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Comparative Energy and Carbon Assessment of Three Green Technologies for a Toronto Roof

Three different green technologies are compared in terms of net energy and carbon savings for a theoretical Toronto rooftop. Embodied energy values are calculated through Life Cycle Analysis and compared to the estimated energies produced and/or saved by each technology. Results show that solar photovoltaics displace the most carbon per m2 of roof space and solar thermal (for hot water) displaces the most energy. An in-depth analysis of an intensive green roof for growing food indicates that the high embodied energy of the materials is not quickly repaid by the sum of six energy savings that were examined (direct and indirect cooling, run-off treatment, transport of food, on-farm energy use, and activities that would otherwise be carried out). However, the energy and carbon benefits are not insignificant, but depend strongly on various assumptions. The methodology used is replicable and therefore useful for other locations.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/18905
Date15 February 2010
CreatorsMyrans, Katharine
ContributorsHarvey, Danny
Source SetsUniversity of Toronto
Languageen_ca
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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