While redeveloping the iconic Canada Post building in downtown Vancouver into The Post—home to retail, restaurant and service space and an Amazon corporate office—QuadReal Property Group made energy efficiency a consideration during the design and construction phase. Among other innovative options, the project incorporated ventilation heat recovery and a high-performance building envelope.
In a separate project, by replacing its boiler system with high-efficiency equipment, including three high-efficiency hot water condensing gas boilers, Canada Place Corporation is expected to achieve energy savings of over 40,000 gigajoules annually, aligning with the Port of Vancouver’s goal to become the world’s most sustainable port.
Both projects are among the 11 winners of FortisBC’s 2023 Efficiency in Action Awards. After two years of celebrating virtually, FortisBC brought this year’s winners together to recognize the exceptional work the organizations are doing to achieve energy savings in new construction, retrofits, and commercial and industrial operations.
In their eighth year, the Efficiency in Action Awards provide an opportunity to showcase the active and effective role FortisBC plays in energy management in British Columbia and its positive impacts in helping customers save energy, lower operational costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“For years, we’ve worked with organizations across various sectors through our conservation and energy management programs, achieving significant energy savings and GHG emission reductions,” Lynne Williams, program specialist, conservation and energy management for FortisBC, told American Gas. “When we look to specific industry sectors, we can see the progress they’re making to significantly reduce emissions while making the spaces more energy-efficient for the people working and living in them.”
FortisBC reports that all together, the winning organizations are expected to reduce annual GHG emissions equivalent to removing more than 1,200 gas-powered vehicles from the road for a year. The eight organizations recognized specifically for their reduced natural gas use are saving more than 80,000 gigajoules of natural gas annually, the energy equivalent to heating more than 800 homes per year.
According to Williams, the awards are a catalyst for continued innovation.
“Recognizing their leadership and innovation with these awards helps motivate them to continue to seek opportunities to further improve energy efficiency across their operations and often serves as an example for other organizations that may be considering taking on energy efficiency projects,” Williams said.