Choose one or enjoy the complete series of seminars presented by leaders in the field of energy conservation and renewable energy. Discover the strategies and initiatives that community planners, business and homeowners are using to reduce energy consumption and save money on energy bills. Hands on and informative, these courses will pay for themselves in energy savings and put you and your home or business on the path to sustainability. The Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy workshop series is sponsored by City Green Solutions, Vancity Credit Union and Terasen Gas.
Whole Systems – Architecture for Urban Interdependence
The solutions and strategies for responding to and/or adapting to the results of climate change, peak oil and economic strain are nested in the understanding that this is an integrated system and therefore our solutions must be integrated. This is tough. Trying to think and communicate holonicly* is not something that we have been trained to do. This workshop will identify the techniques currently understood to facilitate whole systems understanding and solutions based in whole systems results. *Holonic systems evolve and self-organise over time to optimise survivability, adaptability, flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness.
$49, Saturday, January 13, (Course #50318) Instructor: Anita M. Burke
Shifting from Knowing to Doing
Living a lifestyle that supports sustainability often offers significant benefits such as better health and less stress due to a supportive community and healthy, organic food. This workshop explores the “transition to sustainability” by providing you with information and tools for setting priorities and allocating your valuable time and financial resources.
$39, Saturday, January 20, 12:30-3:30, (Course #50316) Instructor: Philip Be’er – Be’er Necessities Sustainable Solutions
Solar Hot Water Heating Past and Present
Around the world, solar water heating systems provide more energy than all the wind generators and solar PV systems combined. With life-cycle energy costs well below today’s prices for natural gas and electricity, it is one of the most practical, sustainable and cost-effective energy sources for buildings and homes. Find out how this technology developed, where it is used, where the industry is heading, and how it can work with your home or business.
$49, Saturday, January 27, 12:30-4:30, (Course #50317) Instructor: Morgan McDonald – Taylor Munro Energy Systems Inc.
Net-metering in Renewable Energy
BC Hydro’s new net-metering program has created an unprecedented opportunity for ordinary people to become producers of clean environmentally friendly power. This course introduces participants to the different types of systems that can be installed under the net-metering program including solar photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro. It looks at the major components of each system and well as the economics of renewable energy in B.C.
$49, Saturday, February 10, 12:30-3:30, (Course #50315) Instructor: Rob Baxter – Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative
Making the Sale – Added Value for Home Energy Efficiency
With rising energy costs – leading edge players in the residential building industry are realizing that energy efficient designs and products result in lower expenses over the lifetime of a home. This workshop explores the 10 ways you can utilize energy efficiency to maximize the comfort, affordability and value of the homes you design, build or sell. Learn about energy efficiency rating systems and the provincial strategies to remove traditional barriers to energy efficiency market transformation. This workshop is intended for real estate agents, home inspectors, homebuilders, homebuyers, planners and consultants in the residential building sector.
$39, Saturday, February 17, 12:30-3:00, (Course #50319) Instructors: Paula Steele, City Green & James Rodgers, Greener Realty Association
Wind Energy Development in BC
Are wind energy projects viable in BC? To date there are no industrial scale wind energy projects built in British Columbia. What does it take to establish wind energy in BC’s sustainable energy future? This workshop looks at the key criteria required for large, industrial scale wind energy development in BC. We will explore the basics of permitting, consultation, technical requirements, analysis and the geo-political landscape of being a sustainable energy independent power producer in British Columbia.
$49, Saturday, February 24, 12:30-3:30, (Course # 50324) Instructor: TJ Schur – Aeolis Wind Energy Corporation
Policy and Regulatory Instruments to Advance Building Energy Efficiency in BC
This workshop will cover the technical and policy aspects of advancing energy efficiency in new and existing buildings in BC municipalities. The focus will be on the areas where local government can use policy and regulatory instruments to advance energy efficiency and green building practices. It will include a basic introduction to energy use and efficiency in buildings, but will not be overly technical. This course is intended for municipal staff, consultants and private sector players that are involved in the planning of civic and/or private sector development projects. All content will be informed by experiences from the BC context.
$49, Saturday, March 3, 12:30-4:30, (Course #50320) Instructors: Michael Wilson, Community Energy Assoc and Taylor Zeeg, Planning Consultant
Community Energy Planning
This workshop discusses key steps in a community energy planning process, and teaches participants how this process operates. You will use qualitative and quantitative techniques to help you understand how energy impacts the community, visualize a preferred energy system, and determine the best way to create it. This workshop introduces community energy planning processes completed and underway in BC.
$139, Saturday, March 10, 9:30-5:30, (Course #50321) Instructor: Matt Horne – Pembina Institute
Feeling the Heat – Reducing Energy Consumption in Buildings
Energy inefficient buildings cost businesses thousands of dollars every year. Using Langara College as a case study, course participants will explore the range of opportunities for reducing energy losses in institutional and commercial buildings. In the first part of the workshop, an engineer will explain the process in detail, from energy audit to implementation, and then workshop participants will be taken on a tour of the college to learn about the energy saving changes firsthand.
$49, Saturday, April 14, 12:30-4:30, (Course #50322) Instructors: Patricia-Baker – Prism Engineering and Deane Martin – Langara College
House as a System – Energy Reduction Through Integrated Design
In a well-outfitted building, the heating, glazing, ventilation, walls and roof components work together to increase comfort, reduce heating expenses and improve indoor air quality. This course examines the house as a system, with an emphasis on how high-efficiency heating systems like condensing furnaces and heat pumps can be combined with a well insulated envelope and a balanced ventilation system to save money and increase health and comfort.
$29, Saturday, April 21, 12:30-3:30, (Course #50323) Instructor: Rob Pope – Solace Energy