Energy Strategies and Projects

A comprehensive investigation, in consultation with mechanical consultants and FortisBC, that identified deficiencies and opportunities for optimization in EME’s energy systems and controls. The identified solutions were implemented in FY 23-24.

To address concerns of high energy usage and poor temperature control, the responsiveness of UCH building controls was enhanced. This eliminated instances of the building’s heating and cooling operating at the same time, improving energy efficiency and addressing temperature control deficiencies. The project was completed in September 2023 and will be monitored to measure achieved energy savings.

To identify inefficiencies and opportunities in the library, and to enhance the performance of existing equipment while requiring minimal repairs and upgrades. The assessment will also highlight opportunities for potential retrofits to improve overall energy efficiency and functionality.

Focused on optimizing fan coil performance and upgrading control systems across the CCS building. Following this, a building-wide optimization project reprogrammed fan coils and hot water plant controls to enhance occupant comfort and reduce equipment cycling. Additionally, this project includes targeted replacement of outdated DNT-T305 controllers involved modernizing actuators and integrating updated thermostat controls.

An energy “cluster plant” in the x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn (XSS) building will have the potential to provide heating and cooling to several additional buildings with the addition of water source heat pumps. Existing buildings that could one day be served by this system include Administration, Arts, Gym and Hangar, Creative and Critical Studies, and Reichwald Health Sciences Centre.

A Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) initiative that aims to analyze the performance of the Medium Temperature District Energy System plant to identify opportunities to optimize system performance at a campus-wide level.

Installation of a 1.5 MW CO₂ Air Source Heat Pump to reduce the reliance of the District Energy System on gas-fired boilers. This project, which is expected to achieve significant decarbonization, is expected to be completed by late 2025.

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) units are under consideration for both the 4-pipe cluster plant in the x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn building and the District Energy System. The use of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can reduce peak electrical demand charges as well as the amount of equipment required to manage peak loads.

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A cluster plant design similar to the one being implemented in the x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn (XSS) building is being considered for campus residence buildings as the campus grows. A study has been completed to determine the feasibility and cost of this project.

The return water temperature for Boiler 1 in the Geo-exchange building has been adjusted, increasing the boiler’s efficiency by 8-10% and resulting in approximately 750 GJ of gas savings per year.

Three variable speed drives were installed on the fluid-cooler circulation pumps to reduce unnecessary pumping energy and eliminate flow short-circuiting. By modulating pump speed to match actual system demand, the average COP of the fluid coolers increased from 25 to 35, resulting in approximately 70,000 kWh of annual electricity savings.

To improve the efficiency of the Central Heating Plant boilers, three variable frequency drives were installed on the boiler circulation pumps to reduce short-circuiting within the boiler loop. This optimization lowered return water temperatures and improved condensing performance, resulting in significant natural gas and electrical savings, along with more stable and reliable boiler operation.

This study explored how the Gym building can transition from gas-based heating to the campus’s new low-temperature district energy system. It included analysis of existing HVAC equipment, new piping routes, heat-pump compatibility, domestic hot water electrification, and ventilation optimization.

Installation of outdoor and indoor PM2.5 particulate matter sensors as well as building static pressure monitors on campus, in order to measure air quality at the UBCO campus. A handheld PM2.5 meter was also purchased. The Energy Team and Health, Safety and Environment continue to monitor data received to determine the campus’s success at responding to changing air quality during wildfire events, and have installed additional sensors in academic buildings since the project began. Completed in January 2025.

Led by the Energy Team, a campus-wide electrical study was completed to develop a strategy to support the campus’s future needs. The study was completed and presented in 2023.

A study was completed on the 4-pipe District Energy Expansion, which extends the campus heating and cooling network from XSS to multiple key buildings. The project improves energy efficiency and system resiliency, enabling future growth. It features modern chilled and hot water pipelines with strategic routing and materials. This upgrade supports decarbonization and sustainable operations for years to come.

Improved ventilation in multiple labs in several buildings. Labs have been upgraded, or upgrades are underway, in the following buildings:

• EME (in progress): adjusting set points and installing motion sensors to adjust air flow based on room occupancy. Upgrades are in response to reports identifying deficiencies in HRV and strobic fume exhaust equipment.
• Science (completed): implemented demand-controlled ventilation and lab-sensing technologies, as well as upgrading multiple fume hoods.
• Arts and Science (completed): implemented demand-controlled ventilation. The university received a FortisBC rebate of $30,000 to complete this project, which is expected to save about 1500GJ of natural gas and 240 MWh of electricity per year. Completed in 2023.
• Fipke (completed): Upgraded controls equipment and strategies to standardize air change rates in labs. The university received $90,000 in funding from FortisBC to complete this project, which is expected to save 2,677 GJ of natural gas and over 541 MWh electricity per year. Completed in 2023.

Increased the efficiency of heating in the Science building by using heat recovered from exhaust air to pre-heat water used by Water Source Heat Pumps. This project is estimated to save 1,500 GJ of natural gas and 70 tons of C0₂ equivalent emitted per year, as well as $20,000 in heating costs per year. This project was completed in January 2025.

Assessed multiple controls upgrades and end-of-life equipment replacements that could be initiated to further decarbonize the building’s operation. This study was completed in Jun 2025.

Updated the air handler unit that serves the Commons lecture theatre from 24/7 operation to a schedule based on room occupancy, resulting in savings of approximately 150 MWh electricity per year.

Replaced inefficient high-pressure sodium lighting with LED lighting and dimmable controls, resulting in electricity savings of 150 MWh per year.

Developed a sequence of operations to enable a night-time flush in buildings. This procedure pre-cools buildings in order to reduce loads on mechanical cooling systems and delays the cooling peak to later in the day, increasing energy efficiency.

A detailed technical study aimed at identifying and correcting hot and chilled water cross-flow within the EME Building’s HVAC systems. The project includes quantifying energy losses, locating crossover points across AHUs, HRVs, WSHPs, FCUs, and in-slab systems, and developing cost-effective corrective measures to restore proper system performance and reduce operational energy consumption.