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.
Prism is here to support your organization’s success.
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Recommissioning and Retro-commissioning
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Continuous Optimization