Alexandra Suda took over the top job at the National Gallery of Canada last year in time to see two major exhibitions challenge the notion of a blockbuster show.

Gallery staff expected the years big attraction would be the summer exhibition of portraits by the famed post-Impressionist French master Paul Gauguin, the worlds first to focus on his portraiture.

They werent sure what to expect with the fall exhibit, badakone: Continuous Fire, which put the spotlight on contemporary Indigenous art from around the world. It continues until April 5.

Sasha Suda is the Director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada.Errol McGihon / Postmedia

What happened surprised everyone. The Gauguin exhibit never did grab the publics imagination in a big way, attracting 107,469 people during the summer, while badakone is shaping up to be a hit, with close to 31,000 visitors during the first two months of the slower fall-winter season. Its opening night attracted 3,600 people, the largest attendance for any opening in the gallerys history. So many people showed up on that November night that security had to stop letting them into the building.

Whats exciting and terrifying about that is were not quite sure what happened, Suda said during an interview in her office, an airy space with a postcard-perfect view of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

The artists from New Zealands Mato Aho Collective stand in front of their monumental woven installation titled AKA, 2019. Numerous artists from all over the world were on hand Wednesday (Nov. 6, 2019) at the National Gallery of Canada for the preview of badakone: Continous Fire.Julie Oliver / Postmedia

How we managed to have so many people that we had to shut the doors for capacity reasons still defies our comprehension. People dont necessarily come for Indigenous art, and contemporary art is also something that is quite specific. There isnt too much of a data set to tell us that this is what people want right now.

The reaction to those exhibitions show that culture-consuming audiences and their expectations are changing as millennials come of age and the population diversifies. These conclusions are echoed in the findings of the first Culture Track report, a 2018 survey of cultural consumers in Canada, that shows allophones, those whose first language is neither English nor French, are more likely to attend a cultural event than anglophones or francophones, and millennials are the demographic most likely to participate monthly in a cultural activity such as visiting a music festival, concert, historic attraction, natural history or art museum or going out for a food and drink experience.

In other words, if you believe the only people going to cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada and the National Arts Centre are old white people, think again. Canadians of all age groups and backgrounds are participating in cultural activities, and both institutions have been adapting to shifting audience tastes for more than a decade.

At the gallery, which moved to its current location on Sussex Drive in 1988, more than 930,000 people visited the Moshe Safdie-designed building during the first year (attendance is measured during the fiscal year, ending April 1), the strongest year ever for attendance. The interest continued through the 1990s, with just over 600,000 people visiting in 1995-96, and more than 770,00 visitors the following year.

Between 1997 and 2014, though, the numbers dropped considerably. In 2004-05, close to 400,000 people visited, but nine years later, just 237,391 people went through the doors.

Cornelia Homburg (L), guest curator of the exhibition Gauguin Portraits, opening at gallery May 24 and Doris Couture-Rigert, Chief of Conseration of the National Gallery discuss Gaugins wood sculpture.Jean Levac / Postmedia News

In 2017-18, the slide was reversed as more than 385,000 people visited, despite the renovations that kept several galleries closed until June 2017. Many were checking out the new Canadian and Indigenous gallery, which integrated previously separate Canadian and Indigenous art into one permanent, comprehensive space. It launched June 15, 2017 the first transformation of the gallerys collections since the facility opened in the lead-up to Canadas 150th anniversary celebrations.

Attendance continued to grow in 2018-19, with 434,834 visitors, a 13 per cent increase that was attributed to the popularity of the special exhibitions mounted that year, including a summer show entitled Impressionist Treasures: The Ordrupgaard Collection. With 132,494 visitors, it was the best-attended summer exhibition since 2012s Van Gogh: Up Close, which attracted more than 230,000 people. The 2018-19 year is also notable for the multimedia exhibition Anthropocene by renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, a powerful perspective of human-altered landscapes that also included, for the first time at the National Gallery, augmented reality-enhanced installations and interactive films.

These attendance trends are mirrored around the world, and several institutions have responded by removing admission charges. In London, government-sponsored museums and art galleries have had free admission since 2001, a tactic that more than doubled attendance in the first decade. Washington, D.C. is filled with free museums, from the Smithsonians to the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Art.

At Torontos Art Gallery of Ontario, where Suda worked before coming to Ottawa, a pilot project was introduced last year offering free memberships to people under 25, and a $35 annual membership for those over 25. In the first six months, they attracted 100,000 new members, 70,000 of them under the age of 25.

The recently renovated Ottawa Art Gallery also re-opened with free admission, along with later operating hours and free child care on certain days.

National Gallery.Raven McCoy / Post Media

Suda is watching these initiatives with interest. While there are no immediate plans to remove the admission at the National Gallery, she says its an idea that floats around once in a while, most recently during last years election campaign, when the Conservatives made it a last-minute part of their platform.

The National Gallery does have free admission on Thursday evenings, and its almost always a busy night. Other ideas to attract new visitors include programming that makes use of the public spaces in the building, and performance-based events such as the Jan. 25 companion concert to the Beautiful Monsters exhibit of prints and drawings. The concert features the Ottawa Baroque Consort with storytelling by actor/host David Brennan.

Hired at the age of 38, Suda is the youngest National Gallery director in a century, and the first female boss in two decades. Some key things have already changed in her nine months in the position, the most evident of which is the relocation of the front desk from the main entrance, up the ramp to the Great Hall. Now when you enter the building, the first thing you see is an installation, the Sami Architectural Library, by Norways Joar Nango, which is part of the badakone exhibit.

That was my idea but it was really to make room for an art experience upon crossing the threshold, said Suda, whos now 39. It changes the dynamic from the authoritative transaction to an engagement in a conversation. I see a lot of people stop and wonder whats going on. Thats what we hope to do in that space from here on out offer an experience that asks that question: What is art to you?

It also makes the gallery more accessible in that you can see art in the public spaces without having to buy a ticket.

As for the Gauguin exhibit, one of the lessons learned by Suda and gallery staff was that people would have liked to see the exhibit delve deeper into the social context of his work, particularly during his time in French Polynesia. He was not only a privileged colonialist but also a pedophile who infected several child brides with syphilis.

We focused on the scholarly thesis of the show, and what we found was that people were really interested in that, but they were also, like, Wait a second, what about these issues of colonialism and gender dynamics? Why arent you talking about that in the show? Suda said.

For me, the learning there was that people are really engaged. They care about art, and they care about 19th-century painters so theyll come, but they expect us to engage with the work in a way that engages with the present. I think it surprised us a little bit but the extent that people were able to articulate the issue was also, I thought, really refreshing.

Eleng Luluan, from the Rukai Nation in Taiwan, poses in front of her installation made from styrofoam and wrapping bags entitled Between Dreams.Julie Oliver / Postmedia

On the other hand, the gallery is considered a world leader in the presentation of Indigenous art, and the current exhibit, badakone, does not shy away from works that address issues such as cultural oppression, residential schools, and loss of land and language. Its the second exhibition in a series that started with 2013s Sakahn, a groundbreaking exhibit in that it had a global perspective.

Nobody was really doing the global thinking at this scale six years ago, Suda said. I think were going to continue building that momentum because theres real leadership within the organization, and a great ability to work with Indigenous artists and communities with their protocols, and make this a space thats not just ours.

The gallery is also highly regarded for its contemporary art and new-media collection, which includes digital and video art such as Christian Marclays masterpiece, The Clock, a 24-hour video installation.

One of the most recent contemporary acquisitions is More Sweetly Play The Dance, an eight-channel, high-definition video installation with a 15-minute run time, by the renowned South African multi-disciplinary artist William Kentridge. Its currently on display at the gallery for the first time.

The installation is in a room of its own, consisting of seven floor-to-ceiling horizontal video screens set up in a semi-circle around the viewer, creating an immersive experience. The film depicts a procession, set to a lively soundtrack of South African music with figures that reflect the often-troubled history of South Africa.

For me, it seems very relevant today when you think about the refugee crisis in different parts of the world, said Jose Drouin-Brisebois, the gallerys senior curator of contemporary art. Its outside our comfort zone. He also talks a lot about the importance of people walking, and that the idea of the march is still important. That is very relevant were still a people that walks, both as a mode of locomotion and a form of expression.

Suda sees it as a great example of a piece that brings viewers into the artistic experience in a different way.

The more immersive the experience can be, and the more we think about our audience and the context in which we live, and develop a program that has a diverse set of offerings, the more generous welcome were going to extend to a larger community, she said. What we hope is that theres something for everyone, not necessarily all the time but that over the course of time, the program has a rhythm thats inclusive and diverse.

lsaxberg@postmedia.com

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Shifting audience tastes are dictating the future of art in Ottawa - Ottawa Citizen

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AUGUSTA The state will double the rebate it provides to homeowners who install certain kinds of heat pumps, Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday, as the state pushes toward its goal of having 100,000 of the energy-saving heating and cooling units installed in Maine homes by 2025.

Mills said the initiative, the result of a law she signed in June, does not use taxpayer funds. It will maintain Maines trajectory as a national leader in beneficial electrification replacing high-carbon fossil fuels with cleaner electricity while lowering heating bills and creating quality jobs, she said.

The rebates went into effect on Jan. 1.

The rebates from the Efficiency Maine trust will increase from $500 to $1,000 for the first heat pump installed in a home if it meets the highest-performing Tier 2 criteria for performance and efficiency. The rebate for a second heat pump will also be doubled, from $250 per home to $500.

These new rebates will help make high-performance heat pumps more attainable for more Maine people, and the effects of this initiative will ripple across Maines economy, Mills, a Democrat, said in a prepared statement. Not only will it help create good-paying jobs, boost small businesses, and promote workforce training at our community colleges, but it will also help Maine people save money on their heating bills and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, helping us protect our environment and fight climate change. I encourage Maine people to see what they are eligible for.

Heat pumps meeting the so-called Tier 1 rebate standards will continue to be eligible for a $500 rebate for the first indoor unit and $250 for a second indoor or outdoor unit, as in prior years. In addition, enhanced $2,000 rebates are now available to homeowners who receive heating assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Seven years into our programs promoting this new generation of heat pumps, specially designed for cold winters, we continue to see growth in consumer demand, which tells us these new models really work well, even when its freezing outside, Efficiency Maine Executive Director Michael Stoddard said.

Mills predecessor, Republican Gov. Paul LePage, was also bullish on heat pump technology and touted the energy saving devices as well in 2014 LePage had 22 heat pumps installed at the Blaine House, the governors residence.

A high-performance heat pump can help an average Maine home reduce its oil consumption by 270 to 540 gallons per year. It can also reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 3,600 to 7,250 pounds per year per home for each high-performance heat pump.

If the state reaches it goal of 100,000 residential heat pumps statewide, Maine consumers would be expected to save save $30 million to $60 million annually, according to estimates made by the Efficiency Maine Trust.

The trust provided $6.57 million in rebates on 11,701 heat pumps in 2019, according to trust officials.

Some heat pumps, called mini-splits, are part indoors and part outdoors. They use refrigeration technology to extract heat from outdoor air. In the summer, they work in reverse to provide air conditioning.

The devices are popular because they cost about one-third as much as a central heating system. They come in various sizes; typical retail prices for single-zone models range from $3,000 to $5,000. Depending on how big a home is and how well its weatherized, a unit can satisfy 50 to 75 percent of year-round demand.

The news conference was held at the F.W. Webb Company in Augusta, and included a representative of Burnham-based Hometown Heat Pumps. They are two of the more than 400 businesses that form the supply chain serving heat pump customers in Maine, according to Mills.

Customer service has been our top priority along with helping our customers save substantially on heating and cooling costs, Hometown Heat Pumps owner Christie Whitcomb said. This has allowed us to grow quickly and become a leader in the heat pump industry.

David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, promoted the systems training programs for heat pump installers and technicians.

This sort of initiative is why we remain focused on providing critical, relevant workforce training at the community colleges, Daigler said at the event. As industries and policies shift, we adjust our programs to make sure students and trainees are learning the latest techniques and technologies to keep up with industry needs.

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Maine will double its rebate on certain heat pumps for homeowners - Press Herald

Smart thermostats can make sure it's the right temperature indoors andcan help reduce your energy bill, too. Thats because these devices can monitor temperature and humidity inside and outside your home, your comings and goings, and tailor heating and cooling cycles accordingly. And, because they're connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you can monitor, program, and control smart thermostats using your smartphone.

After testing a dozen models, the best smart thermostat is the5th-generationEcobee($249) for one main reason: It comes with a wireless sensor you can place in a remote room in your housesuch as one that doesn't heat or cool as fastand lets you set the Ecobee to keep the system on until that room comes up to the temperature you want. Plus, the Ecobee has Alexa built in, so you can interact with Amazon's voice assistant without purchasing an Echo or an Echo Dot.

If you're looking for something less than $100, we recommend the Honeywell RTH6580WF 7-Day Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat. It's not as fancy as the Ecobee, but its still one of the best smart thermostats and works with many smart home systems.

See all of our top picks for the best smart thermostats below.

The best smart thermostat overall

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech, Wink, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Yes | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Better speaker

Full Alexa support

Improved remote sensors

Works with Spotify

Large

Big bezel

The best smart thermostat overall, the 5th-generation Ecobeelooks and acts much like theEcobee4, but with a few big improvements. It's among the best Alexa compatible devices because it offers all of Alexa's features, including calling, messaging, and Drop-In. The new Ecobee also has a much better speaker and Spotify support, so it's now good for playing tunes if you're looking for a device to provide some background music. Most importantly, the new Ecobee has redesigned remote sensors that have much better range and battery life.

Read our full Ecobee (5th gen) smart thermostat review.

Nest's thermostat is a cinch to set up.

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Logitech, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, WeMo, Wink, Xfinity | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Large display

Works with multiple smart home systems

Intuitive Interface

Easy to install

Can't monitor temperature in multiple rooms

Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit

The third version of this Google-owned thermostat has a larger and sharper display than its predecessor. Like before, the Nest Learning Thermostat can talk to hundreds of other smart home devicesfrom the Logitech Harmony remote to the Amazon Echo to the Nest Camso it can automatically change the temperature when someone comes home, or if youre about to watch a movie. While it has a retro-style circular design, its brushed stainless steel finish and turning mechanism all feel premium. This thermostat combines the best of the past with the future, and is one of the best smart thermostats that's Google Home compatible.

Read our full Nest Learning Thermostat review.

Our favorite cheap smart thermostat

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Inexpensive

Works with a lot of smart home devices

Basic design

This is the best smart thermostat for those on a budget. The Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Thermostat offers much of the same functionality as the Nest and Ecobee, but for less than half the price. While it looks like a run-of-the-mill thermostat on the outside, a Wi-Fi link lets you control this thermostat from your smartphone, just like the more expensive models. Plus, it can link to other smart home gadgets, such as smart locks, and can be controlled via voice. In all, it's a great bargain.

Read our full Honeywell RTH6580WF smart thermostat review.

A simple smart thermostat that lets you use remote sensors

Works With: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech, Wink, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Yes | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit

Attractive interface

Easy installation

works with remote sensors

Lacks geofencing

The Ecobee3 Lite is the best smart thermostat for those with less-involved heating and cooling systems. Still, it has many of the same functions as the Ecobee 5th gen, including a color touchscreen, intuitive interface and deep smart home integration. Ecobee also updated the Lite model to work with remote sensors (as with the full-price Ecobee4), so you can set it to keep the heat on until a room in a far corner of your house reaches a certain temperature.

Read our full Ecobee3 Lite smart thermostat review.

An inexpensive way to make your window AC units smart

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: No

Easy to set up

Has robust scheduling, geofencing

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT

No controls or display on device

If you don't have central air conditioning, then it's a bit harder to regulate the temperatures in your home during the summer. The Sensibo Sky is the best smart thermostat for those with in-wall or window air conditioners that have IR remotes. It's inexpensive, can be controlled remotely, and lets you create schedules for when they should turn on and off. It even has geofencing, so it can turn your AC on as you get home. Now that's cool.

Read our full Sensibo Sky review.

A lower-priced Nest thermostat

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Optional | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Cheaper than original Nest

Simple installation

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Does not support two-stage heating/cooling

White display can be hard to read

The Nest Thermostat E ($169) is another excellent smart thermostat for less than $200. It's easier to set up than the pricier Nest Learning Thermostat, but still has many of the same features. However, it doesn't support as many HVAC systems, such as two-stage heating and cooling, and its all-white display can be hard to read from a distance.

Read our full Nest Thermostat E review.

A thermostat with useful remote sensors

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Optional | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Responsive sensors

Easy to set up

Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

App could be more intuitive

No Apple HomeKit integration at launch

The Honeywell T9 incorporates what we think is one of the best features for smart thermostats: Remote sensors that can measure the temperature and see if there's a person present, so that the thermostat can better adjust your HVAC system to make sure all rooms are comfortable.However, the Honeywell app could be easier to use, and this smart thermostat doesn't support Apple HomeKit.

Read our full Honeywell T9 smart thermostat review.

We install each thermostat in a home or apartment and live with it for at least one week, to see how it handles different conditions. This includes not just changing the temperature, but also evaluating its accompanying app and web portal, if available. If the thermostat works with other smart home devices or Web-connected services (such as Alexa), we test that functionality as well.

For the most part, installing a thermostat, smart or not, is a fairly easy process, usually involving nothing more than a screwdriver and about half an hour of your time. Here's our video guide for installing a Nest thermostat, however, the procedure is similar for almost any thermostat.

Link:
Best smart thermostats 2020 - Reviews, ratings and comparisons - Tom's Guide

A request for information (RFI) has always sounded like a rather timid affair. Government departments regularly issue RFIs to the private sector, nongovernmental organisations and the public. Its a request. Not a demand or a statutory requirement. These requests generally result in a flurry of activity, and a plethora of responses.

Take the recent RFI briefing session held at the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office of the department of mineral resources and energy on emergency electricity procurement to alleviate the current Eskom crisis. It soon became apparent that the organisers had completely misjudged private and public interest. Staff members were frantically wheeling in chairs to accommodate the throng of respondents. If only Eskom was as quick to accommodate wheeling electricity to the grid as the band of chair-people.

Wouldnt it be refreshing if the public sector, and state-owned entities such as Eskom were as keen to respond to requests for information. It would save a whole lot of time on issuing Promotion of Access to Information Act requests to get data that would allow for a far more informed response to their RFIs. Data that is routinely posted in real time on utility dashboards in countries all over the world.

To the matter at hand: providing information to the mineral resources and energy department.

Best scientific information tells us that by 2050, we had better have fully decarbonised our energy economy. It also tells us that we had better achieve at least 80% of this decarbonisation by 2030. Ten years for the easy parts of the fossil fuel economy, and 20 years for the more stubborn remaining 20%, embedded in things such as long distance air travel.

If this appears daunting, seems impossible or is deemed highly improbable, then savour the following information, a full-on mind-blowing sweetener. If we trundle along in business as usual mode, then the world is set to spend $18-trillion a year on energy in 2050. If we electrify our entire energy economy, this drops to just less than $8-trillion. How is this possible? It turns out to be all about thermodynamics and transfer inefficiencies of one energy form to another.

Burning coal to make electricity is about 33% efficient, meaning that 100 units of energy locked away in coal produce about 33 units of electrical energy. Two-thirds is wasted away as heat, as well as energy to propel small particulate matter into the atmosphere, to wreak their nasty breed of respiratory havoc on those within the range of the pollution plume.

Take the modern internal combustion engine motor vehicle. One would think theyre efficient. If you drive frugally, not too hard on the peddles, you may exceed 20% efficiency in a petrol-driven vehicle, and up to 30% in a diesel-propelled vehicle. The balance is pretty much all waste heat and hot air.

The third big pillar of energy usage industrial processes such as smelting and large scale heating and cooling are in fact more efficient. If you burn coal, oil or gas to heat something, then you make use of the energy directly as heat, and you dont have to go through the transformation to either electricity or kinetic energy in the form of propulsion, as in a car.

So, if we transition to 100% electric, we spend $8-trillion a year instead of $18-trillion a year. Great sweetener.

Mark Jacobson and his team at Stanford University, use the term 100% water, wind and solar (WWS) to signify this transition. All electricity is produced from either wind, solar or water (hydro, geothermal, wave, tidal, electrolysis and hydrogen production). So we have two 2050 end members: business as usual or water, wind and solar (WWS).

Some additional information in response to the RFI. If we stick with business as usual, the estimated global health costs predicted by the World Health Organisation are $30-trillion a year by 2050. Translated into human lives, thats about seven million deaths caused by poor air quality from the combustion of fossil fuels.

As regards climate change marginal costs, conservative estimates for business as usual energy are $29-trillion more than water, wind and solar energy. In other words, the business as usual 2050 total global energy cost is just shy $80-trillion, or 10 times the cost of a switch to 100% WWS.

Jacobson and his team are not thumb-sucking this information. They have modelled WWS energy transition plans for 143 countries, responsible for about 97% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Their global figures are the sum of the detailed country by country models. These models factor in local demand profiles, estimated demand growth, estimated population growth and so forth. Their simulations have been set to accept zero non-delivery of electricity. In South Africa, that translates to zero load-shedding. Nada.

They have a plan for South Africa. But then so does a research group, in Finland of all places. Not much to do during those long winter nights in Finland, they sit in small huddled groups. Someone chips in: Why dont we model the South African energy system and dream about sunshine? They all nod, and get to work. Their model differs in detail, but is uncannily similar to Jacobsons model. Lets drink to that.

There is a cry from the backbenchers: What about the workers? Globally, there will be 27-million more permanent, direct jobs created than lost. In South Africa, the figure is about 250000. And that is before you factor in jobs associated with the decommissioning and rehabilitation of coal-fired plants and coal mines. It also takes no cognisance of potential new jobs in, say, the agricultural sector using significant water resources that will be freed up during decommissioning.

Here comes the punchline. If South Africa picks the water, wind and solar route, and transitions to 100% WWS by 2050 (and 80% by 2030), then we need to produce at least four times as much electricity by 2050 as we currently do. Compare this to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 demand estimates and see how wrong they are.

By 2050 we will need just shy of 1000 terawatt hours (TWh) a year. The IRP 2019 projects a demand of between 360 and 420 TWh, about 40% of the WWS estimate.

A transition to WWS will save us 90% of our energy costs, inclusive of those often ignored externalities. The IRP 2019 focuses on electricity demand in a business as usual case. It takes little or no cognisance of a WWS transition. It is wrong. Why would we fight to have a dirty, harmful, business as usual energy system when we can have a clean energy system at a tenth of the cost? I wouldnt. Would you?

So, what do we need to construct between now and 2050 to effect the 100% WWS transition?

The exact mix of wind, water and solar, as well as the amount of accompanying energy storage, which includes green hydrogen storage, differs from model to model. Jacobson makes it clear that they present but one of a myriad of models for the transition plan for each country.

The differences in the models are a function of differing proportions of on-shore and off-shore wind, and the splits between residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale solar. These ratios are a function of future costs, as well as country specific regulatory and tariff structures. For instance, are flexible rooftop solar installations making up millions of micro-grids to feed surpluses into the distribution networks allowed by the regulators?

So the models are all dominated by wind and solar, and it is mainly the proportions that differ.

I had a crack at modelling a fit for purpose WWS energy mix for 2050 for South Africa. One of the constraints was zero shortages (aka load-shedding). The other key parameter was a least cost mix of storage-backed WWS. We require 240 gigawatts (GW) of solar, 150GW of wind and 90GW/360 gigawatt hours of storage. The average cost of the electricity in 2020 rand terms, before delivery through the transmission and distribution grids is of the order of R0.90 a kilowatt hour. This cost is based on current costs of solar, wind and storage.

For simplicity, if we divide these figures by 30, we need to install 8GW of solar, 5GW of wind and 3GW/12 gigawatt hours of storage a year, each year, forever. There will need to be a continuous rolling replacement build programme after 30 years of usage.

It just so happens that if we construct the new generation fleet at these annual recommended rates, we will be able to retire the entire coal fleet by 2030. It will not be a case of making space to undertake deep maintenance on an ailing coal fleet, in the hope of squeezing some extra TWh out of the older members of the fleet. It will be more a case of allowing between 3GW and 4GW of the coal fleet to be retired each year, and buried with a modicum of dignity.

This then is the recommended solution to the current energy crisis. It is not a panicked knee-jerk, ad hoc response to the state of the coal fleet. It is simply the first step of transitioning to 100% water, wind- and solar energy by 2050.

Clyde Mallinson is a geologist who currently focuses on the energy sector

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The path to a zero carbon future - Mail and Guardian

Vancouver International Airport will close the level one road access to the domestic terminal for construction starting next week.

According to a media statement, road access will be closed for approximately six months to install district energy piping as part of YVRs new Parkade and Central Utilities Building (CUB) projectstarting Jan. 14.

The project includes a geoexchange system a heating and cooling system that uses the earths energy found below the surface which will be implemented into the airports structures.

Courtesy shuttles, TransLink buses and pre-arranged commercial pick-ups will be affected during this time: Courtesy shuttle pick-ups and drop offs have been moved to departures level three. There are signs inside the terminal to direct travelers to appropriate shuttles. The N10 TransLink bus stop has been relocated outside the domestic departures check-in on level three. And, all pre-arranged commercial pick-ups will be on level two at international arrivals starting Jan. 14.

Pedestrian access to the parkade from the domestic terminal building is still open through designated walking routes.

According to Zoe Weber, YVRs communication specialist, the geosystem at YVR will be one of the largest in Canada when its completed and will help meet growing passenger demands while reducing its environmental footprint by supporting YVRs heating and cooling needs across the terminal complex.

It is our goal to work efficiently in order to complete the construction in the shortest time frame possible and with minimal impact on passengers and visitors to the airport.

The new utilities building, about 67,000 square feet in size, is expected to be built by 2021 and fully operational by 2022.

For more information on transportation to and from Vancouver's airport, visit YVR.ca.

-With files from Maria Rantanen

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YVR construction will close ground level road access starting next week - Vancouver Is Awesome

CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Florock Polymer Flooring, manufacturer of innovative commercial, industrial and institutional concrete floor coatings, has introduced the FloroStone Decorative Flooring System, a revolutionary new type of decorative epoxy flooring that combines a sanitary, high performance traffic surface with modern, upscale aesthetics in an economical, quick-turnaround system. FloroStone's cutting-edge slurry formulation is a radical departure from traditional double broadcast epoxy systems, requiring approximately 60% fewer man hours and 40% less turnaround time, in addition to enabling virtually undetectable repair of minor damage when needed. Available in high gloss or satin finishes and choice of slip-resistant textures, FloroStone is a cost-effective commercial flooring solution with impressive durability, beautiful style and fast turnaround installation for today's compressed construction schedules.

With more than sixty-five years in business, Florock's experienced, Chicago-based R&D team developed FloroStone with its approved contractor network in mind. The new system's quick, economical application allows professional installers to provide outstanding results with far less facility downtime. Being able to offer end users the ability to get back to normal operations faster gives Florock contractors a strong competitive edge.

New FloroStone features twelve (12) exciting color blends, plus a nearly unlimited selection of custom color options. Utilizing plastic strips or tape-off methods, FloroStone can be used to create unique floor designs to stunning effect. Despite its luxurious appearance, maintenance is simple and economical.

"We're extremely excited to launch FloroStone it stands apart from anything else we've seen on the market," said Peter Kirton, Vice-President of Florock. "It's not every day that innovation of this kind comes along. The initial response from our customers has been remarkable and our sales team couldn't be more enthusiastic. We look forward to the growth of this new product line and plan to build upon the revolutionary technology going forward."

A new type of commercial and institutional epoxy system offering rich, saturated colors, visual depth and design versatility, along with quick, labor-saving installation and seamless repair, new Florock FloroStone truly is a revolution in decorative epoxy flooring.

Experienced Florock professionals are available throughout the Americas, the United Kingdom, and other locations around the globe. Call 1-800-FLOROCK (356-7625) or +1-773-376-7132 to find one near you.

ABOUT FLOROCK, MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A. --Florock has been a leader in the manufacture, research and development, and installation of solutions-oriented concrete floor coatings and toppings since 1952. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with West Coast office, warehouse, technical representation and local approved installers, Florock Polymer Flooring is now one the most complete resinous flooring lines available, offering full support from design through construction -- and beyond. Please visitour websitefor more information.

SOURCE Florock Polymer Flooring

https://www.florock.net

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New FloroStone With Its Fast Turnaround, Lower Cost Installation and Luxurious Beauty is a Revolution in Decorative Epoxy Flooring by Florock -...

If you have flooring you dont like whether its carpet, vinyl or unappealing wood it can feel like theres no way to escape it, no matter how many rugs you pile on top. But if you have floors you love, walking across them can be a daily pleasure.

Thats because the floor is the base upon which all other decorating decisions are built. Change your floors, and you change the character of your home. Its as simple as that.

So its no surprise that new floors specifically, hardwood floors are at the top of many renovation wish lists. Not all wood floors, however, are equally appealing or appropriate for every space.

We look at a building holistically, so the walls and windows, and the environment that were in, all feed into the decision-making about the floors, said Paul Bertelli, the design principal of JLF Architects in Bozeman, Montana, whose firm chooses a different wood floor for almost every project.

The wood flooring industry has evolved considerably in recent years, as wider planks have increased in popularity and finish and installation options have expanded. Given all the choices available, we asked architects and flooring professionals for advice on how to pick the right one.

Browsing through flooring samples to choose a type of wood and a color for your new floor is probably the most enjoyable part of the process. At this stage, much depends on personal preference and your overall vision for your home.

One of the most popular species is white oak, a classic, durable and widely available wood. It can also take stain very well, said Chris Sy, the president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. That means it can be customized for a wide variety of aesthetics, from bleached off-white to ebony.

Other types of wood offer different looks. Hickory has a lot of color variation, from light tones to dark tones, Sy said.

Those who want a rich, darker brown usually select walnut, while those who prefer blonder wood may opt for maple or birch.

As for choosing a stain, the current trend is toward subtle colors that leave the wood with a natural look. Some designers even eschew stain altogether.

We dont ever recommend staining floors, said Elizabeth Roberts, an architect in Brooklyn, although she does occasionally use oak darkened by a process called fuming.

If youre having trouble deciding which species and color is best for your home, consider the other wood elements in the room, Bertelli suggested. If you have walnut cabinetry, for instance, a walnut floor is an easy match; if you have oak doors, oak floors are a natural choice.

Limit the palette, he said, to make it more tranquil and serene.

The way that logs are sawed into boards has a big effect on the grain pattern thats visible in the floor.

With flat-sawn (or plain-sawn) boards, the grain has a wavy appearance. The defining feature is this arching cathedral, said Jamie Hammel, using the industry name for the pattern.

Hammel, owner of the Hudson Co., a supplier of wood flooring and paneling, noted that quarter-sawn boards offer a more linear appearance, with faint striping: The prized feature are these medullary rays, which some people call tiger stripes.

Rift-sawn boards offer the straightest, cleanest grain, whereas live-sawn boards may include all types of grain patterns.

A floor can use one cut exclusively or can incorporate various types of cuts. A mix of quarter- and rift-sawn boards, for instance, is a popular option for flooring with understated grain patterns. For a warm, woodsy appearance, using only flat-sawn boards might be the best option.

In addition to the way the wood is cut, you can choose how many knots and other distinguishing marks you want to see.

We call it character, Hammel said, noting that options include clear (no knots), light character (a few smaller knots) and character-grade (the most, and largest, knots).

Reclaimed wood is another option. Many flooring companies offer wood salvaged from barns, factories and other structures, which can have even more character with nail holes, cracks and saw-blade marks.

You can find oak siding off a 150-year-old building thats been weathered beautifully and use that for flooring, Bertelli said, adding that his firm frequently does just that. We want character in the floor, and our philosophy is that there are perfect imperfections.

Another major decision is whether to buy prefinished flooring, sold with its final color and topcoat in place, or unfinished flooring that can be stained and finished by an installer after its put down.

One of the advantages of prefinished flooring is that it can be installed quickly, usually in a single day.

When floors are finished on site, the home has to be vacated to allow for sanding, staining and finishing, including drying time.

Its very messy work, and its very important that nobody step on it for days, or weeks, at a time, Roberts said. It really alters the construction schedule.

Because prefinished flooring is made in a factory, companies can also produce it with a wide range of exotic finishes that might be difficult for an installer to re-create on-site and with great consistency.

You know what youre going to get, said Jane Kim, an architect in New York. Some installers who do their own finishing, she noted, may not have the experience to get the color you want, especially if you want shades of gray or a really pale finish.

A key difference, however, is that prefinished boards usually have beveled edges to allow for slight irregularities, which creates more pronounced lines between the boards after installation.

Because unfinished flooring is sanded flat after it is installed, the finished floor typically looks more like a solid plane, without gaps.

Most hardwood floors today have a finishing coat of clear polyurethane. Polyurethane essentially sits on top of the wood, protecting it from moisture, wear and staining, Hammel said.

Water-based polyurethanes have grown in popularity in recent years, and the finishing sheen can range from matte to glossy.

A polyurethane finish is very durable, but once damaged or worn, it can be difficult to repair, Hammel said, because it typically requires refinishing an entire board, if not the whole floor.

An alternative is an oil-based finish. Oil penetrates into the wood and therefore tends to make it look a bit richer, he said. And because it doesnt leave a film on top of the wood, it allows for relatively easy spot repairs.

The downside to an oil finish is that it requires more regular maintenance. An oil floor will dry out over time, Hammel said. But it can be easily refreshed, with more oil.

Solid wood is just what it sounds like: a plank of your chosen wood, cut from a log. An engineered wood floor is composed of a thinner layer of your chosen wood on top of a manufactured base of layered wood, like plywood.

Engineered wood has a number of benefits. Its built to be more dimensionally stable, Hammel said. It will expand and contract less, reducing the chance that the boards will warp or shrink over time.

Engineered flooring is especially good in basements, in high humidity areas and over radiant heating systems, he said.

And in homes with concrete subfloors, like many high-rise apartments, engineered flooring can be glued directly to the slab, whereas solid wood usually requires a plywood subfloor so it can be nailed in place.

If your ceiling height is low, saving that extra bit of space by using engineered flooring can be important, Kim said: Some clients are really obsessed with getting the highest ceiling possible, so if they can save an inch on the floor, theyre going to go with engineered flooring.

But it isnt always the best option. Some people simply like the idea of solid hardwood better, and in extremely dry areas, solid wood may perform better.

Engineered floors are made to work best in environments that stay above 30% relative humidity, Sy said. If the environment is going to be consistently below that, engineered floors may experience slight cracking in the wear layer.

Also, depending on the thickness of that top layer, engineered floors may allow for sanding and refinishing only once or twice or perhaps not at all while solid wood can be refinished many times. (To avoid this limitation when buying engineered flooring, look for a product with a thick top layer.)

Narrow boards with widths of about 2 to 3 inches were once standard for hardwood flooring. Not anymore. Five- to 8-inch widths are now commonplace, and some homeowners opt to go even wider, with broad planks measuring up to a foot wide and beyond.

We make floors up to 20 inches wide, Sy said.

In general, the wider the boards, the higher the cost. And the wider it gets, the less stable it gets, because the wood wants to move, Roberts said. When we get into really wide flooring, we almost always recommend an engineered floor, because that prevents it from cupping and warping.

Most floors are installed with the boards in straight lines, but there are many alternative installation patterns, including herringbone and chevron, which are enjoying renewed popularity.

You can also mix it up. Roberts sometimes uses wider boards and complicated installation patterns in the primary living spaces, and narrower boards in a straightforward arrangement in secondary spaces, like hallways and bedrooms.

This approach has been favored for centuries as a way to save money, but it can also prevent extravagant flooring choices from overpowering smaller rooms.

Remember, Roberts said, the goal is to create something timeless not to make your entire home look like its three boards wide.

See more here:
How hard can it be to choose a hardwood floor? - Seattle Times

If it's time to install a new heating system in your home, you might consider baseboard heaters. While they aren't the most efficient options on the market, they're affordable to install and make it easy to control the climate in your homea must in a mid-Atlantic state like Maryland.

When most hear baseboard, they think of electric baseboard heaters, which heat a house room by room. There is, however, a second option: hot water baseboard heaters, or hydronic baseboard heaters. These systems use central heating that channels hot water through pipes to baseboard heating units throughout your home. If you're looking to install a new heating system in your home, read on to learn how these two options work.

Electric Baseboard Heaters

This popular system uses electric resistance to provide baseboard heating in individual rooms. Cables inside the unit warm the air and push it outward. Meanwhile, cold air enters the bottom of the unit to be warmed. Homes with baseboard heating will have thermostats in each room.

Overall, electric baseboard heaters are less efficient than most central heating systems. However, this room-by-room control allows homeowners to only heat certain zones as needed to make up for that efficiency. Plus, they require no expensive duct work, so the initial installation won't cost an arm and a leg.

Hot Water Baseboard Heaters

Unlike electric baseboard systems, hot water heaters work from one central system. A boiler heats water and sends it through pipes from heater to heater. These systems tend to be more efficient than most alternatives. Installation can range in price, depending on your home. A low-end installation will mean units further away from the boiler get less heat. To avoid this problem, you'll need to install flow control valves, which can be adjusted so smaller rooms receive less heat than larger ones.

Other Considerations

Baseboard heating, while not unsightly, is visible in your interior design. Take care not to hang curtains or other wall hangings too close to your heater.

Additionally, another option for hydronic heating is to be used with radiant heat systems, where heating pipes run under the floor. But unlike baseboard heating, this will require an invasive, expensive installation. And, many homes don't have the right kind of flooring to make this probable. If you're considering a new heating system, meet with a professional contractor to talk about the most affordable, efficient and safe system for your home.

HomeAdvisor is a Patch promotional partner.

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Maryland Homeowners: Install Baseboard Heating This Winter - Patch.com

Installation view of Dreams of a Sleeping Worldby Oscar Oiwa at the USC Pacific Asia Museum (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic)

PASADENA, Calif. Imagine being in a soft bed, eyes fluttering to brush away sleep, and slowly noticing that youve been transported to a garden. The world has turned black and white, your room has no floor or ceiling, and the cosmic textures of the universe swirl before your eyes. You might feel this way in Oscar Oiwas immersive, 360 installation, a new world created inside a large nylon dome. Its part of Dreams of a Sleeping World, his first solo exhibition in the United States, on view at the USC Pacific Asia Museum.

Before stepping into the showpiece, viewers get to see Oiwa through his paintings, which take on different degrees of fantasy. In Light Shop, a Japanese convenience store is partially hidden behind a burst of bright globules, a sight that is magical, but grounded. Hotel Office 6 taps more into a dreamscape. It depicts a room in a traditional rykan, or Japanese inn, transformed into a zen garden. Tatami mats become makeshift bridges across koi ponds, but the fish swim above the futon and the low work table. Oiwa is not present, but an open laptop, a camera, and a bottle of sake suggest that hes only stepped away for a moment.

Theres also a short documentary documenting Oiwas process for the immersive installation another tease before stepping into the space. We see Oiwa speedily working through timelapse, hand-drawing the Dreams landscape on a nylon, inflatable dome with black Sharpie. It took Oiwa two weeks to complete the drawing.

The gallery director describes Oiwas dome as Yayoi Kusama meets Keith Haring meets Salvador Dali, but none of these comparisons feel quite right. Dreams of a Sleeping World doesnt use optical illusions to create an infinite space, and his surreal landscapes painted in black ink are simultaneously too detailed to echo Haring and too minimal to match Dali.

If any comparisons make sense, Oiwas style immediately brought to mind Googles DeepDream, a program powered by a neural network that picks up patterns in images pixels that might resemble a human face or a dogs tail, for example and repeatedly processes them until they have been distorted and amplified in surreal, sometimes nightmarish, ways. Oiwas landscape is far too tranquil to be mistaken for the softwares creation, but his line work warps into natural elements quite often. A recurring pattern of rippling, oblique circles resemble hundreds of eyeballs that follow you through the dream space; rabbits emerge from black voids, plant life springs out of stippled marks, and reptilian creatures emerge from hatched lines. The ornate, decorative patterns conjure Art Nouveau illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley and Harry Clarke, but Dreams distinctly belongs to Oiwa.

The biggest pitfall of Dreams, however, is how easy it is to be pulled out of the experience. Its easy to spot the stitching that runs through the inflatable dome, and the air machine that keeps it afloat roars loudly. Another issue is the lighting, much of which comes from natural light, that shifts and casts shadows, distinguishing the floor from the walls and breaking up any illusion of being in a void. I was constantly aware that I was inside a manufactured experience.

Part of what has made experiential art so successful is that it hides its scaffolding. The dark Infinity Room makes the mirrors less obvious, and the Museum of Illusions rents out an entire warehouse, hires interior designers, and makes you believe that the pop-up has always been a permanent fixture. Some will find Oiwas scrappiness part of the charm, even refreshing from such overproduced spaces; I thought I would favor it, instead, I was too anchored in reality.

Oscar Oiwa: Dreams of a Sleeping World continues at the USC Pacific Asia Museum (46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena) through April 26.

Read more from the original source:
A 360 Installation Can Transport You to a Dreamy, Black-and-White Universe - Hyperallergic