Setting the Scene for Innovative Eco Solutions
Located on the scenic west coast of Canada, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is a public polytechnic institution of higher education. Its five campuses sprawl across the Metro Vancouver region with the main campus located in Burnaby, British Columbia.
A forward thinking institution that believes in a hands-on approach to learning, BCIT wanted to develop a renewable energy system that would have a real impact on clean transportation and incorporate innovative solar components.
The Roots of Success
It all began in early 2007, when BC Hydro, a Canadian electric utility, and SMART, a BCIT Applied Research Group, embarked on a joint research initiative to design and develop Canada's first Smart Power Microgrid at BCIT's Burnaby campus. The goal was to build a smarter, more secure power grid that would balance power generation to demand, reduce the potential for blackouts, and integrate current energy sources.
Titled the Smart Microgrid Program, the ongoing initiative includes BCIT’s Energy OASIS (Open Access to Sustainable Intermittent Sources) project involving a network of fast and standard charging stations that allow electric cars to be charged in minutes – facilitating the transition to green transportation in Canada.
Making it Happen
To make the Energy Oasis a reality, Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada was chosen to design and construct the integrated system of parking canopy structures, canopy mounted solar panels, and energy storage system.
Panasonic got to work engineering, procuring, and constructing the two parking canopies with 250 kW of solar PV – enough to power the EV charging stations. The team also designed and installed a 500 kWh energy storage and energy management system utilizing Panasonic lithium-ion batteries and a bidirectional inverter. The Panasonic Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) communicates with a Distributed Energy Management System, which learns when to buy, sell or store energy using intelligent algorithms and sends the requests to store or discharge the BESS at key times, such as peak usage or in low utility rate hours.
Collaborating with BCIT and other industry partners, Panasonic integrated the solar and battery systems into BCIT’s microgrid for a comprehensive, innovative structure.
Lasting Achievement
Recognized with a Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) Game Changer Award, the project was the first of its kind in Canada to successfully demonstrate the integration of solar power, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging stations in a grid-tied or ‘islanded’ configuration. With the team’s commissioning and post implementation support services, BCIT can count on reliable startup and continuous operation for years to come.
To learn more about Panasonic Eco Solutions and our work in North America, please visit www.panasonic.com/energysolutions.
Related Stories
| Feb 10, 2014
Proposed parking garage will sandwich vehicles between housing and retail space
Architecture firm Brisac Gonzalez says that the design "will introduce different activities after parking hours."
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2014
9 mega redevelopments poised to transform the urban landscape
Slowed by the recession—and often by protracted negotiations—some big redevelopment plans are now moving ahead. Here’s a sampling of nine major mixed-use projects throughout the country.
| Jan 6, 2014
What is value engineering?
If you had to define value engineering in a single word, you might boil it down to "efficiency." That would be one word, but it wouldn’t be accurate.
| Jan 2, 2014
Sacramento utility maintenance facility earns LEED Platinum, targets net zero
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s new maintenance facility, which is targeting net zero, has received LEED Platinum certification.
| Dec 17, 2013
Kahn appoints Alan Cobb President and CEO
Cobb is the tenth president in the firm’s 118-year history. As President, Cobb is responsible for ensuring that all of the firm’s client issues are effectively address and that overall project team performance meets or exceeds client expectations for each and job the firm undertakes.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
