“Why not use our waste problems to solve our energy problems?”
That’s the question posed by Andrew Martins, a BCIT Architectural Science student in this year’s graduating class. Andrew designed his Graduating Project—The Center for Urban Energy Exchange—around this innovative idea.
Andrew proposed using the potential energy stored in the waste stream—the organic food waste, municipal solid waste, and black water waste produced by our society—by converting these waste streams into usable heat and electricity. His project proves the potential of his idea—that a neighborhood-scale facility that could form the basis of a workable business and building prototype.
The Canada Green Building Council recognized the importance and relevance of this project at its 2017 national conference recently held in Vancouver. Andrew was named as this year’s winner of the national student competition, the Andy Kesteloo Memorial Project Award. This marks the sixth consecutive year that a BCIT Architectural Science student has won this prestigious national award.
Congratulations, Andrew!