Mindscape to Participate in IIDEX/GBF: 2009-09-23/25 This year the Toronto Regional Green Building Festival celebrates its 5th anniversary, and after five years of steady growth, GBF has merged
into IIDEX. Mindscape is pleased to see the two shows combine, and is please to announce that we will be exhibiting again in this year's GBF.
Look for us in booth G324. We'll see you there! Refer to for more information.
CaGBC National Summit: 2009-06-09/11 The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)'s national summit in Montreal is set to be a fantastic event. Mindscape will be on the tradeshow
floor and on stage a couple times, and we're looking forward to seeing you there!
Refer to the CaGBC'sevent website for more information.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik, Net-Zero Champ of the Year: 2009-06-08 Mindscape congratulates Derek Satnik for being recognized by the national Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition as the 2009 "Net-Zero Energy
Home Champion of the Year". Mr. Satnik has contributed many volunteer hours towards helping the coalition in past years, and has been involved
with promoting net-zero energy and related concepts as a reputable industry leader for some time as well. Well done Derek: you're an asset to
the industry, and we're proud to have you on board!
Refer to the press release for more information.
Ontario Passes Green Energy Act: 2009-05-14 Today is a great day for Ontario's energy future, and in many ways for all of North America. Ontario's Deputy Premier and
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, George Smitherman, proudly announced the passage of the new Green Energy Act. The next several
months will see an ongoing flury of activity surrounding the development and release of several supporting regulations relating to everything
from the details of the pricing incentive (called the "Feed-In Tariff"), to permitting
and municipal zoning processes, environmental assessments, utility connections, and much much more. In many ways, the work has only begun,
but Mindscape for one is glad to see this day, and we're looking forward to contributing to Ontario's green energy future.
Refer to OSEA or the
Green Energy Act Alliance websites for more information.
Launch of LEEDTM Canada for Homes Rating System: 2009-03-03 March 3, 2009. Mindscape is proud to have played a key role in bringing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) rating system north of the 49th parallel to improve home construction performance here
in Canada. LEED is viewed across North America as one of the most rigorous third-party certifications for green
buildings, resulting in superior environmental performance, more durable buildings, and healthier indoor spaces for
occupants. Mindscape was the first LEED for Homes certifier
in Canada, and over the past year we've
put our technical expertise and experience to work to write the LEED Canada for Home Reference Guide. Mindscape's
Derek Satnik co-chairs the Technical Sub-Committee and serves as a member of the LEED Canada for Homes
Core Committee. Derek is also one of the few LEED faculty members in Canada. On March 17, Mindscape co-instructed
the first ever LEED Canada for Homes workshop. We are delighted to offer LEED a warm welcome to our Canadian homes.
For more information, please visit the CaGBC's website.
Mindscape Office Move: 2009-03-01 Moving on up! Mindscape has moved into a beautiful new office, just a few blocks from our previous space, to meet
our evolving needs. We're happy to welcome clients to our sunny boardroom. Our phone number, email and website are the same,
but the address and fax numbers have changed. Click here for our new contact
information.
Ontario Announces Green Energy Act and associated Feed-in Tariffs: 2009-02-23 This one's a bit of a story, so check out the websites below and
contact us for more information, but in general,
its good news. Highlights for Mindscape Innovations' clients:
Mandatory home energy labeling when existing homes are re-sold. Many of our clients are asking us about what this really means.
To be honest, its still unclear, but it will likely mean that every re-sold home will need to be audited by a licensed ecoENERGY Advisor, and will need
to have an EnerGuide number. This will create a healthy pressure on the existing housing market to make sure that re-sold homes have the highest
possible EnerGuide numbers that they can get, which means they'll be more energy efficient. This is good news for the environment, for the home buyer,
and for our clients who have invested wisely in energy efficiency.
Great news for renewable energy projects of all shapes and sizes.
Mindscape nominated for KW Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards: 2009-02-18 February 18, 2009. Mindscape Innovations was pleased to be nominated by our local Chamber of Commerce for the
2009 "Environmental Award". Many thanks to our clients and colleagues. Hopefully we'll win next year!
Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition Launches Awards: 2009-02 Position your organization as a leader and supporter of net-zero energy home construction in Canada. The Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition
has launched an exciting set of awards to recognize leaders in the home building sector across Canada.
Refer to the NZEHC's awards page for more information.
OntarioGreenSpec.ca Launches Beta Release: 2008-09-09 Mindscape is pleased to announce that we are a Founding Platinum Member of
OntarioGreenSpec.ca. This exciting initiative will result in a comprehensive online 'green' resource directory for products and services
available in Ontario. Click here to see the official press release,
complete with a preview of some conceptual screen captures that show how the final release will look and function.
For more information, refer to:
Interest-Free Loans and Rebates for Renewable Energy Systems The Powerhouse Program offers zero-interest loans and rebates for residential customers of renewable energy systems. This program
is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy and is being piloted for customers of Enersource Hydro Mississauga, Hydro One Networks and
Hydro One Brampton. Eligible systems include: solar hot water, PV, geothermal and small wind systems and must be installed by
February 15, 2009. For more information and to see if you are
eligible please visit www.powerhouseprogram.ca.
Mindscape Summer Hours: 8-5 M-Th, 8:30-noon F From July 2 (after Canada Day weekend) through Sept. 2 (after Labour Day weekend), Mindscape will switch to our summer schedule. The office
will officially be open from 8am to 5pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 until noon on Friday. Enjoy the summer weather!
Vancouver City Council Approves Green Homes Program: 2008-06-27 Vancouver City Council recently announced that all new homes in their jurisdiction will be constructed with R22 insulation in the walls,
R12 insulation around the slab, Energy Star Windows, in home energy-use display meters, dual-flush toilets, direct vent and electronic ignition
gas fire places, Heat Recovery Ventilators, "solar ready" service shafts, infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles, and a
mandatory energuide audit with blower door test. Per their press release, "We recognize that this is merely the first step down a challenging road
to eventual carbon neutrality in 2030, but it is a start. Now the important work of getting the necessary training to industry for our
September 5th roll out really begins. Please check in with our website www.vancouver.ca/greenhomes"
Mindscape Announces 400th LEED for Homes Project The LEED for Homes program barely exists in Canada,
and already Mindscape has received tremendous interest from Ontario's builders, and is currently supporting the construction of
nearly 450 homes pursuing various levels of LEED certification.
Mindscape wishes to congratulate North Star Homes for
being the fortunate builder to have helped Mindscape reach this milestone. Please either refer to our Energyscape services page or contact usfor more information about how you can become involved with the LEED for Homes program.
Post-Event Update: below is some embedded eye and ear candy of the talk given by Dr. Hermann Scheer (world renowned German politician
responsible for the renewable energy laws in Germany that have thrust them forward to the top of the emerging
energy economy). Refer to
Solar Village on Blip TV for further videos of the talks given, especially that of
David Suzuki.
Mindscape Nominated for Ontario Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award: 2008-06-13 Mindscape is pleased to announce that the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has nominated us for one of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's
Business Excellence Awards: The American Express Award for Small Business (less than 250 employees). Two Ontario companies with fewer than 250 employees
will be recognized for achievement in sales and employment growth, innovation, community initiatives, technological advancement, environmental
responsibility, and/or general entrepreneurial skill. Mindscape is very pleased to have been nominated for this award, and thanks the KW Chamber of
Commerce for their support. Refer to the Ontario
Chamber of Commerce's awards website for more information.
Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition Announces New Awards Program: 2008-06-11 Mindscape is delighted to announce that the Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition
(NZEHC) is launching a special awards program that will recognize builders who construct advanced energy efficient homes. The first awards
event is slated to occur ~June '09, and nominations will be accepted starting this fall for awards recognizing (1) the "closest to net-zero energy"
retrofit project of the year, (2) the "closest to net-zero energy” custom builder of the year, (3) the "closest to net-zero energy” production
builder of the year, and (4) the Net-Zero Energy Home Champion of the year.
Refer to the official press release for more information.
CaGBC Shifting Into the Mainstream: 2008-06-11/12 The Canada Green Building Council is "Shifting into the Mainstream", and
Mindscape is pleased to be exhibiting and speaking at this inaugural (premier) national green building event hosted at the MTCC in Toronto.
Refer to the official event website for more information.
Minto Constructs First LEED Silver Home in Canada Mindscape wishes to congratulate Minto for constructing the first LEED Silver rated home in Canada. Minto has demonstrated their leadership in
the building industry many times before, and Mindscape is pleased to recognize them again for their ongoing contributions to greening the
residential sector in Ontario. Congratulations to the entire Minto team!
OSEA Launches Green Energy Act (GEA) Campaign: 2008-06-02 Mindscape is proud to support the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association's
campaign for a Green Energy Act in Ontario. Building upon the success of Ontario's
Standard Offer Program, and following in the traditions of advanced renewable
energy policies in other countries such as Denmark, Germany, and Spain, the GEA presents the opportunity for Ontario to set the world stage for the next
decade's worth of opportunities in the Renewable Energy industries.
Refer to the official OSEA press release for more information.
OPA Freezes Standard Offer Program for >10kW: 2008-05-13 We regret to confirm that it is indeed true that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has put a temporary freeze on the now world acclaimed
Standard Offer Program. Projects under 10kW are fortunately unaffected,
and on-farm biogas projects under 250kW are also unaffected. All other projects will be unable to apply for Standard Offer Contracts until
after the OPA releases it's next update. In the mean time, Mindscape continues to process applications for those projects which are unaffected,
and to offer consulting support for those projects which are currently waiting for an OPA update.
Refer to the
OPA's official announcement for more information, and please feel free to contact our office.
LEED for Homes Provider Retreat: 2008-04-17/18 It's been a busy couple months! The LEED for Homes program was launched by the
US Green Building Council earlier this year, and Mindscape is the first
company in Canada that was able to deliver certifications under this program. The pilot period has now closed, and the full program is under way.
There is a great deal of activity in LEED for Homes right now, including the development of special processes for mid-rise buildings (4-6 storey),
for volume projects (>50 homes), and for manufactured housing. contact us for more
information, for training, or to register a home.
KW Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award: 2008-02-21 Mindscape is delighted to report that Derek Satnik, Managing Partner, was awarded the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur
of the Year award for 2008. Refer to the Chamber's
press release for more information.
Mindscape Licensed as an R-2000 Influencer Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) administers several energy efficiency programs that have contributed in various ways towards increasing
the energy efficiency of Canadian housing. The R-2000 program (co-developed with the Canadian Home Builders Association, CHBA)
is the oldest of the currently active programs, and it laid the foundation for
other programs such as ENERGY STAR for New Homes which have arisen since. Mindscape is pleased to announce our formal support of the R-2000 program,
and we are looking forward to sharing the updated version of R-2000 once it becomes available.
Refer to the CHBA's R-2000 webpage for more information.
Mindscape Licensed to Qualify and Label New Homes under ENERGY STAR and EnerGuide Programs The ENERGY STAR for New Houses program has been a wonderful success in Ontario over the past two years, and Mindscape is pleased to announce that we
are now able to qualify homes in both the ENERGY STAR program and the EnerGuide Rating System. We will be launching several training courses over the
coming months to build capacity in the housing sector, to train builders, raters, designers, sales staff, and more.
contact us for more information, for training, or to register a home.
Refer to
NRCan's ENERGY STAR for New Homes webpage for more information.
Mindscape Offices Closed for Christmas The Mindscape offices will be closed from Dec. 24, 2007 through Jan. 1, 2008 for Christmas, and will reopen on Jan. 2.
Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
Mindscape Office Moves: 2007-11-24 We're growing! Mindscape has moved to Cora's Galleria Tower at 101 Frederick St., Suite 401. Cora has proven to be an outstanding
landlord, and we're pleased to be in such an accessible location in the city. Our full contact information has been updated on our
contact us page.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik elected to OSEA Board of Directors: 2007-11-17 The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is the organization that
convinced the Ontario government to start thinking about Advanced Renewable Tarriffs, and who made the policy recommendations
that lead to Ontario creating North America's first Ontario Standard Offer
Program (SOP). OSEA continues to work with the government to improve this program (which is not truly an Advanced Renewable
Tarriff, but which is a very good start), and Mindscape is pleased to announce that Derek Satnik was elected to OSEA's Board
of Directors at this year's AGM on 2007-11-17.
Mindscape secures 30th Standard Offer Contract: 2007-11-13 Mindscape is pleased to announce the approval of our 30th Standard Offer Contract. The
Ontario Standard Offer Program (SOP) gives normal Ontario home owners and
property owners the opportunity to generate and sell electricity into the public utility grid, and provides a per kWh
incentive to improve the financial viability of smaller projects, such as roof top photovoltaic systems. The 30th contract
Mindscape successfully won was for a school PV system. Mindscape thanks the Ontario Power Authority for their efforts
to continually inprove the processing of SOP applications, and we look forward to submitting many more projects in the near future!
Mindscape Becomes First "LEED for Homes" Provider Agent in Canada: 2007-10-11 Mindscape is delighted to announce that we have partnered with the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES)
to provide LEED for Homes certification services in Ontario. AES is one of only 12 companies in North America that is
currently able to certify homes under the LEED for Homes program in the US, none of which are in Canada. Mindscape is
pleased to be the first Canadian company to offer such services, and is grateful for AES's support.
Click here for more information.
Mindscape secures 20th Standard Offer Contract: 2007-10-05 Mindscape is pleased to announce the approval of our 20th Standard Offer Contract. The
Ontario Standard Offer Program (SOP) gives normal Ontario home owners and
property owners the opportunity to generate and sell electricity into the public utility grid, and provides a per kWh
incentive to improve the financial viability of smaller projects, such as roof top photovoltaic systems. The 20th contract
Mindscape successfully won was for a residential PV system. Mindscape thanks the Ontario Power Authority for their efforts
to continually inprove the processing of SOP applications, and we look forward to submitting many more projects in the near future!
CaGBC Announces LEED for Homes Case Study Program: 2007-08-10 The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) announced today that it will be
administering a "case study program" for it's coming version of LEED for Homes. Interested home builders are invited to submit applications
over the next few weeks to participate in the USGBC's LEED for Homes program, and simultaneously to give feedback to the CaGBC that
will be incorporated into the development of the Canadian LEED for Homes standard.
First LEED Platinum Home In Canada: 2007-07-05 July 5th was the grand opening of Reid's Heritage Group's LEED Platinum home. The model home is located in Guelph's
Westminister Woods community and received the honour not only of becoming the first home in Canada to be rated in the
LEED for Homes
rating system, but also of earning the highest rating score to date of any LEED home in North America.
Mindscape is delighted to have acted as the Green Rater for this project and to have played a key role
in the certification process. For more information visit
Reid's Green Homes website or
contact us.
Mindscape to Partner with ARISE Technologies Corp. for WISE Project: June 2007 The West Toronto Initiative for Solar Energy (WISE)
is a community-led renewable energy project to make solar electricity and
solar water heating more available and affordable for members of the community. Mindscape is pleased to announce that we will be
registering the participating homes for the Ontario Standard Offer Program
and provincial sales tax rebates, and we will also be providing an ongoing preventative
maintenance program. Community power is a key priority for Mindscape, and a necessary component of Ontario's energy future.
We congratulate the WISE group for their pioneering efforts.
Ontario's Standard Offer Program to be updated in March 2008: The Ontario Standard Offer Program is currently under review and is due to
be updated in March 2008. It is expected that the updated version will include better incentives for micro scale PV projects (under 10kW),
for biofuels, and for wind projects that are farther away from the shore lines. It is also hoped that there will be new incentives
available for alternative energy systems that generate heat instead of electricity (eg: geothermal and solar thermal systems). Mindscape
is supporting the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) in their negotiating efforts.
Refer to OSEA's website or to our
Standard Offer Program webpage for more information.
LEED-ND (Neighbourhood Development) pilot program has begun: 2007-05-30 The USGBC contacted participating design teams today to inform them of their acceptance into the LEED-ND pilot program. Only 30
projects from across Canada were admitted into the program, and Mindscape is pleased to announce that 3 of our projects were accepted.
Refer to the USGBC's LEED-ND webpage for more information, or
contact us.
LEED for Homes is coming to Canada! The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)'s LEED for Homes committee had their kickoff meeting on May 22/23 2007, and has
officially begun to translate the USGBC's LEED for Homes program into the Canadian context. The US pilot system will be extended into
Canada before the end of July 2007, and there will be a Canadian case study program managed concurrently with the US pilot. Stay tuned
for more info! The full Canadian version of LEED for Homes is not due for public release until June 2008.
Refer to the Canada Green Building Council's website for more information,
or contact us.
Mindscape to Exhibit at KW Energy & Environment Forum: 2007-04-18 The Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Energy and Environment forum at the Kitchener Holiday Inn
on Thursday morning, Apr. 18. Mindscape will be exhibiting along with other local energy and environmental firms. Refer to the
KW Chamber's website for more information.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik appointed to CaGBC's LEED-H Committee: 2007-04-13 Mindscape is pleased to announce that we will be participating directly in the formation of energy and environment standards for
the Canadian housing industry. Managing Partner Derek Satnik has been appointed to the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)'s Low-Rise
Residential Core Committee (LRRCC) to help create Canada's version of LEED for Homes.
Refer to the CaGBC's website for more information on LEED or on the council.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik spoke at the "Getting to Zero" conference hosted by the Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition and
and the Ontario Power Authority: 2007-04-12 Mindscape's Derek Satnik presented on connecting residential renewable energy systems to the utility grid, with emphasis on the available
incentives, and challenges / difficulties presently being experienced throughout the province of Ontario. Refer to the
Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition (NZEHC)'s website for more information.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik joins NRCan's Building Canada team: 2007-03-13 Mindscape's Derek Satnik was welcomed into the Ontario team of Natural Resource Canada's "Building Canada" program on March 13, 2007.
For more information on the Building Canada program, refer to the Building Canada
website.
Mindscape joins the KW Chamber Environmental Committee: 2007-02-27 Mindscape is pleased to support local environmental initiatives, and is pleased to participate in the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo
Chamber of Commerce's Environmental Committee.
Refer to the KW Chamber's website for more information.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik spoke to the Brantford Home Builders Association: 2007-03-14 Mindscape's Derek Satnik delivered "An Introduction to Residential Sustainability"
to the BHBA during their
monthly members meeting on March 14, 2007. Please contact BHBA
directly for more information on how to become a member or to visit future presentations.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik spoke to EnerQuality's Building Canada team: 2007-03-08 Mindscape's Derek Satnik delivered an introduction to "Residential Applications for Solar Energy"
to Natural Resource Canada's Ontario team within their Building Canada
program on March 8, 2007.
Mindscape's Derek Satnik spoke to the Waterloo Region Home Builders Association: 2007-01-18 Mindscape's Derek Satnik delivered "An Introduction to Residential Sustainability"
to the WRHBA during their
monthly members meeting on Jan. 18, 2006. Please contact WRHBA
directly for more information on how to become a member or to visit future presentations.
Official launch of Mindscape corporate website: 2006-12-22 Mindscape is proud to announce the official release of our website! We hope you’ve enjoyed your browsing experience. Please feel free
to send constructive suggestions to our webmaster.
Mindscape is Open for Business! Mindscape opened for business late 2006 to address the needs of certain niche markets within the residential sector. Please refer to our
Services & Products pages for more detail.
