Climate change poses threats to existing buildings and supporting infrastructure such as flooding, fire, insects, extreme heat and humidity, wind loading, ice storms, and rainfall. Analysis of vulnerabilities has
been standardized by Engineers Canada for public infrastructure called PIEVC. Designing for resiliency must consider both direct and indirect impacts. Indirect impacts include more frequent power outages,
curtailment of potable water supply, and loss of road access. Beyond these factors, climate change may
impact food supplies, health, and public safety.
By combining climate mitigation and adaptation measures, the cost of retrofitting can be reduced.
Strategies for achieving both should be sought.
Areas for consideration include:
- Thermal energy storage that shifts heat pump operation to off-peak and zero-emissions periods
will reduce fossil fuel generation and utility constraints while extending space heating and
cooling capabilities during extended power outages. - Site generation and battery storage reduces electricity peak demand and GHG emissions while
ensuring continuous supply during power outages. - Foundation insulation added to the exterior can be installed along with waterproofing and
sump pump protection from flooding. - Rainwater harvesting will reduce stormwater impacts, provide backup if municipal water
services are disrupted, and lower energy requirements for water supply. - Measures that reduce HVAC loads will reduce electricity GHG emissions while providing
capacity to meet extremes of heating and cooling demand. Thermal energy storage combined
with extended operation of a heat pump provides capacity during extreme conditions. - Carbon sequestration in material selection can be combined with protection against fire,
freeze/thaw, water entry, and insects, e.g. carbon-absorbing cements. - Use hydronics rather than forced air for heating and cooling distribution lowers transport
energy and battery storage requirements during power outages. - Provide vehicle-to-grid vehicle charging to shift building load according to grid status, store
solar, export to grid, and operate off grid. EV’s can charge remotely and bring energy home
during locational power outages. - For flat roofs with sufficient structural capacity, install a green roof for food growing.
Alternatively, construct a free-spanning greenhouse with integrated PV. - For MURB’s, provide a shared geoexchange or wastewater heat recovery for individual or
shared W/W heat pumps rather than air-source which may be insufficient during extreme cold
events.
Greg Allen