Join the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), Sustainable Labs Canada (SLCan) and EGNATON for the second annual virtual, international Education Week.
Over the course of four days, attendees from across the globe can join live or access recordings of sessions on sustainable lab design, lab decarbonization strategies, efficient ventilation systems, and green lab leadership. Through a partnership with SLCan and others, this year’s event offers a wide variety of international perspectives, along with I2SL award winners and some of the top speakers from I2SL and SLCan’s annual conferences. New this year, two keynote presentations will take attendees on a journey through the Smart Labs of the future, I2SL’s new Labs2Zero program, and the path towards better collaboration and sustainable design through Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
Join us April 15-18, 2024, for what promises to be the best virtual sustainable lab learning event on Earth!
REGISTRATION
The best part about Education Week 2024 is that it brings the combined braintrust of I2SL, SLCan, and other international partners right to your laptop and at your convenience for a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint of traveling to our annual conferences. Lab owners, managers, operators, and supporters from the university, government, or nonprofit community can save on registration, and members of I2SL and SLCan receive an even bigger discount!
SLCan members and Canadian participants are encouraged to register here. Prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
Registration Type | SLCan Member | Non-Member |
Regular Attendee | $135 | $205 |
University/Government/NGO | $70 | $135 |
Student | $55 | $70 |
Please note, once you register, you will receive a unique password, which you will need to gain access to sessions during the event or recordings afterward. You will need enter this password every time you want to access the event pages, so please keep the email with the password handy!
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Whether you are a lab owner, designer, engineer, facility manager, green labs professional, or consultant, there is something for everyone during Education Week:
- Sustainable Lab Design: Hear case studies and strategies from a variety of award-winning projects across the world that demonstrate the latest in adaptive reuse, water reclamation, energy-efficient technologies, and net-zero design.
- Decarbonization Strategies: From greenhouse gas inventories to lab assessments and electrification to heat recovery, wherever your lab is on the journey to net zero, you can learn from the experts who are helping these energy-intensive facilities reduce their carbon footprint.
- Green Labs: Panels from both the United States and Canada will share award-winning green lab program successes and lessons learned, as well as specific tips on waste reduction, composting, conservation measures, green chemistry, and sustainable purchasing strategies.
- Lab System Efficiency: Expert speakers will discuss a variety of ways to optimize mechanical systems while ensuring safety, including airside efficiency in vivariums, ventilation setback strategies, demand-based control, and more.
Schedule is subject to change, and speaker details will be added once the agenda is finalized.
Monday, April 15, 2024 |
||
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST | I2SL Opening Remarks |
Hear about the new Labs2Zero Operational Emissions Score and embodied carbon benchmarking, as well as how to use the I2SL Laboratory Benchmarking Tool to set a target Energy Score for new lab buildings and projects. Opening Keynote Address The fundamental concepts and principles of a Smart Labs program provide a foundation to foster a deep energy efficiency program across an entire campus, which yields multiple and massive benefits. Hear more about how Smart Labs can be applied in labs around the world from Wendell Brase of UC Irvine, the home of the first Smart Labs efforts in the United States and winner of the 2023 I2SL Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award. |
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 |
||
10:00 am - 11:30 am EST | SLCan Opening Remarks |
John Alberico, RWDI, SLCan President Opening Keynote Address Barb Martin will share her perspectives as a facilitator of the Indigenous engagement process incorporated into the design, a state-of the-art research facility that will be built in Moncton, New Brunswick. This new facility will serve as a science hub for understanding and protecting Atlantic ecosystems and sustainable use of resources in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic Ocean regions. The Indigenous engagement process with Indigenous community representatives, Indigenous federal employees, Elders, and others is informing the design process through the incorporation of traditional knowledge while leading to the building of sustainable, long-term relationships between clients, scientists and stakeholders and contributing to efforts to rebalance the relationship with First Nations and also with the natural world. The incorporation of Indigenous worldviews is also contributing to ancient yet new perspectives on our relationships with the built and natural worlds, and for a sustainable future. |
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EST | Sustainable Design Session | Award-Winning U.S. Sustainable Design
Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by Harvard University, the 550,000-sf facility houses the School of Engineering and Applied Science and other research programs. It combines wet research labs, teaching labs, dry labs, classrooms/lecture halls, a vivarium, and more. A highly integrated design process helped achieve the highest possible energy efficiency while providing a healthy environment and a high level of resiliency. Learn about the design process and the architectural and mechanical/electrical design strategies. Michigan State University STEM Teaching and Learning Complex The new 183,200-gsf MSU STEM Complex is comprised of two mass timber teaching laboratory wings and the adaptive reuse of an abandoned 1947 campus power plant with a 13,300-gsf addition. In addition to repurposing this structure, the history of the power plant is conveyed through artifacts and spaces that were preserved and are now integrated into the reimagined interior. The physical character of the power plant inspired the appearance and composition of the STEM wings and the east addition; the project realized embodied carbon and energy benefits by not tearing down the building and by using mass timber framing in lieu of steel. A Zero Carbon Approach to Lab Design Laboratories are notorious energy users due to large exhaust and makeup air requirements, high zone level equipment loads, and the need for continuous operation throughout the year. These programmatic requirements are in direct competition with industry and regulatory goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonization. This presentation, given by an engineering firm’s national director of science and technology, looks at an approach that has been used on several laboratory facilities to decarbonize Scope 1 emissions through building assessment, energy optimization, system electrification, and integration of renewables into the building design. |
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm EST | Decarbonization Session | Canadian Decarbonization Trends and Case Studies
Decarbonization and Resiliency Strategies in Canada This presentation will provide an overview of the Canadian Federal strategy on decarbonization and the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy implementation, will showcase Canada’s climate change funding programs, and will discuss the decarbonization challenges and opportunities, including building’s system trends used in Canada’s cold climates.
Walking The Walk: Sustainability and Stewardship at the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre Project The new Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) will be a world class research facility located in Moncton, New Brunswick. It will provide federal scientists and partners with state-of-the-art space and equipment to collaborate on research opportunities, and to understand, protect and sustain Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems. The vision for ASEC is to create an innovation platform that facilitates scientific excellence, fosters partnerships and collaboration and creates opportunities for engagement with local Indigenous groups, the broader local community to contribute to inclusive growth for Canadians. Laboratories Canada’s new Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework (RLDF) is providing a guide to the design and execution of this project, contributing to Lab Canada’s vision for a world-class national network of modern and multi-purpose federal science and technology laboratories that support collaboration, multidisciplinary research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has committed to achieving a carbon neutral portfolio by 2050. The ASEC project has a wide range of ambitious sustainability targets in response. These include Zero Carbon and Net-Zero Energy ready, using Laboratories Canada’s Zero Carbon Study tool to guide the process, LEED Platinum certification, and FitWel certification. Lab buildings in Canada present unique challenges, but with a collaborative team effort, these obstacles can be overcome. Cold climate necessitates energy-efficient heating systems including decarbonization, high performance envelope, and advanced HVAC technologies to achieve ultra-low energy consumption. Water conservation and waste management strategies catering to reuse, and reduction of operational waste. This project also focused on embodied carbon and material selections, and procurement practices which prioritize low-impact alternatives. We will also share our team approach which involves architects, engineers, scientists, and sustainability experts to develop integrated and innovative design solutions. Collaboration fosters the identification and implementation of sustainable technologies, optimized operations, and the development of best practices for sustainable research facilities in Canada. This includes exploring advanced technologies such as intelligent lab systems, adaptive lighting, and energy-efficient ventilation, tailored to the specific requirements of each lab space. The impact of the ambitious sustainability goals for the project also extends beyond the laboratories themselves and aligns with the broader project objectives to create a unique and forward-looking project. For example, reduction of embodied carbon is achieved through two approaches that also contribute to the facility’s cultural significance and commitment to wellness. The heritage building on the site will be partially retained and incorporated into the new facility in commemoration of its important cultural history, while also contributing to the reduction of embodied carbon by reusing material. A hybrid structure provides concrete where necessary for lab areas, while office and public areas are mass timber. This reduces the embodied carbon by 40% while also creating a healthy work environment and supporting sustainability. The confluence of sustainability goals with the broader objectives of the project has led to a richer and more successful project. |
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 |
||
10:00 am - 11:30 am EST | Ventilation, Heat Recovery, and System Optimization Session | Reducing Carbon Emissions in European Labs
Carbon- and Energy-Reduced Operation of Lab Buildings Nikolai will summarize the CO2 Whitepaper authored by the IFMA-Benchmarking® Chemistry Pharma & Life Science working group, delving into strategies for reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption in laboratory buildings. The paper reflects the culmination of extensive research and collaboration among leading companies in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, facilitated by BAUAKADEMIE Performance Management GmbH. The document emphasizes the significance of operational carbon in the lifecycle emissions of laboratory real estate, acknowledging that while operational carbon accounts for the majority of emissions, embodied carbon—emissions from construction and materials—also plays a crucial role. The presentation will focus on rethinking laboratory operation to drastically cut energy consumption, specifically targeting the high energy demands of ventilation systems, which consume 50 to 70 percent of a laboratory's total energy. It suggests a dynamic adjustment of air exchange rates based on actual needs rather than adhering to traditional, often excessive standards. Moreover, the presentation outlines recommendations for building design, including modular laboratory units optimized for energy efficiency and flexibility, and proposes innovative approaches to laboratory equipment and space utilization to further reduce energy consumption. How to Guarantee Containment Performance of Fume Hoods: Influencing Parameters, Test Methods, and Carbon Impact How Architects Can Help Reduce Carbon Emissions |
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EST | Green Labs Session | Panel Discussion: Canadian Green Lab Programs
Some North American academic institutions have estimated that labs take up 20-25% of the campus square footage but make up 40-50% of the institution’s energy usage. Researchers can influence about 35% of the energy consumption within laboratory buildings, primarily through decisions related to laboratory plug loads as well as lighting. Green Labs Programs help support researchers to implement sustainable best practices within their laboratories, tackling energy usage but also water consumption, waste produced, green chemistry, and more. This panel discussion of leaders from Canadian academic institutions will share recent successes of their green labs programs, how they are leveraging the My Green Lab Certification Program to drive sustainability with their labs, challenges they’ve faced with motivating behavior change among their scientists, and their vision for the future. Join us for this dynamic discussion.
|
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm EST | Decarbonization Session | Decarbonization and Space Optimization
Structural Strategies for Decarbonization: Challenges and Opportunities for Laboratory Facilities The climate change crisis has shifted the conversation about sustainability from energy efficiency to net zero and the urgent need for decarbonization. As design teams and building owners consider the carbon footprint of new construction projects, embodied carbon has become a critical consideration. Structural systems are an important focus area, as lessons learned from lifecycle assessments conclude that they can contribute up to 80% of the embodied carbon of a new building. On the other hand, laboratory buildings are a unique building type with specific structural performance requirements including modular column-free bay sizes, taller floor-to-floor heights, vibration criteria to support sensitive equipment, higher floor loading capacity and fire separation to accommodate hazardous material control areas. Design teams are faced with balancing the decarbonization goals without compromising building performance that impact scientific spaces. In this presentation we will evaluate the challenges and opportunities of different structural systems, including traditional construction methods, as well as innovative solutions that have emerged in recent years, to give attendees the tools to make an informed decision as they select the structural system options that best fit the project goals of buildings designed to support scientific endeavors. SF6 Reduction at LANL Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a potent greenhouse gas used in programmatic and mission essential pieces of equipment in laboratories across Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Historically, LANL’s SF6 emissions account for a relatively large percentage of LANL’s fugitive emissions and total Scope 1 emissions. Working closely with SF6 users, we have identified creative and cost-effective ways to reduce overall SF6 usage resulting in substantial reduction over time. This presentation will discuss our efforts to reduce SF6 emissions while keeping costs down and minimizing the impact of operations.
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Lab Cleanup and Space Evaluation Recognizing that resource and space sharing can maximize research efficiency and prevent purchasing unnecessary equipment, the University of Colorado’s (CU’s) School of Medicine conducted a clean-up of lab space in five different buildings on the Anschutz Medical Campus. To start, teams completed lab walk-throughs of 550,000 SF of lab space to evaluate space utilization and identify clutter. They noted how many people worked in each space, how cluttered it was, and any environmental safety issues, then they rated each lab on a scale of 0 to 5 based on how efficiently space was utilized. From those walk-throughs, the team identified 44,000 SF of underutilized or unused lab space. Based on their findings, the team was able to dispose of over 3,000 pounds of unused chemicals, including corrosive liquids, flammable liquids, oxidizers, and other types of liquid hazardous waste. Many other materials and property could be salvaged, recycled, or re-homed. Over 4,000 items were redistributed, including: consumable materials; glassware; standard equipment (electrophoresis, pipettes, PCR hoods, gel docs, and microscopes); specialized equipment (cryostat, plate reader, and microscopes); and refrigerator-freezer units. The clean-up project helped the CU School of Medicine free up space for new research and avoided the need to construct new lab spaces on the Anschutz Medical Campus, which supports the university’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
Thursday, April 18, 2024 |
||
10:00 am - 11:30 am EST | Green Labs Session | U.S. Green Lab Leaders
University of Georgia Green Labs Program Research labs are resource-intensive spaces, using 10 times the energy of an office or classroom and generating up to 25 times the waste. Thus, efforts to make scientific research more sustainable and efficient can have far-reaching impacts, especially for large research institutions. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the University of Georgia’s award-winning Green Labs program, including examples of upstream, in-lab, and downstream initiatives. Additionally, it will provide suggestions for how best to frame sustainability for application within the global scientific enterprise. Joining Forces: How EHS and Green Labs Professionals Can Thrive Together Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and laboratory sustainability groups have many common goals and can benefit tremendously from collaborating with one another. Developing a productive working relationship between EHS and lab sustainability staff can prove challenging, however. In this presentation we will overview some of the shared objectives of EHS and lab sustainability personnel and offer insights on how the two organizations can best combine efforts. We will discuss specific program overlaps including examples of waste minimization, energy and water conservation, green chemistry, laboratory safety, and regulatory compliance. We will also provide practical advice and specific language needed for EHS and lab sustainability professionals to best communicate with one another. The University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Green Labs program will be presented as a case study. UT Green Labs is housed under the EHS department, uncommon for a university Green Labs program. This unique placement has provided a deeper understanding of the advantages of a strong partnership between EHS and Green Labs. We will explore UT Green Labs’ growth since being housed under the EHS department, the benefits UT Green Labs provides to the EHS department, and lessons learned. A Guide to Composting: Lessons Learned from a Pilot The University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) began the groundwork for starting an animal bedding composting pilot program after attending an I2SL presentation in 2017 on the topic. After learning the successes and areas of improvement from other universities, UAB began its journey on building a composting program in 2019. We learned that the first steps towards composting animal bedding is to first identify a potential composting facility—without a proper composting facility, an institution can't compost. Once the facility was identified, UAB Green Labs sought approval from the EHS Biosafety committee. After collaborating with the animal resources director, the committee approved the initiative. The facility began separating non-compostable waste streams after training and signage was provided. Within a few months, UAB Green Labs had received EHS approval, segregated non-compostable waste, and was prepared to ship 10 tons of animal bedding to be composted per week. However, plans changed once the composting facility went bankrupt. The lessons learned is to expect potential failures outside of your control but to identify innovative ways to allow for your program to move forward. Identifying cost-effective, carbon negative solutions are also integral to getting institutional support. The proposed presentation will cover how we got approval, how we segregated waste (including video), and how we navigated the facility going bankrupt to still permit composting. |
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EST | Sustainable Design Session | Ventilation, Heat Recovery, and System Optimization
Best Practices and Considerations for Lab Energy Recovery When an energy recovery system is designed, installed, and operated correctly, it can provide significant energy, cost, and environmental benefits. Learn more about I2SL’s best practice guide covering the two basic types of energy recovery systems suitable for labs: air-to-air energy recovery devices and methods, such as using fixed plate heat exchangers, enthalpy/sensible wheels, heat pipes, and run-around loops; and water-to-water systems that collect heat from high-load spaces and transfer that energy to spaces that need heat. Airflow Optimization in Vivaria and Cleanrooms Airflow optimization is one of the keys to a successful net zero lab strategy. Did you know airside efficiency also drives down carbon emissions in vivaria, and adaptive airflow can be successfully deployed for decarbonizing cleanrooms? This presentation will cover: airflow optimization’s role in achieving net zero labs; deploying demand-based control in vivaria; and examining how precise multi-parameter IAQ data enables adaptive airflow in cleanrooms of ISO 6 and higher. Case studies and real data will be reviewed. How, Why, and Why Not to Reduce Ventilation in Unoccupied Labs Turning down the air change rate in a lab at night is a common energy conservation measure. California building code writers are considering requiring it for most labs. That makes this a good time to look again at how to safely setback ventilation rates. We’ll consider how the space is used, when the hazard is reduced, the technical means to reduce air flow, and how to make sure the system operates safely when it's built and periodically as it is used. The talk applies published guidance from engineering and safety authorities. |
Friday, April 19, 2024 |
||
10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST | Decarbonization Session | Decarbonization Trends and I2SL Growth in the UK
UK Emerging Trends Hear an overview of the current sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) trends that are affecting the UK built environment. Benchmarking UK vs U.S. Higher Education Laboratories Benchmarking real UK laboratories using the I2SL Lab Benchmarking Tool methodology provides some interesting energy performance insights compared to their US counterparts. Learn about the discoveries and trends made and opportunities for other institutions, science campus owners, developers and others to benchmark their own laboratory estates and actively reduce energy consumption through best practice comparisons. I2SL UK Chapter Ambitions Hear about an initiative to form an I2SL chapter in the UK and what the next 12 months look like for the growing UK Chapter. UK Lab Decarbonization Panel |
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Keynote and session sponsorships will be available for $3,000 and $2,500 respectively. Please email info@slcan.ca for more information.
Thank you to our sponsor!