Alternative Energy & Modular Buildings: A Green Solution

Climate change and global warming are at the forefront of our concerns now more than ever. We saw pollution levels drop and wildlife flourishes in ways we haven’t seen in decades during the 2020 pandemic. Now, we are clearly seeing the negative impacts on the environment and the dangers these bring to future generations.

Alternative energy companies are booming today, with wind and solar industries leading the charge for a clean energy revolution. This blog will outline everything you need to know about renewable energy, including LEED in construction.

A majority of the 15,000 dams in Canada were made as components of hydroelectric projects. With the number of projects and running water in Canada, the country is the second-largest producer of hydroelectricity. This resource accounts for 59.3% of Canada’s total electricity production.

A lot of provinces rely on hydroelectricity. In fact, 98% of Quebec’s electricity generation comes from hydroelectric. Other provinces such as Newfoundland, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island rely on hydroelectric for up to 95% of their electricity.

Wind energy is a prominent renewable energy source in Canada. Using wind to generate electricity emits no greenhouse gases, no air or water pollution, and no toxic or hazardous waste. 

In Canada, a large majority of wind turbines are set up onshore in a large capacity that feeds directly into the electricity grid. The largest wind turbine farm is located in Vulcan County, Alberta and it is made of 166 wind turbines. 

Annual avian mortality from collisions with turbines is a much smaller percentage than mortality from power lines. The wind industry has been testing methods that potentially reduce bat mortality by more than 50%.

Solar power is energy that is sourced by the sun and converted into electrical or thermal energy. Not only is solar power a sustainable resource, but it is also the cleanest and most abundant renewable resource available today. 

Even though Canada is known to have short days and long winters, solar energy can still be a valuable resource to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of solar energy has become significantly more cost-effective. Because of this, solar has been used within the residential realm as well as throughout various commercial industries. 

Other forms of alternative energy include tidal energy, biomass energy, and geothermal power, just to name a few. But if there’s one thing these energy industries have in common, it’s that they can benefit from the usage of green modular buildings for their operations.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is an international standard for sustainable and green building. There are six areas of performance LEED looks for in buildings that attribute to better human and environmental health. 

1. Location and Transportation
2. Sustainable Site Development
3. Water Savings
4. Energy Efficiency
5. Materials Selection
6. Indoor Environmental Quality

Currently, buildings account for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and consume up to 70% of municipal water. As an organization, LEED helps companies build with the intent to reduce emissions and landfill waste, save water, and conserve energy.

The research LEED has done shows that green buildings are not only better for the environment, but also better for your employees. Because of the increased benefits of this type of building, they are a great long-term investment. 

Human Health. Sustainable buildings provide better air quality with lower concentrations of CO2 and volatile organic compounds. When a building has better ventilation, employees experience higher productivity levels and fewer sick days. 

Environmental. One of the more obvious benefits of sustainable construction is the reduced amount of water, energy, and natural resources used during the construction process. Generally, LEED-certified buildings produce 25% less energy and 11% less water compared to their conventional counterparts. 

Economic. Although the upfront costs of a green building may be more expensive, you’ll ultimately save money in the long run because they’re more efficient. Additionally, Canada’s initiatives toward sustainable buildings will continue to create more jobs. It’s projected that by 2030, green construction will account for 1.5 million jobs and $150 billion in GDP.