Fundamental Inc. offers the following services around energy efficiency and renewable energy:
- Net Zero Design – full residential packages and consulting for commercial/light industrial
- Energy-Focused Retrofits and Renovations – commercial and residential
- LEED® Consulting for contractors
- Building Energy Modeling
- Renewable Energy Turn-Key Solutions – design and installation of solar PV panels, solar hybrid PV-T panels, and wind turbines, NF Power Net Metering program applications
Investing in energy efficiency and energy conservation measures (ECM) pays back. In addition to freeing up cash flow from utility bills in the short term, it makes the space more comfortable, improves building durability and lowers operations and maintenance (O+M) costs over the medium- and long- term.
If it’s your home – common interventions include adding insulation, air sealing, replacing windows, upgrading lights, using programmable thermostats and fuel switching (ie. going from an oil furnace to a heat pump). There is funding available to do some of these items. Similarly, adding renewable energy such as solar panels or a wind turbine through the NF Power Net Metering Program saves on electricity bills in the short-term and increases the value of your home.
If it’s a business – common interventions include adding insulation, load shifting, peak power shaving, HVAC improvements, daylighting and fuel switching. There is funding available to do some of these items. Adding renewables such as solar panels or a wind turbine through the NF Power Net Metering Program frees up O+M cash flow, can provide stable power in an outage and supports corporate social responsibility.
Net Zero Buildings
A net zero energy building is one that produces the same amount of energy as it needs to operate. This is generally achieved by first maximizing the building’s energy efficiency opportunities, and then installing sufficient on-site renewable energy to produce what the building consumes. The up-front investment leads to zero energy bills for the life of the building – and a minimal carbon footprint (GHG emissions).
It’s possible to do this in phases where the first step is creating a Net-Zero-Ready building. This is a building where all the energy efficiency measures are put in place, and the building can be equipped with renewable energy as soon as it is financially feasible for the owner.
Net Metering Program
Fundamental Inc. provides turn-key project support for the Net Metering Program and renewable energy installation. We do in-house consultation, design, procurement, and installation of solar PV panels, solar hybrid PV-T panels, and wind turbines.
Ashley, Emma, and Geoff have each obtained the Photovoltaic Associate (PVA) credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), demonstrating their knowledge of solar energy system design, installation, and maintenance.
Any building with an NF Power or NL Hydro metered account can install renewable energy and can connect to the local electricity grid via the Net-Metering Program. This program is offered by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and allows customers to generate their own renewable energy (up to 100 kW) and offset their utility bills. Customers are only billed for their net energy consumption – what they pull from the grid minus what they supply to the grid. Any extra electricity provided to the distribution system from the building’s renewable energy system is applied as a credit on the account that can be used to cover future energy bills.
It’s important to note that batteries (or energy storage) are not required. They can be installed as part of the system design for power supply in an outage, but they are not required as part of a Net Metered system.
Whether you are targeting net-zero for your new building project, would like to retrofit your home or building to be net-zero-ready, or if you’d simply like to try out a few solar panels to start, Fundamental Inc. can help make it happen.
