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Greening Homes
TEAM-MTL CANADA'S SOLE ENTRY INTO 2018 SOLAR DECATHLON IN CHINA
The search for clean energy and efficiency extends to the home. To make the home greener, and more energy efficient, designers and developers have to look toward technological innovation. That is what the Solar Decathlon is all about, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2002, it brings together teams of university students with the challenge of designing and building full sized solar power homes.
The competition has spawned international versions in China, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. China will be holding its second edition of the Solar Decathlon in 2018 in Dezhou and there will be one Canadian entry. Students from Concordia and McGill Universities have teamed up to form Team-MTL for next year's competition.
It takes a lot of money just to compete, and TeamMTL has its share of support. The government of Québec has stepped up with a contribution of $250 thousand. That's not all, the team can count on the support of Hydro-Québec. We spoke with Serge Abergel, Manager of Public Affairs and Media for the energy producer, about how Hydro-Québec will support Team-MTL.
As Abergel explained, the reason why Hydro-Québec is involved with Team-MTL is that their project is "especially relevant in terms of the challenges that we are facing today as a society." He added that "as an energy producer we are seeing a shift in more efficient [energy] technology."
The company has two goals for their involvement in the project. Abergel said that Hydro-Québec wants "to be on the cutting edge of what's being done so we can anticipate changes coming on our market and can adapt to it in terms of our main business to produce and distribute energy." This is why they are backing the best young minds. Hydro-Québec's involvement is also to determine what opportunities are available "in terms of business," Abergel said.
The province's hydroelectric provider will be providing Team-MTL with an additional "$250 thousand, and technical support," where Hydro-Québec researcher will be exchanging knowledge and expertise directly with team members.
Hydro-Québec's support comes from their Research and Development Division. Moving forward to next year's competition, the young engineers that form TeamMTL are in good hands.