In 2018 the AEE Canada East held its first full day conference seminar in Ottawa, Ontario. You can review the presentation material on this page.
Session 1: Size of the Prize
The science is clear. As we position ourselves for the transition to a low carbon economy we need to establish a clear value statement. Where are we today and where to we need to be? What is our opportunity?
This session was presented by Doug Webber of Purpose Building.
Doug has focused on creating high performance buildings for over 25 years. In the early 90’s he launched a company building off-grid homes, getting practical experience with high performance design. In 1999 he joined Halsall Associates and helped create, then lead and grow the Green Planning and Design group to a national team with leading capabilities in new and existing building services that included performance modeling, certification services, retro-commissioning and portfolio performance management. Following WSP’s acquisition of Halsall, Doug led WSP Canada’s 140-person Sustainability and Energy business line delivering sustainability consulting across all asset classes, at all scales and all phases of asset life. Doug was recognized as one of Canada’s Clean 50 in 2013 and was recently named Chair of the CaGBC’s newly formed Zero Carbon Steering Committee.
Session 2: Idea Identification
It starts with a plan. Learn how to evaluate existing buildings with the application of innovative engineering and analytical tools to create a low carbon plan.
This session was presented by Firas Aboukhamis of WSP.
Firas is an accomplished sustainability professional bringing 12 years of diverse international experience delivering integrated sustainable engineering solutions to key clients in North America, Europe and MENA. His key capabilities include leading multi-disciplinary teams focusing on high performance buildings design, energy and carbon management, new building commissioning, retro-commissioning, and indoor air quality. Firas’ integrated team approach allows him to adopt holistic strategies to achieve efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible solutions to designing, constructing and operating buildings that meet the highest sustainable development standards.
Session 3: Envelope
Envelope is more than windows and doors. How can we improve the performance of envelope systems while respecting building science and preservation guidelines?
This session was presented by David Kayll of Morrison Hershfield.
Mr. Kayll is a senior Building Science Engineer and Director, Building Science East in Morrison Hershfield’s Ottawa office. He has over 30 years of experience in building science, building envelope, energy systems, and facility management on multi-disciplined teams in new and renovation construction on institutional, industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. His rehabilitation and new construction experience includes; 10 years on the East Coast, five on the West Coast, and 15 in the NCA. David is a member of the National Codes Commission Standing Committee on Environmental Separation (Division B, Part 5 of the NBC, 2015 and 2020 code cycles), and has participated as a member on Task Groups for Precipitation, EIFS, Window Failures, Curtain Wall and Window Wall, Solar Panels, and Air Leakage. Mr. Kayll is registered in the Provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba as a Professional Engineer.
Session 4: Plant Optimization
The heart of the building. How can the innovative application of technology achieve extraordinary results? Learn how to create hybrid systems through innovation and outside the box first principles engineering.
This session was presented by Mick Schwedler of Trane.
Mick has been with Trane since 1982. His areas of expertise include system optimization (in which he holds patents) and chilled water system design. He has presented technical information to tens of thousands of engineers through Trane’s Engineers Newsletter Live series, and seminars throughout North America, as well as in the Far East and South America.
Mick serves as a Vice President on the ASHRAE Board of Directors, is an ASHRAE Fellow, and recipient of ASHRAE’s Exceptional Service, Distinguished Service, and Standards Achievement Awards, He was Chair of SSPC 90.1. He is also active with the US Green Building Council, having served on technical and education committees and is currently the LEED Technical Committee Chair. Mick’s degrees include an MSME from the University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Lab and BSME from Northwestern University.
Session 5: Energy Storage
Waste not, want not. Learn how to leverage energy storage (thermal and electrical) to enhance building performance. How can storage reduce plant size? How can storage relieve financial burden?
To recognize the broad opportunity around energy storage, this session was broken in two pieces: power, and thermal.
Session 5.1: Energy Storage – Power
This session was delivered by Jeremy Goertz of SunGrid Solutions.
Jeremy Goertz is the managing Director of SunGrid Solutions Inc, a budding Energy Storage and Generation initiative that leverages 20 years of joint energy, renewable, and generation expertise with the most efficient Powin Energy Storage Solution technology to provide a turnkey solution for their customers. Jeremy is an educated entrepreneur with a keen sense for customer needs and a desire to create more renewable and cost effective solutions. Jeremy holds an MBA from Ivey School of Business and a Masters from University of Waterloo Engineering. Jeremy has grown his experience as a professional consultant and as a previous Vice President of Development and Construction at Saturn Power. With an approach that focuses on the customer’s needs while balancing the risk and return, Jeremy is excited to be a part of the SunGrid-Powin movement.
Session 5.2: Energy Storage – Thermal
This session was delivered by Dave Titus of Trane.
Dave Titus has been a sales professional with Trane since 2007 after graduating from Queen’s University with a B.SC.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering. He works closely with both building owners and consulting engineers to support the design and construction of energy efficiency building systems through education and awareness of new technology application, optimized system design approach, and leveraging building energy analysis. He has presented at various industry seminars for such organizations as BOMA, ASRHAE and OASBO.
Session 6: Big Data – Building Intelligence
The true value of big data is in how you use it. Learn how the big data revolution is impacting building controls. Reporting success. Maintaining peak performance.
This session was delivered by Matt Gates of Trane.
Matt Gates is the Director of Intelligent Services Offerings for Trane’s commercial HVAC business. Trane is a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand. In this role, Gates manages a portfolio of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) solutions and leads the efforts to commercialize new and differentiated Intelligent Services offers for North America.
Over the course of Gates’ 13 years with Ingersoll Rand, he has held the positions of vice president of energy management services – global services, vice president of contracting solutions – global services, direct sales leader and contracting solutions leader for Trane’s central territory.
Matt has over 28 years experience in the HVAC industry with deep knowledge of HVAC Controls, Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Building Energy Management Systems.
Session 7: Policy as a Driver
How can policy shape our reaction to climate change and drive the transition to a low carbon economy? Top down through government or bottom up through organizations, policy has a role to play.
This session was originally to be delivered by Mike Wilson of the Smart Prosperity Institute. However, Mike was not available and his colleague Scott McFatridge delivered the presentation in his place.
Raised in New Brunswick, Mike began his career as a lawyer in Toronto, left to become senior policy adviser to the federal Environment Minister, and then went on to hold a series of increasingly senior roles in the Government of Canada working at the intersection of the environment, economy and innovation. For example: he spearheaded a successful public-private initiative to strengthen the role of sustainability in investment decisions, partnering with financial leaders; he led a partnership with the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine to annually rank the sustainability of Canada’s largest companies; and he was one of the principle architects of the Government’s initiative to create Sector Sustainability Tables for mining, energy, chemicals and forestry sectors. Mike’s skills as a manager and innovator earned him rapid promotion in government – most recently, leading a staff of 80 with a $10 million budget. Mike has long held a firm belief that ‘green’ and ‘growth’ can go hand in hand and a passion for making that happen. He brings passion and experience to his role at the helm of Smart Prosperity Institute.
Session 8: Change Management
We have a plan. Success is within reach. How can you ease the transition for the occupant? Learn how change management can help ensure successful implementation of complex building transformations.
This session was delivered by Alison Spence of BGIS.
Alison Spence is a workplace strategy leader with 15 years’ experience in developing solutions for the workplace. As National Director of Tenant Facility Management Services on the BGIS RP1 account, Alison leads a team of professionals who work to develop and support federal government workplace transformation projects across the country. Alison has a deep knowledge base in workplace strategy and workplace related change management with a strong background interior design, functional programing, occupancy planning and strategy in the public and corporate sectors. She brings a focused approach to solution development and integration of business requirements into client-centered real estate solutions.