My experience as a student working with Humber’s SWITCH Project

Throughout my studies in the Sustainable Energy and Building Technology (SEBT) program at Humber College, I gained a deep understanding of sustainability and its importance in the built environment. As part of my curriculum, I had the opportunity to work on a large-scale sustainability project at Humber College, which allowed me to apply my knowledge in a real-world setting. In this article, I will share my experience as a Controls Specialist Intern, at Ecosystem, working on the implementation of Project SWITCH, and how it has strengthened my skills and knowledge in the field of sustainability.

Project SWITCH is a bold infrastructure project that directly addresses the largest source of CO2 emissions at Humber College’s North Campus: the heating and cooling system. SWITCH will significantly reduce Humber College’s carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. As a Controls Specialist Intern, I was responsible for carrying out the controls audit, which involved analyzing the Building Automation System (BAS) and identifying all available controls equipment. One of my responsibilities was to provide designers the necessary information to make HVAC design decisions.

Through my work as a Controls Specialist Intern, I gained practical experience in analyzing building data and interpreting it through a sustainability lens. This not only strengthened my technical skills, but also gave me a better understanding of how sustainability principles can be applied in real-world situations. It was also rewarding to see the impact of my work on the project, and to know that I had contributed to a more sustainable and energy-efficient system at Humber College. I gained valuable knowledge and skills in sustainable design, and I am proud to have contributed to such an impactful initiative.

Overall, working on Project SWITCH was a formative experience for me, and has inspired me to continue pursuing a career in sustainability. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an impactful project, and for the skills and knowledge that I gained through my internship.