As we continue to decarbonize our systems and adapt to a changing climate, electricity demand in Canada is forecasted to grow 1.6 to 2.1 times larger by 2050.1 This growth will strain the existing electrical infrastructure of many buildings, which currently account for 17% of the country’s total emissions.2 For multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), these demands include shifts from gas to electric systems, as well as changing tenant needs due to climate change.
But how can we prepare for the impact of those changes?
Electrical Planning Reports (EPRs) can assist building owners and property managers in understanding the existing electrical capacity of their facilities and identifying the necessary infrastructure upgrades to accommodate future electrification requirements.
Legislation for stratas to obtain EPRs
In British Columbia, legislation now requires strata corporations (with five or more strata lots) to obtain an Electrical Planning Report (EPR) by December 2026 or 2028, depending on the region. The report must be completed by a registered professional electrical engineer or company registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC).
“There is an increasing demand on electrical systems from EV chargers, the addition of air conditioning, heat pumps, and other gas-to-electric fuel switching,” notes Casey Gaetz, Electrical Team Co-Leader at Prism Engineering.
“This legislation aims to ensure that MURBs are ready. As building owners and property managers look for opportunities to meet their electrical infrastructure needs, it’s essential to understand the additional power requirements each demand brings. EPRs can provide them with a roadmap that predicts future capacity needs and recommends solutions to prepare the electrical infrastructure of their buildings to handle increased demand safely and efficiently,” he explains.
Casey points out that EPRs can be particularly helpful for older buildings, whose stratas will be planning to replace the 30, or even 40+ year-old equipment.
“The EPR can serve as a starting point analysis to ensure that any new equipment you size is suitable for these future potential loads,” he says.
What does an EPR include?
Typically, an Electrical Planning Report answers three main questions:
- Capacity Review: What is the current infrastructure, and how much capacity exists for future needs?
- Current and Future Demand Analysis: How much electricity is used today, and how much is needed for future upgrades?
- System Upgrade Recommendations: What solutions will improve overall capacity?
At Prism, we develop a report after conducting a complete review of the electrical infrastructure and collecting data from BC Hydro and a site review.
“We go beyond a basic calculation of existing loads by looking in detail at the actual electrical usage of the building,” adds Casey.
Our team of electrical engineers then performs an analysis to assess the capacity of the building based on forecasted future demand.
“After collecting the data, we generate detailed reports with actionable recommendations customized for each building. With this valuable information in hand, building owners and property managers can make smarter decisions on how to upgrade their systems and start implementing those measures,” says Chris Fontaine, Electrical Co-Leader and Associate at Prism.
The big picture
Prepare your building for an `electric` future with the following steps:
Customizing your EPR
Prism can also customize EPRs to meet clients’ needs. This is possible thanks to the collaborative work among our electrical, mechanical and energy teams.
“By having everyone in-house [mechanical, electrical and energy engineers], our teams can work together to find solutions for very complex energy-efficient upgrades. This adds value to our services and differentiates Prism from the competition”, explains Chris.
These are some of the custom service options offered by Prism:
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Plan: An assessment to determine whether a building is prepared for EV chargers, as well as recommendations.
- EV Update: An assessment for buildings that already have EV charging infrastructure in place but may require upgrades.
- Low Carbon Electrification (LCE) Add-On: A detailed review of gas-to-electric fuel switching opportunities.
- In-Depth Cooling Study: A detailed review of air conditioning options.
- Design of Electrical and Mechanical System Upgrades: A document tailored to the recommendations provided by the Electrical Planning Report.
Putting it all together
Working with an engineering firm like Prism can help strata organizations navigate regulations and requirements, avoid the risks associated with inaccurate load assessments, and plan for the long-term.
“One of the key advantages of working with Prism is the longevity of our assessment. With the expertise of our team, we can identify the minimum service size required to support future electrification measures without overdesigning the system, ultimately saving or eliminating significant construction costs in the future,” explains Chris.
Prism is here to support your organization’s success.
Interested to learn more?
Connect with our Electrical Team
Read more about our services
Decarbonization Planning
Electrical Planning Reports
EV Charging
Low Carbon Electrification
Learn more about EV charging services
Electrical Assessment Reports: Your Roadmap to EV Charging
Electric vehicle charging in strata corporations
1 “The Big Switch – Powering Canada’s Nez Zero Future,” Canadian Climate Institute, accessed on October 22, 2024.
2 “Building Climate Solutions – A proven path to lower carbon emissions,” Canada Green Building Council, accessed on October 22, 2024.