MÉNAGE À TROIS

UN SDG Design Competition Submission�

• Mwai M’Mbijjewe
• Teghveer Ateliey
• Mark Jonathan
• Jawad Samour

MCMASTER CONSUMES 86 KWH OF ELECTRICITY EVERY YEAR

Along with 40,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

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And 13 million m³ of natural gas

With the carbon tax rising to $50 per tonne by 2023

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And an electricity cost of 11.50¢ per kWh, electricity alone costs McMaster up to $10 million.

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This is unsustainable environmentally and financially.

McMaster University has committed $75 million for GHG reduction and energy consumption by 2030.

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At an estimated cost of $48.27 per m², the total cost of eliminating GHG emissions on campus can be upwards of $30 million.

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We plan to do it in approx. $23.8 million, by introducing three main sources of electricity and energy conservation.

A COMBINATION OF WIND AND SOLAR, THERMOELECTRIC, AND HYDROGEN.

We plan to take advantage of pre-existing natural gas generators and power the university with hydrogen fuel.

Water from north of campus can produce hydrogen in a new hydrogen production facility.

Hydrogen can replace natural gas in the cogeneration and steam generating systems to power the university.

HYDROGEN BACKED UP BY RENEWABLE SOURCES

NUCLEAR REACTOR

• We can use the existing nuclear reactor to generate power for our hydrogen plant.

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• The technology is already available, it just needs to implemented

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• Nuclear waste disposal can be done by the method McMaster University already uses.

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• Samples of used nuclear fuel can also be sent to Laurentis for further collaborative research on reusage and recycling of nuclear by-products.

70% OF ENERGY PRODUCED BY HUMANITY IS LOST AS HEAT

Diagram of standard thermoelectric device

Thermoelectric devices are a relatively new technology that utilize the Seebeck effect to generate electric voltage from temperature differences.

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Heat applied increases the energy in n-type and p-type semi-conductors. This results in the flow of negative electrons and positive holes and creates an electrical current.

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Thermoelectric devices have been used in commercial environments such as restaurant kitchens and train stations. By utilizing excess heat generated in buildings, we can reduce energy loss and generate some electricity.

THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR LOCATIONS

Buildings such as MDCL and PGCLL get very high foot traffic. Places such as ABB, DBAC, and Hatch also have many machines operating and producing heat. Centro and MUSC have very large food courts with excess heat production. All these locations have excess heat arising from released body heat, machines, and cooking. This heat can be repurposed to heat other buildings or converted to electricity.

 GRID TIED SYSTEM

ELECTRICITY GENERATION - SOLAR

• Thermoelectric modules can be used in conjunction with photovoltaic cells in solar panels.

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• Wind harnessing units may be used coordinatively with solar cells to generate energy under allowable conditions 

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• The optimum locations would be as shown on map, encompassing approximately 51,500 m² total

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• Expected to provide around 191000 kW 

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COST BREAKDOWN

• Solar Panels: $4.6 Million

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• Hydrogen Plant: $13.5 Million

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• Thermoelectric Generator: $3.2 Million

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• Nuclear reactor: $2.5 Million

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• Total: $23.8 million

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EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS

• The hydrogen plant can be used for educational purposes to help with research.

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• Implementing this energy solution at the McMaster Children’s Hospital can also benefit McMaster University, and also the Hamilton community.

FLAWS/DRAWBACKS

SOURCES

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING