Building sustainable futures in community development

A woman and man standing together smiling in front of a plant wall.

Cheyenne Jones and Dr. Wayne Groszko during their first meeting at Ivany Campus, when the idea for this project first took shape.

A visit to Ivany Campus by Cheyenne Jones, the former Assistant Property Manager of Akoma Holdings—a Black-led, Black-serving charity on 320 acres of land in Preston—sparked a research collaboration with NSCC Applied Energy Research. Together, they created a strategic blueprint that prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability for Akoma’s future developments. Supported by the Low Carbon Communities Fund, the goal is to set a new standard for sustainable energy use in affordable housing and community-driven projects across Nova Scotia.

Strategic blueprint

This project looked at Akoma’s current energy consumption, future projections, renewable energy potential and electric vehicle integration to offer actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations.

Driving this initiative is NSCC Research Scientist Dr. Wayne Groszko, who emphasizes Akoma’s long-term vision, "Akoma is a steward of the land for the community’s benefit. Our partnership with them represents a vital step towards a sustainable future, where clean energy and community well-being go hand in hand. By integrating renewable energy solutions into affordable housing, Akoma is not just building homes; they are creating a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.”

Commitment to Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER) 

A key highlight of this project is its commitment to the Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER) standard. Buildings designed to this standard use up to 80% less energy for heating compared to conventional ones, making it easier to achieve net-zero energy targets by incorporating renewable energy like solar panels.

Mackenzie Korthals, a recent Dalhousie University graduate who worked at NSCC as research assistant on the project for her co-op, explains: "Building to NZER means creating highly energy-efficient buildings that can reach net-zero by simply adding renewable energy later." Dr. Wayne Groszko adds, "The NZER design makes it much easier to install enough solar panels to meet the community’s energy needs."

Harnessing solar power for energy independence

The project’s analysis showed that Akoma's current energy consumption is about 310 MWh per year. This demand can be more than offset by installing a 1 MW solar array, projected to generate 1,200 MWh annually. Using solar canopies and rooftop solar panels would significantly reduce the land required for this renewable energy setup.

Both Mackenzie and Dr. Groszko see this initiative as a model for future affordable housing developments. "This project demonstrates how energy-efficient buildings combined with renewable energy can reduce costs and improve quality of life," says Mackenzie. With wind and solar power now providing long-term, cost-competitive energy solutions, the next challenge is figuring out how to store and manage this energy to meet growing needs, from transportation to heating.

Leading by example

Akoma’s deep-rooted commitment to the land and community allows them to plan for future generations, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of environmentally conscious practices. Energy efficiency is not just a box to tick—it’s a long-term cost-saving solution for the community. As a leader in sustainable development, Akoma is showing how community-driven projects can address the pressing challenges of climate change and affordable housing.

Akoma’s commitment to a sustainable future is a shining example of how thoughtful planning can create resilient, energy-efficient communities in Nova Scotia. Read the full report for more details on this project