Energy Research

Avalon was one of six organizations (including Hydro Quebec and the University of Calgary) to produce reports (September ‘98) concerning technologies that could reduce Canadian greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030. This Energy Technologies Futures project output is used by Natural Resources Canada as a catalyst for immediate work on energy systems, development of policy, and long term R&D. Avalon worked with a marketing firm to provide BC Hydro with program evaluation of their New Building Design Program, and their Natural Choice Program in 1996. The BC Green Building Retrofit Program was evaluated for BCBC with RA Malatest & Associates.

Avalon provided the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, B.C. (MEMPR) with detailed critical evaluations of the National Research Council's National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB), 1.0 and 2.0. We authored many revisions to the NECB, which were adopted into the Code. In 1996, we provided the Canadian Government with a comprehensive training plan (aimed at all Canadian trades, inspectors and design professionals) for implementation of the NECB. In 1997, we created Information Sheets (posters) concerning NECB envelope, lighting and mechanical requirements. Avalon was the only Canadian consultant on the team that developed the performance simulation software for the NECB.

Alternative Energy Experience

Avalon has recently inspected the Laurel Point Resort solar pool heating system on behalf of NRCan. We are working with BCSEA on monitoring and inspection services relating to their SolarBC Solar Programme. Solar energy feasibility studies have been conducted on the following Vancouver Island buildings: Government House, The Brannan Lake Correctional Centre, The Waddington Building, The Richard Blanshard Building, and the Jack Davis Building. Monitoring of a solar assisted heat pump system has been performed on a large apartment building. We have completed a study on solar systems in salmon hatcheries for Natural Resources Canada (CANMET), and designed residential systems.