COUNTRY PROFILE: Canada's Solar R&D Energy Strategy

Undeterred by the realities of government cutbacks and fiscal restraint, Canada is forging ahead developing innovative solar energy technologies with promising market potential.

The Energy Technology Branch (ETB), an R&D branch of the federal department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has had its budget reduced from approximately CAN$20 million in 1985 to CAN$8 million in 1997. To maintain Canada's commitment to solar energy technology, ETB has focused on cost-sharing activities with industry, utilities, universities and other research groups, and remains committed to developing the most promising near-term technologies and applications.

ACTIVE SOLAR

Canada is a country with among the lowest energy costs in the world yet active solar energy technologies still hold great promise, particularly for low temperature (<60C) heating applications. Simple yet innovative designs combined with detailed marketing strategies are yielding successes.

The introduction of an unglazed perforated solar absorber for ventilation air heating has resulted in CAN$5 million in international sales for one Canadian company. As well, Canadian companies, in partnership with ETB, are working to reduce the cost of solar domestic hot-water systems to less than CAN$1500 per unit. Other applications where efforts are expected to lead to significant market growth are in the residential pool market and aquaculture process water heating.

Ventilation air heating

The heating of ventilation or make-up air for industrial plants has proven to be one of the most cost-effective applications for solar heating in Canada. Conserval Engineering Inc. and ETB have partnered in the development of an effective, commercially viable perforated Solarwall for this application. The Solarwall can reduce heating costs for offices, apartments, warehouses and manufacturing plants by 30 - 40 percent.

Solarwalls are metal solar collectors that are mounted vertically on south facing walls of buildings. The systems use solar energy to preheat ventilation air which is distributed inside the building with a fan and ducting system.

Performance numbers have proven their worth. A typical solarwall can achieve an average solar collection efficiency rate of approximately 70 percent during the heating season. In the spring and fall this can be sufficient to provide up to 100 percent of a building's make-up air heating needs.

Research into solarwall technology currently involves the development of lighter colored paint coatings with high solar collection efficiency, and the development of a residential solar wall that is expected to be competitive with heat recovery ventilators (HRV's). Work is also underway to demonstrate the use of this technology for low temperature drying applications such as for tea leaf and cocoa bean drying.

Residential water heaters

Energy consumption by the residential sector accounts for approximately one-fifth of total energy use in Canada. Of this, approximately 17 percent is used to heat water, making water heating one of the most energy-intensive domestic end-use applications and one where solar energy can make a significant impact.

Together with the solar energy industry and Canadian utilities, ETB launched the S-2000 Program to develop and promote residential solar water heating in Canada. The goal is to achieve 10,000 installations by the year 2000 and 100,000 installations by 2010. The program promotes this technology by supporting field trials and monitoring systems in key market areas of the country.

Product development work is focused on the low-flow concept pioneered in Canada which allows for much smaller pumps and piping, and on significantly reducing equipment and installation costs.

The micropump, devised by Negentropy Inc. and supported by ETB is one component that promises to yield savings. It is approximately the size of a thumb, uses less than 10 Watts of electricity, and the microprocessor incorporated into its design removes the need for a separate systems controller. The development of this device is nearing completion and could be ready for production by the fall of 1997.

Work is also underway to develop a reliable, low-cost polymer resin tubing bundle that incorporates two tubes and electric wiring. Combined with the micropump, these two important components could potentially be delivered for less than CAN$200.

Aquaculture process water heating

Solar water heating may prove to be the most cost-effective way of improving the growth rates of young fish stocks in the aquaculture industry. To successfully transfer this technology, research is currently underway to determine the most effective aquaculture solar heating systems. Scientists and researchers are currently monitoring experimental systems and are working to determine the impact fluctuating temperatures have on the feeding habits of fish. Trials are underway for both salmon and trout.

Residential pool heating

Close to one in 10 homes in Canada have outdoor swimming pools that puts the total number of residential pools to well over 600,000. While this area has been identified as a good application for solar heating, the market share for solar has remained small.

Together with the solar energy industry, ETB has initiated a new program to raise the awareness level and benefits of solar heating in this market. The final part of the program involves monitoring three residential pools with solar heating systems in the main market areas identified for Canada. These will be used to help validate a new computer tool, ENERPOOL, which will be used in a detailed cost-benefit study to be conducted in the fall of 1997.

PASSIVE SOLAR

Because of Canada's cold winters, high-performance, energy-efficient windows make sense. In addition to finding ways to improve the efficiency of window technology, NRCan, in cooperation with industry, is focused on improving reliability, performance and bringing high-performance windows to the consumer.

Energy rating system for windows, a world first.

A voluntary window energy rating system designed to educate consumers on the merits of investing in high-performance windows is now in place in Canada. The easy-to-understand labels let consumers compare products and enable building inspectors to confirm compliance to future national energy codes. Rated products are labeled and on display at outlet points and distributor showrooms.

The rating system derives a simple number for a window based on a standard sized product in each category. The product is measured for its U-value, heat gain, and air leakage characteristics. These factors are combined in an appropriate equation for net annual energy gain (or loss) for a house. Computerized simulation tools, previously designed by ETB for design purposes are used to economically obtain window heat transfer characteristics and the energy rating number.

The cost of testing is kept low so as to not deter smaller manufacturers from participating. The certificate program is run by the industry and it is self-supporting from sales.

The new energy rating and labeling program has had an immediate impact on the Canadian window market. Manufacturers learned of the importance of energy saving designs that reduce heat loss and maximize solar energy heat transfer. Many of these design features are now incorporated into their products. The adaption of this energy rating and labeling system is expected to eventually double the performance of windows being installed in new houses.

The development of super high-performance windows

A number of innovative technologies are being developed and incorporated into advanced window design. Canadian scientists and engineers are working with triple and quad glazing, e-coating, krypton gas-fill, low-profile frames, areogels, and insulating spacers, to assess their impact on energy efficiency and reliability. These activities, are funded on a cost-shared basis between government, industry, universities and research groups.

Modeling and computer aided simulation

In partnerships with the University of Waterloo and Enermodal Engineering Ltd. of Waterloo, Ontario, ETB developed VISION and the FRAMEplus Toolkit and other programs for evaluating and listing the thermal performance of windows. This software, unique in North America, allows window and door manufacturers to rate their products and to design more efficient models.

Daylighting

Because of the popularity of incorporating daylighting techniques into Canadian building construction and design, ETB has been working with the private sector in developing design tools and launching pilot projects for daylight designers and building consultants. Some of their activities include advancing light-pipe technology and developing energy saving atria designs. As well, Canada is hosting an international conference on daylighting in 1998.

ADVANCEMENTS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS

With respect to photovoltaic (PV) technologies, the Canadian government focuses its efforts on the development and applications of PV technologies for the harsh northern environment where energy costs can be as much as 12 times the national average.

PV for the North

ETB and the Aurora and Nunavut Research Institutes have launched PV for the North, a CAN$1-million program designed to bring photovoltaic (PV) technology to northern Canada.

The program focuses on reducing energy costs by developing PV technologies that withstand northern Canada's extreme climate, by facilitating market penetration through elaborate market research and by creating awareness of this technology through workshops and demonstration projects.

Now in its fourth year, the program's success is marked by the establishment of a hybrid PV-Wind-Diesel demonstration system located at the Inuvik Research Centre in Inuvik N.W.T., and an experimental 3.5-kiloWatt PV system attached to a community college in Iqaluit N.W.T.

As a result of this program, a number of PV components designed to improve the operation of PV systems in harsh environments. One notable success story is the development of a special battery container that protects batteries from low temperatures. As well, extensive market and cost-benefit studies have convinced one communications company to convert many of its remote repeater stations from primarily battery power to PV power.

To conclude the five-year program, Canada is to host the Renewable Energy Technologies in Cold Climates Conference from May 4-6, 1998.

Applying PV technology to the agricultural sector

ETB, industry, and other levels of government are continuing to develop PV technologies for the agricultural sector. With research facilities located in southwestern Alberta, government is helping industry develop PV technology for deep and shallow well applications.

OUTLOOK

Canada is continuing to make advancements in solar energy technologies. By working in partnership with industry, the Canadian government is supporting the development and use of renewable energy technologies and is ensuring these technologies make it to the marketplace.

Article contributed by Doug McClenahan and Rich Janecky, CANMET - Natural Resources Canada.