- Arts Common
- East Village
District heating
Integration
As the district heating facility is located directly to the East of the Platform Innovation Centre, integrating SolarSteam’s technology on the building’s rooftop would be an ideal location for effective and sustainable heat supply.
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The shape of the new solar roof will complement the existing building and provide ample space suitable for a large SolarSteam installation.
The renewable heat created will supply future uses of the building and will complement the district heating system in the East Village. Minimal piping would be used to transfer heat from rooftop to ground level to minimise heat loss, ultimately connecting the south side of the Platform with the east side of the District Energy Facility.
District heating
Integration
As the district heating facility is located directly to the East of the Platform Innovation Centre, integrating SolarSteam’s technology on the building’s rooftop would be an ideal location for effective and sustainable heat supply.
The shape of the new solar roof will complement the existing building and provide ample space suitable for a large SolarSteam installation.
The renewable heat created will supply future uses of the building and will complement the district heating system in the East Village. Minimal piping would be used to transfer heat from rooftop to ground level to minimise heat loss, ultimately connecting the south side of the Platform with the east side of the District Energy Facility.
