Technology and Trends

in Energy Management

for BuildingsRobert Greenwald, P.Eng., MBA

CEP Member Webinar – November 18, 2020

2

Session Agenda

1. Introduction to Prism Engineering

2. Holistic Energy Management

• Projects

• Programs

• People

3. Climate Change

• Mitigation

• Adaptation

Introduction

• About Prism Engineering Limited

4

We operate in the following sectors:

• Commercial buildings, including retail and hospitality

• Institutional and government facilities

• Multi-unit residential buildings

• Industrial and agricultural operations

5

Who We Are

From design to implementation, we provide

energy management, electrical and mechanical

engineering, utility monitoring and sustainability

consulting to help our clients create a greener,

more energy efficient world.

6

Our Team

Pre-COVID picture!

7

Our Core Values

Impact

7

People

Our people are our most

important asset. We foster

an engaging, collaborative

and supportive workplace.

Relationships

We build trust by

understanding our clients’

needs, communicating with

them effectively and

building strong

relationships.

Quality

We deliver effective

solutions that provide value

for our clients.

Improvement

We are committed

to continuous improvement.

We invest in our people,

systems and tools to become

better at everything we do.

Integrity

We run our business with

integrity. We act honestly

and ethically.

We have a part to play in

creating a more energy

efficient and sustainable

world.

8

Prism Differentiators

• Depth and breadth of experience and expertise

• Diversity of team members

• Accuracy, quality and reputation of work

• Unique innovative solutions

9

We work

with great

people.

11

Energy Management Software

PUMA is Prism Utility Monitoring & AnalysisSoftware as a service.

Your utility bills–consumption and cost–consolidated

in one place.

Based on your historicalconsumption and weather,

we predict if your consumption is high or low.

Holistic Energy ManagementProjects

Programs

People

Projects: Improving Building

Energy Performance

1. Building HVAC Controls

2. Chilled Water Plants

3. Heating Plants

4. LED Lighting

5. The Building Envelope

6. Fuel Switching

7. Deep Carbon Retrofits

8. Contracting Issues

14

Building HVAC Controls

1

15

Match the Need with DDC

(Direct Digital Controls)

• Schedules

• Setpoints

• Sequences

• Operations and

Maintenance Practices

16

Recommissioning (RCx) or

Retro-commissioning

Overtime, buildings

need to be reassessed

for:

• Operation

• Efficiency

30-50 Year Building Life Cycle

17

DDC System Concept Design District of North Vancouver

• Reviewed the Building Automation Systems in

20 facilities

• Site-specific recommendations were made

• Results: sites were upgraded based on priority

to increase energy efficiency and occupant

comfort; a central system was developed to

facilitate access to the various DDC systems

18

Chilled WaterPlant Upgrades

2

19

Kootenay Boundary

Regional Hospital

Old New

19

Inefficient absorption chiller,

multiple chilled water plants

operating at low loads & efficiency

Efficient variable speed chiller, piping

to connect 3 plants, convert to

variable flow, efficient controls-

Upgrade Cost: $840,000

Energy Savings: $50,000 per year

20

Chiller UpgradeNew Gold Afton Mine

• Replacing existing air-cooled chillers with

two 300-ton water cooled chillers using

existing fresh water for the chillers

condenser loop

• Anticipated annual demand saving of 173

KVA and electrical saving of 1.47MWh Site Plan

Mill BuildingExisting Air-Cooled Chillers

21

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Upgrade

• Retrofit existing HVAC

system with air or water

source VRF fan coil system

• Use boiler and chiller

for peak heating and

cooling loads

• Energy Recovery Ventilation

22

Heating Plant Upgrades

3

23

Boiler UpgradesCity of Nanaimo - Beban Park Pool

• Originally engaged to prepare

Energy Study. Implementation of

Hybrid heating plant completed

in January 2019.

• Scope of work grew to include

the implementation of heating

plant upgrades.

• Reduced gas costs by $68k/year and

fuel use and GHG emissions by 42%

• Upgrades included: high efficiency

boilers, Dual temperature return, VSD

pumps, DHW heat exchanger, air to air

heat recovery, controls

24

Boiler UpgradesCity of Trail – Memorial Centre

• Before:

– 2 x 1670 MBH atmospheric

boilers for heating and

Domestic Hot Water (DHW)

• After:

– Replaced 1 boiler with 1800

MBH dual return port

condensing boiler

– Offset boiler load by heat

recovery from ammonia ice

plant for DHW pre-heat

– Re-configured heating plant

piping and controls

Savings: 1,980 GJ/year (31%) or

$19,500/year

Rebate: $68,600

Cost before rebate, including

engineering: $300,000

Existing plant

25

4

LED Lighting and Controls Upgrades

26

Prism Office Expansion

• > 50% reduction in lighting energy use

• Reduced to 0.2 W/ft2 or 2.1 W/m2

• incorporated LED, daylighting, occupancy and user controls

Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total

Savings kWh 5,685 4,972 5,925 6,026 6,329 6,444 35,000

% 54.6 52.2 53.7 55.7 50.0 48.3 52%

27

Vancouver Convention CentreExhibition Halls

335 kW 193 kW Power 42% Reduction

1,100,000 kWh 500,000 kWh Energy 51% Reduction

Upgrade Cost: $900,000 Energy Savings: $100,000/year 9-year payback

Old New

28

Award Winning Lighting Projects

2019

30

Lighting Control Systems

*Courtesy of Lutron Canada

31

5

Building EnvelopeUpgrades

32

Deep Energy RetrofitsGovernment of Canada

• Low Carbon Studies

• Challenge the status quo

in existing buildings

• Federal government

leading the way

32

33

Air Tightness Thermography

Windows & Doors

33

34

Retrofit Opportunities

External Insulation

Windows >

< Roof

< Walls

Air Tightness

Photographs courtesy of RDH Building Science

35

Fuel Switching and

Energy Supply

6

36

CO2 Heat Pump for DHW

• Heat from outdoor air

• Environmentally friendly

refrigerant

• Split system (air to water)

• Direct exchange (refrigerant

line runs from tank to

outdoors)

36

37

Photovoltaic

• 35% of annual electrical

consumption displaced

38

ElectrificationMarine Electrification Study

• BC Ferries purchased two hybrid Diesel-Electric ferries

• Our study analyzed options for charging the hybrid battery

with BC Hydro shore power when docked

• Review, research and analysis related to:

– existing service capacities at each terminal and associated limitations;

– hybrid ships power consumption profile and associated opportunities;

– shore power upgrade requirements;

– shore ship connection opportunities; and

– business case of various options for BC Ferries.

39

7

Deep Carbon Retrofits

40

Deep Carbon Retrofits

A deep carbon retrofit (DCR) maximizes

energy efficiency and significantly reduces

greenhouse gas and carbon emissions

41

How do different studies compare?

Characteristic Energy Study Deep Energy Retrofit Study Deep Carbon Retrofit Study

Measures to minimize waste ✔ ✔ ✔

Measures to maximize efficiency ✔ ✔ ✔

No-cost / Low-cost measures ✔ Limited focus Limited focus

Measure investment criteria ROI / Simple payback ROI / Life cycle cost ROI / Life cycle

& environmental impact

Investment outlook Short – Medium Medium – Long Long

Climate impact focus Low Low/Med High

Energy resiliency N/A ✔ ✔

Example measures Identify Measures

• Controls

improvements - Boiler

upgrades

• VFDs on pumps/fans

• Lighting upgrades

• Heat recovery

Energy Study Plus:

• PV

• HVAC Redesign

• Envelope upgrades

DER Plus:

• Fuel

switching/Electrification

• Heat pumps

Co-generation

• Heat recovery chillers

• On-site generation

• Biomass heating

42

DCR Study - Sample Scope of Work:

Levels of Analysis

1. Typical Retrofit – retrofit opportunities for the

relevant systems with a positive NPV

2. Maximum energy/GHG savings –maximum

possible savings that will approach net zero energy

and net zero carbon

3. Custom and optimized solution – a balanced

approach with a positive NPV that provides best

ROI while meeting carbon reduction objectives

43

DCR – Stakeholder engagement

workshops

CASE STUDIES PESC

LANGARA COLLEGE

KITS CC

Pacific Environmental

Science Centre

47

• Energy-intensive lab equipment

• Support needed to reach energy

efficiency goals

Challenges

48

• Replace hydronic heating boilers with

dual return condensing boilers

• Upgrade domestic hot water heating

with new condensing water heaters

• Hydronic system and HVAC upgrades

for optimizing efficiency

Solutions

49

Solutions

• An automated controls strategy

• Chiller system upgrade to implement

air sourced heat pump system

• Purchase of locally generate Renewable

Natural Gas to offset remaining fuel use

50

0

20

40

60

80

100

2016/17

(Baseline)2018/19

(Active) 2020/21

(Projected)

Project Outcomes

• Outcome: combined project savings of 33%

in natural gas in 2018/19 and planned 46% in 2020.

This was offset by the purchase of RNG.Natural Gas Use

100%

67%

54%

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of

Ba

seli

ne

Langara College

52

Challenge: A Growing Campus

• Over 40% growth since 2007

53

Building A

• Constructed in 1969

• 268,000 ft2 (more than 50% of campus

before Building T built)

• Comprised of lecture halls, classrooms,

faculty offices, cafeteria and art studio

54

Building A - Focus for Deep Retrofit

55

Solutions

• Constant volume reheat system to variable

air volume system (coils to 140 VAV boxes)

• Reduces air flow to unoccupied or partially

occupied zones using carbon dioxide sensors

• Replace and upgrade existing

air handling units

56

Design Considerations

• ASHRAE 62.1

– Minimize O/A requirements

• ASHRAE 90.1

– Demand Control Ventilation

– Variable Flow

• Future Considerations

– Low Temperature Design

– Classroom Upgrades

– Lab Space Renovations

57

• “Fan wall” technology; upgrade controls;

pumps; valves and piping

Project Scope – innovation

59

Project outcome: initial retrofit results

indicate carbon reductions exceeding 50%

Kitsilano Community

Centre and Arena

61

Site Plan

62

• Community center constructed

1950, 34,000 ft2

• Arena constructed 1975, 40,000 ft2

Low Emissions Retrofit Strategy:

• Add heat recovery to ice rink

• Gas boiler to heat recovery

heat pump conversion

• Conversion of heating distribution

from high temperature to

moderate temperature

• Snowmelt using heat recovery

waste heat

Project Summary

63

Innovative Heat Recovery System

64

65

66

67

68

Results

70

8

ContractingIssues

71

72

Project Lifecycle Costs

Energy Study, 0.5%Detailed Design, 2.4%

Construction , 19.2%

Energy , 71.9%

Operations & Maintenance , 6.0%

• Heating plant upgrade

• 25 year lifecycle

• $450k construction costs

73

Contract Forms

• Canadian Construction Document Committee (CCDC)

– Develops standard form documents

74

Contract Delivery Method

• Standard Contact types:

– Design-Bid-Build

– Cost Plus

– Unit Price

– Design-Build / Operate

– Design-Build-Operate-Finance

– Construction Management

Programs

1. Net Zero

2. Benchmarking

3. BOMA Best

4. LEED

5. PassivHaus

6. Demand Response

77

What is Net Zero?

“An energy-efficient building where,

on a source energy basis, the actual

annual delivered energy is less than

or equal to the on-site renewable

exported energy.”

Also applies to campuses, portfolios, and communities.

77

78

78

79

Net Zero Energy & Carbon

Buildings make up about

30% of global energy and GHG emissions

Net Zero Energy

A building that produces as much

energy as it consumes, over 12

months, in terms of on-site usage

Net Zero Carbon

A building that has a net zero

emission of GHGs into the

atmosphere, over 12 months,

related to the source of energy

used on-site

80

How to Get to Net Zero

Reduce first

• reduce waste

• improve efficiency

• deep retrofit or new

construction

Generate on-site

energy

Purchase offsets and

renewable energy

credits for remainder

81

New Construction –

BC Building Code

82

BOMA Canada’s

Net Zero Challenge

• Developed in response to NRCan’s call for

a national challenge to recognize high-

performance design and operation of

buildings

• Recognize and celebrate buildings on path

to Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Carbon,

facilitating the path for others to follow

• 3 Categories: Best in Class;

Most Improved; Innovation

• Launched in 2018; inaugural awards

at Calgary BOMEX

83

Winners 2020

84

National Benchmarking

• K-12 Schools

• Commercial office

buildings

• Hospitals

• Supermarkets and

food stores

• Medical offices

• Senior care and residential

care facilities

• Ice/curling rink

• Municipal buildings

Score of 75 or more indicates

top performance

85

PUMA Benchmarking

View at: pumautilitymonitoring.ca/news#Oct2020

86

BOMA BEST

• Programs such as BOMA BEST help owners

certify their performance.

87

LEED EBOM Recertification

• Work with clients closely to obtain

LEED certification or recertification

88

PassivHaus

Photo courtesy of phlus.org

The most rigorous voluntary energy-based standard

in the design and construction industry today

89

Demand Response (DR)http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Electricity_2017.pdf

Definition: an electricity grid investment or project that uses non-traditional

transmission and distribution solutions

90

Demand Response ExampleALC – Global Temperature Adjustment

• The DDC increases the heating / cooling dead band

based on a call by the utility (3 levels of DR)

• The HVAC equipment is unloaded, reducing demand

Prism is leading a pilot of 5 buildings in Vancouver

for BC Hydro (October 2020 to March 2021)

People

1. BOMA e-Energy Training

2. Energy Wise Network

3. Sustainability Engagement 7-Step

Campaign Planning Model

92

BOMA e-Energy Training for

Building Operations

• Helps building operators,

engineers and facility

managers identify energy

reduction opportunities

and engage stakeholders in

saving energy

• Delivered online in a self-

learning format, accessible

wherever there is an internet

connection

• 11 modules to choose from

93

94

Provincial Coaching & Mentorship Energy Wise Network

• Partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC to develop and lead

training for a cohort of 40 organizations from across BC

• Participants benefit from peer learning, professional training

95

Energy Wise Network Program

96

7 Step Campaign Planning

Engage stakeholders

Investigate and interview

Select the behavior

Select the strategy and measurement

Finalize campaign plan

Implement

Evaluate, celebrate, and report back

97

Office Doctors Campaign

2.6% Energy Savings

http://www.prismengineering.com/sites/default/files/upload/BCIT-Office-Doctors-Campaign-White-Paper.pdf

Climate Change

1. Mitigation

2. Adaptation

99

Why this topic matters

100

The impact on buildings:

services

• Severe climate events, impose risks on the

infrastructure services

Risks may not be directly on the facility, but may

still impact the facility services:

energy supply | road access | clean water supply

101

The impact on buildings: comfort and safety

• Occupants comfort and safety

(staff, students, tenants, …)

102

The impact on buildings: business continuity

• Service provider accountability and revenue

– private sector office landlord

– insurance costs

– etc.

103

Mitigation

In context of buildings:

Mitigation involves

modification of building

systems to reduce the

building’s environmental

impact by lowering energy

and water use

104

Adaptation

In context of buildings:

Adaptation involves

modification of building

systems to address

vulnerability to climate

change by improving

infrastructure resilience

105

Mitigation & Adaptation Interrelation

Adapted from Cohen and Waddell, 2009

LOW CARBON RESILIENCYADAPTATION

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

Vu

lne

rab

ility

re

du

ced

Vu

lne

rab

ility

incr

ea

sedEmissions increased Emissions reduced

Sustainable win-win

Unsustainable

Adaptive emissions

New Vulnerabilities

• Air conditioning

• Energy hog building • Expanded reliance

on hydropower

• On-site Renewables

106

Low Carbon Resiliency

• Reduced

energy demand

• Controls

• Heat recovery

• Fuel source

diversity

• Passive options

• Renewable options

• Etc.

107

Where to get started

Lay of the land

• Identify your critical buildings

– any that are used in emergency services?

• Identify key stakeholders within your organization

– asset planning

– risk management

– operations

• Start with a training if needed

– shared language

108

High level assessment All facilities Case Study

109

Detailed assessment One location Case Study

110

Detailed assessment

Over 150 components in areas of Mechanical, Electrical, Enclosure, Structural,

Civil and Water service were assessed in the project.

111

Adaptation retrofit examples

• Install sensor to bring elevator above flood level

• Indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring

– Forest fires, Extreme heat

• Incorporate passive cooling

– window film, shading

• Incorporate self sufficiency

– on-site energy generation/storage,

heat recovery, water filtration

• Move critical equipment and documentation

above flood level

• Back up documentation off-site

112

Review

1. Introduction to Prism Engineering

2. Holistic Energy Management

• Projects

• Programs

• People

3. Climate Change

• Mitigation

• Adaptation

113

Thank you.

Robert Greenwald, P.Eng., MBA, President

robert@prismengineering.com

www.prismengineering.com

@Prism_Eng

@Prism Engineering