Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)

In many regions of North America, natural gas is typically used for space heating via a furnace/boiler whilex000D
electricity is used for space cooling via a central air-conditioner or heat pump. Due to increased demands forx000D
summer cooling and advancements in air source heat pump (ASHP) technologies, builders of residential homesx000D
are adopting ASHP as the main heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. However, ASHP capacityx000D
and efficiency drops with lower outdoor temperatures, typical in Canada, thus requiring a backup heatingx000D
system, be it electric or otherwise. This trend has increased strain on the aging electrical grid, increases overallx000D
energy costs, and has associated environmental impact, particularly during peak demand periods. To mitigatex000D
these issues, Ecobee and Ryerson University are collaborating to develop a smart HVAC controller that can bex000D
implemented and deployed in residential homes within Ecobee's smart thermostats to optimally decide whetherx000D
an electrically driven ASHP or a natural gas furnace/boiler should be used on a real-time basis, utilizingx000D
temporal information on equipment efficiencies, energy pricing, and short-term weather forecasts. This systemx000D
could also be linked to the local utility's demand response (DR) system for full integration and participationx000D
with local smart grid infrastructure, thus, offering even greater flexibility and benefit to both home owners andx000D
utilities. The expected smart predictive residential HVAC control system will offer a user friendly cost savingx000D
opportunity to home owners. If the controller were widely deployed and aggregrated, it could potentiallyx000D
provide a cost effective and ubiquitous mechanism, as a dispatchable load, for utilities (both electric andx000D
natural gas) to better manage their infrastructure by maximizing the utilitization of their assets through supplyx000D
and demand optimization. Therefore, the proposed system will be benefical to both home owners, by having ax000D
more flexible energy supply at a lower energy cost, and utilities (electric and natural gas) alike.