CH-18-C003 -- Resilient Design, Commissioning and Operation of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station

The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS), located in Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut, is a world-class, interdisciplinary facility that anchors a strong research presence in Canada’s north. This paper describes the resilient and sustainable approaches to facility design and operations that were utilized to ensure superior performance in the harsh environment of the Canadian Arctic. Canada's Arctic presents significant challenges to the design, construction, and operation of resilient and sustainable buildings, including a very cold and dry climate, long supply chains, periods of 24-hour light and darkness, and energy and water costs that are 5-10 and 20-30 times more expensive, respectively, than in southern Canada. As such, the design of the facility emphasized optimization of energy performance, water use reduction, and indoor environmental quality. Energy simulations were conducted early and throughout the design process in order to optimize system sizing and emergency power requirements. The simulation results during the design process indicate an estimated 70% reduction in annual energy use compared to a reference building. This paper discusses some of the approaches utilized to improve resilience and sustainability, including high-efficiency heat recovery to counteract laboratory ventilation requirements, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC equipment, adiabatic humidification, and increased envelope insulation. Modeling of renewable energy generators for net-zero energy operation was also conducted; this paper outlines some of the opportunities and limitations of this approach in a small dieselelectric microgrid. A robust energy monitoring system was implemented for building commissioning, simulation model calibration, on-going energy management, and assessment of performance gaps. In order to verify building performance, significant commissioning efforts were undertaken to test the response of various systems in normal and emergency modes. The monitoring system will also support the client in their efforts to use CHARS as a 'living laboratory' for testing of sustainable technologies appropriate for the Arctic regions of the world.