Mondial installs Canada's largest hospital-based solar thermal energy site at Hospital for Sick Children
Artist's
Rendering of Solar Thermal Energy Installation, Atrium Roof, The
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. [High-resolution
image]
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TORONTO (September 20, 2007) - In an effort to reduce
energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, Mondial Energy Inc. is installing
a new solar panel system on The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Atrium roof. The solar energy system will supplement SickKids' hot
water system, an environmentally friendly method to reduce energy costs
and increase savings for the hospital.
Mondial Energy Inc. is currently in the process of installing the solar panels on the hospital's roof. When the installation is completed at the end of November 2007, SickKids will be home to Canada's largest hospital-based solar thermal energy site.
"Mondial is delighted to be of service to The Hospital for
Sick Children," said Alex Winch, President of Mondial Energy Inc. "With
this installment we are improving the health of the community and supporting
the financial well-being of a wonderful institution".
Under the
10-year fixed price contract, Mondial will cover the costs of the construction
of the hospital's solar thermal energy site and pay for, own and maintain
the solar thermal panels. In return, SickKids will purchase solar thermal
energy at a fixed price from Mondial, who will meter the energy delivered
to the hospital's domestic hot water system and enable SickKids to
monitor its
energy use in real-time. SickKids and Mondial expect to
offset over 750,000 lbs of steam per year from the 92 solar panels
installed. "This is a win-win situation for both SickKids and
the environment," said Anne Marie Christian, vice-president, Facilities
and Redevelopment, SickKids. "The new solar thermal energy system
supports SickKids' goal to strive for operational excellence at all
levels of the organization."
Ninety-two collectors, also known as solar panels, are
being installed on SickKids' roof, along with 480 gallons of storage
volume. The collectors are fixed to the roof on pre-engineered racks
that are bolted to the roof below. Solar thermal collectors gather
the sun's energy and use it to heat hot water for domestic use in the
hospital. The collectors transfer heat to storage tanks via a heat
exchanger. The solar side of the heat exchanger contains glycol antifreeze
solution while domestic hot water is on the other side.
Pumps operate
to transfer this energy when the collectors are warmer than the solar
tanks, for instance when the sun is shining. The storage tanks allow
the system to continue to collect solar energy when building demand
is low. Therefore, the collected solar energy can then be used at times
of peak usage when the sun is not necessarily shining. Conventional
water heating systems remain online for cloudy days.
About Mondial Energy Inc.: Mondial Energy Inc. makes
renewable energy an accessible, economical alternative to traditional
power sources. We finance, install and maintain solar installations
at client sites and bill for delivered energy at pre-established rates.
Mondial, formed in 2004, is a private company with over 50 shareholders
and has signed Power Purchase Agreements and letters of intent in Canada
and the United States, with non-profit housing, hotels and casinos.
www.mondial-energy.com
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. As innovators in child health, SickKids improves the health of children by integrating care, research and teaching. Our mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized care by creating scientific and clinical advancements, sharing our knowledge and expertise and championing the development of an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca . SickKids is committed to healthier children for a better world.
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For more information, please contact:
Wendy Low,
Marketing Director
Mondial Energy Inc.
Tel: 647-880-9573
Lisa Lipkin, Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children
Tel: 416-813-6380
