UWI Net Zero Energy Building Construction Underway
Construction of Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s first Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) is advancing apace at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
The contractors, M&M Jamaica Limited, have made commendable headway in doing the groundwork for the building which will have a range of energy-efficient features. The NZEB at UWI will generate approximately 5% excess electricity from renewable energy annually.
The building will have a grid-tie connected to the UWI campus grid and any excess energy generated on site will supplement the local grid.
The UWI NZEB is an advanced high-impact research project. The building will host the Regional Research Centre on renewable energy and the state-of-the-art facility will also be used for meetings and short courses related to building materials and renewable energy.
The pioneering project to construct the NZEB at UWI is being implemented by the Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD) at The UWI (Mona), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
NZEB Project Benefitting NHT
The National Housing Trust (NHT) headquarters in Kingston is benefitting from the Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Project of The University of the West Indies (UWI), aimed at developing energy-efficient new buildings retrofitting solutions for Jamaica and the Caribbean.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed between the NHT and The UWI covers the assessment of the most advanced retrofit solutions to increase energy efficiency and performance of existing buildings while withstanding anticipated impacts of climate change.
The energy retrofit project for the NHT includes the Michael Manley Building, the car park and the Emancipation Park.
Under the project, a comprehensive energy assessment is being conducted by APEC Limited and engineers from Basil Nelson & Associates. The next phase will see the retrofitting of NHT structures to reduce energy demand by 30%.
The retrofitting of the NHT buildings will demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of NZEB technologies on existing buildings in Jamaica and increase awareness among architects, planners, building engineers and other related experts.
Policy Development Consultant on Board
Policy Development Consultant, Keroma Bernard has begun his outreach to stakeholders with a view to hosting consultations towards developing an Energy Efficient Building Code Policy for Jamaica.
During the first quarter of 2017, Mr. Bernard will be meeting with various stakeholders, conducting industry research and analysis and synthesizing information to produce concrete recommendations for the National Policy and Plan for retrofitting all suitable existing buildings and the development of NZEB in Jamaica.
NZEB Project Team Presentation at the University of Technology (UTECH)
Members of the NZEB Team: Professor Tara Dasgupta (right), Principal Investigator, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry, UWI; Louise Fletcher (centre), Mechanical Engineer and Kevin Rodriguez, Project Coordinator in discussion with architecture students at UTECH on November 17, 2016. The Team gave an update on the construction of Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s first NZEB sited at The UWI.
NZEB Project Presentation at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) 4th Biennial Conference & Expo “Science, Technology and Innovation: Stimuli for Health, Wealth and Wellness”.
“Net Zero Energy Building: An Innovative concept for the Caribbean” was the topic of the NZEB Project presentation on November 15, 2016, at the SRC’s two-day conference and exposition.
NZEB Project Presentation to the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) on September 19, 2016.
UWI NZEB Project Team from left Kevin Rodriguez, Professor Tara Dasgupta, Chris Lue, and Louise Fletcher with JIE President Gary Walters (second right).
Carlington Burrell, Project Manager, Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (right) and Professor Tara Dasgupta (2nd right), Principal Investigator, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry, UWI; joined here by Michelle Chong (left), President, Jamaica Exporters’ Association and Dr. Cliff Riley, Executive Director, SRC.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
The BUILD BETTER JAMAICA Team takes this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
Best wishes from the Net Zero Energy Building Project Team:
Principal Investigators – Professor Anthony Clayton and Professor Tara Dasgupta
Project Coordinator – Kevin Rodriguez
Project Administrative Assistant – Englebert Davis
Design Team Lead – TYA Design
Architect – SDS Architecture Ltd.
Surveyor – Earle Spencer & Co. Ltd.
Structural/Civil Engineer – SGS Engineers Electrical Engineer – Empro Engineers & Services Ltd.
Contractor – M&M Jamaica Limited
Information Dissemination & Public Relations – EXPAND Management Consulting Ltd.