Earlier this year at BUILDEX Vancouver, we explored strategies for avoiding electrical capacity upgrades in MURB retrofits. Now, with the Power Efficient Design (PED) Guide finalized, this webinar shifted the focus to what works in practice, what doesn’t, and how teams are applying these approaches in real projects. Join us for this Decarb Lunch as we explored the project experience that informed the guide, including practical examples of how teams approached common challenges, which design decisions made the biggest difference, and what lessons were learned when things didn’t go as planned. Together, we examined what these experiences meant for scaling electrification in multi-unit residential buildings. Together with a panel of practitioners, we unpacked practical questions such as: • What does “right sizing” actually look like on a real project? • How do you manage loads in multi-residential buildings with overlapping demands (heating, cooling, EVs)? • Where are teams successfully avoiding service upgrades—and how? • What trade offs are you likely to face in design and implementation? Whether you joined us at our BCRA-hosted BUILDEX Vancouver or are new to this topic, this session offered practical insights for translating power efficient design from concept into action. Speakers: Brendan McEwen Brendan supports utility, government, and private-sector clients in decarbonizing the transportation and building sectors. Over 16 years in climate policy, he has directed an electric mobility and decarbonization practice at an engineering firm, served as sustainability manager for the City of Richmond, BC, been associate director of MIT’s Green Economic Development Initiative, and consulted with leading urban planning firms. He led Richmond’s world-first 100% “EV Ready” parking requirement and helped shape BC’s Zero Carbon Step Code. In 2023, he developed a roadmap for mandatory residential HVAC workforce certifications to support the low-carbon transition. Jason Rowley Jason is a Policy Specialist working within the Market Transformation Team at BC Hydro. He is a seasoned senior leader with 35 years of progressive experience in regulatory strategy, government policy development, and the implementation of codes and standards. His career has centered on advancing safety, compliance, and innovation in complex urban environments, with a strong emphasis on technical oversight and policy influence. Jason comes to BC Hydro after serving the City of Vancouver for 20 years as an electrical inspector, with the last eight years as Chief Electrical Inspector and Electrical Safety Manager for the City of Vancouver. Jeremy Overton Jeremy is a Senior Safety Officer (Electrical – Climate Action and Sustainability) with Technical Safety BC. He has over nine years of experience as an Electrical Safety Officer, including three years with the City of Vancouver and six years with Technical Safety BC, serving communities in Cranbrook and across Vancouver Island. Jeremy is actively involved in electrical code development and serves as a Technical Sub-Committee member for CEC Sections 8, 10, 62, and 86. He is also a voting member of the Part 1 Technical Committee for the Canadian Electrical Code. He is the Secretary of the IAEI BC Chapter and Vice President of the IAEI Canadian Section, supporting inspector training, code development, and industry engagement around the province. Host: Stephan Baeuml, BCRA, ZEIC Thank you to BC Hydro, the City of Vancouver, and NRCan for the financial support that enables us to make this event free of charge.
