Sherise

SHERISE

October 3rd, 2008 I was looking up methods to building a working solar cell. Here are some examples:

http://www.solideas.com/solrcell/english.html

http://worldwatts.com/homemade_solar_cell/homemade_solar_cell.html

Although the results turned up really simple in terms of building it, we weren't sure anymore what it would contribute to our project.

October 5th, 2008 I went to the library to find books on building solar cells (along with books for my bio evolution project). There was one ONE book that related to it, and it wasn't even about building solar cells, but about finding more efficient and cost-effective lifestyles in solar energy. I am still trying to think about what we would do with the solar cells.

October 14th, 2008 Scott decided to ditch his steam solar generator and along with it I left behind the solar cell idea. We are now going to concentrate on the OMNIMAX theatre. Why we didn't think about it before is beyond me, as it is a huge consumer of energy of the science centre and is running almost constantly due to daily visitors and school groups. Scott said he would try and e-mail someone from the OMNIMAX to determine the energy used and whatnot.

October 17th, 2008 Scott sent an e-mail to John Gifford asking for a meeting between him, Scott and I on Tuesday October 21st at 7:45am. We made a list of questions that we would like to be answered so we could hopefully get those answers on Tuesday. Some of those questions include stuff about energy used, location of the vents, the number of vents, and alternatives. We hope to get a reply soon.

October 21th, 2008 This morning, Scott and I met with John. I accumulated some really interesting and useful information: - The power for the OMNIMAX is generated from the OSC powerplant, so if any power problems occur then it should be directed to the plant. - The vents branch from the center behind the dome, sort of like a network of spider legs. John estimated that there were about 14 vents in total - These vents are scattered randomly behind the dome, with no definite spacing between them. - No alternative was seriously considered for the heating and cooling system - The heating/cooling vents are on different levels (some are higher than others) to ensure equal temperatures throughout the dome - This venting system is roughly 12 years old, and very outdated so it must be using more energy than necessary. (just like old fashioned toilets??) - Behind the projector area within the seating space there is a flat part that can make Scott's idea feasible. - The OMNIMAX is turned on at 10:45am for 11:00am showings. It is on all day. On normal days it is usually turned off at 4:00pm, when there are evening showings for teachers and stuff it is shut off at around 8:00pm, And on fridays and weekends it is shut off at around 10:00pm due to double bills and late movies. - The OMNIMAX goes into standby mode when not in use. This standby mode uses 270 amps of power. When the theatre is actually on full power and running a movie, it uses 375 amps. - Behind the rows of chairs just down from the projector level there are no back legs as the chairs are connected to the wall (some giant step thing, a big level ground space). This offers a good opportunity to run wires and such behind it without people tripping or picking at it. - I don't know if there is a way that the circles behind the dome that are also used as foot holds when the dome is being cleaned (WITHOUT HARNESSES OR ANY SAFETY MEASURES!!!!). They are right now merely a support system holding the cross beams together but there are so many of them that they should be able to be used for something.

That is all. It was a really nice tour though. This info should help Scott and I with our heating/cooling alternatives.

October 23rd, 2008 I e-mailed Paul to find out from Lynn Row about the energy consumption and cost of the OMNIMAX specifically. I have also decided to just discuss alternatives as opposed to making a model because it will be quite difficult and time consuming and I am not sure about what I plan to do for the alternatives, so it would be pointless to make a budget about it right now.

**__ BENCHMARKS  __** **First week of November, 2008** Have a rough idea about alternatives to the venting system in the IMAX **Third week of November, 2008** Finish finding the statistics and organize my ideas **Second week of December, 2008** Touch up on the finished product and add any last minute things.

This is subject to change. October 30th, 2008 I e-mailed Marilyn Pinto for the energy costs specifically for the OMNIMAX theatre. Hopefully I will get a reply soon.

Marilyn forwarded my e-mail to Glenn Shaver, the manager of the OMNIMAX. Hopefully he will reply back soon.

November 3rd, 2008 I sent an e-mail directly to Glenn Shaver because he has not yet replied to me.  November 14th, 2008