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
Giants 400 | Dec 1, 2022
Top 50 Parking Structure Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
Choate Parking Consultants, Gensler, Clark Nexsen, and Solomon Cordwell Buenz top the ranking of the nation's largest parking structure architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Oct 20, 2022
How to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules
Effective January 1, 2022, New York City requires garage owners to retain a specially designated professional engineer to conduct an assessment and file a report at least once every six years. Hoffmann Architects + Engineers offers tips and best practices on how to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 Construction Management Firms for 2022
CBRE, Alfa Tech, Jacobs, and Hill International head the rankings of the nation's largest construction management (as agent) and program/project management firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 200 Contractors for 2022
Turner Construction, STO Building Group, Whiting-Turner, and DPR Construction top the ranking of the nation's largest general contractors, CM at risk firms, and design-builders for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 19, 2022
2022 Giants 400 Report: Tracking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Nov 20, 2021
2021 Parking Structure Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. parking structure sector
PGAL, PCL Construction, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest parking structure sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2021 Giants 400 Report.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Oct 6, 2021
Two stations for San Francisco Airport’s people mover system showcase sustainable building practices
The construction project, completed in the Spring, was awarded LEED Gold last month.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2021
2021 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
The 2021 Giants 400 Report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.