Changing Systems for a Better World:
Three Standout Projects from 2024

As we step into 2025, we’re reflecting on three standout projects from this past year (2024) that embody our purpose of Changing Systems for a Better World.

At Prism, that change includes improving buildings, implementing technology, and changing culture to support long-term sustainability and decarbonization. These three elements don’t exist in silos. In fact, our most impactful projects often span across all of them.

This past year, our work with District of North Vancouver, Vancouver Community College (VCC), and Vancouver School Board (VSB) showcased how improving infrastructure, leveraging innovative technology, and supporting behavioural shifts work together to drive meaningful change.

“Our purpose, Changing Systems for a Better World, drives everything that we do. It guides our efforts to help clients transition to a low-carbon and resilient future by transforming systems in ways that create lasting impact,” says Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering.

“These projects highlight some of the best of our work and reflect the capacity of our team to ensure buildings are more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable; to leverage technology to solve real challenges and deliver results; and to empower people and organizations to create change,” he adds.

Here’s a brief overview of each project:

District of North Vancouver

Prism’s expertise in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure helped the District of North Vancouver plan and install public charging stations in locations that support EV adoption. While this project was centred around technology, the approach went beyond simply installing chargers—it was about ensuring they were strategically placed to support accessibility, convenience, and adoption. Making EVs a more practical choice for residents requires more than infrastructure alone; it also involves encouraging behavioural shifts that drive broader cultural change.

“Local governments are looking to close gaps in public charging infrastructure, making EV adoption more accessible. This project is a great example of how we help communities reduce emissions and noise while supporting their sustainability goals,” explains Adam Franklin, Associate and Electrical Engineer.

Service: Electric Vehicle Charging Station Design and Implementation
Main goal: Reduce barriers to EV adoption by installing public charging stations at high-traffic, strategic locations in North Vancouver.
Results: Four Level 2 public charging stations at Lynn Valley Village and two 50 kW Level 3 stations at Norgate Park, with new EV charging stations planned over the next years.

Read the case study

Charging stations at Norgate Park (left) and Lynn Valley Village. Photo: Prism Engineering Limited

Vancouver Community College

At Vancouver Community College, our team conducted in-depth climate resilience and decarbonization studies to identify opportunities VCC can implement to reduce emissions while making its buildings more energy efficient and resilient to climate change. This project builds on Prism’s decades-long experience working with advanced education institutions, helping them transition to lower-carbon operations while ensuring campus facilities remain resilient to climate change.

“These projects helped create systems change by building VCC staff capacity through workshops and discussions. These sessions aimed to deepen their knowledge and understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation for buildings and the ways in which it can be actualized to increase institutional sustainability and climate resilience,” says Julianne Pickrell-Barr, Associate and Climate Action Specialist.

Service: Climate Resilience and Decarbonization Studies
Main goals: Identify opportunities for decarbonization and climate resilience improvements for both the Downtown and Broadway campuses.
Results: Short- and long-term actions to manage energy, reduce carbon emissions, and increase climate resilience to mitigate existing and future climate change risks.

Read the case study

VCC’s Broadway campus was one of the locations that took part in this project. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Vancouver School Board – Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas and J.W. Sexsmith Elementary Schools

Our recommissioning work focused on optimizing HVAC systems to improve efficiency and reduce emissions at three VSB elementary schools. Beyond the technical upgrades, this project was about maximizing the value of existing systems—fine-tuning operations, providing facility teams with better insights, and ensuring the schools remain comfortable and healthy spaces for students and staff. The impact was substantial, with an 80% reduction in emissions and recognition with a 2023-24 ASHRAE BC Technology Award.

“By implementing innovative renewable heating and ventilation system control strategies, we solved long-standing challenges,” says Iram Green, Energy Team Leader.

Service: Recommissioning
Main goals: Review the heat pump systems to optimize energy use and reduce emissions at three elementary schools: Charles Dickens, Sir James Douglas and J.W. Sexsmith.
Results: Approximately $27,000 in annual energy savings, 52% to 80% emissions reduction across the schools, and a 2023-24 ASHRAE BC Technology Award.

Read the case study

J.W. Sexsmith Elementary School was built in 2013. Photo: Prism Engineering Limited

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Climate Change Adaptation
Decarbonization Planning
EV Charging
Recommissioning

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About us
Prism launches new purpose statement

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.

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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

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.

Read the case study

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.

Read the case study

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.

Read the case study

Photo: Prism Engineering Ltd.

Prism is here to support your organization’s success.

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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

When it comes to lighting design, Andrew Munro is one of BC’s leading authorities. Working alongside Casey Gaetz, our Electrical Team Co-Leader, he played a crucial role in building the Electrical Team, passing on his expertise and insights to more junior lighting designers and engineers, and establishing our company as a respected firm in lighting design over the last 30 years.

Andrew’s contributions have earned Prism industry-recognized awards, including three Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Awards for the Richmond Olympic Oval Event Hall Lighting Upgrade (2019) and the NAV Canada Surrey Area Control Centre (2015), as well as a BC Hydro Power Smart Lighting Redesign Award for the Vancouver Convention Centre Exhibition Areas Lighting Upgrade (2019).

Many are unaware that our Senior Electrical Designer’s career literally began by accident. After being hit while driving his motorcycle, he was unable to return to his previous physically demanding job. Andrew then studied Marketing Management and found employment at a manufacturer of luminaries and lamps, where he began to learn basic lighting design programs. The rest, as they say, is history. After working at an electrical wholesaler and starting his own business, he joined Prism in August 1994.

As Andrew recently celebrated his 30th anniversary at Prism, we sat down with him to reflect on the growth of the Electrical Team, his favourite projects, and what he enjoys most about this job, among other topics. Here are the highlights of that conversation:

Building the Electrical Team

“When I first joined Prism, it was only Brian O’Donnell, Robert Greenwald, Casey Gaetz, and a couple of part-time employees. Basically, the electrical team was just Casey and I. Our work complemented each other.

Casey was good with programming, so we started developing a customized spreadsheet for lighting analysis. What started as a 20-page spreadsheet then became a database. He had all the formulas and a level of software knowledge that I didn’t have, but I was able to build up all of the backend information. In fact, we provided BC Hydro with our systems wattage tables for their use years ago.

I worked with Casey on electrical designs and power factor correction, using and expanding our knowledge of lighting. We continued taking Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) courses and working with manufacturers to share concerns about their products, especially for retrofits. We often told them when we were facing a specific problem, and they would listen to us and then change their products.”

 Andrew amongst the files in 2003.

Prism’s difference

“Some competitors want to enter the electrical and lighting upgrade world but lack experience. They haven’t worked with product innovation. Prism has that experience. We know the regulations and the requirements. Our innovative work with clients, manufacturers, and contractors has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve.”

What makes a good lighting project

“Lighting is 50% science and 50% art. You can’t do a good job if you can’t marry the two. At Prism, we can bring those two aspects together. To deliver a successful project, one must stand in the middle of the space and be able to visualize what the result will be. If I can turn things around and change the entire building to get the necessary results, that is where the real fun is!”

Memorable projects

Richmond Olympic Oval

The Grand Hall ceiling at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

“For this lighting upgrade, we started experimenting, doing mock-ups and testing to see the impact of different lighting systems and optics. It was challenging because they had an ice rink, which causes different reflectivity, and basketball courts, which have highly specular surfaces, so we had to be very careful to watch out for glare and impacts of surface colours on results.

They also had a climbing wall, where we needed to avoid shadows, and a running track with two tones of blue. All of this is in just one big space with 14 different zones that needed control, both together as one space or as individual zones with differing illumination needs. We had to make a cohesive lighting system work, and in a building with a beautiful wood ceiling that curves from 55 feet to a peak of 72 feet.

For our verification, we would go to the Olympic Oval at night, turning off all the lights except for the mock-up lights and testing three manufacturers’ lights at a time. I would literally lie on the floor on my stomach, stretched out with the light meter open in front of me, checking in multiple sections to see what the illumination levels were. And then, repeat the process with the next product mock-up. We discovered which systems and optics worked and which didn’t.”

NAV Canada Surrey’s Area Control Centre

“NAV Canada was in the process of adopting a new way of controlling and tracking planes, similar to looking at iPads. In other words, they had a specular surface that showed glare. I worked on the lighting of the room to get the ratios of maximum to minimum as low as possible, with gradients being smooth and even.

In addition, each air traffic controller worked with seven screens in front of them. They had to be able to track all of the aircraft, especially when they were going from one screen to another. The lighting had to be even, with no hot spots or glare, since it could create a dot on the screen, blocking a transponder signal from a plane and making it invisible.

To make things harder, our work had to comply with various and sometimes conflicting lighting regulations required by navigation authorities. In the end, we managed to get the gradient even, and the light was flat across the room. This means the light on one side of the room was exactly the same as in the middle and on the other side of the room. Also, the controllers could adjust the lighting levels to meet the preferences of individual groups of controller teams on different shifts.”
NAV Canada Control Centre: Same lighting across the room
with no hotspots or glare.

The fun part of the job

“There is always an opportunity to try something we haven’t done before in electrical design and lighting. It’s exciting to pioneer something, play with it, see what works and what doesn’t, and try to figure out a better way of doing it. It is the aspect of curiosity, treating buildings and systems as big Lego sets. Many clients have trusted us to take care of their buildings. I enjoy it when that happens because we can experiment with different options, doing mock-ups and sample testing.

For those willing to work in the industry, it doesn’t matter what area of the electrical field tweaks your interest. If you want to work in lighting, electrical distribution, fire alarms or photovoltaics, go for it! Go out into the field, get your hands dirty and find what intrigues you.”

Andrew (seriously) testing luminaire samples. They passed!

Inspiration outside the office

“Family, grandkids, travel, and exploring genealogy are huge aspects of my life. I also like to run around with my Harley Davidson Low Rider. Motorcycling has been part of my life since my early 20s. That involvement led me to support Bikers Against Child Abuse, which I now have for more than five years. Supporting people in their lives gives me an opportunity to give back and to provide service to others. I also love nature and gardening. And I started Tae Kwon Do at 55. I have been able to achieve two black belts and I’m slowly working up the ranks now toward my third Dan. I’ll probably be about 70 when I get it.”

On the left, Andrew and Grand Master Gee (Mark Gildemeester) at Master Gee’s Blackbelt Academy in Burnaby.

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Electrical Services

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.

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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.

Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is a holistic approach to energy management that enables organizations to achieve long-term, persistent energy savings and carbon emission reductions. Instead of managing energy projects one by one, SEM provides a framework and the tools to manage energy in a coordinated and strategic way. This helps to increase profitability, create a competitive advantage, and achieve greater resiliency. Despite its proven benefits, several myths persist, often hindering SEM’s adoption and implementation.

To tackle those misconceptions, our SEM Team has put together some of the most common myths about SEM and addresses each one with facts. Our goal with this list is to help you understand how SEM can work for your organization.

Let’s get started!

Myth 1: SEM is only for large organizations.

Fact: Many believe that only large organizations with substantial budgets and resources can implement SEM effectively. In reality, SEM principles and practices can be scaled to fit organizations of all sizes. Small and medium-sized organizations can also reap significant benefits by adopting SEM practices tailored to their specific needs and capacities.

From industrial mining operations to education to property management, Prism works with organizations of varying sizes and industries. Read examples of our work here.

Myth 2: SEM requires a significant upfront investment.

Fact: There is a misconception that SEM necessitates large initial capital expenditures. While some energy efficiency projects may require upfront investments, many SEM activities focus on “low-cost” and “no-cost” opportunities, such as operational improvements, behavioural changes, and better energy management practices.

One of the best places for an organization to start its SEM journey is by conducting an Energy Management Assessment (EMA). Using tools developed by Prism, we facilitate a workshop to assess an organization’s current energy management practices, understand its future goals, and develop an action plan for how to get there.

Myth 3: SEM is only about reducing energy consumption.

Fact: While improving energy performance and reducing emissions is at the heart of SEM, it is about so much more. SEM aims to create a culture of continuous improvement and strategic decision-making related to energy use. SEM also creates many “non energy benefits”, such as enhanced environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, increased staff engagement and job retention, reduced financial risk, and improved maintenance procedures.

Myth 4: Energy management is solely the responsibility of the Facilities Team.

Fact: Effective SEM practices require involvement and commitment across the entire organization. It is a multidisciplinary effort that includes management, finance, operations, and employees at all levels. Engaging a broad range of stakeholders ensures that energy management is integrated into the organization’s culture and processes. This can take time to achieve, but the benefits are immense, and Prism can help you with this.

In a sense, SEM is a team sport. Check out this article in which Robert Greenwald, P.Eng. and President of Prism Engineering, compares an energy management team to a hockey team.

Myth 5: SEM is a one-time project.

Fact: SEM is not a one-off initiative but an ongoing process of continuous improvement. It involves making a plan and setting targets, regularly assessing energy performance, implementing measures, monitoring results, and making necessary adjustments. The cyclical nature of SEM ensures that organizations can adapt and improve their energy management strategies over time, as seen in Figure 1 below.

Learn more about how Prism can help your organization develop a Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) that goes beyond short-term goals.

Figure 1: Strategic Energy Management continuous improvement process

Myth 6: SEM does not provide immediate benefits.

Fact: Some organizations hesitate to adopt SEM because they believe the benefits will take a long time to materialize. While a SEM program is a long-term investment, many SEM practices can lead to immediate energy savings and cost reductions. Furthermore, quick wins and early successes can build momentum and justify further investment in energy management efforts.

One of the first steps we often take with an organization is a “Treasure Hunt,” also known as an Energy Scan. This interactive activity can help identify and implement quick wins in an organization.

Myth 7: Technology alone can solve energy and carbon management challenges.

Fact: While advanced technologies and systems can significantly enhance energy and carbon management and are a key aspect of SEM, they are not a silver bullet. Effective SEM requires a combination of technology, strategic planning and, of course, people. Engagement, buy-in and training are crucial for success.

Learn more about how Prism’s Coaching for Energy Managers and Energy Management Training programs can support employee engagement and organizational change.

Prism is here to support your organization’s success.

We hope that by dispelling these myths, organizations can better understand the true nature and benefits of Strategic Energy Management (SEM) and take more informed steps toward its implementation.

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Strategic Energy Management (SEM)

See project examples
SEM projects

We are thrilled to welcome Chris Fontaine as our new Electrical Team Co-Leader and Associate at Prism. Chris brings a wealth of project experience, technical expertise, strong client relationships, and exceptional team leadership skills to our organization.

Chris’s return to Prism, where he began his career as a co-op student in 2011, marks an exciting development for our Electrical Team. Now, as an experienced leader and mentor, he will work alongside Casey Gaetz, our long-standing Electrical Team Leader. Together, they will co-lead the Electrical Team, ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service and expertise.

“We are extremely excited about this leadership addition. Welcoming Chris back to Prism strengthens our team and underscores our dedication to excellence,” says Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering.

“This strategic leadership duo combines Casey’s extensive knowledge and experience with Chris’s fresh perspective and innovative approach. This partnership ensures our clients benefit from a robust blend of experience, creativity, and a commitment to excellence on current and future projects,” he adds.

The commitment to excellence and high-quality engineering design are among the reasons Chris chose to return to Prism. During the interview phase, he was pleasantly surprised to see many of the employees he first met during his co-op placement 13 years ago.

“I knew there was something special here at Prism to be able to retain such talented people. It also made the decision to rejoin that much easier, as it felt like returning home after a long-extended trip abroad,” says Chris.

As an Associate, Chris will play a key role in driving quality assurance, business development, and the growth and development of our junior team members.

“My passion lies in continuous learning and collaborating with other team members while having fun doing it,” says Chris. “I hope my past project experience and mentorship can help our team members just like I had great mentors during my early years,” he adds.

Experience in Electrical Engineering Design

Chris Fontaine’s extensive electrical engineering design experience in various sectors makes him a valuable asset to our team and clients.

Over the years, Chris has led various high-profile projects, including providing electrical engineering design for Tesla Supercharger electrical vehicle (EV) deployments across Western Canada, acting as base building electrical engineer for Cadillac Fairview at Pacific Centre and Hudson Pacific Properties at Bentall Centre and developing EV Charging technical guidelines for the Capital Regional District.

His diverse background includes working in various senior roles on a wide range of project types and sizes. This ranges from small-scale planning exercises for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs), to new office tower construction in the Metro Vancouver region, to a billion-dollar redevelopment for Burnaby Hospital, among others.

Chris is excited to continue “Changing Systems for a Better World”:

“When your projects have a critical purpose for the future of our planet, and the team members involved are passionate about this purpose, it leads to additional energy and ability amongst the team members. That team energy can be harnessed to achieve amazing results, which no individual could have accomplished alone. Having sustainability specialists, energy managers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and a number of industry experts within their fields under one roof here at Prism really does provide the right ingredients for success,” he explains.

Outside of work, Chris has a passion for running. He has already joined Prism’s Thursday evening training sessions and is currently training for his first 100km ultra-marathon race in August. He also enjoys many other outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, trail running, and backcountry skiing.

Please join us in welcoming Chris to the team!

Prism is here to support your organization’s success.

Connect with Chris
Send him a message

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Read more about our services
Electrical Services

Buildings play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. In British Columbia, residential and commercial buildings account for 12% of the province’s total emissions.¹ Most of these emissions come from natural gas used for heating, as well as the materials and fuels used in the construction phase.² As local governments implement regulations to meet upcoming emission reduction targets, builders and property owners need practical and cost-efficient solutions that reduce their properties’ emissions without compromising on design or comfort.

Legislation for new construction

In May 2023, the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) implemented legislation requiring all new residential homes to meet an energy performance standard of Step 3, or at least 20% more efficient than a 2018 baseline building defined by the BC Building Code (as seen in Figure 1). To support the adoption of the new regulation across both regions, the districts contacted Prism Engineering to help them develop resources to demonstrate and communicate how builders and new homes can meet this standard.

Figure 1: Energy Step Code for new home construction. Source: BC Energy Step Code.

Identifying energy-efficient design features

With funding from FortisBC for the project, Prism visited five houses in Castlegar, Grand Forks, Nelson, and Rossland to identify key design features that helped the buildings achieve Step Code requirements. To support this research, the homeowners and builders provided as-built documentation, building energy modelling data, and construction phase photos. Our team then synthesized this data and onsite findings to create an Energy Step Code Case Study for each building (as seen in Figure 2).

“We conducted interviews with both builders and homeowners and reviewed each building’s documentation and energy model files to gather information on the design, construction and energy performance of each of the houses studied,” says Matt Swallow, an Energy Management Engineer-in-Training based at our Nelson office.

Figure 2: “Achieving Step Code” case studies, prepared by Prism Engineering, highlight five high-performance residential homes.

“Once we identified the information needed, our team created factsheets that included important design features, a summary of building equipment, details on the building envelope construction, insights from both the builder and homeowner, as well as a table outlining key energy performance metrics. These components help to demonstrate how each building achieved its respective Step Code level,” he explains.

Higher energy efficiency without compromise

This work demonstrates the ability to build energy-efficient homes that produce fewer emissions, do not compromise on design or comfort, and cost a relatively small amount more to construct.

One of the case studies, for example, describes a traditional, single-family home in Rossland that is 50% more energy efficient than a comparative 2018 baseline building. This significant improvement in energy efficiency was achieved with only a 5% cost increase compared to a traditionally built house. Similarly, a second case study describes a single-family dwelling in Grand Forks that is 42% more energy-efficient, and incurred just a 4% cost increase.

These case studies illustrate how even small investment upgrades can substantially improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. They also highlight other “non-energy” benefits to homeowners, such as improved comfort and reduced utility costs.

Knowledge is power

These case studies will help RDCK and RDKB support the new construction industry to meet legislative requirements. Moreover, they will assist builders and homeowners in making informed decisions to save energy, based on research and tested experiences.

Read the five case studies on the RDCK website.

Learn more about B.C.’s Energy Step Code
Energy Step Code

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1 “Tracking emissions from buildings,” Clean BC, accessed on May 8, 2024.
2 Ibid.

Scandinavia is renowned for its advanced economic and social development, top-notch education system, and strong social security network. The region also stands out for its innovative approaches to combating climate change.

Robert Greenwald, P.Eng. and President of Prism Engineering, recently visited Denmark, Sweden, and Norway to witness firsthand how these countries have achieved impressive success in transitioning to a low-carbon future while maintaining high living standards for their people.

“I was deeply inspired by the remarkable initiatives they have undertaken to combat climate change, particularly their focus on transportation,” says Robert.

“In Copenhagen, I was impressed by how the biking culture and revitalized waterways transformed the city’s landscape. Stockholm’s extensive subway network enhanced the passengers’ experience by transforming the stations into captivating art exhibits. And in Norway, I witnessed firsthand the country’s leadership in electric vehicle (EV) adoption.”

Electric tram and art exhibit in subway station in Stockholm; bikers in Copenhagen.

Today, transportation is responsible for 16% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which makes it one of the world’s largest source of emissions pollution¹. These emissions come from burning fossil fuels, such as diesel and gasoline, in internal combustion engine vehicles used in cars, trucks, buses, ships, and planes.

To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, organizations must accelerate their transition to zero-emission electric or alternative fuel transportation.

“An organization’s fleet can make up a large proportion of its total GHG emissions,” says Julianne Pickrell-Barr, Climate Action Specialist at Prism Engineering.

“That’s why we need to take electrification seriously. Transportation is an area of operations that can be decarbonized fairly quickly in many cases due to the relatively short replacement cycles of vehicles compared with other assets like buildings or process equipment,” she adds.

Learn more about our Transportation Decarbonization Planning services

Electric ferries in Norway

During his trip to Scandinavia, Robert noted the use of electric passenger ferries in Norway’s fjords as an exciting example of how these countries are embracing electrification.

“These ferries have been operating for over 5 years. They can carry up to 400 passengers with a maximum range of 2.5 hours, travelling 16 knots for 40 nautical miles before requiring a recharge. It was a smooth and quiet ride, and passengers were not exposed to the diesel exhaust fumes that are common in vessels of this size, with much less impact on the local environment,” he explains.

Robert was so inspired by what he saw while navigating through the fjords that he asked for a tour of the ferry’s operating system. We are excited to share a few highlights and learnings from that amazing experience.

Naeroyfjord in Norway, electric ferry, and boat charging station.

Join Robert on a tour of an electric ferry in action:

Watch an overview of sustainability initiatives in Scandinavia:

¹“Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse gas emissions come from?”, Our World in Data, accessed February 20, 2024.

Last month, Prism Engineering celebrated Casey Gaetz’s 30th anniversary with the company. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered to thank him for his hard work and commitment over the years. The event was a lot of fun, with a hilarious tribute video by the Electrical team, a delicious meal featuring some of his favourites (Greek food and Black Forest cake) and lots of laughter.

We sat down with Casey, our Electrical Team leader, to learn more about the influences that led him to build a career in electrical design, his early years at Prism, and his contributions to the expansion of the Prism electrical services portfolio. We also talked about how much he has valued working with his team over the years to respond to evolving industry demands.

Left to right: Black Forest cake and a tribute to Casey during a company meeting. 

Early interest in electrical design

Born and raised in Ontario, Casey became interested in electrical design at a young age, as his father worked as an electrical inspector for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II and as a building engineer for Sears. “I grew up surrounded by the electrical equipment he used for work,” he remembers.

Casey moved West after more than 15 years of experience at one of the largest engineering firms in Toronto at that time, having worked on several big projects, such as the Toronto Eaton Centre, TD Centre, CNE Buildings, Metro Toronto Zoo, and the Toronto Sky Dome, among many others. He had also worked as a sales and engineering manager at a lighting manufacturing company.

“But after all this time, I was getting a little itchy. I wanted to see what else the world had to offer”, he admits. As he began looking for new opportunities, a colleague introduced him to Brian O’Donnell, P.Eng., who had founded Prism Engineering three years earlier. “I was told Brian was looking for an electrical-type person to join his firm. The interview was probably the most casual anyone could image. We had dinner together, and he convinced me to come to Vancouver to test the job for a week”, he reminisces.

The rest is history. Casey left Ontario with his wife and three children on Boxing Day in 1993 under temperatures below 30°C and drove for several days across the USA until they finally reached the West Coast. “As we drove down the mountains, we saw green everywhere. It was like we were heading to paradise,” he remembers.

A young Casey in Ontario, before moving to B.C.

Expanding the electrical portfolio

“It was a small office on the second floor above a restaurant in Burnaby Heights,” recalls Casey about his first days working at Prism Engineering. “It was a bit rough; we didn’t even have air conditioning in the summer, and all the computers were not even connected to a server,” he jokes.

The cramped structure of the office didn’t make him regret it. “Since the beginning, Prism sounded very professional,” he notes. “That first week I spent here convinced me this was real business, with big clients such as Canadian Airlines (Air Canada) and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). I knew we had potential, and that energy savings was an exciting and growing field to explore,” he adds.

As he took on the role, Casey began by expanding Prism’s services in electrical design and lighting system upgrades, in the wake of new technologies emerging in the industry. From there, Casey and his growing team continued to look for opportunities for their clients. In partnership with BC Hydro, for example, they developed building Electrical Distribution System Optimization (EDSO) standards to optimize electrical systems and reduce clients’ energy consumption. This is now part of BC Hydro’s systems
standards for substations.

Recently, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shut down operations (and buildings) for several months, Casey and his team approached building managers to conduct assessments of their electrical distribution systems, including emergency systems, lighting and fire alarms.

Casey in Prism’s first office in Burnaby Heights.

Key projects

Looking back, Casey is proud of how the Electrical Team has helped clients achieve substantial results in energy savings and carbon reduction. This has been possible through the development of a holistic suite of electrical services from design to implementation.

In lighting, the team has earned industry recognition by undertaking award-winning projects for the Richmond Olympic Oval, the Vancouver Convention Centre and NAV Canada’s Surrey Area Control Centre, among others.

Left to right: Richmond Olympic Oval, the Vancouver Convention Centre and NAV Canada’s Surrey Area Control Centre.

Other projects are remembered for their uniqueness, such as the Solar PV system for the University of Fraser Valley (UFV), which demonstrated Prism’s expertise in the new and growing area of photovoltaics. Or, for example, many upgrades to electrical distribution and emergency generator projects throughout BC.

To keep the team focused, Casey likes to remind them of the role of consultants. “We are consulting engineers. It’s no surprise that the word ‘consultant’ comes before ‘engineer,’” he likes to say. “We must work with the client to assess their needs and budget, and determine and present the good, better, and best solution so they can make a logical decision and move forward,” he explains.

Looking ahead

As the industry becomes increasingly focused on carbon reduction via options such as fuel-switching, Casey and his team are focused on what this means for Prism’s clients. One outcome he sees is a greater demand for services starting with Facility Condition Assessments (FCA), which also includes Electrical Systems Assessments. Existing buildings need to be assessed for their capacity to meet these changes and evaluated for their ability to undergo necessary system upgrades.

In addition to FCA, Casey has structured the team around two other key service areas to meet future industry demands: EV Charging and Solar PV. These add to the solid expertise Prism has developed in Lighting Audits and Design, Lighting Controls, and Electrical Distribution and Emergency Generators.

Although each team member has specific knowledge in certain areas, Casey likes to create opportunities for everyone on the team to stay up to date with all services so they can provide support when needed. He encourages his team to stay ahead of the game and seek out new learning opportunities.

“We need to look beyond today by understanding what the industry is currently doing and how those changes will impact our work tomorrow,” he says.

Casey himself is always on the lookout for new learning experiences. Recently, he went on an expedition cruise to Antarctica with other industry professionals to see firsthand the impacts of climate change on wildlife and the local environment. The impact of this experience has inspired him to continue asking “what can I do next?” to help clients with the challenges ahead.

Casey talking with clients during Prism’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Related Services
Electrical Services

Related Resources
University of Fraser Valley | Solar Photovoltaics System
Richmond Olympic Oval | Event Hall Lighting Upgrade
Vancouver Convention Centre Award-winning Lighting Upgrades (PDF)
Prism wins Awards of Merit for Lighting Design at NAV Canada
Rocky Mountain SD No. 6: Operations and Maintenance Fleet is Ready to Go Electric
Electrical Assessment Reports: Your Roadmap to EV Charging