SHARC Energy Systems is a Vancouver-based company that "manufactures and supplies wastewater heat recovery solutions," and its innovative technology is being implemented in two 20-story towers in an affordable housing co-op (called Amalgamated Housing Cooperative).
With SHARC Energy Systems, the "energy never leaves the building," meaning that when tenants take showers and do laundry, the hot water used for these activities can be recycled to help warm their apartments in the winter or cool these spaces in the summer. In order to reuse wastewater, SHARC Energy Systems installs two large tanks in the basement of the buildings. The wastewater goes through these tanks and is "cleaned to go through a heat exchanger, which captures the energy for use in the building's heating/cooling system."
Wastewater-Powered Buildings
SHARC is Being Implemented in Two Bronx High-Rises
Trend Themes
1. Wastewater Heat Recovery - Innovative technology can recycle hot water to help warm apartments in winter or cool them in summer, paving the way for wastewater heat recovery systems in buildings.
2. On-site Energy Generation - With SHARC Energy Systems, energy can be generated on-site by recycling wastewater, creating opportunities for on-site energy generation in other industries.
3. Sustainable Building Solutions - The implementation of SHARC Energy Systems in these affordable housing co-ops represents a step towards sustainable building solutions and could have implications for the construction industry.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - SHARC Energy Systems presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for real estate professionals who want to reduce energy costs and increase sustainability in their buildings.
2. Hospitality - The implementation of wastewater heat recovery systems could create opportunities for hotels and other hospitality businesses to reduce their environmental impact and energy costs.
3. Manufacturing - SHARC Energy Systems' innovative technology for recycling wastewater could have implications for manufacturing industries looking for new ways to reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability in their operations.