As the region’s population increases steadily, BC Hydro has launched a “pioneering pilot project” in collaboration with the provincial government in a bid to support more housing powered by clean electricity.
The new initiative from the Province and BC Hydro—described as a “Canadian first”—is aimed at supporting the electrification of multi-unit residential buildings.
The project intends to leverage the technology of a smart panel which was developed by Burnaby’s Evectrix.
Evectrix, which received investment from both the Province’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund and BC Hydro’s Energy Efficiency Plan, says its device transforms a conventional breaker panel into a “smart hub” that manages real-time energy usage, eliminating the need to upgrade from a 200-amp to a 400-amp service, even in a six-unit development.
“We’re proud to bring B.C.-made innovation to life through this first-of-its-kind, electrified six-townhouse project, proving that homeowners can electrify and decarbonize without the burden of costly service upgrades,” remarked Kambiz Pishghadam Ghaeni, who serves Evectrix as chief operating officer.
“With meaningful support from the Province and in close collaboration with the BC Hydro team, our intelligent load management technology is unlocking a scalable, affordable and future-ready path to electrify homes and multi-unit buildings throughout the province,” Ghaeni stated.
The move comes as housing in the province continues to densify, with single-family housing increasingly giving way to duplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes, which require significant electrical upgrades.
“Advanced technology projects like the smart panel will help to create electricity systems that are efficient, resilient, and responsive to people’s needs,” commented Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-South Granville.
The new smart panel can dynamically manage load at the suite level, helping avoid overcapacity while unlocking savings, Bailey noted.
“We will continue to partner with local technology companies to help strengthen our grid and cut energy costs for British Columbians,” Bailey said.
The project represents a scalable model for retrofitting, according to Chris O’Riley, chief executive officer of BC Hydro.
“This technology pilot is a potential game-changer for accelerating clean-energy adoption in multi-unit housing,” believes O’Riley, who wants to make “densification more accessible.”
Adrian Dix, minister of climate solutions for B.C., says partnering with local technology providers helps “make clean energy more accessible.”
“We’re proud to support made-in-B.C. solutions that reduce emissions, strengthen our grid and lower energy costs for residents,” he stated.
Via a “special permission pathway,” the City of Vancouver recently green-lighted a pilot demonstrating the technology at a building on Chestnut Street.
Last month, The Province of British Columbia published a report on the current state, and planned future, of the region’s power grid.
The report introduces the “Clean Power Action Plan,” which is designed to ensure that our electricity system is equipped to enable economic growth and remain stable despite increases in demand.
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