Cisco and Morgan Solar, a Toronto-based company specializing in solar energy integration for urban environments, have jointly announced a groundbreaking pilot project. This initiative aims to power collaboration and meeting spaces with solar energy, starting with deployment at Cisco’s Toronto Innovation Centre.
Additionally, plans are in place to expand the project to two additional customer sites. The innovative concept integrates Morgan Solar’s Energy Blinds, which capture clean solar energy in a direct current (DC) microgrid. Complementing this, Cisco’s Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch efficiently distributes energy within the room. Moreover, Cisco’s Webex platform is seamlessly integrated to detect room occupancy, optimizing energy generation and consumption.
“To take meaningful steps towards a sustainable future, businesses need to think creatively about how to get there. Collaborating with forward-thinking companies like Morgan Solar, we’re driving the development of smart solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from traditional energy generation technologies and giving businesses new pathways towards sustainability.”- Wayne Cuervo, Director of Cisco Canada’s Digital Impact Office
Why This Matters:
Generating up to 50W of renewable energy per window brings enormous savings and environmental benefits. By taking the excess solar energy during off-peak hours or when the room is not utilized, this system brings into action the ease of reducing grid-fed electricity use, potentially leading to energy savings across office spaces.
The pilot project promises improved business results by strengthening the local community beyond immediate sustainability. By reducing operating costs and boosting productivity, businesses gain tangible economic advantages. In addition, retrofitting older buildings toward greater environmental sustainability, done in conjunction with this project, is worthy of praise as the buildings are prepared for LEED certification.
As countries worldwide work toward achieving net-zero emission benchmarks, this collaboration between Cisco and Morgan Solar promises innovative approaches toward global climate change demands. By applying technology to reduce energy use and increase generation, this project promotes national sustainability outcomes and offers a paradigm for global environmental responsibility and economic growth.
Key Benefits of Cisco and Morgan Solar Collaboration to Stakeholders:
- Environmental Sustainability: Innovative solutions such as Energy Blinds and PoE switches enable the venture to tap into solar energy power, drastically reducing the need for conventional energy sources and contributing to reducing the carbon footprint to further the cause toward a more sustainable future.
- Cost Saving: In offices, integrating solar energy will enable organizations to lower their energy bills, more so with increased effectiveness in controlling energy for a longer period, thus saving the organization operational costs.
- Improved Productivity: Providing workplaces that are as comfortable and sustainable as possible will increase well-being and productivity among employees. This will benefit individuals as well as the firms and communities they serve.
- LEED Certification: Its alignment with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards allows organizations, especially those in older buildings, to get certified more cost-effectively, further increasing their environmental credentials.
- Collaborative Innovation: Cisco’s collaboration with Morgan Solar is the key strategic move that envisions innovative solutions for clients with Cisco’s strengths and resources. To say the least, there are the Fast.
- Future Innovation Awards and the Country Digital Acceleration Program initiatives that underline Cisco’s commitment to fostering innovation and addressing the challenges within the Canadian business environment.
Finally
This initiative is based on successful success in Cisco’s Fast Future Innovation Awards in 2022 and forms part of funding from Cisco Canada’s Country Digital Acceleration Program. Innovation stems from collaboration with Cisco, which invests resources, expertise, and scale to solve Canadian businesses’ problems. With the strategic partnership, Cisco and Morgan Solar lead transformative solutions toward advancing sustainability, innovation, and economic growth in Canada and beyond.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the pilot project announced by Cisco and Morgan Solar?
The pilot project aims to power collaboration and meeting spaces with solar energy and showcase innovative solutions for integrating solar energy into urban environments.
2. Where is the first pilot project deployed, and are there plans for expansion?
The first pilot project is currently deployed at Cisco’s Toronto Innovation Centre, and two additional customer sites are planned for the future.
3. What technologies are being leveraged in this initiative?
The concept integrates Morgan Solar’s Energy Blinds to capture clean solar energy in a direct current (DC) microgrid. Cisco’s Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch also distributes energy within the room. Cisco’s Webex platform is also integrated to optimize energy usage by detecting room occupancy.
4. What are the initial results of the pilot project?
Initial results indicate the production of up to 50W of renewable energy per window, sufficient to power the pilot room’s required equipment and devices. Excess solar energy is stored for later use or during peak times when grid energy may be more expensive.
5. How does this initiative benefit businesses beyond sustainability considerations?
Beyond sustainability, the project aims to deliver tangible business value, including cost savings and enhanced productivity. It may also facilitate the path towards U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in older buildings.
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