By Topic

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 by 2050.1 This growth will...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The new year is often a time for reflection. We sat down with Prism’s President and Team Leaders to chat about what organizations should consider in 2024 and beyond. With...

Prism Engineering is thrilled to share that we have won the 24th Annual Burnaby Business Excellence Award for Environmental Sustainability!  The winners were announced at a gala ceremony attended by...

We are delighted to announce the opening of our Victoria office space! For more than 30 years, Prism Engineering has provided engineering, energy management and sustainability services to over 120...

In the fall of 2022, the Operations team at Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 contacted Prism Engineering to help them explore the potential to reduce carbon emissions and operating...

In the last couple of years, British Columbians have been impacted by several extreme weather events, including a devastating forest fire near Kelowna last summer and an intense rainfall causing...

We are delighted to share that two new Associates joined the Prism Leadership Team this fall. Prism Associates are individuals with the experience, expertise, and passion to help grow our...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Building strong relationships with our customers is one of Prism’s core values. Our partnership with Langara College is no exception. As a forerunner of energy and emissions reduction in BC,...

The work conducted by Prism Engineering to support organizations in achieving higher energy efficiency while implementing measures to accelerate the decarbonization of their operations has been recognized with six ASHRAE...

For over 80 years, Bulkley Valley Credit Union (BVCU) has provided banking services for families and business owners across Northern BC. Its deeply rooted relationship with local communities dates to...

The fast and unexpected switch to remote work was one of the many immediate effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that the dust has settled, Prism Engineering has adopted a...

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...

Assessing the potential for energy savings is a critical step when moving forward with energy saving opportunities. Although Prism performs calculations in much of the work we do, we wanted...

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...

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...

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...

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...

We are excited to share that we have three new Associates and a new Principal who have joined the Prism leadership team this summer. Prism Associates are individuals with the...

Like many organizations, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has been making great strides in managing energy performance through various plans and initiatives over recent years.  Always looking for ways to continually...

In the summer of 2021, places in B.C. broke temperature records and BC Hydro experienced 19 of its top 25 all-time summer daily peak demand records[1]. The weather caused concern...

How do we change for the better? At Prism, we think about this every day. For us, change means many things. We are known for our work supporting clients with...

The Clean Building Tax Credit supports the CleanBC commitment to reduce provincewide emissions by 40% from 2007 levels and aligns with B.C.’s target to reduce emissions in buildings and communities...

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website this month! Following Prism’s 30th anniversary in 2020 and the start of the global pandemic, it seemed to be...

One of the great things about working as a consultant is the opportunity to be involved in various projects across a diverse range of sectors and settings. In striving to...

With the demand for our services growing in the Okanagan and Southern Interior region, we are proud to announce that our Kelowna office opened for business at the Innovation Centre...

For many in BC, 2021 was a difficult year. From summer wildfires brought on by high temperatures, drought conditions, and fall flooding from extreme rain events, the impacts of a...

January 11, 2022

Join the EV evolution

There were more than 60,000 light-duty electric vehicles (EV) on BC’s roads in 2021. As one of North America’s leaders in EV adoption, the number of EV vehicles in BC...

We are excited to share that we have five new Associates joining the Prism leadership team this fall. Prism Associates are individuals with the experience, expertise, and passion to support our...

Financial support for energy conservation and climate action projects through rebates and incentives is a critical component of helping many projects proceed. However, without knowing which funding options work best...

“As a technician, being able to implement energy saving activities and knowing how to make adjustments for sustainability in our buildings has been very rewarding,” says Bob DePaiva, Colliers Building...

At Prism we recognize that the key to our success is our people. This fall, we are fortunate to have another passionate, experienced sustainability professional join our team. Julianne Pickrell...

Real Property Services (RPS), a branch of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), hired Prism to support their efforts to engage employees in embedding sustainability actions into operations across Canada....

The recent heatwave experienced across the Pacific Northwest saw temperatures reaching 40 C in Vancouver, and even higher in the interior region.  Based on climate modelling, the temperatures we recently...

As part of our 30th anniversary celebration last year, Prism staff voted to fund the Langara 49 Women in Science Scholarship program. This scholarship program provides philanthropic support, resources, and...

As our team continues to grow to meet client needs, we are excited to announce that Richard Senez has joined the Prism team this past spring as our newest Energy...

In recognition of the many challenges women in this community face, Vancouver-based businesses, Prism Engineering and RATIO, partnered up to provide in-kind support to help the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre...

We are excited to welcome Joshua Caplan as Prism’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Coach this spring. SEM is a holistic approach to energy management that enables businesses to achieve long-term...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

There is no question that public health experts and essential service workers are leading the charge in overcoming the greatest pandemic in our generation. It is humbling to examine and...

April 20, 2020

Building our Resilience

From reductions in pollution to the return of wildlife1, we are getting a glimpse into what might happen if we take actions toward reducing our environmental impacts in the midst...

Stephen Kooiman, Mechanical Team Leader at Prism Engineering, shares his thoughts on how company-wide quality management helps ensure quality is consistently applied across all Prism projects in the 2020 March/April issue...

April 14, 2020

COVID-19: Moving Forward

*Photo credit: Dylan Passmore/Flickr – Stanley Park, Vancouver, April 12, 2020 Living through an unprecedented pandemic means rising to the challenge, adapting to the unexpected, and hoping for the best...

BOMA’s eEnergy Training course offers opportunities for building operations staff to learn how to achieve savings in both building operations and capital projects. Users have reported feeling more confident in...

Inside the Rendezvous Lodge atop Blackcomb Mountain, Energy Managers from the BC Hydro Commercial Energy Manager Training program gathered to talk about organizational culture change.  From discussing the importance of...

In 2015, the City of Vancouver enlisted Prism Engineering to conduct recommissioning investigation studies for six of their community centres, City of Vancouver’s top greenhouse gas emitters. Kitsilano Community Centre is...

We’re honoured to be among the 436,000 Canadians working in energy efficiency today! Here’s to taking steps toward energy efficiency year-round with a short video on why having an impact...

Engineering is a constantly evolving field and, thankfully, it continues to draw in amazing people who care about having an impact. We caught up with three members of our Energy...

Since our founding in 1990, Prism Engineering has considered utility analysis as one of the key fundamental cornerstones of having a successful energy management program. It began for us with...

As we celebrate Prism’s Senior Electrical Designer Andrew Munro’s 25th year at Prism, we sit down with him to reflect on some of his favourite projects, and why good lighting...

Now in it’s 8th year, Prism’s humble garden is a gathering place for outdoor meetings and breaks, while providing healthy snacks and habitat for the bees. Over the years, it...

From opportunity identification and concept design to implementation and final review, mechanical projects at Prism often leverage the talents of a team of people through collaboration. Recently, we were fortunate...

Women currently account for only 13.1 per cent of engineers in Canada. With International Women in Engineering Day coming up on June 23rd, 2019, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on...

If you walk into the Prism office on any given day, you’ll see the energy efficient technologies we’ve installed, and you’ll also get to see the people behind the projects....

There are a several events coming up in the next few months that we are hosting and participating in. May Workshop: Burnaby, BC on May 16th, 2019 EFMA-BC Tradeshow: Penticton,...

March 25, 2019

Growing healthy and well

At Prism, we understand that supporting health and wellness is an integral part of managing a company and enabling staff to thrive. Research shows that investing in health and wellness...

When sustainability leaders from local post-secondary institutions met to learn and share insights at the Energy Wise Network Summit on November 15, little did they know they would be working...

Led by our intrepid Casey Gaetz, who recently celebrated 25 years since joining Prism when it was a wee startup, Prism’s electrical team is full of characters. The team helps...

Then and Now Prism was founded in 1990 by Brian O’Donnell who saw an opportunity to bring Energy Management and existing building upgrades at the start of the first BC...

January 28, 2019

When learning never stops

A bitter-sweet event for Prism Engineering: Senior Mechanical Engineer Duane Mattson, who has helped make Prism a driving force in our industry, has decided to start to enjoy life at...

Wishing every one a Happy New Year!

Building companies and organizations: Roadmap to zero carbon by 2050 needed for certainty VANCOUVER / MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH & TSLEIL-WAUTUTH TERRITORIES — Fourteen leading companies and organizations working in B.C.’s building...

Prism’s Mechanical Team has had a busy summer. Not only has the team been managing its typically full plate of renovations and mechanical system upgrades in buildings across BC and...

Last month industry leaders from across Canada gathered to celebrate the inaugural BOMA Canada Net Zero Challenge Awards at BOMEX 2018 in Calgary. Sponsored by Natural Resources Canada and Bullfrog...

A year ago, Prism’s Juan Mani was about to start a new role. Juan has been a key member of our Energy Team, involved in all aspects of utility analysis...

Prism’s Robert Greenwald was honoured to share some of the latest trends in energy management at BOMA China’s Conference in Shanghai this September. The conference brought together over 2200 experts,...

The BC Government is in the process of developing a clean growth strategy, with intention of integrating the province’s goals for climate action, clean energy and sustainable economic growth. This...

The end of 2017 marks the end of the first year of FCM’s Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP), a five-year, $75-million program designed to encourage Canadian municipalities to better...

November 30, 2017

COP23: What You Need to Know

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: 23rd Conference of the Parties took place this past November in Bonn, Germany and was presided over by the Government of Fiji....

In early November, Prism had the privileged of presenting at the inaugural Greener Facilities Conference in Edmonton, Alberta. The conference focused on identifying and implementing energy and greenhouse gas emission...

Earlier this month, Prism’s Robert Greenwald joined Kim Rudd, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, and other industry leaders in a discussion about the future of clean energy...

Providing quality services is one of Prism’s Core Values. In order to track and continously improve our quality assurance standards, we have sought certification under the Association of Professional Engineers...

Prism Engineering is pleased to announce that Douglas Spratt has joined Prism’s Mechanical Team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. About Douglas Spratt, M.Sc., P.Eng., LEED AP, FEC, MBA Douglas Spratt...

At Prism Engineering, our professionals have created hundreds of Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) accounts, and have completed the training programs offered by the US EPA. Prism’s qualified energy management...

As we get ready to celebrate our 27th year in business, our success in helping organizations save energy continues to be dependent on our most important asset: our people. In...

In January, Prism President Robert Greenwald travelled to Edmonton to take part in the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA) event, Launching Energy Efficiency in Alberta. The full day event brought...

As the holiday season is now upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and those who have helped to shape our business. In this festive time of...

Prism’s Kootenay office recently moved to a new location. Sam Thomas and our Nelson branch are now located at 202A – 330 Baker St. To celebrate the move, we hosted...

This month, Prism delivered the first of two 2-day Summits as part of BC Hydro and FortisBC’s Energy Wise Network program. The Energy Wise Network is a newly formed conservation...

This month, a Chinese delegation from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) had the opportunity to visit Prism’s Burnaby office. Their visit included a presentation by Prism President, Robert...

Prism Engineering Ltd. is proud to partner with the Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET) to deliver Dollars to $ense (D2$) energy management workshops. Beginning this fall, Prism President Robert...

We are pleased to welcome Pani Pasbanpoo as a new member of our Mechanical Team. Pani lived and worked in Tehran before moving to Vancouver. She earned a Bachelor’s degree...

On post-secondary campuses, computers can be a big contributor to energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By adjusting power settings on computers and monitors to be as close to...

Prism Engineering was well represented at last month’s GLOBE conference, North America’s largest and most influential sustainable business leadership summit. Our President, Robert Greenwald attended a variety of sessions including...

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) was established over a decade ago as an independent non-profit organization with a mandate to conserve and enhance the freshwater fish resources of...

Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering, joined other industry experts to choose winners for the prestigious BOMA Canada National Awards.The awards, which recognize excellence in the Canadian real estate industry,...

Two additional BC School Districts are now using PUMA (Prism Utility Monitoring and Analysis) to help them manage their energy and utility costs. PUMA is pleased to welcome School District...

We are pleased to welcome Brenda Scott as a new member of our Energy Team. Brenda has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and started her professional career providing government...

Andrew Munro, Senior Electrical Designer at Prism Engineering, is the proud recipient of two awards from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) this month: Illumination Awards of Merit...

This year marks 25 years of business in BC for Prism Engineering. We are grateful to everyone that has played a role in building our business to where it is...

Prism Engineering, under contract from NRCan, began delivering a two-day customized Dollar to $ense workshop across Alberta this month. The workshop was designed with specific industry needs in mind, and...

Mining operations are big energy users and mine operators can have significant impacts on how energy efficiently materials are processed. That’s why Prism Engineering has been working with Andrew Cooper,...

We are pleased to welcome Baki Cvijetinovic as a new member to our Mechanical Team. Baki brings a strong background in mechanical design and implementation of plumbing, fire protection and...

For several years, the BC Electrical Association has been offering a Basic Electricity course, led by industry professionals, to give entry level electrical knowledge and a broad overview of electricity...

Prism has been providing engineering services for BCIT for many years and as a part of BC Hydro’s Workplace Conservation Awareness program, our team has been supporting their goal of...

Prism and the PUMA team are excited to announce a new partnership with ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that helps businesses and individuals across North America...

Vancouver Community College (VCC) is walking the talk when it comes to adopting environmentally sustainable practices. Committed to reducing their environmental impact, VCC has been working with Prism since 2013...

At Prism, we think about Strategic Energy Management as a holistic approach to managing energy in your organization. Managing energy successfully in an organization goes beyond simply knowing which equipment...

New Gold’s New Afton Mine is a gold and copper mine located near Kamloops, BC. As with all mining operations, the site is large, with many buildings and structures located...

Congratulations are in order for Stephen Kooiman, Mechanical Engineer at Prism Engineering, who has recently been elected as the new President of BC’s ASHRAE chapter. ASHRAE, the American Society of...

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...

“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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

BC’s Public Sector organizations are taking steps towards carbon neutrality. For the past several years, Prism has worked closely with BC Housing, a Crown Corporation, to track and analyze emissions...

In March 2013, Vancouver Community College hired Prism Engineering as their Energy Manager. Our role is to be an advocate at the college for energy efficiency and at Prism, we...