Prism Launches New Purpose Statement

Changing systems for a better world reflects how we see today’s transition to a low-carbon future. A move that can no longer be performed in isolation but by adopting a holistic approach that includes building systems, technology, and people.

“We are all experiencing the impacts of climate change. Organizations are setting targets, and we, as a consulting firm, want to be part of the solution”, says Robert Greenwald, P.Eng., President of Prism Engineering.

“We are updating building systems so that they can operate using less energy and generating lower emissions. We are applying innovation and technology to solve problems differently than we had in the past. And we also recognize the need to change organizational systems, which includes setting policies, running programs, and changing the ‘culture’ of how we use energy,” he explains.

The new purpose statement is part of the development of our 5-year strategic plan and was defined with the participation of all staff.

“It is the result of several internal meetings that have been held since last year and involved benchmarking assessments, focus group activities, leadership workshops and surveys,” explains Sarah Smith, M. Urb., Sustainability Team Leader.

Greater focus on carbon impact

For 33+ years, Prism has been driven by the mission of supporting our clients to achieve energy efficiency and improve building performance to reduce their impact on communities and the environment.

“We were successful at achieving energy savings of 20, 30 and even 40% for energy projects for many years. But that is no longer enough, and we need to consider the carbon impact of the energy sources that we are using”, explains Robert. “This means a greater emphasis on transportation (vehicles and fleets) and more integrated solutions that can deliver 70, 80 and even 90% carbon reduction”, he adds.

The new purpose statement also meets a change in the mindset of building owners and energy managers. With greater awareness of sustainability, carbon emission reductions, and climate change, clients are now thinking beyond short-term payback criteria.

“What hasn’t changed is the need clients have for a trusted partner to advise on solutions that work.  We take pride in having long-term relationships with them and we are always looking for ways to add value to our work, ” says Robert.

Larger umbrella of services

Extreme weather events and the need to increase resilience to climate change, the accelerated EV evolution, the changes in regulation and how to get support to move projects forward are some of the work we have increasingly done to help clients transition to a low-carbon economy and prepare for a changing climate.

“We have our roots in energy management, but there has been a growing need to respond to clients and the industry with other services,” explains Sarah. “Our purpose statement also needed to be adapted to reflect the expansion of our services over the years,” she adds.

By applying an integrated approach with a larger and more multidisciplinary team, Prism today is uniquely positioned to support clients to meet those multiple objectives.

“We can support them with a more holistic set of services to help them achieve their climate goals and make significant progress in improving performance and decarbonizing their operations,” says Sarah.

Prism staff during event to release our new purpose statement. From left to right: Brian O’Donnell, Founder; Robert Greenwald, P.Eng., Principal and President of Prism Engineering; Sam Thomas, Principal and Kootenay Branch Manager; Maia Penco, Senior Mechanical Designer; San Khangura, Senior Electrical Designer; Stephen Kooiman, P. Eng., M.A.Sc, Mechanical Team Leader.

Prism is here to support your organization’s success.

Interested in making the most of your energy use and reducing your carbon footprint?
Connect with our Team

Read more about our services
Decarbonization Planning
Energy and Carbon Upgrades
Transportation Decarbonization Planning
Sustainability Engagement

Heat pumps and heat recovery chiller installations are one of the most common Low Carbon Electrification (LCE) opportunities for buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, particularly when the electricity grid is relatively clean. However, organizations often end up facing the same challenges when implementing these systems.

To help provide some guidance on considerations that impact the quality of installations and their performance, Prism Engineering, with support from BC Hydro, has developed ‘Lessons Learned from LCE Projects’ – a practical document with best practices that energy managers and facilities staff can use when working on these projects.

The material was based on a workshop facilitated by Prism this past January for the BC Hydro Commercial Energy Manager Program. The session gathered input and feedback from numerous energy managers who shared their challenges when implementing LCE projects.

“There is a lot of value in learning from others,” says Robert Greenwald, P.Eng., President of Prism Engineering. “By having this initiative, we created an environment of trust, where energy managers could feel comfortable interacting with each other, sharing experiences, and learning from the expertise of our team at Prism,” he adds.

The document emphasizes the importance of commissioning properly. It is divided into different phases of LCE projects – Study, Design, Installation, Operations and Maintenance – so that users can easily identify challenges and solutions in each of them.

“Our goal was to transform the discussions into a legacy document that would go beyond the workshop. There is a lot of good and useful information energy managers can learn from this material, which is just a preliminary step to more in-depth studies in the future”, explains Robert Greenwald.

Download ‘Lessons Learned from LCE Projects’ (PDF)

Related Projects

City of Vancouver | Kitsilano Community Centre Heat Recovery
School District #36 Surrey | Hybrid Heat Pump System
Interior Health Authority | Lillooet Hospital Electrification
Fraser Valley Regional District | Hope Recreation Centre Geo-Exchange Heat Recovery

We are proud to be a place that values diversity and inclusion. As the world celebrates Women in Engineering Day, we are thrilled to have so many incredible women on our staff contributing every day to helping our clients achieve their energy and sustainability goals.

Today, women represent 41% of our staff working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) roles. Not only are we committed to having an engaging, supportive, and respectful workplace for women, but we are also motivated to provide support and inspire future generations to pursue a career in Engineering and Sustainability.

To celebrate this important date, we asked our staff from these areas what message they would like to share to inspire current and future engineers. Here is what they have to say:

Learn more on how Prism has been supporting women in our community:

Partnering to support women in need
International Women in Engineering Day in June
Congratulations to the first Prism Engineering Award Winner at Langara College

Middle row: Pamela Subia, Electrical Engineer-in-Training; Taniell Hamilton, Sustainability Engagement Specialist; Sewa Odufuwa, Energy Management Professional; Sarah Coleman, Associate & Sustainability + Engagement Specialist; and Yan Lee, Mechanical Engineer-in-Training.

Bottom row: Lizz Hodgson, P.Eng., Energy Management Engineer; Julianne Pickrell-Barr, Climate Action Specialist; Kimia Yaganeh, P.Eng., Business + Project Manager (PUMA); Maia Penco, Senior Mechanical Designer; and Shannon Hardman, Strategic Energy Management Coach.

New legislation is on the horizon that will make it easier for strata corporations and owners to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at home. According to the new rules, strata corporations and property management companies will be required to complete Electrical Planning Reports to outline each building’s current electrical capacity and plan to meet future EV charging station needs.

“Electrical Assessment and Planning Reports are important because they provide a roadmap to help navigate and prepare for the transition away from gas-powered equipment, which has already begun and is accelerating,” says Adam Franklin, P. Eng., Associate and Electrical Engineer at Prism Engineering.

The reason is simple: installing EV charging stations increases the electrical load on a building’s existing electrical distribution system. This additional use and load may not have been considered as part of the original design. By conducting an initial electrical systems assessment, building owners can avoid putting the entire electrical system at risk.

“Overloading the electrical system could trip the main breaker, shutting off power for the entire building. It could also damage electrical equipment resulting in costly and unplanned repairs or replacements,” Adam explains.

Taking future electrical needs into consideration

Consider if each resident in a building receives a Level 2 EV charger, the current standard for new residential and commercial facilities. That additional load could easily double the electrical demand of the building.

“This means that unless the building is currently using less than 50 percent of the available capacity, load management or alternative configurations will need to be utilized to avoid overloading the systems,” Adam adds.

Electrical Assessment and Planning Reports are also useful for identifying equipment that needs replacement. The typical life span for most electrical distribution equipment is 25–40 years. This is an essential consideration in BC, where many buildings’ systems are already within this range.

“Buildings must also consider their future electrical needs to allow them to adapt to the ever-changing world. Rather than simply replacing electrical equipment with newer versions of what they have now, they should consider the addition or changing loads that will be required now and into the future,” explains Adam.

How Prism can help

Our team has the technical expertise to prepare comprehensive Electrical Planning Reports for your buildings. By conducting a detailed assessment, we can help you identify the options available and the necessary steps to take before installing EV charging stations at your buildings. In addition, we can help you navigate the rebates and incentives available to support these projects.

Our Electrical Planning Report includes the following steps:

1. Assess the on-site electrical distribution equipment, including capacity ratings and condition.
2. Analyze historical utility data, including peak loading and seasonal trends.
3. Calculate additional loads. (E.g., EV charging, cooling, etc.)
4. Review load management options.
5. Confirm the preferred option(s).
6. Provide a summary report, which outlines the available options, required infrastructure upgrades and cost estimates.

In addition to assessments and reports, Prism also provides education and training to stakeholder groups. Topics include: transitioning to low-carbon energy sources, the benefits of new technologies, and the impact of reducing GHG emissions at your facility. Ask us about customizing a session for your audience.

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 Report
EV Charging
Low Carbon Electrification

Learn more about EV charger rebate programs
BC Hydro
Fortis BC
Clean BC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate Program Guide (PDF)

The beginning of the year is always a good time to take stock of what happened in the previous period and set new directions for the future. We caught up with Prism’s Team Leaders to learn more about projects and initiatives they are most proud of having accomplished last year, how new staff came to add to these successes, and what trends they foresee in the industry for 2023.

Adapting electrical systems to a new reality

Electrical Team Lead Casey Gaetz likes to describe his team as “playing the doctor’s role” when helping clients assess their electrical distribution systems to meet the needs of an ever-changing world. “This is what has been a growing focus for the last few years, and it’s what we plan to keep doing,” he says.

The Covid pandemic, the need to adapt buildings to mitigate the effects of climate change, new regulations and new technologies have created challenges that require a more comprehensive approach from our team, rather than just prescribing solutions. There is no area where this has been more interest to clients than having a Facility Condition Assessments (FCA) completed to assist in capital planning for the future.

“In a world that is constantly changing, electrical systems also need to adjust to this new reality. That’s why we are focusing on assessing each situation, analyzing it carefully, making recommendations, and elaborating on the appropriate designs to get it built to suit not just todays but also tomorrows requirements,” explains Casey.

Other areas with that we are experiencing growth with include electrical distribution upgrades to suit mechanical equipment switching from fossil fuel systems to electricity, thereby reducing our carbon footprint. Another focused area of work is the upgrading of electric services to suit the addition of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

“With all this growth in our work we have added more help to the team with three new staff to help our clients and our team to meet those challenges,” says Casey.

The path to net zero buildings

Last year the Energy Team remained committed to helping organizations maximize the efficiency of building systems that were performing poorly or in some cases not even performing at all.

“Many of these buildings had been visited over the years by other engineers that were unable to fix problems such as insufficient temperature levels, heat pump failure, or building control issues,” says Iram Green, P. Eng., Energy Team Leader. “I am very proud to see how our team approached these issues and managed to make the systems achieve their full potential,” he adds.

The key to success was not simply “checking the boxes” when approaching a problem. “There is knowledge and different considerations in every recommendation we make. You can’t just rely on one technology to get where you want to be. You must understand how that technology is going to operate within that specific situation,” explains Iram.

With six new staff onboarded this past year, the Energy Team is excited to enter 2023 with even more support to help organizations move towards net zero carbon buildings. “When you have so many things to do, you tend to do less. So, we can help organizations prioritize; helping them rely less and less on fossil fuels, improve efficiency, recover heat, and reduce their carbon emissions,” Iram says. With trends towards increased funding for greenhouse gas pathways studies and modelling, we are anticipating even more interest in this type of work.

Unique expertise in sustainability and climate change

Many organizations still struggle when it comes to knowing what first step to take towards adopting sustainable practices and preparing for climate change impacts. This is one of the many ways that our Sustainability Team has been supporting clients – by assisting organizations in creating comprehensive sustainability and climate plans to respond to these challenges.

“We support clients with strategic planning, assessments, and research to help our clients identify what impact their organization is having on people and the planet and what can be done to mitigate them,” explains Sarah Smith, M. Urb., Sustainability Team Leader. Those impacts can range from carbon emissions from buildings and fleet to ground water impacts from landfill waste and to labor rights driven by sustainable procurement practices.

“We support these organizations by assessing their current practices, demystifying the sustainability landscape, and developing a clear vision and definition of sustainability for the organization. We then pull it all together in a practical plan that outlines the priorities and actions that our client needs to take to make progress on sustainability,” Sarah explains.

Prism’s 8-person Sustainability Team has a broad set of expertise to support our clients. We focus on energy, emissions, fleet, waste, and water and in each of these areas we provide strategic planning, coaching, assessment, program delivery and reporting. We center our work on engaging stakeholders throughout any process we deliver. “Each of us is an expert in a different area, but we also draw on each other’ strengths to support our clients in meeting their climate and sustainability objectives,” Sarah says.

Synergy to meet future energy demands

In many of our buildings, mechanical systems account for the majority of building related greenhouse gas emissions. No wonder why many organizations are looking for alternative mechanical solutions to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. This has kept our Mechanical Team busy throughout last year, a trend that is expected to increase even more in 2023.

With the federal, provincial, and municipal governments jumping ahead on initiatives to reduce GHG emissions, the private sector is now taking steps to follow suit. As a result, there has been a growing demand for low-carbon electrification (LCE) projects.

“If in the past businesses were mostly interested in equipment replacements, now they are looking for opportunities for higher energy efficiency with full electrification projects”, explains Stephen Kooiman, P. Eng., M.A.Sc, Mechanical Team Leader. With more incentives available for companies to implement mechanical and electrical upgrades, this trend is expected to grow in the coming years.

To meet these demands, the Mechanical Team has grown with three new staff in the past year, and there will be even more synergy with other teams. “The scale of the projects is bigger, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. Having all expertise in-house is a great advantage. Our Mechanical Team is very collaborative, and they are used to working closely with the Electrical, Energy, and Sustainability Teams. Everyone is eager to learn, grow, and looking for ways to challenge themselves,” Stephen says.

Prism staff at Burnaby office. From left to right: Julianne Pickrell-Barr, Climate Action Specialist; Sarah Smith, Sustainability Team Leader; Sustainability and Climate Action Specialist; Taniell Hamilton, Sustainability and Engagement Specialist; and Parham Ighani, Mechanical Engineer in Training. 

Want to discuss how our services can support your organization?

Looking for ways to optimize energy use can be challenging for many organizations. To help them reduce energy waste, maximize efficiency, decrease operating costs, and lower carbon emissions, Prism Engineering has developed a “Treasure Hunt,” also known as an Energy Scan process, as part of our Strategic Energy Management (SEM) framework. The goal of a Treasure Hunt is to empower staff to identify operational opportunities for energy savings or Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) through an on-site walk of processes and systems, as seen in Figure 1.

“During the Treasure Hunt, the team looks for new energy savings ‘treasures’ to implement and opportunities to reduce energy costs. It can be a great way to identify and implement quick wins to kickstart or re-invigorate the organization’s energy savings journey,” explains Shannon Hardman, Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Coach at Prism Engineering.

“Participants are encouraged to ask why processes and procedures are completed the way they are and if changes could be made to reduce energy and costs. The output of the Treasure Hunt is a list of low-cost opportunities to implement as a team in the short to medium term,” she adds.

The Treasure Hunt activity also offers companies the opportunity to:

• Better understanding of energy use
• Engage staff in conversations about energy use
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and cross-team collaboration
• Help drive energy and carbon reductions

Figure 1: Prism coaches facilitating a Treasure Hunt at an industrial facility in Vancouver.

How does it work?

The Treasure Hunt activity has three phases: Preparation, the Event, and Follow-Up.

Preparation

The organization’s Energy Team and Prism coach work together to confirm the scope of the activity and logistics for the day of the Treasure Hunt and review any data that could inform the process, such as site maps, equipment registers, process flow diagrams, and previous energy studies.

The Event

The Treasure Hunt is typically designed as a 4- to 6-hour on-site activity, including a Kick-Off Meeting, a Site Tour, and a Tour Debrief. When touring the facility, the team follows a 3-step Strategic Energy Management (SEM) process to identify ECMs that includes:

Step 1: Minimize Waste.
Step 2: Maximize Efficiency.
Steps 3-6: Optimize the Supply.

Here is a snapshot of some low-cost opportunities identified in a Treasure Hunt:

• Fix compressed air leakages in the plant.
• Close doors in the plant during winter.
• Upgrade lighting and controls in offices.
• Utilize welding fume extraction snorkels in welding bays to minimize overall ventilation.
• Insulate pipe for hot water tank lines.
• Update the procedures for equipment that is to be turned off during idle or non-production times.

As a passionate advocate of Treasure Hunts, Shannon acknowledges that participants typically come into the session slightly unsure and reserved. However, as new saving opportunities are identified, the atmosphere quickly shifts into excitement.

“They value seeing their facility with a new and focused lens. The total number of opportunities that get identified often surprises the client,” she says.

Prioritize and Follow Up

After the Treasure Hunt, the organization’s Energy Team works with one of our Prism Coaches to prioritize ECMs for implementation. A refined list of prioritized potential projects is delivered at the end of the day.

“The Treasure Hunt can be completed annually as a way to continue to get buy-in and engagement on identifying and eliminating energy waste,” recommends Shannon.

SEM Programs

Prism is uniquely qualified to run SEM programs. From design to implementation, we work with organizations to develop energy teams and leadership engagement strategies. Our holistic approach to energy management is focused on technical initiatives and organizational and behavioural change to achieve energy efficiency.

Learn more about some projects developed by our Strategic Energy Management team:

Colliers | Operators Training Results in $140,000 in Energy Savings
Thompson Rivers University | SEM through ISO 50001
Vancouver Community College | Energy Management and Upgrades

Modernizing elevators can be a complicated process. Building codes in B.C. now require all new and upgraded elevator systems to be interconnected with the building’s fire alarm systems. So, when a B.C. hospital recently needed nine high-traffic elevators upgraded, working within the constraints of a hospital setting compounded these challenges.

In the case of this busy urban hospital, doctors, nurses and other staff constantly use the elevators to move themselves and patients quickly from floor to floor. This meant elevator downtime had to be carefully planned to minimize the impact on patients and core hospital work. The elevator system upgrades also had to be designed to work within the facility’s existing electrical systems, which carry multiple sensitive loads that power, for example, operating rooms and life-critical equipment. In addition, the upgrades included replacing an automatic transfer switch, which switches the elevators’ power system to the hospital’s own backup power supply in the event of local BC Hydro power failures.

Primary project consultant GUNN Consultants brought Prism on to help.

“The unique thing about this project was that it required so much more electrical review and work than most elevator modernization projects because of the hospital’s complicated electrical systems,” says David Joo, Electrical Engineer and Associate at Prism Engineering and our in-house service area lead for fire alarms.

Prism designed the electrical distribution for the nine new elevators and its interconnection with the hospital’s fire alarm system. We also upgraded the automatic transfer switch so that the elevators could receive emergency alarm signals, and updated the elevator machine room with an electrical feed to the new elevators, new LED and emergency lighting, cooling units, and a fire alarm interconnection.

Unlike many other elevator upgrade projects we’ve worked on, the hospital didn’t require a fire alarm upgrade, as it had been upgraded only a few years prior. With careful work scheduling to limit impacts on hospital personnel and patients, the nine elevators, their systems and the elevator room were successfully upgraded to code.

Read more of our elevator–fire alarm system modernization case studies here.

The elevator–fire alarm system connection

British Columbia’s aging building stock means an increasing number of elevators are due to be replaced, and building codes now require that new and upgraded elevators be connected with building’s fire alarm systems.

“We often get feedback from clients looking to modernize their elevators who say they hadn’t known they also had to upgrade their fire alarm systems,’” David says.

Interconnecting building elevator and fire alarm systems is a major life-safety requirement. A properly connected modern fire alarm system automatically signals the elevators in the event of a fire in the building. Upon receiving the signal, the elevators are programmed to bring everybody already inside the elevator down to the main level, open the doors, and remain open. Newer addressable fire alarm systems identify which fire alarm device in the building was initiated and respond accordingly. Specifically, if a smoke detector in the ground-floor elevator lobby is triggered, the system instructs the elevator controller to stop on an alternate floor to avoid the fire.

Prism’s approach to elevator modernization

Every year, our electrical team completes up to 20 elevator modernization projects with fire alarm elements. With key partner GUNN Consultants, we have completed close to 100 projects to date in residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare and education buildings. Our approach to elevator modernization involves reviewing the fire alarm systems and designing needed upgrades. We review and design electrical systems to suit new elevators, including replacing power feeders and cables, specifying the proper electrical protection for the elevators’ motors, and making sure the code requirements are met. Working with elevator consultants and contractors, we also offer full fire alarm upgrades and elevator interconnection, Dedicated Detection Recall System implementation (Vancouver), and electrical work associated with complying with CSA B44 Elevator Modernization requirements.

In addition, we check and design updates to the machine rooms where the elevator equipment is housed so that it meets building code requirements. This often means improving the room’s lighting, upgrading the elevator’s electrical grounding system so that it is GFI rated, and replacing the disconnect switch to the elevator.

Read more about Prism’s approach to fire alarm upgrades here.

We can help

Is your building due for an elevator upgrade, but you’re not sure what may be involved? Email our in-house service area lead for fire alarms, David Joo, at davidj@prismengineering.com.

In response to the City of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, Vancouver City Council approved recommendations this past May to introduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations for existing large commercial and retail buildings. The regulations include GHG intensity (GHGi) limits and heat energy limits, as well as annual energy and carbon reporting requirements.

The GHG emissions and heating energy limits for these building types will require owners and energy utilities to plan for deep carbon retrofits and investments in alternative energy sources. Key highlights:

• The energy and carbon reporting requirements come into effect in 2024.
• The GHGi limits come into effect in 2026, with a proposed $350/tonne CO₂e fee for emissions that exceed the limit.
• The heating energy limits come into effect in 2040, with a proposed $100/gigajoule fee for heating energy that exceeds the limit.

Other regions and cities, including Metro Vancouver, are now also considering following suit and introducing GHGi and heating energy limits for their regions.

Although the limits are a positive step towards decarbonizing the building sector, much work remains to be done to make these buildings comply with the regulations. Currently, many buildings do not meet the limits stipulated in the bylaw. According to PUMA’s 2021 office building benchmarking report only 10 per cent  of buildings within the dataset currently fall within 2040 heat energy limits, 80 per cent fall within the 2026 GHGi limits, and 2 per cent fall within the 2040 GHGi net-zero limits. Although 2026 and 2040 may seem like the distant future, retrofitting buildings to achieve the deep reductions targeted takes several years, effort and cost. Getting an early start on this work is critically important.

The good news is that help is available. Several programs can be leveraged to support the transition to lower GHGi and heating energy in existing buildings.

• Deep carbon retrofit studies to assess potential technical solutions are often a great place to begin and allow for planning of upgrades over time.
• Low-carbon electrification and heating plant upgrades can be effective ways to reduce building GHGi and heating energy consumption.
• The PUMA online monitoring platform also offers an effective way to track carbon and energy  to meet the reporting requirements the City of Vancouver will begin enforcing in 2024.
• Various funding streams also exist to help you move forward with these initiatives — check out this article we wrote recently on rebates and incentives.

Interested in finding out more about these new regulations and what they mean for your buildings?

Feel free to reach out to us — we’d be happy to chat. Contact Iram Green, Energy Team Lead, at iram@prismgengineering.com.

Whether you are a curious client or an interested career explorer, do you ever wonder what Prism’s Energy Engineers do in a typical day?

We are excited to be featuring a day in the life of Lizz Hodgson, P.Eng., one of the Energy Engineers working out of our Nelson office.

“I typically get into the office around 9 a.m. with my dog, Otago,” Lizz tells us. “We settle in by grabbing some water or a coffee and touching base with my team members before logging onto my computer. Having Otago here brings some levity to the office – he has quite a presence! I love that the casual setting we have allows me to include him in my office days.”

Lizz’s mornings usually involve some administrative preparation, such as coordinating site visits, gathering utility data, and scheduling planning sessions with colleagues or clients.

For example, the weekly Monday morning planning meetings gather all of Prism’s Energy team members together online from our Nelson, Kelowna, and Burnaby offices to review project priorities for the week and to highlight areas on which team members can collaborate and support each other.

Lizz’s afternoons are often filled with client meetings, presentations, facilitating workshops, or project work such as energy modelling and analysis.

On a few days each week, Lizz uses her lunch break to fit in some exercise. She visits the gym at the local recreation centre, two blocks away. She also attends a circus training school, Discover Circus, that’s located in the same building as our Nelson office. The school’s aerial silks classes allow her to engage with her artistic self and take a social break. It’s great exercise, too, she says.

“It has become important to my mental health to create work–life balance,” she says. “Living in Nelson and working for Prism allows me to keep work and play close together. I can step away from the computer to do something completely different by challenging myself physically. I come back to the office feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the rest of the day!”

On a recent fall day, we caught up with her as she was preparing to lead a 90-minute workshop for a local municipality. Lizz is the technical service area lead for Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Planning, and she has been working with the municipality on an emissions reduction pathway feasibility study. She told us that, before the study is finalized, she will incorporate feedback from stakeholders and facilitate the discussion around the identified pathways as part of the process to foster organizational buy-in.

As with any of our Energy Engineers, Lizz’s level of involvement varies from project to project and depends on each client’s needs. For example, organizations that have their own sustainability and energy teams may already have a decision framework in place to help guide their discussions. The objectives of these discussions are to identify barriers to implementation, ensure the recommended measures are within the decision framework, gain engagement from stakeholders, and guide the setting of priorities to meet the client’s goals and targets. Clients that don’t have that kind of in-house expertise may require more of Lizz’s involvement to help them determine targets and solutions, engage stakeholders, and set client-appropriate priorities.

The work is diverse and stimulating.

“I enjoy the varied nature of my role at Prism and look forward to new challenges my projects bring me each day,” Lizz says. “I’m not always writing technical reports — I’m often on site, I’m leading workshops, I’m researching new technology. Even when I’m at my desk, I collaborate with various engineering teams within Prism to create thoughtful and integrated solutions for our clients. Along with enjoying the people I work with, I get lots of learning opportunities too.”