Plus: A gigawatt floating solar farm in China, UAE plans to invest $54 billion in sustainable energy; BYD sells half a million EVs in October
I’m happy to share again on the topic of Single Egress Stairways and encourage you to learn why we ought to build these here in Canada and the US.
There are also lots of other great signpost stories throughout the rest of this issue. Scroll to the bottom for my thoughts on Canada’s proposed emissions cap.
Continue to forward on to those who would find this interesting and encourage them to subscribe.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter’s take: The case for the Single Egress Stairway
Recently, I learned the Alberta government opened a portal inviting feedback for ways to accelerate housing. My mind immediately turned to helping them understand how Single Egress Stairways (SES) can help. A year ago, I posted on this topic, which at the time was more commonly referred to Point Access Blocks.
I’ve submitted this concept to the portal and if you live in Alberta, I invite you to shower the Alberta government with more of the same advice. After all, this is not really that new. SES are widely used in Europe and several US states have already enabled them. Plus, the government of British Columbia recently changed their building code, making them an option there.
Here is what they are and why they matter.
By permitting SES:
- Architects and builders can construct on smaller lots, create more multi-bedroom apartments and make efficient use of space.
- The reduced need for additional stairways and associated infrastructure can lead to significant savings, which can be passed on to homebuyers and renters, making multi-bedroom apartments more affordable.
- It would also contribute to making it more financially viable to develop housing on infill lots and smaller plots, which can reduce construction costs and increase the number of available housing units.
- It offers a path to lower emissions. To start with, more shared walls in housing is inherently more energy efficient. Having windows on opposite sides of a unit enables cross ventilation, an important upgrade to units found in typical construction today that are extremely susceptible to overheating.
Safety considerations can be addressed by including requirements for sprinkler systems, noncombustible construction materials to enhance fire compartmentalization, having a higher air pressure in a wider stairwell, limiting the number of residents per floor and lastly, but most importantly, inspection and maintenance. Those in the fire-fighting community should welcome such an approach. SES are used widely in Europe and statistically, the evidence is clear: fire-death rates are consistently lower in Europe than in the U.S. and Canada.
BC has enabled SES for up to six floors, which means elevators are likely still desired. Adding elevators with current size requirements required by existing codes will add to costs. So, next up for policy change: enable smaller, more affordable elevators, just like they widely have in Europe. After all, if they can do it, why can’t we?
Solving for climate change necessarily means solving for end use emissions in cities. A key to gentle densification is making multi-bedroom apartments and condominium units that will meet the needs of families. Policy changes to enable SES can help unlock making this possible. Why wouldn’t we change our building codes to enable this? I know most of you live where SES is not yet enabled by policy. I invite you to advocate for this policy change where you live.
Still not convinced? Even if you are, I strongly encourage you to watch the 11 min video below.
Finance & Sentiment
COP29 Negotiators Agree on Global Carbon Market Mechanism
“Climate negotiators secured a breakthrough on day one of the COP29 climate summit by agreeing on rules for a United Nations-administered global carbon market. Proponents argue the new market will form the gold standard for emissions trading, unlocking billions in finance for emissions mitigation projects in the developing world. Buyers, mostly in wealthier countries, would be able to meet their climate goals by buying credits from projects that cut pollution.”
Yet, negotiators still need to agree on rules for Article 6.2, which sets the framework for bilateral trades.
EU insurance regulator calls for higher capital requirements for fossil fuel assets due to transition risk
COP29 Negotiators Agree on Global Carbon Market Mechanism
Shell wins appeal against landmark Dutch climate ruling
UAE plans to invest $54 billion by 2030 to meet sustainable energy demand
Technology
Hydrogen & Biofuels
Tainying collaborates to develop biomass-based methanol
The project will utilize green hydrogen from renewable-powered electrolysers and captured carbon of biogenic origins in the production of E-methanol.
Shanghai to build one million ton green fuel refueling capacity for maritime sector
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Neste and Air Canada sign agreement for the supply of 60,000 tons of SAF
The Grid
Massachusetts ratepayers to pay extra $512M for transmission line for Canadian hydropower
Urban Design & Buildings
Ikea pledges €1.5bn investment in renewables and energy efficiency
Interested in district energy here in Alberta?
The Association of Energy Engineers Alberta Chapter organizes a Calgary District Energy centre tour, mixer and expert panel event on Thursday, November 28, 3:00-6:30 pm.
With all the data centers being planned, using all the excess heat for district heating seems like a no-brainer.
Nuclear
Why Canada could become the next nuclear energy ‘superpower’
Energy Storage
Arm of LG Energy signs deal with Terra-Gen for 8GWh California grid battery
Alinta signs agreement for 7.2GWh pumped hydro plant in NSW, Australia
Meanwhile, Queensland pulled the plug on a 120 GWh pumped hydro project set to be the world’s largest.
EDF Renewables signs PPA for 1GWh battery storage plant with Arizona utility
China connects 300MW/1200MWh energy storage project to the grid
This is the world’s largest “grid forming” battery, which has inverters that convert electricity from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for delivery to homes and businesses.
Solar and Wind
China floats its first gigawatt scale offshore solar park, and completes 3GW PV project at old coal mine.
It took 68 years for the world to reach 1 terawatt of solar PV capacity. It took just two years to double it.
“Solar must now double installation capacity to reach 1 terawatt per year if we’re going to reach our global tripling renewables target.”
NSW approves supersized 1.3 GW wind project with fewer but bigger turbines
India’s NTPC tenders 1.8 GW of hybrid wind-solar power projects
Meanwhile, it also approved $9.5 billion in coal power projects to meet rising demand for electricity.
Transportation
Archer lands up to $500 million purchase deal for electric aircraft in Japan
Toyota takes surprise lead as battery EVs account for 94 pct of new car sales in Norway
Ameren agrees to pay for electric buses to resolve coal plant’s ‘pollution debt’
BYD sells record half a million plug-In cars in blowout month
Wind and solar lead accelerating LCOE drop for renewable energy: WoodMac
Policy
UK pledges to cut emissions by 81% by 2035
Canada proposes cap on oil and gas emissions, requiring one-third reduction
If you happen to be someone who thinks the proposed oil and gas emissions cap is a good and necessary thing, I invite you to see this a different way. Emissions from the production of oil and gas represent approximately 20% of life cycle emissions, with the other approximately 80% occurring at end use, either by us as consumers or also by us, but embedded in the products we use. Sure, emissions from production should be lowered. However, a far more powerful impact would be reducing the demand for and emissions associated with oil and gas in the first place. Economists will tell you the most efficient way to reduce end use emissions is an economy wide price on carbon. Knowing how hard it is to convince people of the merits of a carbon tax, I’ve turned to advocating for changes that reduce emissions in the places most of us live: cities.
For another take, I invite you to read this Op-Ed by Alex Pourbaix:
Opinion: Canada’s emissions cap shortsighted and punitive