Continuous Optimization: Unlocking Low-Cost Energy Savings
In June 2024, BC Hydro and FortisBC announced new rules for their joint Continuous Optimization (C-Op) Program. This update makes it easier for large commercial customers to access funding to increase the efficiency of their buildings’ HVAC and other energy-intensive systems.
The program is now more accessible. It focuses solely on recommissioning and retro-commissioning projects and a key account manager is no longer a requirement to be eligible. The funding remains the same, providing a strong return-on-investment for organizations to consider the program.
About the C-Op Program
The Continuous Optimization Program provides funding for simple, low-cost solutions to improve energy-intensive systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). It is designed for buildings or facilities of at least 40,000 square feet with a minimum energy consumption of 2 GWh annually. The work must be done by an approved service provider, such as Prism Engineering.
As technology changes and buildings get older, they need ’tune-ups’ to optimize systems and help them run more efficiently. The main goal of the program is to find ways for buildings to perform better using their existing systems.
“A C-Op is the best way to learn about a building’s needs, limitations and energy saving potential,” explains Iram Green, Principal and Energy Team Leader at Prism Engineering.
“It is also an opportunity that can support building owners and managers in getting ready for the next step beyond recommissioning by identifying what it takes to decarbonize the building,” he adds.
Why participate in the program?
One of the main benefits of the Continuous Optimization Program is its strong return-on-investment. Funding often covers 80-100% of the first phase (investigation). The following phase (implementation) typically pays itself back in less than two years, with an average overall cost reduction of 5.7%.
Additional benefits of the C-Op Program include:
- Energy efficiency and overall building performance improvements.
- Carbon emissions reduction.
- Health, safety and occupant comfort improvements.
- Equipment protection and maintenance reduction.
- Training and operator productivity.
How Prism can help
As an approved service provider, Prism can help organizations confirm their eligibility for the C-Op Program. We have the expertise to offer support throughout all of its phases:
Our experience
Over the years, Prism has helped many organizations navigate the C-Op Program, resulting in substantial energy savings and reduced emissions.
Since 2008, Prism has conducted over 250 C-Op projects, representing approximately one-third of all C-Op projects approved by BC Hydro.
Projects of note include recommissioning at three Vancouver School Board elementary schools, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and Richmond School District No. 38 (SD38).
For the Vancouver School Board (Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas and J.W. Sexsmith elementary schools), recommissioning resulted in $27,000 in annual energy savings and emissions reductions from 52% to 80% per school. These results earned Prism Engineering first place in the ASHRAE BC Technology Awards for the year 2023-24.
At UNBC, optimization resulted in more than $250,000 in utility cost savings in just one year. At SD38, we helped the organization reduce its electricity use by more than 210,000 kWh/year and natural gas use by 2,300 GJ. Read more about our work with SD38 in the article, “Continuous optimization – low hanging fruit that keeps growing back”, on page 56 of EFMA BC’s Ops Talk magazine, Spring 2024 edition.
“The C-Op Program is attractive to many organizations because it focuses on low-cost solutions that can substantially improve the efficiency of their energy-intensive systems, as well as reduce costs and carbon emissions,” says Iram.
Prism is here to support your organization’s success.
Interested to learn more?
Connect with our team
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Recommissioning and Retro-commissioning
See project examples
Energy and Carbon Management Projects
Learn more about BC Hydro’s and FortisBC’s program
Continuous Optimization
Prism Wins Three ASHRAE Awards for Innovative Building Design Solutions
We are pleased to share that Prism Engineering was honoured with three ASHRAE BC Technology Awards for the 2023-24 year.
Each award-winning project secured first place in its respective category:
- City of Nanaimo / Port Theatre – Low Carbon Electrification – Existing Buildings/Other Institutional Category
- Langara College – Central Heating Plant Integration – Existing Buildings/Educational Facilities Category
- Vancouver School Board (VSB) – Recommissioning – Existing Buildings/Commissioning EBCx Category
The ASHRAE BC Technology Awards are presented annually to recognize organizations and projects that have effectively implemented innovative building design solutions to enhance occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and energy conservation across British Columbia.
“These awards underscore Prism’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of decarbonization and energy efficiency,” says Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering.
“They reflect our team’s technical excellence and dedication to delivering sustainable, impactful solutions for the communities we serve. Being recognized for such innovative projects reinforces our purpose of changing systems for a better world,” he adds.
Left to right: Farzad Gharibi, Mechanical EIT; Stephen Kooiman, Principal and Mechanical Team Leader; Hamid Samani, Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer; Emma Harrison, Energy EIT; Sewa Odufuwa, Energy Management Professional; Iram Green, Principal and Energy Team Leader; Max Melchior, Energy Management Professional; and Alison Bodine, Intermediate Electrical Designer.
Supporting client’s decarbonization goals
Earning ASHRAE’s recognition is significant for our work, coming from one of the most esteemed associations in our industry. It is a testament to Prism’s expertise in supporting our clients to achieve their goals, from design to implementation.
“The awards highlight our ability to develop innovative, unique solutions tailored to our clients’ needs, drawing on the strengths of a multidisciplinary team. I am very proud of our employees for their work and congratulate them for their dedication and commitment to each project,” says Robert.
For Langara College, the new central heating plant integration is a major step towards fully decarbonizing the campus, directly improving the well-being of students and staff.
“This project continues our longstanding relationship with Langara, spanning over 20 years. It sets the stage for their successful transition to renewable technologies in the future,” explains Stephen Kooiman, Mechanical Team Leader at Prism.
At Port Theatre, there was no simple solution to decarbonization, but Prism’s innovative approach resulted in a 90% reduction in the building’s emissions. Similarly, the award recognizes the positive results obtained at VSB’s three elementary schools – Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas, and J.W. Sexsmith – where implementing innovative renewable heating and ventilation systems effectively resolved longstanding issues and exceeded the client’s expectations.
“For both projects, I am proud of our team for navigating the complexities involved in integrating hybrid systems to develop unique solutions”, says Iram Green, Energy Team Leader at Prism.
Here’s a brief overview of each award-winning project:
City of Nanaimo – Port Theatre
Service: Low Carbon Electrification
Building: Port Theatre is one of the most popular cultural centres on Vancouver Island. It was built in 1998 and includes a theatre, offices, lobby, and backstage area, totalling 38,875 square feet.
Main goals: Redesign the heating system with air-to-water variable refrigerant flow to provide primary heating. Include heat recovery from the building during shows and additional redundancy if one system fails.
Results: GHG savings of 98 tonnes eCO2, equivalent to 90% of the building’s emissions.
Photo: Prism Engineering Ltd.
Langara College
Service: Central Heating Plant Integration
Building: Langara College is a post-secondary institution consisting of eight major buildings constructed between 1970 and 2016, with a total occupied floor area of 646,329 square feet.
Main goals: Install new central heating system and district heating pipes across campus to optimize heating efficiency, reduce emissions and support the buildings’ transition from natural gas to future low-carbon energy sources.
Results: Improved system efficiency to above 85%, leading to a 17% reduction in GHG emissions and fuel savings of approximately 4,600 GJ.
Photo: Langara Library by Morgana911 via Wikimedia Commons
Vancouver School Board – Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas and J.W. Sexsmith Elementary Schools
Service: Recommissioning
Building: The schools were built between 2006 and 2013, with a total floor area that ranges from 42,506 to 54,390 square feet. They include classrooms, staff rooms, washrooms, multi-purpose areas, a gym, a library, among others.
Main goals: Review the schools’ heat pump systems to optimize energy use and reduce emissions.
Results: Approximately $27,000 in annual energy savings and 52% to 80% emissions reduction across the schools.
Photo: Prism Engineering Ltd.
Prism is here to support your organization’s success.
Interested to learn more?
Connect with our team
Read more about our services
District Energy Systems (DES)
Low Carbon Electrification
Recommissioning
Learn more about other award-winning projects
City of Vancouver | Kitsilano Community Centre Heat Recovery
Langara College | Building Deep Retrofit
Prism Wins Six ASHRAE Awards for Projects in Energy Savings and Decarbonization
Additional Awards and Projects