< PreviousSolar power has been a cornerstone of the push for renewable energy sources for decades. Thankfully, we have now reached a point where photovoltaic (PV) panels have become increas- ingly efficient and, crucially for the construction industry, they have also become more affordable. The construction industry has seen a surge in the integration of solar panels into building designs, from rooftop installations to innovative solar facades. According to Dr. Martin Green, a pioneer in photovoltaics research at UNSW Sydney, PV is now experiencing a golden period in terms of tech and cost. “Solar energy has reached a point where it is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable. Advances in PV technology are making it easier for buildings to generate their own power.” This view is backed up with reported advancements in solar technology, such as perovskite solar cells which promise even greater effi- ciency and lower costs. What’s more is that building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), which seamlessly incorporate solar cells into building materials like windows and walls, are starting to be seen across urban architectural designs. With the potential for smart grids and solar energy storage solutions, solar power can provide a consistent and reliable energy supply, reducing dependency on traditional energy sources. “Advances in PV technology are making it easier for buildings to generate their own power.”While this may seem like a failsafe solution, challenges remain. Geographical limitations, for instance, can impact a community’s ability to harness PV. In situations where abun- dant sunlight is not available, alternatives need to be found. Wind energy, primarily harnessed through large-scale wind turbines, is becoming a significant player in the renewable energy sector. Benefits of offshore wind farms include a com- paratively high energy output and reduced land use impact. “Wind energy continues to grow in importance due to its efficiency and the decreasing cost of wind turbines. Offshore wind, in particular, holds significant promise due to higher wind speeds and less visual impact,” notes Steve Sawyer, former CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council. On a smaller scale, urban wind turbines and innovative designs like verti- cal-axis turbines can be integrated into building structures, providing localized energy generation. As this technology advances, improved turbine efficiency and new materials will further reduce costs and enhance performance. Interestingly, the potential for wind energy to complement solar power in hybrid systems can offer a balanced and resilient energy solution for urban developments. Various other methods of providing sustainable energy have emerged in recent years. Geothermal energy, the process of tapping into the Earth’s internal heat, is a growing sector in the area of heat pumps and electricity generation. Karl Gawell, Executive Director of the Geothermal Energy Association believes that this energy source is one with huge potential for growth. “Geothermal energy is a reliable and constant energy source that can provide heating and cooling for buildings year- round. It is underutilized but has great potential for wider adop- tion.” In addition to that, the potential for further development is one that makes this energy source a key player in future markets. The expansion of geothermal technology, including enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that can be deployed in a wider range of locations, holds significant promise. The inte- gration of geothermal heating and cooling in building designs can dramatically reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. With advancements in drilling technology and increased investment, geothermal energy could become a mainstream solution for sustainable construction. One source of energy, however, seems to be on a downward trajectory. Hydropower, the first of the major sustainable energy sources, has seen a noticeable decrease in its global usage in recent years. For most of the 20th century, hydro- electricity was the only carbon-free power source, eventually providing over 90% of the electricity for a dozen smaller countries. Even into the 21st century, hydro was helping us keep ahead of our climate budgets. In 2022, China’s dams alone generated 1300 terawatt hours of electricity—enough to power the entire world in 1950.One cause for this decline may be that, since its inception in 1878, the methods has been overused to the point of being endangered. According to a recent environmental report, the sector may be running out of steam. Hydropower requires very particular terrain to operate effectively and many countries such as Switzerland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and France have dammed most of their available rivers; up to 88% in some cases. The future of renewable energy is one that hangs in the balance. On one hand, geographical limitations and cost are proving to be restrictive. However, the potential for synergy between various energy sources and innovative applications is a positive one. As technology advances, the integration of multiple renewable energy systems—such as solar, wind and geothermal—into cohesive and adaptive energy networks will be crucial. According to Dr. Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, smart grid technology and energy storage solutions will play pivotal roles in optimizing energy use and efficiency.“By combining different renewable energy sources and utilizing smart technologies, we can create energy systems that are not only sustainable but also resil- ient and adaptable to future needs.” | 11 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION| 12 JUNE 2024WRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON P roviding solutions is at the core of what M-Roc, a family-owned Ottawa-based drilling and blasting company, offers for its local, national, and international client base. What started as a small- scale construction drilling and blasting company doing local projects for residential and commercial clients in and around Canada’s capital city has since expanded to major construction, mining and industrial operations, making it a top choice in the country and beyond for clients seeking top-quality solutions with an engineering approach. Today, the team of over 100 employees keeps busy with a myriad of mining, quarrying, condominium excavation, site development, and pre-drilling proj- ects. However, the company’s rapid evolution and growth can be traced back to 2016, when current President and owner Jeff Corace, a Mechanical Engi- neer by schooling, took the helm. Eight years later and the company is celebrating 25 years in business and showing no signs of slowing down. “When I joined, I was operating a company that was really, really good at doing these smaller-scale projects. I knew we could adapt our skills, expertise, and attention-to-detail to large-scale projects,” says Corace. Corace’s first major project would take the company to the next level. It was a nearly two-year long project in northern Ontario. The team was tasked with drilling and blasting almost 2,000,000 cubic meters of rock through some of the toughest terrain in Ontario. “We performed exceptionally,” he says, recalling how this success made him realize there were other voids in the industry that M-Roc could fill. “There was this hole in the industry for really solid drill blast companies run by professionals that want to truly help their clients achieve project success.” To-date, over 500 projects have been completed since incorporating in 1999, including some of the most prom- inent and complex drilling/blasting projects in the coun- try. Led by an engineer with over 20 years of experience, drilling and blasting designs are created internally with a specific focus on protecting highly sensitive structures, environmentally restrictive areas, and underground services adjacent to the drilling/blasting operations and ensuring high quality drilling performance and rock fragmentation. Completed projects on the company’s resume include mine drilling and blasting, trench exca- vation, quarrying, deep excavations, shaft sinking, forced roads, and right-of-way development. | 13 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONHardrock-Vertex drill products outperform & outlast other products, period. Serving the global hard rock & soft rock mining sectors for over 25 years 2881 White Street, ValCaron, Ontario, Canada P3N 1B2 +1 705 521 1616 | info@hardrockvertex.com hardrockvertex.com Congratulations M-Roc on 25 years of success! From your partners at M-Roc owes its success to its simple ethos: a subcontractor should work with its clients to figure out their needs and deliver a meaningful drilling and blasting solution. Corace spends a significant amount of time networking with individuals all over the world, landing projects through meaningful conversations with people who are looking for a better way to do conduct their drilling and blasting activities. “My main job at this company is networking and procuring new business. I talk to people from Victoria, BC to St. John's Newfoundland, every single day trying to keep my finger on the pulse of this great industry.” This immersion in the industry and networking provided a strong foundation for M-Roc as it weathered the challenging years of COVID-19. Looking back, these challenges ended up being a big boost for the construction industry. Corace, now President, and his General Manager, Andrew Bell, transitioned a company from paper to digital and put online architecture in place that allowed M-Roc operations to be uninhibited during these challenging times. Supply chain issues were widespread, and Corace and his team had to make a decision: invest additional money in order to accumulate parts and products or sit back and wait with the possibility of projects shutting down. Thankfully, it chose the former and started placing large orders, stocking its warehouse with materials it anticipated needing. This enabled the company to continue running with- out missing a beat, coming out of the nearly three and a half years of the pandemic relatively unscathed. Since then, oper- ations have expanded beyond borders, with three high profile projects happening across the country and beyond. | 14 JUNE 2024613-383-2503info@blastekgroup.com Whether you require blasting or environmental engineering services, Blastek Engineering Group always delivers high quality service with professionalism and trust. Time and time again, we have been praised for our quick response time, working within our client’s budget and schedule to ensure minimum project delays. BLASTING ENGINEERING | PRE-POST BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY | VIBRATION MONITORING SETTLEMENT MONITORING | EXCESS SOIL MANAGEMENT | INDOOR AIR QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS | DESIGNATED SUBSTANCE SURVEY DEMOLITION AND ASSET RECOVERY | MOULD INVESTIGATION | ASBESTOS INVESTIGATION Your Trusted Engineering Partner BLASTEKGROUP.COM 613-383-2503info@blastekgroup.comHendry Warren is a full service, public accounting firm located in the heart of the nation’s capital. We provide exceptional service for our personal, trust and estate, and corporate clients in the following: Accounting Audit Business Advisory Estate Planning Financial Planning Management Consulting Taxation Valuation Trusted. Ottawa. Accountants. www.hwllp.ca (613) 235-2000 info@hwllp.ca Get in touch Qaqortoq Airport Project Location: South Coast of Greenland. Objective: To enhance connectivity and infrastructure in response to increasing tourism and travel. Scope: Drill and blast over 2,000,000m3 of rock for a future airport and runway to better connect the local community of Qaqortoq. Challenges: Logistical difficulties due to remote location, long lead times for parts, and extreme environmental conditions. Success Factors: Exceptional organization, adaptability, and dedication of the project team. Achievements: Completion of the largest blast in the history of Greenland, establishing a strong reputation in the region. Future Outlook: Continued presence and involvement in Greenland, with potential for further expansion and collaboration with local authorities.HEAVY EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL DANGEROUS GOODS (HAZMAT) OVER DIMENSIONAL At FX Logistics, we manage many types and sizes of freight coast to coast across North America. We specialize in infrastructure projects, often in remote areas and even ice roads. Congratulations M-Roc on your 25 th Anniversary! FX Logistics always strives to find the best solutions for our clients’ needs, big or small. We work with an extensive network of carriers across North America, ensuring compliancy with all regulations and requirements. Our clients are always updated on their shipment’s progress, changes or delays, giving them the tools necessary to make informed decisions for their job sites. ]FMHEP$J\PSKMWXMGWGE`SPMZMIVGF$J\PSKMWXMGWGEJ\PSKMWXMGWGE CALL OR EMAIL US FOR A FREE, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE! Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project Location: Coquihalla Summit to Abbotsford, BC Objective: Twinning an existing pipeline, facing engineering challenges and environmental restrictions. Scope: Drilling and blasting along the pipeline route, working with multiple general contractors. Challenges: Stringent fly rock, environmental, pollution, and vibration restrictions during blasting. Success Factors: Adherence to regulations, meticulous planning, and collaboration with contractors. Achievements: Completion of the project without any negative impacts or violations, showcasing engineering prowess. Future Outlook: Potential for further involvement in pipeline projects, maintaining partnerships with major general contractors. | 17 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONMann Lawyers Mann Lawyers LLP is a full-service law firm in Ontario and has been providing quality legal services for businesses of all types and sizes for 30 years in Canada. We look before you leap. The expertise of Mann Lawyers is extensive and includes cor- porate governance, commercial leasing, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, corporate tax and reorganizations, financing, franchising, employment and labour law, commercial real estate services, real estate development, environmental law, commercial litigation and construction liens. We’re proud to provide high quality legal services to businesses like M-Roc Ltd. in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Our team is on your side and the growth and success of your busi- ness is important to us. Throughout a business’s life span there may be a need to alter the corporate structure to limit liability, or exposure, to bring on new investors, expand or transfer your interest to the next generation. At Mann Lawyers, our team is well equipped, through our extensive experience, to advise and assist in all aspects of the business’ life cycle; from creation to dissolution and everything in between. We look before you leap. Business lawyers in Canada P: 613-722-1500 | E: business@mannlawyers.com | www.mannlawyers.com Mining Expansion Project Location: Ontario & Newfoundland and Labrador Objective: Diversification into mining amid eco- nomic uncertainty, recognizing the long-term potential of the industry. Scope: Engaging in gold mining in Northern Ontario and partnering with Iron City Services for mining operations in and around Labrador City, NL. Challenges: Successfully running 24 hour a day 365 day a year drilling and blasting campaigns in remote locations. Success Factors: Identifying the strategic impor- tance of mining, establishing partnerships with key industry players, and showcasing expertise in large-scale contracts. Achievements: Securing contracts for multiple mining projects and building a reputation for qual- ity and reliability. Future Outlook: Anticipated growth in mining proj- ects, with a focus on maintaining high standards and expanding the company's presence in the industry. | 18 JUNE 2024SINCE 1960 Our Services Heavy Civil Construction Transportation Winter Maintenance Community Infrastructure Equipment Rental Demolition Why Choose Us? With over 60 years of service in the Ottawa area, we know construction! We provide quality services and expertise with all tasks. At Goldie Mohr Ltd., we guarantee to offer MOHR value to our clients, employees and community. 3862 Moodie Dr, Ottawa, ON 613-838-5042 info@goldiemohrltd.ca GOLDIEMOHRLTD.CA As a means to further prioritize sustainability and safety through its business operations, M-Roc is also a completely digital company and 100% paperless. The administrative team led by Corace’s wife Amanda, and consisting of four people, work in the Ottawa headquarters, while everyone else operates entirely remotely. “We’re a country wide roving fleet of personnel and equipment,” Corace says. This remote way of working is made seamless through the use of Otta- wa-based Corfix, a documentation management software company specifically designed for construction companies. “They have revolutionized how we are able to take informa- tion from the field and bring it back to the office,” says Corace. M-Roc has also started down the path to achieve COR® certification, achieved through the successful completion of three steps: completion of required training, implementation of your safety and health program, and verification by IHSA that the COR® standards are met, a testament to the compa- ny’s focus on safety. For M-Roc, the future involves growing its presence across Canada and increasing its work on the international stage. It is investing heavily in its mining work, with the goal of becom- ing a major player on the mining side for all small to large diameter drilling. “Our success over the last 25 years comes from sheer dedication, tenacity and enjoyment of what we do,” says Corace. The next 25 years will include much more of the same. If you are looking for a different approach to drilling or blast- ing services, check out M-Roc’s website and either fill out a contact form or just give Jeff a call, to experience the differ- ence M-Roc can make. | 19 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >