Winners of the 2022York Chapter
Engineering Project of the Year Award
Engineering Research Project of the Year Award
Small Projects Category
1st Place - Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation
Laser Energy Control
Project Summary:
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation, (DCKV), systems are designed to modulate Kitchen Exhaust fans and Makeup air as needed based on the kitchen load demand. This not only saves electrical energy, but also Natural Gas consumption in the wintertime. Using ABB variable frequency drives and the Intellinox ecoAZUR DCKV sensors and control panel we can calculate how busy the kitchen equipment is at
a specific time and slow down the fans when they do not need to be at full speed
2nd Place - City of Toronto Maintenance Awareness Platform
Black & McDonald and Transnomis
Project Summary:
The City of Toronto Maintenance Awareness Platform is a centralized software system, designed to help Traffic Operations staff manage the maintenance and operations of traffic devices. Featuring Transnomis’ flagship software, ITS Central, this project included several innovative pilot sub-projects, including semi-automated sign messaging for motorists, travel time estimates, micro radar traffic imaging, and an ad-hoc remote traffic operations centre. The project improves device maintenance by allowing for efficient dispatching of maintenance contractors, improved roadway operations, driver information, and roadway safety.
Medium Projects Category
1st Place - Better Road Practices Using AI
City of Markham and Visual Defence
Project Summary:
CityROVER is a collaborative smart city multidisiplinary engineering project between York Region based City of Markham and Visual Defence. It uses AI to automate detection and reporting of road hazards in Markham. The system revolutionizes road operations, reducing both repair times and costs while increasing safety for all. The project aligns with engineering best practices and highlights York Region’s innovative technology, propelling the region as a leader in smart city development, driving digital transformation and economic growth in the region.
2nd Place - PowerHouse Hybrid
Alectra Utilities Corporation
Project Summary:
The PowerHouse Hybrid project showcases how utilities and cities are at the core of navigating our pathway to net zero. A first of its kind initiative, PHH had the goal of cutting carbon by 50% in 10 single family homes by integrating a suite of electrical and thermal technologies. This technology integration demonstration project was a true collaboration to pilot the next generation of smart homes, integrating electrical and thermal equipment into a virtual power plant platform (VPP).
Large Projects Category
1st Place - GO Expansion - Rutherford GO Station
EllisDon Civil Ltd.
Project Summary:
The GO Rail Expansion – Rutherford Station Project involved the demolition and reconstruction of the existing station with an integrated parking structure with upgraded train platforms, station amenities and a rail-over-road grade separation at Rutherford Road to expand transit for rapid two-way, all-day service on the Barrie GO Line, as part of Metrolinx’s GO Rail Expansion program. The upgrades provide better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity and improved overall user access to transit including GO transit and local transit.
2nd Place - Cornell Bus Terminal
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
Project Summary:
Cornell Bus Terminal is a transit terminal located in the City of Markham that opened for service in 2022. Strategically located in the heart of Cornell Centre near Highway 7 and Ninth Line, the 11-bay terminal connects York Region Transit, Durham Transit, and GO Transit, and is a short walk from Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Cornell Community Centre and Library, serving those who live and work in York Region and neighbouring regions.
Engineering Research Project of the Year Award
1st Place - Smith Gardens JV FluidEx Ethanol Extraction from Waste Carrots
Fluidyne Corp/Fluid Exponents Inc.
Project Summary:
The R & D for Extraction of Ethanol/Alcohol from Wasted Carrots and other Root Crops is designed and intended to divert the use of staple foods such as sugar cane and corn, preventing the shortage of these staple foods and the increase in price. This research works have lead us into multiple discoveries and potential applications not only in the nearby farms but all the agricultural farms in Canada, North America and the world. The high yield extraction technique that we learned is substantial.
2nd Place - Zero Energy Food Shed
Anchor Corporation
Project Summary:
The Off-Grid Net Zero Energy Experimental Food Shed combines cutting edge engineering design with organic agricultural methods to grow healthy nutrition-balanced local food. This innovative indoor farm contains its own ecosystems – energy, food, and waste – and growing systems - soil-based, hydroponics, and aquaponics. The shed is zero-waste and energy positive - powered by solar energy, and it is built to withstand harsh winters using passive house design methodology. This project contributes thirteen out of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals.
2nd Place - Carbon dioxide electrolysis for chemical manufacturing
CERT Systems Inc
Project Summary:
CERT Systems is transforming the way the world’s most important chemicals are made. CERT has developed a technology to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into basic chemical feedstocks and fuels using water and renewable electricity. This project, funded by Natural Resources Canada, is engineering the electrolyzer system to improve reactant CO2 utilization, device stability, and product purity. This process can achieve CO2 emissions reductions by substituting fossil derived products with CERT’s carbon-neutral chemicals.
