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BCIT is BC's largest post-secondary institute, living up to its reputation as Canada's premier polytechnic institution with numerous innovative facilities. In 2001, with the guidance and support of Prism Engineering, BCIT began an energy management program that would save them over $1.3 Million dollars in utility costs in under 4 years, while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. In recognition of BCIT's leadership, the institute was presented with a Power Smart Excellence Award from BC Hydro in 2004, which cemented its status as the model to aspire to in energy management in the college sector.
BCIT's goal was to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases related to the operation of over 150,000 square meters ofcs facilities contained in over 55 buildings on its Burnaby Campus. The enormous scale of the project, with an overall implementation budget of approximately $2.7 million, required Prism's guidance and support from the outset.
Prism carried out an extensive audit and review of energy savings potential, and began the implementation of our findings with a campus-wide lighting system retrofit which included the installation of electronic ballasts, T8 lighting, compact fluorescent lamps, LED exit signs and occupancy sensors.
"I've always been particularly impressed by the way Prism handles the projects and manages their people and contractors on site. The first phase of the project was particularly tricky because we were replacing and installing a huge amount of lighting in 55 buildings on the Burnaby Campus, all at night, from 10pm to 6am. Prism's people were always readily available, taking action when necessary to make sure the entire process went smoothly."
- Jacquie Champion, Manager, Facilities Management
In 2004, the central heating plant was modernized with state-of-the-art combustion controls and a heat exchanger in the common boiler stack to recover waste heat before emission. In 2005 and 2006, variable speed compressors were installed to significantly reduce compressed air energy use and its associated costs. As well, voltage levels were fine-tuned and optimized at over 20 transformers and the HVAC systems control upgrade included automated controls in the South Campus.
BCIT is enjoying savings in excess of even Prism's most ambitious projections. Using innovative monitoring and targeting models, some of which were designed in-house, Prism has kept a close eye on the results achieved, as well as on areas of potential improvement. These measures are expected to result in a 22% decrease in electricity and natural gas consumption compared to year 2000 levels. Although the work is ongoing, as a direct result of the upgrades completed to date, fiscal year 2006-2007 saw savings of over $550,000 in utility costs. It is anticipated that cost savings for 2007-2008 will exceed $650,000.
All told, in the last 3 1/2 years, BCIT has saved over $1.3 million dollars in utility costs. It is important to note that these figures do not account for the considerable load growth and extended use of a growing institution since 2001.
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