Supporting Staff Engagement in the Commercial Sector

Over the last 14 years, we have had the opportunity to support over 60 organizations in the commercial sector with their staff engagement and behaviour change programs.

Last summer, we co-authored a white paper with Paul Seo, Program Manager at BC Hydro, for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 2020 Summer Study about this work. 

Those of us working in the energy management understand that, as detailed in the paper, “engaging staff through behaviour change initiatives is a core component of any effective Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program.  To successfully transition an organization towards a culture of energy efficiency, building operators, staff, stakeholders and leadership need to be engaged in the process of integrating energy management practices into the organization’s policies and practices.” 

Interestingly, “there are few examples of utility demand side (DSM) management programs, [both in Canada and globally,] dedicated specifically to supporting commercial customers in designing and implementing staff and leadership engagement initiatives.”

BC Hydro and FortisBC are leaders in this regard, and we are grateful for our continued partnership with them in delivering these innovative behaviour change programs.

Read the white paper to learn more about the history of behaviour change programs in BC here.

If you ever get the chance to meet the full Prism team, one of the first things you will notice is the diverse pool of talent that makes up our 50-person company. From engineering solutions to strategic planning, we apply our collective knowledge and experience to help our clients meet their sustainability objectives.

Our team continues to grow, and we are pleased to welcome Charlene Ponto to our Sustainability Team.

Our Sustainability Team Lead, Sarah Smith, shares: “Charlene brings with her a wealth of experience in sustainability planning and reporting, public engagement and strategic communications, key skills for helping organizations advance their sustainability goals.  I know our clients will really benefit from her expertise and enthusiasm for this work.”

Charlene says what drew her to Prism was the wide range of sectors our consulting firm serves and the ability to make an impact.

“I have always been passionate about working with communities and organizations to advance social and environmental change,” she says. With over 12 years of experience leading a diverse range of sustainability projects and programs, Charlene brings a strong background in working with stakeholders to increase engagement and foster innovation.

“Prism has a strong set of clients from a wide range of sectors, including advanced education, health authorities, business, industrial, utilities, K-12 and across all levels of municipal, provincial and federal government,” Charlene says. “I’m excited to join the team and help build capacity across sectors to advance our clients’ sustainability and climate action goals.”

Since joining Prism, Charlene has been working on projects with a diverse range of clients. These include sustainability strategy development for school districts, energy conservation coaching programs in the advanced education sector, sustainability reporting and strategy development for energy utilities, and sustainability and communications plan development for the federal government.

Outside of work, Charlene enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, and road trips on the beautiful west coast. When the pandemic is behind us and COVID-19 restrictions ease up, travelling will also be on top of the wish list.

In these unprecedented times where work is reimagined and mostly taking place remotely, Charlene’s proven ability to build partnerships and lead multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder teams in highly complex environments will be of great value to Prism and our clients.

We are excited to share that Hamid Samani joins Prism Engineering’s leadership team as our newest Prism Associate.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Hamid eagerly shares his mechanical engineering expertise and goes above and beyond to help meet client objectives.

Amidst a challenging and dynamic year, colleagues across multiple Prism teams have often turned to him for mentorship and support.

His genuine smile and passion for his work are contagious, making him a pleasure to work with.

Together with Hamid, the Prism team looks forward to helping our clients create a greener, more energy efficient world.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) recently launched a new Sustainability Vision, that outlines nine strategies to leverage the institute’s strengths and create a clear path for sustainability progress.

Overview

BCIT hired Prism to help facilitate an in-person and online community engagement process to gather input on the draft Sustainability Vision and Strategies from BCIT’s diverse group of stakeholders. Working closely with the Institute Sustainability team in fall 2019, Prism supported the design and delivery of a series of consultation initiatives, including multiple open house events and online surveys. Through the process, almost 800 people shared ideas, input and inspiration that helped refine the vision and strategies.

Consultation Process

With Prism’s support, BCIT hosted six open houses – one at each of the institute’s five campuses, as well as one at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation. The events featured a set of large-format posters, created by Prism that:

• shared the draft vision and strategies,
• were used to create a space to gather input from participants, and
• provided information on the context for the work and why BCIT is committed to continuing progress on embedding sustainability into organizational practices.

Prism also developed and conducted several online surveys to gather input from diverse campus and external stakeholders. The surveys allowed campus stakeholders to provide input even if they couldn’t attend one of the open houses.

Analyzing Results

The final Engagement and Consultation Report collated over 550 comments from students, staff and faculty. It grouped the comments into key themes and ideas that helped to inform updates to the Vision and nine sustainability strategies.

Launched in April 2020, BCIT’s new Sustainability Vision will guide the institute’s sustainability plans and actions through the coming years. To echo the document’s title, it will enable ”people to lead socially just lives within ecological limits.”

The global importance of climate change has shifted the focus from energy and cost reductions to carbon reduction. In a paper published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), we shared specific case studies of deep carbon retrofits and summarized some key lessons learned.

For over 30 years, commercial energy audits have been the cornerstone of energy reduction programs for existing buildings.  In the last several years, the shifted focus to reducing carbon has resulted in a new approach to exploring and implementing deep carbon retrofits. As the lead author of the paper, Robert Greenwald, our President, had the pleasure of presenting some of the highlights at the virtual ACEEE conference in August 2020.

The paper’s highlights included:

• A comparison of energy audits and deep carbon retrofit studies in the commercial sector
• A sample scope of work for a deep carbon retrofit study
• Objectives and benefits of a deep carbon retrofit to shift the mindset of practitioners and building owners
• The practical challenges of implementing deep carbon retrofits
• Considerations for fuel switching and electrification
• Lessons from deep carbon retrofits

Successful case studies resulting in carbon reductions of 50-90% are also shared, including:

1. Kitsilano Community Centre and Arena Heat Recovery
2. Pacific Environmental Sciences Centre Mechanical Upgrades and Stakeholder Engagement
3. Langara College Building A Deep Retrofit

We want to thank Craig Edwards, Energy & Utilities Manager of City of Vancouver, Iram Green, Energy Team Lead of Prism Engineering, and Sam Thomas, Nelson Branch Manager of Prism Engineering for their contributions to this paper.

The BOMA e-Energy Online Training program has a new look this fall.  With refreshed content, a customized module selection and the ability to access the course from your tablet or smartphone, BOMA e-Energy is now easier to use and more cost effective.

Prism developed the BOMA e-Energy Training program in partnership with Building Owners and Managers Association BC (BOMA BC) to help building operators, building engineers and facility managers save energy. The program enables you to develop skills and knowledge to identify energy reduction opportunities, formulate strategies and influence stakeholders to adopt energy savings behaviours.

With the modules delivered online in a self-learning format, you can learn at your own pace anywhere there’s an Internet connection. 

New this year is the ability for the program to be purchased in 11 separate modules. From Energy Basics to Building Controls or to Selling the Project, you can select topics that are a priority for your facility or personal learning plan and enroll in one module at a time.

Each module includes interactive exercises and quizzes to help you understand key concepts.

All 11 buncldes can also be purchased for a single bundle price. 

“I’ve been a building engineer for a long while, but I still learned a lot from the course – like new ways to communicate with tenants about saving energy, tips on properly insulating boilers and steam valves, and new options in lighting. The course gave me a better understanding of the big picture when it comes to energy management. It also had some great case studies and calculators to show the results of, for example, raising or lowering building temperature by half a degree.”

Read testimonials from other course graduates and learn more about BOMA’s e-Energy Training here.

It felt out-of-place to celebrate Prism’s 30th birthday this past May amidst a global pandemic. While COVID-19 continues to impact how we live, we are grateful to be in a position where we can continue to do our work. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone that we work and collaborate with for your incredible support and contributions over the past thirty years.

In the words of our President, Robert Greenwald, “Prism has grown because our clients feel we can add value and make a difference. The collective impact on climate change is a key goal and a definition of success for us.”

“I really wanted Prism to be a player in helping the industry move forward,” shares Brian O’Donnell, our Founder. What started as a small business venture in 1990 has now grown to be a team of over 45 talented and passionate professionals working for the cause of sustainability and energy management.

We would not be where we are today without you. Thank you for being part of our journey.

Reminisce with us

Scroll through our slideshow below:

Reflections and thoughts from the Prism and PUMA teams

We surveyed team members and asked them to share their thoughts.

Looking back over Prism’s 30-year history, what are you most proud of?

“I am proud of the respect that Prism employees have built over the years. Whether meeting past or current clients, attending industry events, or working with suppliers and agents, there is hardly ever a time that someone doesn’t have something good to say about their experience with Prism’s staff and Prism’s contributions to the development of forward-thinking, energy savings focused consulting engineering in Vancouver and BC.”
-Alison Bodine, Electrical Designer

“The strong bond with clients and our designers is something I have always loved. The friendships that have been built over the past 30 years are strong, honest and unconditional.”
-Maia Lutze-Penco, Mechanical Designer

“I am most proud of how Prism has, over the years, cultivated its culture of care- for its employees, for its clients, and for the environment. 2020 has been a challenging year so far, especially with the global pandemic, and the way the company and its leadership has responded speaks a lot about how this culture is lived and how it serves as a compass that guides its decisions and actions.”
-Lyn Papio, Employee Experience Specialist

“We have been listening to our clients’ needs and responding to the industry as it shifts. It has been about thinking forward in terms of what we need to do to serve our purpose.”
-Sarah Smith, Principal and Sustainability Team Leader

“I am proud of the way our work at Prism has become increasing valuable to our clients. In my 31 years on earth, I have seen the increasing recognition of the importance of climate change and energy conservation. Prism saw the value early on and played a major role in developing and shaping the industry in BC.”
-Ari Spiegel, Energy Engineer

“Focus on reducing GHGs. What we have achieved in terms of GHG reductions directly, and by increasing awareness through our day-to-day work, as well as training.”
-Duncan Wilcock, Client Services Lead for PUMA Utility Monitoring

What do you hope Prism will accomplish in the next 30 years?

“(Prism) will continue to be thought of as leaders and experts in improving and modernizing existing buildings throughout Western Canada who can be relied upon for innovative, practical, and sustainable engineering solutions.”
-Adam Franklin, Electrical Engineer

“Maintain our focus on continuous improvement both on a personal level as well as work efficiency. I hope we will continue to grow and possibly expand across BC and potentially across Canada to save more energy and contribute to our environment, which is our legacy for our future generations.”
-Bartjan Kiers, Senior Mechanical Designer

“I hope that the spirit of Prism stays with anyone who has the opportunity to be part of the team, whether it be as a client or employee. I want to say in 30 years that I was part of the Prism legacy.”
-Maia Lutze-Penco, Mechanical Designer

“To be able to continue to diversify and grow but still maintain the same close office community.”
-Dave Roberts, Mechanical Engineer

“To continue the same work and reach many more organizations and turn these great ideas into more construction projects.”
-Hamid Samani, Senior Mechanical Engineer

“Continue to be seen as partners and collaborators, working with our clients to face the big challenges ahead.”
-Sarah Smith, Principal and Sustainability Team Leader

Paying it forward

It is clearer today than ever before that we each play a key role building a greener, more sustainable future. In honour of our 30th anniversary, we wanted to make an impact by investing in our communities and contributing to a green recovery in whatever way we can. Therefore, Prism staff have collectively selected the following programs to support and provide funding for:

1. The Clean Energy program at Ecotrust Canada advocates for ending energy poverty in rural, remote and indigenous communities and helping them build an economy that provides for a healthy and resilient natural environment. Specifically, within BC, the funds will go to replacing diesel furnaces in on-reserve homes with air-source heat pumps powered by clean energy. Their vision and approach align with Prism’s core value of creating a greener, more efficient world.
2. The Union Gospel Mission’s Meal Program serves approximately 800 meals a day, 364 days a year to men, women and children. Meals are available to anyone who needs one and no one is turned away. UGM’s Red Seal certified chefs ensures guests receive highly nutritious and delicious meals that are balanced and always served hot. The Prism family recognizes and values how connected we all are. Providing meals to one of the most vulnerable segments of our population is one way we’d like to give back to our community.
3. The Langara 49 Women in Science program provides philanthropic support, resources, and mentorship to prepare female students for a successful STEM career. As a cause close to our hearts, Prism will fund a scholarship to help women in engineering access this program.

These programs were chosen based on how well they align with Prism’s core values and resonate with the Prism family. We hope our contributions will support local BC communities and contribute to sustainable and positive change.

Sign our guestbook

We want to invite you to continue being a part of our story.

Please share your thoughts and ideas on what you hope Prism will achieve in the next 30 years via this Kudoboard.

Any anecdotes, photos or comments are also welcome, of course!

Last month, Premier John Horgan launched a six-week consultation with British Columbians to help shape the province’s economic recovery plan. Prism shared our thoughts as a member of the Catalyst business coalition.

On behalf of Prism, our President, Robert Greenwald, suggested that municipalities are a critical component on the path to a more resilient, lower-carbon economy. Within these municipalities, a program to fund low carbon, deep retrofits to arenas would be a significant opportunity for impact, as they account for approximately 40% of a municipality’s operational greenhouse gas emissions.

More broadly, the incentives for schools, municipalities, government and even advanced education are not nearly enough to offset the costs of the low carbon electrification (LCE) work needed to make significant GHG reductions. Hospitals have more viable projects due to their extended operating hours (incentives are based on GHG reductions, which depend on operating hours). However, CleanBC funding is limited for sites with shorter operating hours.

Furthermore, incentives need to increase to make a difference in the commercial sector. Although programs already exist, the dollar amount per tonne needs to increase to make it viable for participants.

Resources to learn more

Globally, there is an abundance of resources available regarding opportunities for a green recovery. As it relates to the energy efficiency sector, the following five stand out:

Five green infrastructure projects engineers recommend to boost COVID-19 economic recovery (electrical vehicle charging and energy efficiency homes)

Financing renewable energy projects

DSM programs must react to new realities and build for new conditions

The Sustainable Recovery Plan which considers “cost-effective approaches, the circumstances of individual countries, existing pipelines of energy projects, and current market conditions

“Establishing a revolving loan facility of $100 billion for city climate action plan implementation across Canada would provide the level of capital required.”

Navigating new realities

At Prism, there is no “”business as usual”” as we adapt to COVID-19. From our Energy Team exploring ways to leverage virtual technology to conduct energy audits, to our Electrical Team getting our remote access humming so that our designers can continue to work on CAD drawings from home, we are all experimenting with ways to adapt. Not only have our meetings gone online, but facilitation by our Sustainability Team and our training courses have moved to online delivery as well. 

As we navigate these new realities, we continue to look for ways to ground ourselves and focus on what we do know. Building our resilience means cultivating our capacity to navigate change and uncertainty – as individuals, as a company, and as a community. With our focus on efficiency and sustainability, we can respond proactively to the vulnerabilities that this pandemic has surfaced, including how we design and monitor our building systems to be more resilient.

Desigining adaptive systems

Hamid Samani, Prism Senior Mechanical Engineer, shares some reflections on how COVID-19 is teaching us that we need to be more innovative in our design so that our systems are more adaptive to change in the surrounding environment. “Being a mechanical engineer and designing buildings’ mechanical services including HVAC, air and plumbing systems, our design can affect the occupant from the air that they breathe to the water they drink or consume for sanitary use.”

Samani says redundancy and adaptivity will be vital as equipment failure can happen at any time. Ensuring there is adequate redundancy in equipment in place to come online when operating equipment fails will be one key consideration going forward. To increase adaptivity, designs may include installing monitoring systems for air quality and filtration, and controls systems for more consistent and reliable response to changing conditions.

Acting now for the future

Many people are also drawing parallels from how we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and how we respond to other challenges like climate change. Climate change adaptation measures for buildings improve our overall comfort, safety and business continuity. They may include installing monitoring systems for air quality and filtration, and controls systems for more consistent and reliable response to changing conditions. As we carry out vulnerability risk assessments to identify critical equipment and processes to address, we are reminded to think broadly about the impact of these changes and how connected we are. The more resilient our buildings become, the more resilient our communities can be. 

Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to re-evaluate our building systems and create more robust infrastructure capable of responding to new challenges. Whether in the context of public health or climate change, prevention is better than cure⁴. It is more economical and safer to reduce our environmental footprint today rather than to figure out how to deal with the consequences of our inaction. We each have a role to play. We are grateful to be part of an industry with a long history of innovation and problem-solving, through collaboration and harnessing our collective wisdom and insight. 

Learning together

Have you experienced a renewed interest in increasing the adaptability and bolstering the resiliency of your systems?
We invite you to add your insights here and grow this conversation so that we can learn together.