Abstract
Retrofitting Canada’s existing housing stock to increase energy efficiency of dwellings is an opportunity to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Gemini Nested Thermal Envelope Design (NTED®) is an innovative building retrofit that drastically reduces energy consumption. However, this innovation’s potential can only be realized once it has achieved widespread market acceptance. Using Gemini NTED® as a case study, an innovation commercialization model was applied to energy retrofits to aid in establishing an appropriate commercialization strategy for Toronto. Market research conducted within this study identified external factors affecting commercialization, barriers to innovation adoption and competitive forces affecting profitability. Economic valuation evaluated discounted monetary savings from reduced energy consumption. Results show that the retrofit market is moderately attractive and conducive to earning profits. Results related to Gemini NTED® show that Gemini may have commercialization potential for retrofitting older electrically heated homes especially in Canadian provinces with high electricity rates. Results arising from a soon to be completed Gemini NTED® pilot will confirm capital costs and economic benefit.
Highlights
The world is currently facing enormous environmental issues as both economic growth and population growth have begun to stress the earth’s natural resources
The amount of tax associated with heating a dwelling depends on the type of energy used, the efficiency of equipment, outside temperature, thermostat settings, and energy efficiency of the building (BC Climate Action Plan, 2008)
Homes that are heated with natural gas or oil are taxed and those heated with electricity are not
Summary
The world is currently facing enormous environmental issues as both economic growth and population growth have begun to stress the earth’s natural resources. As a result of increased energy consumption, dwindling fuel supplies and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) effects have identified a critical need to reduce and eventually eliminate our reliance on nonrenewable energy sources (Jaffe et al, 1999). Rational design and energy consumption control have become important strategies for both energy sustainability and development. Energy use is of two general types: primary and secondary. In Canada, secondary energy increased by 26 percent during 1990-2008, accounting for 72% of all primary energy use in 2008; a total of 8720.2 PJ (NRCan, 2012). During this time, the Canadian population grew by 20 percent and GDP grew 62 percent. Energy use grew less rapidly than the economy but more rapidly than the population (NRCan, 2012)
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