Langara supports lifelong learning, for buildings too

Optimizing the existing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems was no small undertaking given the variety of equipment and controls at Langara. To tackle the challenge, Langara joined BC Hydro’s Continuous Optimization program (COp) in 2009, which has helped to identify issues and implement projects that improve building energy efficiency. The program consists of two integrated components: building re-commissioning and the development of an Energy Management Information System (EMIS). Now almost five years into this multi-year program, COp has been implemented in 86% of building area at Langara.

Together with BC Hydro’s support, Enersolv Consulting’s initial review, and Prism Engineering’s implementation, COp has proven to be an energy-saving success story – and it is not over yet. Always looking forward, COp is now being implemented in the Student Union Building and Building C for Fiscal 2013/2014. Langara has also taken energy savings measures beyond COp to realizing capital improvement projects for further savings.

“With maximum efficiency ratings in the range of 96%, condensing boilers are becoming a popular choice for building owners looking for improved energy efficiency, reduced operating cost and lower GHG emissions. Many owners, however, are not aware of the technology behind condensing boilers and the conditions required for achieving their rated efficiency. Mismatching the boiler with the heating system requirements can result in operating conditions that do not achieve the potential of condensing boilers.”

Learn about how get the most out of your efficient boiler from a recent article by Prism Engineering’s principal and founder, Brian O’Donnell, published in the Winter 2014 issue of Mechanical Contractors Association of BC Magazine. He outlines several strategies for existing facilities that decrease the supply and return water temperature requirements, thereby improving condensing efficiencies.

Our focus at Prism is primarily on the energy consumed in buildings and other facilities, but agriculture makes up another big piece of the energy pie. Eating more locally and seasonally is one small way we can reduce our footprint and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with getting food from farm to plate across the globe.

Following the planting charts outlined by West Coast Seeds, staff members got together early in April to select carrots, scallions, lettuces, herbs and more – and on Earth Day April 22^nd we celebrated by planting seeds in our new garden beds. Special thanks to Bentall Kennedy for providing us with the use of the parking spot and to Shifting Growth for helping us set up the garden beds. This is the second year that we have converted a parking spot into a thriving garden outside our office and we look forward to many more freshly picked salads at lunch this season!

Successful energy management programs empower peers to conserve energy. That’s why Prism has been working with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as a part of BC Hydro’s Workplace Conservation Awareness program, to help envision and execute an engagement strategy that encourages hotel staff to integrate energy conservation practices into their work.

Hyatt Regency Vancouver’s Thrive Team is led by a group of dedicated staff, who help the hotel implement the company’s Global Corporate Responsibility Program, Hyatt Thrive. This month, Prism worked with the Thrive team of volunteers to organize an onsite Eco-Fair that featured interactive displays on workplace sustainability habits, lighting, recycling, and energy conservation. Over 120 staff from every department attended the event, including staff from housekeeping, banquets, engineering, guest services and management. 70 people signed the pledge to take action on sustainability initiatives.

Over the next few months, the team at Hyatt will be building on the conservation messages at the Eco-Fair and focusing in on key campaigns to help conserve energy, including a Revolving Door Campaign and an energy conservation ideas contest.

Good lighting design requires an artful blend of cutting-edge lighting technology, knowledge of green building certifications, and to top it off an understanding of the specifics of provincial and city building and energy codes. We pride ourselves in working with our clients to translate innovative architectural and abstract conceptual designs into practical and cost effective installations.

Prism recently completed mechanical and electrical design services for two major Vancity Branch renovations in South Burnaby and Port Coquitlam. Innovative renovations features include: a customized blend of LED lighting controlled by daylight sensors, and a fire alarm system with integrated strobe lighting, which provides better fire alarm indication for the visually and hearing impaired during emergencies. The site also included a charging station for electric vehicles. Along with upgrades to the HVAC control system (DDC), these changes provide better comfort, convenience and energy cost savings.

We are ushering in the new year by celebrating the opening of a second Prism office in Nelson, BC. Nelson is a prime location to continue providing engineering consulting services to South-eastern BC and Alberta. From our new Kootenay location, we will continue to work collaboratively with our clients to improve facility performance through building system upgrades, execute energy management programs, monitor results for continuous improvement and engage people to achieve operational and cultural change. We’ll bring with us our 23 years of experience of helping organizations save energy.

Old building, new tricks? Retrocommissioning is a process of finding new ways to enhance a building’s operations while reducing energy consumption and maintaining the quality of the indoor environment. As a part of BC Hydro’s Continuous Optimization Program (COp), Prism led a retrocommissioning project at 815 West Hastings, a 10,029sq. metre office building in Downtown Vancouver. The project included an in-depth investigation of the building systems, centred on mechanical equipment, lighting, and related controls. Using functional performance testing and analysis of system data, Prism recommended thirteen measures that focused on low cost improvements with short paybacks.

Five retrofits were implemented and monitored over 8 months and resulted in an estimated 17% reduction in energy consumption. Over one year, this will add up to an estimated savings of $160,195 – just one example of how Prism combines innovative and practical measures for lasting impacts.

Green building certification aims to reduce the environmental impact of building operations, but what about the people working in those spaces? BOMA BESt (Building Owners and Managers Association Building Environmental Standards) certification is one way that Prism Engineering is helping organizations create effective frameworks to engage occupants and management in energy efficient behaviours.

This year Prism helped the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo achieve a BOMA BESt Level 1 certification for the Taylor building, an office and laboratory building, and is currently coordinating the application for a Level 1 certification of the Main Complex at the Institute of Ocean Sciences. These certifications have also helped establish processes that lay the groundwork for future energy efficient projects, and have created an arena to discuss the business case of environmental stewardship with senior management.

Generating electricity creates a lot of heat. Prism Engineering has been working with BC Hydro’s Lead by Example team on an innovative heat recovery project at BC Hydro’s G.M. Shrum Generating Station that will harness that heat and save energy.

The new heat recovery system consists of ductwork, dampers and automatic controls that send recovered heat to where it is needed most – protecting the power generation equipment and the fire prevention system from freezing. Reusing the heat generated by equipment in the plant allows a significant reduction in the use of electric heaters without compromising space functionality or comfort. This translates into an estimated 2,000,000 kWh of savings each year. With this substantial energy efficiency upgrade, one of BC’s largest hydroelectric generating stations is leading the way in heat recovery.

Prism Engineering is working with School District #79, taking a big step towards greening education on Vancouver Island with the installation of a new bio-mass boiler at Lake Cowichan Secondary.

Prism was hired to conduct an assessment of the school heating plant and perform a feasibility study for two clean technology options, bio-mass boiler and air- to-water heat pump system, to replace the school’s existing oil-fired boilers. Through our analysis and recommendations, the School District opted to install a new bio-mass boiler. Our calculations show that installing this new technology will provide $54,391 in savings for the District each year, cut oil use by 64,060 litres annually and avoid 167.4 tonnes of annual greenhouse gases emissions.

Construction starts in September on this exciting carbon-neutral energy upgrade. A local business will be providing the wood bi-product fuel and Prism engineers will manage the project to completion, working with the School District to deliver this economical and environmentally beneficial renewal energy project.