Officially opened in 2009, Manitoba Hydro Place is owned by Manitoba Hydro, the province’s sole energy provider. Manitoba Hydro Place uses 70% less energy than a comparable office building of conventional design. In May 2012, it was awarded a Platinum certification for its adherence to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by Canada Green Building Council.
The building utilizes passive and active systems. Passive systems, such as south-facing winter gardens, natural daylighting, and the solar chimney, takes advantage of the environment and natural processes to reduce energy usage. Active systems (i.e. dimmable, programmable lighting) also help maximize the effectiveness of passive systems and supplement them as required.
The followings are features of Manitoba Hydro Place:
♦ 3- and 6-storey atria function as solar collectors, air exchangers, air handlers, and air shafts;
♦ south-facing winter gardens warm air entering the building;
♦ natural ventilation minimizes the need for a forced-air circulation system:
• fresh air is drawn into the south atria and is conditioned as it rises;
• air flows through the building via raised floors and flows up the solar chimney;
• the parkade is heated with exhaust air routed from the solar chimney during winter months.
♦ operable windows on the inner wall of the double façade add to natural ventilation;
♦ higher ceilings maximize natural lighting and reduce lighting requirements;
♦ geothermal heat pump system warms the building in winter and cools it in the summer;
♦ energy efficient lighting, pumps, and drives.
Source
https://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/history/mh_place_design_and_construction/
See an overview of the energy features
https://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/history/energy_features.pdf