This release is available in French.
Montreal/October 14, 2009 – Judith Woodsworth, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University, is pleased to announce the building of a new Environmental Chamber with an integrated solar simulator. The Environmental Chamber will be built through a grant of $4,613,253 from the Federal and Provincial Governments, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
The Environmental Chamber will serve as a research facility for Concordia University's Centre for Building Studies (CBS) and researchers from the Solar Buildings Research Network, a pan-Canadian network housed at Concordia. The Environmental Chamber will allow the testing of innovative building-integrated solar systems, building models and full-scale structures in controlled conditions. It will determine their response to temperature, humidity, precipitation, the sun's rays etc. The long-term objective of this research is to develop solar buildings with net-zero energy, with the potential to generate as much electricity as they use.
"This project represents the realization of one of the priorities laid out in Concordia University's Strategic Research Plan 2008-2012", says Woodsworth. "This Environmental Chamber will be the only one of its kind in Canada and features elements found in the world's leading laboratories for research in solar energy and building materials".
The Environmental Chamber with its integrated solar simulator will allow for further research into gathering, use and storage of solar energy as well as the optimal use of natural light in buildings. Building envelopes will be tested on their ability to store heat, resist freeze/thaw damage, air infiltration, condensation and other adverse conditions. The Environmental Chamber will also allow for the testing of composite materials and structures such as floors and windows.
The Environmental Chamber will be located in the basement of the Henry F. Hall building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West). Construction is set to begin in 2010.
For more information, please contact:
Andreas Athienitis, Professor, Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering Tel.: 514-848-2424 Ext.8791