< Previous| 50 NOVEMBER 2023WRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL A s discussions and debates continue around the benefits and efficacy of Electric Vehicles, much is placed in the public domain. As with any information, however, critical thinking is needed. Inaccu- rate statements around range, safety and emissions continue to be fed to a public that is in a state of confusion when it comes to the purchase of their next automobile. Earlier this year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), moved to dispel many of the myths surrounding EVs in an effort to combat these. For example, many advocates of the combustible engine believe that the emissions generated from both the production of EVs, and the electricity needed to charge them outweighs any benefits in terms of net emissions. However, this could not be further from the truth. While manufacturing and power do require an element of carbon pollution, it is nowhere on the scale of traditional vehicles. | 51 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION“Electric vehicles (EVs) have no tailpipe emissions. Generat- ing the electricity used to charge EVs, however, may create carbon pollution. The amount varies widely based on how local power is generated, e.g., using coal or natural gas, which emit carbon pollution, versus renewable resources like wind or solar, which do not. Even accounting for these electricity emissions, research shows that an EV is typically responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than an average new gasoline car. To the extent that more renewable energy sources like wind and solar are used to generate electricity, the total GHGs associated with EVs could be even lower.” Regardless of the PR battle that is raging, one thing is clear; the electric vehicle movement is growing. Sales figures are rising every year and the infrastructure network is developing. However, one element of the sector that is proving to be a stumbling block is the speed at which these developments are taking place. Unfortunately, for those who are tasked with decreasing emissions around the globe, the full-scale tran- sition to electric isn’t happening quickly enough. There are a number of barriers to the mass adoption of EVs, such as the aforementioned smear campaign, but two of the greatest are range anxiety and a viable charging network. While the reality may be slightly skewed in the direction of the skeptic, these are understandable concerns and until they are clearly rectified in a public way, the combustible engine will reign supreme. While it is still in its infancy, assistance with these challenges may be on its way. When we think of SMART cities, we imagine connected liv- ing spaces that are intuitive and helpful, providing solutions to traffic, waste management, safety and energy usage. However, the potential for connected living goes signifi- cantly further than that. Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, has been exploring the possibility of building sustainable links between the structures of a city, and the transport that moves around it. The result of this research is SolarEV Cities. A recent study at the University looked at the possi- bilities of marrying EV batteries with solar rooftop panels or photovoltaics (PVs). The theory is that by linking the two, vehicles would be running on a much cleaner energy source while also supporting the local community by feeding unused energy back to the grid. For Takuro Kobashi, a study team member at the university, it is a vital step towards sus- tainable EVs. “We need to prioritize the use of the rooftop PV + EV system to minimize the impacts of renewable energy development on nature.” Enabling a safe and sustainable relationship between PV and EV is something that has long been mooted as an essential step in making electric vehicles a viable long-term solution. However, according to those at Tohoku University, it can also assist in decreasing the energy needs of a city by significant amounts. With carbon emissions from urban areas account- ing for around three quarters of all global emissions, decar- bonizing cities is a key factor that simply cannot be ignored. Experts in the field believe that the barriers to widespread adoption of EVs are precisely those that limit the success of PVs also. One industry figure said, “Challenges to its deploy- ment such as lack of distribution, grid availability, low con- sumer engagement and challenges to the deployment of the infrastructure during renovation show very close similarities with those posed by the deployment of distributed photo- voltaic solar power plants (PVs). Therefore, any successful solutions should benefit both EV and PV deployment.” The SolarEV City Concept is a relatively new idea that places and utilizes solar panels on rooftops in conjunction with electric vehicles. By doing this, electric vehicles not only reduce carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel, but their “The SolarEV City Concept is a relatively new idea that places and utilizes solar panels on rooftops in conjunction with electric vehicles.” | 52 NOVEMBER 2023batteries have the ability to store additional power generated from the solar panels. This allows the user to powering their home when the sun is not shining. However, the efficacy of this concept concept varies widely from city-to-city. Depend- ing on location and climate, results can vary. Despite this, the figures look positive indeed. The first study which took place in Kyoto, found that if 70% of the city's rooftops were covered with solar panels and all cars became electric, Kyoto could reduce the emissions generated by combustible engines by 60-74% and save 22-37% on energy costs by 2030. However, for more densely urban areas in Japan, like Kawasaki and Tokyo, the reductions were less. Further studies in Jakarta and other temperate locations also yielded success. The question remained, however, if this concept could become widespread around the globe. In an attempt to answer this question, Associate Professor Takuro Kobashi and the team have conducted the first study on the possibility of PV/EV success in a high-latitude city – Paris. The results were mixed but showed promise. When speak- ing about the project, Kobashi explains how a one-size fits all approach is not the right way to go. "As Paris is a highly urbanized area, we found the city could only supply approxi- mately 30% of its electricity needs through rooftop PVs. And Editorial credit: Martyn Jandula / Shutterstock.com also, since most PV generation is consumed inside the city, the impact of EVs as storage batteries is limited. However, in the surrounding Paris region, which comprises many low-rise buildings, we discovered that covering 71% of the rooftops could meet 78% of the annual electricity demand for that year. When incorporating EVs as storage batteries into the fold, even when accounting for the supply demand of the EVs themselves, it was possible to supply approximately 60% of the electricity. Ultimately, this could lead to a 23% reduction in energy costs by 2030.” Kobashi goes on to explain that regional systems, with lower density, may offer a solution that mitigates against the challenges. "Our study not only highlights the carbon reduction potential of implementing a SolarEV City in Paris and the Ile-de-France, but it shows the need to consider regional variations." For some, Electric Vehicles are a passing fad designed to remove market share from the status quo. The reality is though, EVs are an absolute necessity, and fast. If commu- nities and city planners to convene to work through local variables, pairing PVs with EVs could have a transformative effect on the energy requirements in high density areas. www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/solarev_cities.html | 53 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION| 54 NOVEMBER 2023WRITTEN BY CHRIS HUGHES C oncrete is only as strong as the steel wire mesh it has to reinforce it – so contractors can’t play games when choosing the best manufacturer for this linchpin product. As the conditions of our world evolve, the quality of our wire mesh has become a primary focus on many construction projects. A changing climate has brought stronger winds, more frequent tornadoes, and other environmental con- cerns to the northern shield of Ontario and Quebec, while new political realities call for tunnels, bridges, and infra- structure that can even hold up to bombing (an overcaution, yes, but better safe than sorry). Charles Thibault COO and GM at Numesh | 55 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNumesh Inc. has, for a long time, been pushing the needle for what contractors can expect from wire mesh. Numesh, Canada’s largest manufacturer in the space, has turned its home in Laval, Quebec, into a powerhouse for producing top- of-the-line products that are custom engineered specifically for its client’s projects. Out of Laval, Numesh’s presence has been felt in projects across Quebec, the Maritimes, Ontario, and the northeast- ern United States. This reach has only grown with its recent expansion and opening of a new facility in Brantford, Ontario. Just as its products bolster and strengthen the concrete we use to build; this new facility adds to the underlying frame- work of Numesh’s already industry-leading operation. Brantford, only a short drive from both Toronto and the US border, offers new logistical advantages for Numesh as it delivers wire mesh to clients on time and within budget, while also tapping into a region that continues to show excellence in the trades and in manufacturing. A stone’s throw away from Hamilton – the city famous for its steel – Brantford and its surrounding area is home to some of the best that Canada’s trades have to offer. Numesh, now operating in Brantford with over 60 employees and counting, has been a welcome addition to the community. “When you walk into the plant,” Charles Thibault, Numesh’s COO and GM, says, “you can see people are excited. We’ve been able to bring in strong trade people with a good mindset on leader- ship. It's an awesome team, all working together.” The response to Numesh’s expansion, both locally and pro- vincially, shows the importance of a new facility like this. The Ontario government welcomed Numesh’s nearly $40 million investment into the new plant and partnered with the company to the tune of $2.9 million as part of the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. “The opportunity to create new high quality, high paying jobs–that was a big upside for us,” Thibault says. As mentioned, the expansion puts the company right where the industry needs it. “For a long time,” Thibault says, “we were looking for another spot to be closer to our customer base. We have a lot of customers in Ontario. The Toronto area alone is one of the biggest construction markets in North America. It’s getting bigger every day, so being close to places like this is important for both serving our current customers and reaching new ones.” Looking forward, this facility is a launch pad for breaking into the prairies as well as taking on more private market projects in the US. “What makes or breaks this business is the transportation. The closer you are, the more competitive you can be.” | 56 NOVEMBER 2023SMC Project Realization & Management Inc. Ron Carlton: P: 905-978-7386 | E: roncarlton@smcproject.ca | Unit 25 - 86 Ringwood Drive, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 1C3 | smcproject.ca General Contracting, Design/Build Keeping things cohesive during an interprovincial expansion is no small feat, which is where Numesh’s strong culture and perspective on training has played a large role. Rather than running top-down out of Quebec, Thibault and the leadership of Numesh have built a team in Branford that is an autono- mous part of one unified whole. “We don’t just look to develop people,” he says, “we empower them.” Along with the new team in Brantford come eight new state-of-the art machines, six of which are currently in action with two more being com- missioned as this goes to press. These facilitate the welding, cutting, and fabrication needed to transform steel wire into welded wire mesh that meet the needs of the specific project at hand. As Thibault shares, every project is different. This means that when contractors look for more than just standard rebar, they turn to Numesh to supply exactly what they need. “There’s around 75 to 100 different general products that we keep in stock at all times,” Thibault says. “We customize these based on the contract and project we’re working on.” “The opportunity to create new high quality, high paying jobs– that was a big upside for us.” | 57 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONGreater Toronto Area’s premier machinery moving and storage company is Ready when you are! Removing old equipment or installing new machines can be tough. You need professional services from a trusted company to help you do the job efficiently without slowing down your operations. If you need immediate assistance with moving machinery in your plant or warehouse, Ready Machinery Movers is at your service. CONTACT US TODAY: rmm@readymachinery.com readymachinery.com Numesh, in both Laval and Brantford, boasts in-house engi- neers able to calculate the fabrication of mesh to accommo- date any form a pre-caster would need. It’s able to provide an engineering stamp of approval so that the customer does not have to worry whether or not their build will be up to standards, whether it be CSA in Canada or ASTM in the US. Numesh continues to build on this quality. “There's always new techniques, whether it's in precast or in construction,” Thibault says. “They're moving forward in every industry, every customer segment, and it's keeping us on the edge to develop different services and engineering offerings.” This commitment to progress has allowed Numesh to touch a wide array of projects since its founding in 1975. This has included everything from an Amazon facility in Ottawa to new battery plants in Ontario coming up soon. As this goes to press, Numesh is even involved with the construction of a major tunnel in Los Angeles, a testament to the company’s growing reach. “We have another site in California that we share with a general contractor. We have a few machines, and we are providing all of our technical expertise in engi- neering and tradesmanship. It’s exciting to offer them Cana- dian talent that can support those guys as they fabricate the mesh to use for the tunnel.” The universal need for steel wire mesh in construction makes for a dynamic work environment at Numesh. According to Thibault, this flexibility has been integral to the company’s success. “It’s allowed us to be very diversified. So sometimes mining can go up, general construction will go down and maybe road construction will be at an all-time high. We can shift our focus based on what’s happening and see steady demand. It’s fun, because we’re always touching different segments and accommodating different customer needs.” For the COO and GM Thibault, his position at the helm of Numesh is still fresh. In December 2022, he left the concrete construction material giant Lafarge to start the new year in his current role. With 23 years of concrete experience under his belt, Thibault transferred over with strong connections and sensibilities for the market, as concrete and wire mesh are almost always bought hand-in-hand. With that in mind, it is no surprise that his fresh perspective has only strength- ened the trajectory of Canada’s largest steel wire mesh Chelsea Carlton Interiors Ron Carlton: P:905-978-7386 | E:roncarlton@rogers.com | Unit 25 - 86 Ringwood Drive, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 1C3 manufacturer. “It's been a very good opportunity to revisit the company mission, vision, and the values with all the employ- ees,” he says. “Now that we have our second location–and almost third soon with California–and a few ideas for acqui- sition and expansion, it's been a really good opportunity to sit down with the management team and redefine Numesh 2.0.” Already at the top of the industry, what can we expect from Numesh 2.0? Beyond the physical growth of the company, sustainability is also a big part of Thibault’s vision. “The more efficient we are in fabricating,” Thibault says, “the less energy we can use, the more environmentally friendly we can be. We’re looking into reducing and reusing our waste by finding opportunities with other industries to adopt a circular economy strategy. For me, becoming greener is the best thing we can achieve.” From Laval, to Brantford, to California, Numesh Inc, led by Charles Thibault, has a presence as strong as the steel wire mesh that it creates. For more on Numesh, visit www.numesh.com | 59 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >