Backed with 20 years of experience in supplying construction materials, Mitrex, a Canadian manufacturer of solar products and sustainable building materials, this week announced its selection as the exclusive building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology supplier for the innovative geoLAGOON project.
Inspired by the famous Blue Lagoon in Iceland (which, as cited by a May 4 press release, was recently listed as one of the '25 Wonders of the World' by National Geographic), geoLAGOON is a project by developer geoLagon Inc. which aims to create self-sufficient, carbon-neutral villages and lagoons heated to 38°C year-round, thereby "demonstrating the infinite supply of energy from the sun and the earth," as reckoned by the developer.
The partners contend the new project "showcases how renewable energy can provide a technically and financially viable option for the energy transition, which increasingly requires alternatives to hydropower." The following French-language video from Youtube displays the scale of the project.
Value proposition
geoLAGOON will be built using a patented method that incorporates a water bath model with a sealed and insulated sub-tank that stores heat.
In this sub-tank, coils will circulate water from the open pond at a controllable rate, maintaining the water at a steady 38°C.
The geoLAGOON's energy ecosystem will be powered by renewable energy sources, including solar energy (31%), shallow geothermal energy (35%), and biomass produced from plant waste (11%). The system's insulated sub-tank that stores heat will contribute for 23%.
Mitrex was selected as the exclusive supplier for the solar portion of energy generation, whereby the exterior walls and roof of each village house will be clad with a high-performance solar cladding.
This technology solution incorporates photovoltaic cells (BIPV), which will provide the electricity needed to heat the tank and its lagoon without compromising the buildings' aesthetics.
On average, every square foot of the Mitrex material produces "an impressive 13 - 18 W of energy, demonstrating the high performance and value of Mitrex's energy solution," as stated by the company.
Mitrex CEO Danial Hadizadeh commented:
"Mitrex is proud to be the exclusive supplier of solar energy generation for the innovative carbon-neutral geoLAGOON project. Our high-performing solar cladding technology will not only provide the electricity needed to heat the lagoon and tank, but it will also enhance the visual appeal of the buildings. The project is a testament to how renewable energy can be a practical and financially viable option for the energy transition, and we at Mitrex are excited to be a part of it."
Mitrex's stated mission is to accelerate the adoption of sustainable, energy-generating, human-made structures. The following video explains the Mitrex integrated solar technology as a full turnkey service for the research, design, and manufacturing of integrated solar cladding and glass technology solutions, from initial planning to manufacturing, installation and maintenance.
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