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This is a list of research that the ENBIX team and its supporters have determined would be helpful for the emissions-neutral building industry in Alberta.

Note: A search to determine if any recent research has already been completed should be done before moving forward with any project.
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Research TopicResearch Topic SummaryFieldBuilding TypePriorityStatusLead Researcher
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This is the general title of the research question or topic being asked.This provides a short summary of the question that is going to be researched or report that is needed. This helps define the field of research to be completed (modelling research, policy and compliance, capacity building, technical applied research, implementation studies, social studies.)Type of building category (i.e. new construction, existing building, all types, N/A)Importance (High, Medium, Low). How critical is this to adoption of ENBs in Alberta? Are there numerous industry partners asking for this information?Status of the research - open for research, under investigation, research completedIf the research is in progress or completed the research lead can be listed here.
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Current Code Compliance - Alignment with Step CodeA study to compare current code performance for newly constructed buildings in Alberta to the proposed incremental steps in NECB 2020.Policy and ComplianceExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Skills Gap Analysis A skills gap analysis for skill sets in the emissions-neutral building industry. This will include a literature review of existing relevant studies. Capacity BuildingAll TypesHighopen for research
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Emissions-Neutral Buildings Training and Education Gap AnalysisA training gap analysis for existing training and education in the field of emissions-neutral buildings in Alberta. Capacity BuildingAll TypesHighopen for research
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CIEP Viability AssessmentA model that uses the conditions of the CIEP program in Alberta for typical projects to model the types of debt and repayment models that may occur. The intent of this research to make sure that participants can better understand full lifecycle impact of the CIEP program.Modelling Based Research / Capacity BuildingExisting BuildingsLowopen for research
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Average Alberta CO2 Emissions ModelsModelling of the GHGI for Part 3 and Part 9 buildings, for multiple archetypes that model the primary heating source as electric heat pump powered from the grid. Include electric resistance heat, gas, and a hybrid electric and heat pump system. Include both current average GHGI for all construction types as well as current code requirements.Modelling Based ResearchExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Study on Heat Loss Rates for High-Performance Electric BuildingsA question of resiliency often surfaces with single-source energy electric houses. This research would explore how long the average net-zero home can last before backup heating systems would be required to keep the building from freezing in Alberta. If data is available, this can then be compared to average power outage times in specific communities.Modelling Based ResearchExisting BuildingsLowopen for research
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Researching Opportunities for Heat Pump AdoptionLiterature review and analysis of the research completed around heat pump adoption in Alberta. The research would consolidate the findings and propose additional research needed. This would include adoption for all building types and for both new construction and retrofit opportunities. Technical Research / FinancialAll TypesMediumopen for research
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Overcoming Barriers to Data Access for Informed Energy Retrofits: A Cross-Jurisdictional Exploration and Pathway Recommendations
Investigate obstacles and explore solutions in accessing comprehensive, aggregate energy data for buildings with multiple meters and tenants.		Technical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Mitigating Energy Poverty: Investigating Energy Usage in Rental Housing for Deep Energy RetrofitsResearch energy use in buildings that serve rental populations, with a goal of finding ways to reduce energy poverty and find pathways to deep energy retrofits.Technical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Alberta Deep Energy Retrofit Environmental ScanAn environmental scan and opportunities assessment for Deep Energy Retrofit support and resources across Alberta.Technical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Barriers Analysis: New ConstructionExpand upon initial work done to investigate barriers to the adoption of all tiers of the 2020 NBC and NECB.Policy and ComplianceNew ConstructionHighopen for research
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Barriers Analysis: Deep Energy RetrofitsEngaging Alberta municipalities, entities, and building industry on barriers and opportunities for deep decarbonization of buildings.Policy and TechnicalAll TypesHighopen for research
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Urban Planning and Asset Management Intersectionality Study Investigate how urban planning and asset management intersect in Alberta and how these intersections may impact decision making for emissions-neutral buildings.Policy and TechnicalAll TypesMediumopen for research
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Deep Energy Retrofit Supply Chain Analysis and Action PlanDevelopment of a deep energy retrofit supply chain analysis and action plan.Capacity BuildingExisting BuildingsMediumopen for research
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Electrification of Buildings in Alberta: Aligning Building Strategies and Grid RealitiesContextualize electrification of buildings in Alberta’s current and projected electricity mix and future climatic conditions.Technical ResearchAll TypesHighopen for research
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Evaluating the Investment Requirements and Benefits of Decarbonizing Alberta's Existing Building StockEvaluating the investment requirements and benefits of decarbonizing Alberta's existing building stock.FinancialAll TypesMediumopen for research
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Developing Methodology for Integrating Benchmarking and Energy Auditing Data to Guide Deep Energy Retrofits and Pathways to Net ZeroDeveloping methodology for integrating energy auditing data to guide deep energy retrofits and pathways to net zero.Technical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighopen for research
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Feasibility and Costing of Heating and DHW Solutions for Residential Deep Energy RetrofitsA study to compare different heating and domestic hot water solutions for residential deep energy retrofits in Alberta. Technical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighunder investigation
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High-performance home peak load and performance during January 2024 cold snap in AlbertaCollecting and communicating hard data that documents how high-performance homes (Passive House, CHBA Net Zero, etc.) performed during the January 2024 extreme cold snap in AlbertaTechnical ResearchExisting BuildingsHighunder investigationFrank Crawford - Passive House AB
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