RDP Studio Residences (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Celebrating Innovation

RDP receives national award recognizing sustainability for newest Residences

Oct 7, 2021 | 4:28 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic is celebrating national recognition of its ongoing sustainability efforts.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s newest Residences has been named one of Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Award (https://clean50.com) winners, and has also been declared a Clean50 Top Project for 2022.

Officials say Clean50 celebrates innovation among organizations who contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon Canadian economy to expedite collaboration and constructive change.

“We are honoured that our Studio Residences have received this prestigious honour,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President of Red Deer Polytechnic, in a press release. “We are proud of our sustainability leadership as a post-secondary institution, providing our students with meaningful practical learning opportunities, and providing our institution with the ability to partner with businesses and entrepreneurs in our region as they innovate within the alternative energy sector.”

Red Deer Polytechnic’s Studio Residences provide a home-away-from-home for 145 students each year. The facility was built in 2019 with sustainability at the forefront during construction, and continues to provide an environmentally friendly place in which learners live and study.

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“During the past three years, it’s been exciting to see our original vision for this sustainable Residence come to life. Our students fill our Residences with their vibrant energy every day,” says Trent Rix, Director of Ancillary & Sport Services, who provides oversight to the institution’s Residences. “We are pleased to provide our students with environmentally friendly facilities that they can call their home just steps from their classes and all the other amenities we have on our main campus.”

The sustainable features of Red Deer Polytechnic’s Residences include:

Energy Generation

• Clad with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels
• One of largest PV vertical cladding application across Canada
• 545 PV panels installed on building, producing more than 120,000 kWh of electricity per year

Energy Efficiency

• High-performance building envelope to reduce heat loss and heat gain
• High-performance fiberglass frame and glazing window system
• Plumbing systems are low flow/low use to reduce water consumption
• Wall insulation is R-35

Emissions Reductions

• Electricity production from PV panels is equivalent to 82.5 t CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year
• This is equivalent to taking more than 25 cars off the road for a year or providing electricity for 55 homes for a year

“There are many exciting features of our new Residences that help our institution contribute to greater energy efficiency and emissions reductions,” adds Jason Mudry, Director of Campus Management. “Ultimately, all of Red Deer Polytechnic’s alternative energy initiatives contribute to our goal of becoming a net zero institution, producing enough energy on main campus to power our infrastructure.”

In addition to being recognized as one of Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Award winners in 2022 for its Studio Residences, Red Deer Polytechnic was also a Clean50 Top Project Award recipient in 2021 for its overarching Alternative Energy Initiative.