Academic literature on the topic 'Solar heating – Ontario – Toronto'

The potential to conserve energy in an apartment building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada through the implementation of an advanced envelope system was explored in this study. This paper illustrates the possibility in reducing energy demand through an integrated design process (IDP), where research outcomes were incorporated into the architectural design. Using the floor plan and schematics provided by the designer, a building energy model was established in an advanced simulation program to evaluate the performances of nine low-energy envelope design strategies in reducing the heating and cooling energy consumption. Through this study, it can be concluded that performing detailed energy simulations early in the design process to identify which low-energy envelope strategies can be omitted or substituted in the final envelope design is crucial in identifying the most effective strategies for improving energy performance. This study also demonstrates the potential of collaboration between academia and industry in generating high performance buildings.

Abstract The authors describe the optical design of a high-resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), which serves as the primary instrument at the University of Toronto Atmospheric Observatory (TAO). The FTS is dedicated to ground-based infrared solar absorption atmospheric measurements from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Instrument performance is discussed in terms of instrumental line shape (ILS) and phase error and modulation efficiency as a function of optical path difference. Typical measurement parameters are presented together with retrieval parameters used to derive total and partial column concentrations of ozone. Retrievals at TAO employ the optimal estimation method (OEM), and some impacts of the necessary a priori constraints are examined. In March 2004, after participating in a retrieval algorithm user intercomparison exercise, the TAO FTS was granted the status of a Complementary Observation Station within the international community of high-resolution FTS users in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition and Change (NDACC). During this exercise, average differences between total columns retrieved from the same spectra by different users were below 2.1% for O3, HCl, and N2O in the blind phase, and below 1% in the open phase, when all retrieval constraints were identical. Finally, a 2.5-yr time series of monthly mean stratospheric ozone columns agrees within 3% with those retrieved from Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System (OSIRIS) measurements on board the Odin satellite, which is within the errors of both measurement platforms.

Wind-driven mixing in the epilimnion of a deep lake can be suppressed when there is a weak near surface stratification, which occurs frequently during periods of strong solar heating and weak winds. Using data from a vertical chain of fast response thermistors, we analyze the frequency of near surface stratification in the top 2 meters of the epilimnion in Lake Opeongo, Ontario for the periods between May and August in 2009 and 2010. Near surface thermoclines (as defined by dT/dz > 0.2 °C m−1 between 1 and 2 m) occur for 24% of the sampling period in 2009, 37% of the sampling period in 2010 and correspond to periods of high values of gradient Richardson number. During daytime the epilimnion is stratified up to 45% of the time. At night, cooling generally leads to a more isothermal profile, but near surface thermoclines still form at least 20% of the time. Extended periods of near surface stratification (>1 h), account for more than 80% of the stratified period. We compare these findings with previous observations from the Experimental Lakes Area in Northern Ontario, and discuss the biological implications of episodic stratification.

AbstractThe current study tests applications of the Comfort Formula (COMFA) energy budget model by assessing the moderating effects of urban parks in contrast to streets, and it also looks at the influence of park types (“open” or “treed”). Exploration into energy budget modeling is based on empirical meteorological data collected in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on fair-weather days plus the effects of a heat wave and climate change, at various metabolic activity levels. Park cooling temperature intensities ranged from 3.9° to 6.0°C, yet human energy budgets were more closely correlated to incoming solar radiation than to air temperature. A strong linear dependence was found, with absorbed radiation (correlation coefficient squared r2 = 0.858) explaining the largest fraction of energy budget output. Hence, although the four parks that were examined are classified as urban green space, the distinctive treed areas showed a greater budget decrease than did open park areas (−25.5 W m−2). The greatest difference in budget decrease was found when modeling the highest metabolic rate, giving −20 W m−2 for “whole park,” −32 W m−2 for treed sections, and −3 W m−2 in open park areas. These results are intuitive within energy budget modeling and indicate that blocking radiant energy is a vital aspect in lowering high budgets under the conditions tested. Strong empirical support was provided through successful prediction of emergency-response calls during a heat wave in Toronto (5–7 July 2010) and surrounding days. Calls were found to be significantly dependent on the energy budget estimations (r2 = 0.860). There is great potential for outdoor energy budget modeling as a meaningful guide to heat stress forecasting, future research, and application in bioclimatic urban design for improving thermal comfort.

During warm weather, urban surfaces heat up in the sun. Runoff from these surfaces during rain events is much warmer than under natural conditions. Warming is increased in stormwater management ponds due to solar heating. Without intervention, stormwater management pond outflows often exceed temperature thresholds set for the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Several strategies and technologies exist to mitigate outflow temperatures. Using monitoring data from a recent pilot project, we present geothermal cooling as a new thermal mitigation option. The pilot was implemented in a stormwater management pond located in Brampton, Ontario in 2019. The geothermal cooling system used a surface water heat exchanger to absorb excess heat energy from the warm stormwater outflows and, via a circulating hydronic fluid in a closed circuit, it rejected that heat energy to the deep ground using a vertical borehole. A system model was developed that was in good agreement with the monitoring data. The model was used to estimate the size of a full scale system for the pond. This pilot demonstrates several key benefits of geothermal cooling. It has good performance, and it is also cost-effective, scalable, retrofittable, space efficient and highly engineerable, and it has minimal visual impact on the pond.

In the summer of 2007, a single neighbourhood in downtown Toronto contributed at least 13 percent of all residential grid???tie solar photovoltaic (PV) systems sold in the Canadian province of Ontario. On average, PV purchaser households produced 37 percent as much electricity as they consumed. This research investigates solar energy adoption in a community case study. Specifically, it investigates why some residents who sign up for a solar resource assessment through a community solar energy initiative (CSEI) decide to purchase, and others decide not to purchase in the short???term. Characteristics and perceptions of potential adopters are analyzed to better understand their motivations and barriers to adoption. Community energy projects became an official public policy goal in Ontario, with the passing of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act in 2009. Approximately 80 percent of Ontario???s anticipated generation capacity will need to be built, replaced or refurbished within 15 years. In this context, the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Ontario Power Authority, and Deloitte (one of Canada???s leading professional services firms), have partnered with a ???green benefit??? fund, the Community Power Fund, to help local community groups access resources to develop and establish renewable energy projects. Understanding solar energy adoption in a community context is therefore important to improve the effectiveness of such policies, including the disbursement of multi???million dollar grant funds. Differences between purchasers and non???purchasers in respect of adoption behaviour were found in this study to cluster around two general themes. The first theme concerns differences in compatibility of both the concept of solar energy systems, and their physical attributes, with characteristics of potential adopter households. Some compatibility issues are straightforward, e.g. availability of roof space with a southern orientation. Others are more complex, involving several interrelated perceptual and socio???demographic factors. For instance, while both purchasers and non???purchasers rated cost as a very important barrier, purchasers rated the motivation of solar energy systems to reduce climate change higher relative to the barrier of high financial costs than did non???purchasers. Purchasers were also more likely to possess a graduate degree, while non???purchasers were more likely to hold a professional degree. The second general theme relates to potential adopters??? trust and stake in the ability of the community???based initiative to reduce barriers in the adoption process. Since two types of solar energy systems are considered in the case study???PV and thermal (hot water)???differences are explored between each of three respondent groups: solar PV purchasers, solar hot water (SHW) purchasers, and non???purchasers. iv Surveys were used to gather data on adopter perceptions and characteristics. A participatory research design helped identify the research topic. Two main bodies of literature???community???based social marketing (CBSM) and diffusion of innovations theory???were drawn upon to conceptualize the adoption process and interpret the survey findings. These include five models of human behaviour that can be used to guide the design of CBSM campaigns. Diffusion theory was used as a basis for discussing ???perceived innovation attributes???. The study takes an integrated approach by considering both social and technical aspects of solar energy adoption, together with the issues of fuel substitution and household electricity demand.

A preliminary design and feasibility study has been conducted for a 200 kWe solar thermal power plant for operation in Ontario. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of small-scale commercial solar thermal power production in areas of relatively low insolation. The design has been developed for a convention centre site in Toronto, Ontario. The plant utilizes a portion of the large flat roof area of the convention centre to accommodate the collector array. Each power plant module provides a constant electrical output of 200 kWe throughout the year. The system is capable of maintaining the constant output during periods of low insolation, including night-time hours and cloudy periods, through a combination of thermal storage and a supplemental natural gas heat source. The powerplant utilized the organic Ranking cycle (ORC) to allow for relatively low source temperatures from the solar collector array. A computer simulation model was developed to determine the performance of the system year-round using the utilizability-solar fraction method. The ORC powerplant uses R245fa as the working fluid and operates at an overall efficiency of 11.1%. The collector is a non-concentrating evacuated tube type and operates at a temperature of 90°C with an average annual efficiency of 23.9%. The system is capable of achieving annual solar fractions of 0.686 to 0.874 with collector array areas ranging from 30 000 to 40 000 m2 and storage tank sizes ranging from 3.8 to 10 × 106L respectively. The lowest possible cost of producing electricity from the system is $0.393 CAD/kWh. The results of the study suggest that small-scale solar thermal plants are physically viable for year round operation in Ontario. The proposed system may be economically feasible given Ontario’s fixed purchase price of $0.42 CAD/kWh, but the cost of producing electricity from the system is highly dependent on the price of the solar collector.

The heating of water for domestic purposes presently accounts for 24 percent of Canadian residential energy consumption (Natural Resources Canada, 2006). This energy demand is primarily met by conventional sources such as electricity, natural gas and oil. Recent changes in fuel availability and price as well as environmental concerns lead consumers to give further consideration to the use of solar energy for heating water. The objective of this paper is to simulate the different domestic hot water (DHW) systems to examine their fuel consumption, greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, life cycle costs and pay back periods. In this case study, seventeen different DHW systems were simulated using TRNSYS as simulation engine. These include solar-based models (with electric and natural gas backup tanks), electric and natural gas tank models (with and without gray water heat recovery), on-demand and combo-boiler systems. This paper will discuss three solar-based systems in detail, however their result comparison with other systems will be discussed. Three different solar-based systems are: I) Solar pre-heat with .56 efficiency natural gas back up tank; II) Solar pre-heat with .94 efficiency electric back up tank; III) Timers (off during peak times 7am till 10 pm) with solar pre-heat and electric (.94 efficiency) secondary. Results indicate that solar alternative having timers with solar pre-heat and electric secondary gives best results in terms of annual fuel consumption ($93) and GHG emissions (266 kg). However on demand modulating gas combo boiler (0.78 efficiency) with gray water heat recovery (0.6 efficiency) has best 30-year life cycle cost ($12332).