On Tuesday, August 29, Eric Filion of Hydro-Québec, along with Pierre Arcand, Quebec’s minister of Energy and Natural Resources, visited Concordia’s Loyola Campus to announce a $250,000 gift that will help propel TeamMTL to the Solar Decathlon China.
"Our government’s energy policy is clear: the success of our energy transition hinges on innovation,” Arcand said. “Projects like those of TeamMTL will enable us to reach our GHG reduction targets and use the energy we do consume more efficiently.”
The team — made up of students and faculty from both McGill and Concordia — will use the funding and in-kind support to complete construction of an innovative row house called the Deep Performance Dwelling (DPD). It’s their entry for the international competition taking place next year in the city of Dezhou, China.
“This project demonstrates the key role universities play in shaping smart, sustainable and resilient cities,” says Concordia's president Alan Shepard.
“With the support from Hydro-Québec and the Government of Quebec, TeamMTL now has even more momentum going into the Solar Decathlon competition. These young urban leaders are making a difference in proposing solutions to create sustainable cities.”
Filion, who is Hydro-Québec Distribution’s vice-president of clientele, says the public utility is proud to be supporting the team’s innovative effort.
“TeamMTL’s vision and creativity dovetail perfectly with our drive to play a central role in the emerging zero-carbon economy,” he added.
“We salute their work thus far and will follow their progress closely.”