Innovation Fall 2024

??? | ??? | ??? Foundation needs your support | Survey results | ICRA in effect

FIRM & INDIVIDUAL AUDIT FINDINGS INNOVATION ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA FALL 2024

PM40065271

SMART HYDROGEN ENERGY DISTRICT: DRIVING SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRICITY STORAGE

PM40065271

Start early and save more

See the difference an extra 10 years can make

The earlier you start saving with the Engineers Canada-sponsored Financial Security Program’s registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) , the more you’ll save. Ok, we know that’s not exactly rocket (or geo) science – but do you know how much more you can save? It really adds up! Get the guidance you need Want some advice? Connect with your personal Canada Life health and wealth consultant online when it’s convenient for you at all steps of your financial journey.

Retire at age 65

$800,000

$700,000

You could save

$600,000

$308,127

more!

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000

$0

Start at age 25

Start at age 35

Assumptions: 6% annual gross growth rate and mid-year annual lump sum contributions of $5,000 are assumed. Ontario HST is applied. Investment Management Fee IMF (%) based on the JF Canadian Equity fund. The above example is for illustrative purposes only. Situations will vary according to specific circumstances.

Start today canadalife.com/EC-RRSP

The Engineers Canada-sponsored Financial Security Program is exclusive to engineers, geoscientists, students, and their families, across Canada.

A plan built just for you.

Canada Life and design, and For Life As You Know It, are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company.

COMMENT 4 Viewpoint FALL 2024 | VOLUME 28 NUMBER 3 INNOVATION 5 AIBC joint statement 6 Board report 7 Two new board appointees 8 ICRA now in effect 11 AGM registration NEWS DEPARTMENTS 19 Professional Practice inquiries 41 Discipline and enforcement 42 Obituaries - In memoriam 43 Display Advertisers' index 46 Continuing Education FEATURES 14 Individual audit findings 16 Firm audits findings 20 UBC SHED 26 Registrant survey results 30 Public survey results 32 Flood mitigation methods 38 Foundation: invest in potential ON THE COVER The Smart Hydrogen Energy District is on prominent display on UBC’s campus. Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Applied Science 11 New learning module 12 Annual conference

The power of SHED Addressing the challenge of storing energy, a UBC researcher initiated the Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED). Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Applied Science COVER STORY 20

Assessing flood risk A look at probabilistic and deterministic methods in flood mitigation to tackle the effects of climate change and logging. Photo: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

32

Invest in potential The Engineers and Geoscientists BC Foundation needs your support. Photo: Submitted

38

To see the digital version of Innovation , scan the QR code or go to egbc.ca/Innovation .

Innovation Fall 2024

3

INNOVATION FALL 2024 | VOLUME 28 NUMBER 3

V I EWPOINT

A rewarding year as Board Chair

ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 | Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

Email: info@egbc.ca | Web: egbc.ca

As I come to the end of my term as Board Chair, I want to thank my fellow Board members for their commitment to our collective Board. We have had many accomplishments this year as we continued to focus on responsible governance, while avoiding wading “into the weeds” of the operations of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. There have been many changes over the past three years following the implementation of the Professional Governance Act. For some, these changes have been met with consternation, while others have adjusted and adapted. I have personally enjoyed my four years on the Board, having been one of the two first members to serve a three-year term. Meeting other members from our own organization and also people from across the country has been very rewarding. Engineers and Geoscientists BC is supported by more than 1,500 volunteers; I would encourage all registrants who are interested in governance to get involved as a volunteer. If you already sit on an advisory group or have other board experience, I encourage you to step forward at the next call for the Board elections. If you are interested in being on the Board in the future, I encourage you to reach out to one of the existing members for a chat. The Nominating Committee considers the consistency of the remaining Board members and their skill set when considering new potential Board members. This is done to ensure a fulsome representation of skills and working backgrounds. The registrant members on the Board also appreciate the input from our four government-appointed members who bring a different perspective to our discussions (see “Two new appointed Board members,” p 7). The Board continues to collaborate with the recently formed BC Society of Engineering and Geoscience (BCSEG). This society will consider what advocacy aspects it will manage as Engineers and Geoscientists BC continues to be our regulating body. I would encourage all registrants to sign up for the BCSEG notices by visiting: www.bcseg.ca. Together we can continue to protect the people and the environment here in BC.

BOARD 2023/2024 CHAIR: MICHELLE MAHOVLICH, MENG, P.ENG., P.GEO., FCSSE

VICE CHAIR: MARK PORTER, P.ENG., STRUCT.ENG. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: MARK ADAMS, P.ENG.

BOARD MEMBERS BILL CHAN, CPA, CGA, MBA, ICD.D; LESLIE HILDEBRANDT, ICD.D, LLB; VERONICA KNOTT, P.ENG.; EMILY LEWIS, CPA, CMA; KAREN LING, P.ENG.; CATHY MCINTYRE, MBA, C.DIR; MAHSOO NADERI-DASOAR, P.ENG.; MATTHEW SALMON, P.ENG.; JENS WEBER, P.ENG. EXECUTIVE TEAM HEIDI YANG, P.ENG., FEC, FGC (HON.), CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIZA ABOUD, MBA, ABC, ICD.D, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JENNIFERCHO,CPA,CGA,CHIEFFINANCIALANDADMINISTRATIVEOFFICER DAVID PAVAN, R.PH., CHIEF REGULATORY OFFICER AND REGISTRAR EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP Ryan Bird, P.Eng.; Allen Heinrichs, P.Eng.; Mahsa Mohajerani, P.Eng.; Roozbeh Nemati, PMP, P.Eng.; Ian Rodriguez, EIT; Raya Smertina, P.Eng.; Aman Tanvir, P.Eng.; Stefano Vitucci, P.Eng. Innovation is published quarterly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. As the official publication of the organization, Innovation is circulated to all registrants of Engineers and Geoscientists BC as well as architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Board or Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Sales Representative: Wing-Yee Kwong Tel: 604.681.1811 Email: advertising@egbc.ca For information see: www.egbc.ca/About/Publications/Innovation/How-to-Advertise SUBMISSIONS Innovation does not accept unsolicited articles or photos, but we do welcome article proposals and ideas. Proposals should be of interest and relevant to our readers and recognize the regulatory role of Engineers and Geoscientists BC in ensuring public safety and environmental protection. They should not be a "sales pitch" for a company or organization. Send suggestions to: innovation@egbc.ca. LETTERS Innovation welcomes letters from our readers. All submitted letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity or accuracy. We reserve the right to reject unsuitable letters and we do not publish open letters to third parties. Send letters to: innovation@egbc.ca REPRINTS & COPIES All material is copyright. For reprint permission or extra copies, contact: innovation@egbc.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS All registrants with Engineers and Geoscientists BC receive Innovation in print or digital form. Registrants can update their communication preferences for Innovation in their accounts at egbc.ca/account. Send print or digital subscription requests to: innovation@egbc.ca. MANAGING EDITOR Shelley Nicholl Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press Ltd. on recycled paper ADVERTISING SALES

Michelle Mahovlich, MEng, P.Eng., P.Geo., FCSSE Board Chair info@egbc.ca

WEBSITE & DIGITAL EDITION www.egbc.ca/About/Publications/Innovation

ISSN 1206-3622 Publications Mail Agreement No 40065271. Registration No 09799. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Innovation , Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N2.

4

Fall 2024

Innovation

Photo: Luis Leamus/AdobeStock

Joint statement clarifies roles of engineers and architects for existing buildings

regarding the practice of Architects and Building Envelope Engineers in the context of repair, renewal and rehabilitation of existing buildings. In response to a directive from the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG), the AIBC developed Descriptive Materials to assist in the application of the Architects Regulation. These Descriptive Materials respond to some of the questions that have been raised. Engineers and Geoscientists is continuing its work to decrease confusion. "It's important to us that our registrants have clear scopes of work to guide their professional practice," said Heidi Yang, P.Eng., Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s CEO. "We're committed to working with the AIBC to achieve this

Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) issued a joint statement on August 12 to provide clarity on the Architects Regulation and the role of engineering professionals and architects in the repair, renewal, and rehabilitation of existing buildings. The Architects Regulation defines the reserved practice of architecture and was introduced on February 10, 2023, in line with the AIBC being brought under the Professional Governance Act (PGA). Following the Architects Regulation coming into force, the AIBC repealed Bulletin 34, its professional practice bulletin on building envelope services. In response, feedback from registrants, local governments, others in the building sector, and the public indicated more clarity was needed

clarity for building enclosure engineers, in service to the public's safety and environmental protection." Engineers and Geoscientists BC and AIBC will work to: • Replace guidelines for the AIBC’s building enclosure-related bulletins • Amend the Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Professional Practice Guidelines: Building Enclosure Engineering Services • Provide greater clarity to the professions’ practice in this area If you have any questions, please contact practiceadvisor@egbc.ca . Specific questions about the Architects Regulation and AIBC Descriptive Materials should be directed to the AIBC ( practiceadvice@aibc.ca ).

Innovation Fall 2024

5

BOARD NEWS

Board meetings highlights Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Board meets throughout the year. The following are highlights from its most recent meetings. 2024/2025 Budget approved At its May 29 meeting, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Board approved the budget for the organization’s 2024/2025 fiscal year. The budget includes a less than three percent increase to licensing fees ($15) which will take effect in January 2025. The budget accounts for additional resources to manage demands on regulatory processes – including significant increases to application, licensing, and exam volumes, as well as increased investigation and discipline files – and also anticipates the impact of divesting revenue-generating advocacy activities through mid-2025. Despite these added pressures, the Board was able to analyze and refine the budget to ensure the organization could advance this work while also keeping licensing

Photo: Wendy D Photography

fee increases to a minimum, proceeding only with an adjustment to keep up with inflation. Additional work supported by the budget includes engagement with government on strategic priorities, an improved volunteer management program, engagement with registrants to seek feedback on key issues, and ongoing work to improve the organization’s foundational programs related to data governance, equity, diversity and inclusion, Truth and Reconciliation, and climate change. 2024 AGM rules of order approved At its June 21 meeting, the Board approved recommendations from the Governance Sub-Committee for the Rules of Order for the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in a hybrid format on October 16, 2024. The rules include some updates, following the organization’s first hybrid AGM in 2023, to ensure the meeting is efficient and effective in a hybrid format. This includes confirming that voting will take place electronically for all participants, considering accessibility options for those who cannot vote electronically, and enabling the Chair to determine the method of voting in the event it cannot proceed electronically.

6

Fall 2024

Innovation

BOARD NEWS

Two new lay Board members appointed

Two new government appointees will be taking their seats on the Board effective October 31, 2024, as two current lay Board member end their terms. The Board has four government-appointed members. The new Board members are Colette Trudeau, MA, and TJ Schmaltz, JD, FCPHR, SHRM-SCP, ICD.D. Trudeau is the CEO and citizen of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) with over 15 years of service to her Nation through various leadership roles from Director of Youth to Senior Director of Operations and Administration. Her commitment to community leadership is exemplified through her previous roles as a school trustee in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows and board member for Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society. She has also been a representative of the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Council, the 4 R's Young Leaders Initiative, the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective, and the Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. Schmaltz is currently the Chief People and Legal Officer with one of Canada’s largest credit unions. He is an experienced board member having recently finished his term as Chair for the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada, as well as the North American Human Resources Association. He currently serves on the Vancouver College Board as well as the BC Credit Union Pension and Benefits Trust.

Colette Trudeau

TJ Schmaltz

Canadian Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and American Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designations. In 2018, Schmaltz was granted the title of Fellow Chartered Professional in Human Resources (FCPHR) for his contributions to the HR profession in BC and across Canada.

The two new Board members replace Leslie Hildebrandt, ICD.D, LLB, and Emily Lewis, CPA, CMA, whose terms end October 31. Two other government-appointed Board members have had their appointments renewed and remain on the Board: Bill Chan, CPA, CGA, ICD.D, and Cathy McIntyre, MBA, C. Dir.

FULL-SERVICE SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS

GLOBAL LEADERS IN SITE CHARACTERIZATION

Schmaltz holds the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D), the

SCAN TO ACCESS THE 2023 CPT DESIGN PARAMETER MANUAL AND MORE TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Innovation Fall 2024

7

R EGULATORY NEWS

Photo: Mark Agnor/Shutterstock

International Credentials Recognition Act now in effect BC’s International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA), designed to streamline registration for internationally trained professionals, became effective July 1. “Engineers and Geoscientists BC is ready to ensure we meet the Geoscientists BC does not foresee any significant changes to the current application process that would affect those in the process of applying for a designation.

requirements of the ICRA and welcomes the resources the provincial government is providing,” said Heidi Yang, P.Eng., CEO of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. “We have already reduced many of the barriers internationally trained engineers and geoscientists face when registering in BC, while still maintaining high standards in the admission process.” Impact on international applicants While it is still early in the application of the ICRA, Engineers and

Engineers and Geoscientists BC went through a lengthy consultation process with the provincial government leading up to the implementation of the ICRA . During that process, the organization benchmarked current policies and procedures and found it is largely in compliance with the core elements of the ICRA and the regulations. Over the past decade, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is one of 18 regulatory bodies included in the scope of the ICRA. The purpose of the ICRA is to make it easier, more transparent, and faster for qualified professionals trained in other countries to pursue and achieve credentials recognition while also allowing regulators to maintain entry to-practice standards in their mandate.

8

Fall 2024

Innovation

committed to continual process improvement addressing the large portion of applicants from outside Canada while also maintaining entry to-practice standards. This includes transitioning to Competency-Based Assessment as well as, more recently, developing the Canadian Environment Competencies and the Working in Canada Seminar. The adjustments necessary for Engineers and Geoscientists BC to comply with the legislation will not likely affect current applicants. Impact on Engineers and Geoscientists BC The key change for Engineers and Geoscientists BC is to address transparency. The organization will be making improvements in publishing policies and ensuring information about registration is more accessible for internationally trained professionals. Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been granted funding from the BC government to hire two staff members for a one-year term to help the organization align with the requirements. This includes a UX designer to make online information about the licensing process more accessible and a policy analyst for registration adjustments. It’s not expected the legislation will trigger a higher number of applications for several years from internationally trained applicants. For engineering, the number of applications from individuals with degrees from outside of Canada is greater than the number of applications from individuals with Canadian degrees. The main drivers that affect the volume of applications. Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been receiving a large number of

The new legislation will cover 18 regulatory authorities: • Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC • Architectural Institute of BC • BC Forest Professionals • Association of BC Land Surveyors • Engineers and Geoscientists BC • BC College of Social Workers • BC Institute of Agrologists • BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association • BC Society of Landscape Architects • College of Applied Biologists Regulators covered by the ICRA • College of Veterinarians of BC • Director of Teacher Certification (and BC Teachers’ Council) • Director of the Early Childhood Educator Registry • Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board • Law Society of BC • Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of BC • Society of Notaries Public of BC • Superintendent of Real Estate (and BC Financial Services Authority)

• Marine Drilling Capabili i es • Sonic Track & Truck Drill Rigs • Instrumenta a on Installa a ons • Soil and Groundwater Inves s ga a ons • Anchor, Piling and Grou u ng Services Geotechnical Drilling Solu u ons

www.Foundex.com • 604-594-8333 • info@Foundex.com

Innovation Fall 2024

9

R EGULATORY NEWS

applications are changing needs of various industries as well as immigration policies. Applications come from almost everywhere in the world. On the engineering side, most applications are consistently received from Iran, the US, India, the UK and China. On the geoscience side, more fluctuations are seen, but most applications come from the US, Australia, the UK, and South Africa. Specific criteria of ICRA The provincial government’s goal with the legislation is to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals so they will be able to help fill the high volume of expected job openings in BC over the next 10 years. One of the criteria in the ICRA is to remove mandatory, time-based Canadian work experience requirements. With the Professional Governance Act, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Bylaws were amended to remove this requirement and incorporate a Canadian environment competencies assessment. The ICRA also specifies that regulators eliminate English language testing requirements that are considered repetitive in nature, charge similar fees for international and domestic applicants, and provide transparency through new data-collection and reporting requirements. Engineers and Geoscientists BC currently provides flexibility in English language proficiency assessment, and mutual recognition agreements with professional regulators in other countries. Oversight The BC government will be appointing a superintendent of international credential recognition to

oversee the fair recognition of international credentials, addressing any systemic or procedural issues. The superintendent will also have the authority under the ICRA to issue orders for compliance and impose administrative penalties as needed.

Support materials

To assist applicants, Engineers and Geoscientists BC developed the competency assessment platform (competencyassessment.ca/) so applicants can record their progress and have their competency requirements validated and assessed. Engineers and Geoscientists BC also developed the Working in Canada seminar (competencyassessment. ca/CanadianCompetencies/WorkingInCanadaSeminar) , which is a 56-hour, online and self-paced series of training modules that correspond to Canadian environment competencies and, in certain cases, can supplement an applicant’s knowledge in an area in which they have not achieved the required level. See also: Canadian Environment Competencies – Guide for Applicants and Accessors ( competencyassessment.ca/reference-documents/ Canadian-Environment-Experience-Competencies Guide-for-Applicants-and-Assessors.pdf )

Building careers to last

Join our growing group of engineers, technologists and scientists and work on some of the most interesting projects across North America.

KGSGROUP.COM/CAREERS

10

Fall 2024

Innovation

Photo: David Buzzard

Register by October 8 for 2024 AGM

Registration for the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) is now open. The AGM will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 2 p.m. All registrants are encouraged to attend and participate and must pre-register by noon, October 8. The AGM is an opportunity for registrants to hear from the Board and senior staff about the organization’s strategic progress, key initiatives, and financial standing. Registrants can also bring forward motions for Board consideration.

Registrants are welcome to submit motions for consideration at the AGM. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m., September 14. If you would like to submit a motion, please read the Motion Submission Guide and complete the Motion Submission Form. Information For more information about the AGM, please scan the QR code below or go to: egbc.ca/About/Governance/ Annual-General-Meeting.

The AGM will be conducted using a hybrid format, allowing registrants to attend online or in-person at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The AGM was moved to a weekday this year to accommodate schedules for registrants and speakers. New regulatory learning module available

The Duty to Report requires registrants who become aware of unsafe, illegal, or unethical practices to make a report to Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Registrants can complete the new module via the Knowledge Centre on the Engineers and Geoscientists BC website: egbc.ca/knowledge-centre .

The Continuing Education Program requires practising registrants to complete a Regulatory Learning Module each reporting year. This year’s module is focused on the Duty to Report. Duty to report is a critical component of the regulation of professional engineering and geoscience in the public interest.

Innovation Fall 2024

11

2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM

OCTOBER 16–18, 2024 | VANCOUVER, BC VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE, EAST

The 2024 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Annual Conference and AGM will bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and respected partners.

Come for the AGM, informative sessions, and three days of networking events.

1 2

Fall 2024

Innovation

ANOTHER EXCITING CONFERENCE THIS YEAR!

Welcome to the 2024 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Annual Conference and AGM. We are pleased to continue to offer informative Continuing Education sessions, keynote speakers, and lots of new networking opportunities. We look forward to seeing you in October.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024 BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Reaching New Heights Alan Mallory, P.Eng. (Ontario), Speaker, Author, and Performance Coach.

Artificial Intelligence and Workplace Mental Health: How to Prepare with Agility Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, International Bilingual Leadership Resilience and Burnout Prevention Expert, Work Psychologist.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024 BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Change as a Path to Greatness Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser , Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Everyday Climate Solutions: 10 Ways to Be a Friend to the Planet (& Yourself) Nikki Sanchez, Indigenous Media Maker, TEDx Speaker, Environmental Educator and Author.

For more information on the keynote speakers and presentations visit egbc.ca/conference.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024 2:00 PM Pacific Time

The 2024 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Annual Conference will bring together engineers and geoscientists from all over the province for a learning and networking experience. By participating in this year’s annual conference, registrants can earn Continuing Education (CE) Hours.

The AGM will be conducted using a hybrid format, allowing registrants to attend online or in person in Vancouver, BC.

For the most updated information, visit egbc.ca/agm.

WHAT'S NEW?

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

You can find updated information at egbc.ca/conference or contact us at conference@egbc.ca .

We are excited to host two NEW events this year. Join other delegates at the Welcome Networking Event on Wednesday and at the Closing Cocktail Reception on Friday. Don't miss out!

Follow us on Twitter @EngGeoBC, #EngGeoBCConference for updates or visit egbc.ca/conference.

Innovation Fall 2024

13

C OMMUNI TY

Photo: Scott Graham/Unsplash

A year after the individual audit program was initiated, most Individual Audit Program has positive results how beneficial the program was to them, registrants provided an

conducted in April 2024 to address these gaps and CE Plan templates were updated to provide more clarification to registrants for this past reporting year. Continuous improvements will be made to the program as Engineers and Geoscientists BC continues to receive feedback from registrants. One change is an updated questionnaire, released this spring, that is designed to be quicker and easier for registrants to fill out, as well as more focused on critical regulatory requirements. Information about the program More information about the audit program, the process, and what registrants can expect can be found on the Individual Audit Program page on our website: egbc.ca/ Registrants/Practice-Resources/ Individual-Audit-Program .

average score of 4 out of 5 (1 being not at all beneficial and 5 being very beneficial). “After going through an audit, registrants understand that it is meant to be a proactive, educational process, rather than a punitive one,” says Stuart Nash, P.Eng., Manager, Individual Audits and Practice Reviews at Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Audits provide valuable information Through the audits, it has been discovered that registrant-declared industries and areas of practice are not always being kept current. Reporting accurate and current industries and areas of practice is a requirement under the Professional Governance Act to maintain public transparency about the expertise registrants have and the type of work they are completing. It has also been observed during audits that more education is needed to support registrants to complete their Continuing Education (CE) Plans. A CE Plan webinar was

registrants audited have found the experience positive, and findings have identified ways Engineers and Geoscientists BC can assist registrants in meeting their regulatory requirements. The Compliance Audit Program for Individual Registrants randomly assesses regulatory compliance of individual registrants. The goals of the program are to: • Engage one-on-one with registrants and help them understand their regulatory requirements. • Identify any compliance gaps in their practice and support them in making improvements. • Gather information to help Engineers and Geoscientists BC improve programs and develop or improve guidance for registrants in priority areas. Experience positive for registrants Overall, registrants have given very positive feedback on the audit process and acknowledge audits help them improve their practice. In rating

14

Fall 2024

Innovation

INDIVIDUAL AUDITS CAN ASSIST REGISTRANTS IN THEIR PRACTICE

In this presentation, Stuart Nash, P.Eng., Manager, Individual Audits and Practice Reviews, along with compliance auditors Krupal Pal, P.Eng., and Mira Nasser, will give an overview of the Individual Audit Program and discuss the trends, observations, and lessons learned from the first year of the program. The session is intended to give attendees all the information they need to understand the compliance audit process and ease any fears about undergoing an individual audit.

One Down, Many to Go: Lessons Learned from the First Year of the Individual Audit Program Thursday, October 17 3 – 4 pm Sign up for the Continuing Education course at the Fall conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre or live stream.

Stuart Nash

Innovation Fall 2024

15

C OMMUNI TY Firm audits and practice reviews: updates and findings

With more than a year-and-a-half of firm audits completed, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Firm Audit Program is identifying emerging trends in the findings. Firm audits are a proactive, quality assurance approach to assess firm registrants’ overall compliance with regulatory requirements. From October 2022 to June 2024, the audit team completed 593 audits. All of the more than 4,000 registrant firms are eligible to be selected for a compliance audit. Findings from practice reviews, which are initiated as an escalation during the audit process, also reveal similar trends. Practice Review was previously a proactive program, but now refers to the program that, when a Major Non-Conformance is identified during an audit, provides a more focused look at technical practice in order to detect risks and gaps in a registrant firm’s practice and to provide remedial tools. Significant findings In reviewing the findings, the most significant finding was systemic failure by firms to have independent review of structural designs either completed or completed in accordance with the requirements. These types of files lead the registrant firm to a Corrective Action Plan, which includes a review of Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Guideline for Independent Review of Structural Designs, along with viewing the accompanying webinar.

Corrective Action Request (CARs) are required for non-systemic failures (Minor Non-Conformance) by a registrant firm to meet an applicable regulatory requirement. Firms must complete a Corrective Action Plan which identifies the root cause and a plan how to address it. Major Non-Conformance (MNCs) are systemic failures by a registrant firm to meet an applicable regulatory requirement or ongoing practices that may pose a risk of significant harm to the environment or to the health or safety of the public. Audit files with MNCs are escalated to the Audit and Practice Review Committee (APRC), which may choose one of five options: 1. Closure: applied when the non conformance has been remediated. 2. Corrective action: applied when the non-conformance does not indicate risks of significant harm to the public or the environment, appears to be based on lack of awareness, or is remediable. 3. Practice review: applied when the non-conformance indicates serious problems to be remedied and the

The highest number of Corrective Action Requests (CARs) was split between Checking and Independent Review of High-Risk Professional Activities or Work (HRPAW). The findings under Checking are almost exclusively related to lack of records demonstrating that appropriate checking occurred. The findings under HRPAW are attributed to lack of knowledge or understanding of the requirements, as it is a newer requirement under Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Bylaws. Categories of findings The auditors at Engineers and Geoscientists BC categorized the findings from the firm audits into three types in order of increasing significance: Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs) are an observation or a suggestion regarding a potential improvement opportunity. These are recommendations only, and no action is required.

16

Fall 2024

Innovation

How to avoid findings

Here are some tips to avoid these common findings in either an audit or practice review of your firm: • Know the requirements, which should be in your Professional Practice Management Plan. • Check out the guides and free webinars in the Knowledge Center. Watch all the webinars and claim the Continuing Education credits. • Be aware of amendments to the BC Building Code, specifically the March 8, 2024, revision to the schedules. • If unclear on how a requirement applies to your practice, contact an Engineers and Geoscientists BC Practice Advisor at practiceadvisor@egbc.ca. • Review the Regulation of Firms Permit to Practice Manual on the website: egbc.ca/Firms/Firm Practice/Firm-Practice-Overview.

International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) The registrant firm audits are processed by a team of auditors, who are accredited by the IRCA. Collectively, the set of regulatory requirements that registrant firms must meet in accordance with Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Bylaws has formally been accepted by IRCA as an acceptable alternative standard to ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems (QMS) – Requirements.

registrant is cooperative or for concerns related to the standard or quality of the registrant’s professional work. 4. Notifying the Investigation Committee (IC): applied when there is a concern related to professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming or incompetence, and to protect the public. 5. Disclosure of audit records to the IC: applied when the registrant is providing false information to the APRC, or to report a risk of significant harm to the environment or to the health and safety of the public.

Innovation Fall 2024

17

FIRM AUDIT AND PRACTICE REVIEW TRENDS – HOW TO AVOID COMMON FINDINGS

Thursday, October 17 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Sign up for the Continuing Education course at the Fall conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre or live stream.

Kayla Vantriet

Kelly Dayman

The audits and practice reviews of registrant firms have been taking place under the Professional Governance Act since 2022 (12 months after the Permit to Practice requirement came into place) and trends have emerged in the findings. Kelly Dayman, AScT, P.L.Eng., FGC (Hon.) Associate Director, Regulation of Firms, Professional Practice, and Kayla Vantriet, Manager, Permit to Practice, Professional Practice, will present the trends, identifying the highest occurring findings, discuss the requirements, and provide advice on how to avoid these findings. Ample time will be provided for a Q & A session.

Geotechnical Engineering Materials Testing Non-Destructive Testing Mining Geotechnics Offshore Engineering Forensic Engineering Environmental Engineering Expert Witness https://alphaadroit.ca/services/geotechnical-engineering.html https://alphaadroit.ca/services/ndt-non-destructive-testing-services.html Non-Destructive Testing https://www.alphaadroit.ca/services/mining-geotechnical-engineering-services.html https://alphaadroit.ca/services/materials-testing-services.html https://alphaadroit.ca/services/offshore-geotechnical-engineering.html https://alphaadroit.ca/services/forensic-geotechnical-engineering-and-expert-witness.html https://alphaadroit.ca/services/forensic-geotechnical-engineering-and-expert-witness.html https://www.alphaadroit.ca/services/environmental-consulting-services.html

www.alphaadroit.ca 778-322-4110 | 780-708-4110

18

Fall 2024

Innovation

PROFESSIONAL PRACTIC E

Professional practice inquiries

What should I do if asked by an approving authority to authenticate a form or assurance statement?

Geoscientists BC professional practice guidelines, or assurance statements developed by municipalities. One other exemption for authenticating administrative documents is during the Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s registration process. Professionals are allowed to certify an EIT or GIT applicant’s identity by authenticating a photocopy of appropriate documentation as a “true copy of the original.” When professionals are asked to authenticate a form that is not endorsed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC, they may consider whether simply providing their signature is adequate. If not, they should inform the requesting party that it is not appropriate to authenticate the form as per section 3.7.1.1 of the quality management guide referenced above and direct them to Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Guidance related specifically to insurance declarations is provided in the practice advisory, Sealing Insurance Declarations. Approving authorities wishing to have a form, assurance statement, or other document endorsed, can reach out to practiceadvisor@egbc.ca to discuss their request. To provide endorsement, Engineers and Geoscientists BC reviews the form to determine whether authentication is appropriate and if so, the review considers professional practice and ethical considerations, as well as a legal review.

The professional seal for engineers and geoscientists, along with the professional’s signature, date, and the permit to practice number, authenticates work products. This authentication indicates the opinions, judgements, or designs were provided by an appropriately registered and qualified individual who is held to high standards of knowledge, skill, and ethical conduct. As outlined in the Quality Management Guides – Guide to the Standard for the Authentication of Documents Section 3.7.1.1, before deciding whether to authenticate a work product, a professional should ask themselves the following three questions: 1. Does it contain information resulting from the practice of professional engineering or professional geoscience? 2. Is it complete for its intended purpose? 3.Will it be relied upon by others (whether for bidding, permitting, construction, implementation, use, or other reliance)? Sometimes engineers and geoscientists are asked to authenticate forms that are administrative in nature. If Engineers and Geoscientists BC has endorsed the authentication of administrative forms, it is acceptable for the professional to authenticate them. Appropriately endorsed documents can include assurance statements such as the Letters of Assurance in the BC Building Code, assurance statements from one of Engineers and

Amy Fehr, P.Eng. Practice Advisor

Upcoming Webinars For a complete list of our upcoming technical webinars, please visit egbc.ca/Events • Professional Practice Guidelines: Use and Development of Seismic Microzonation Maps in BC, September 26, 2024. egbc.ca/Events/Events/2024/24SEPSMM

Innovation Fall 2024

19

FEATURE

THE POWER OF SHED Harnessing hydrogen for grid resilience Clean electricity faces an energy storage problem. A UBC researcher has developed a city-scale testbed to make sustainable grids more reliable, integrating hydrogen, solar, and hydropower energy in a smart hydrogen energy district (SHED) concept.

By Shereen Lee

20

Fall 2024

Innovation

T he race to cut carbon emissions has caused a wellspring of clean electricity solutions, with water, solar, and wind-generated power taking up an increasing share of the global power supply. But as green electricity floods the grid, systems struggle to cope with the intermittent nature of some renewable energy sources. Cold winters or drought can cause a significant dip in supply, requiring high-emissions backup power alternatives, while breezy summer days have resulted in an oversupply of power with limited storage opportunities. Reliable storage of electricity has become a key component of grid stability. Dr. Walter Mérida, P.Eng., and his team at UBC are tackling the issue with their Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED), a $23-million testbed for renewable energy research. The city-scale facility, an ambitious project envisioned in 2016 and completed in 2024, emphasizes dynamically managing energy generation, storage, and usage optimally. The team has developed a novel integration of leading solutions, such as "green hydrogen" electrolysis, to convert electricity into a stored chemical fuel and to dynamically store solar energy in parked cars. While individual solar, hydrogen, and battery storage

Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Applied Science SHED’s hydrogen fueling station at UBC is a testbed for renewable energy research.

Innovation Fall 2024

21

electric grid as needed and filling up with more energy. "That way, we can use a portion of that battery capacity in parked vehicles to store electricity," Mérida said. "And that electricity can then be sent back to the grid." The solution elegantly allows for increased solar power storage during the daytime when extra capacity is needed. However, a long-standing problem with solar capacity remains: electricity demand is highest during the evening, with BC Hydro reporting peak loads between 6 and 7 p.m.

technologies have room for research and development, the Mérida Lab is working from an engineer's practical perspective of creating resilient systems that can utilize each alternative energy option's specific advantages. Managing electricity generation The SHED system begins in a parking lot, where Mérida's team sees the rapid electrification of cars as an opportunity. "Parking garages are one of the most underutilized assets anywhere in the world," said Mérida.

Thousands of parking lots contain cars whose owners work in one location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., leaving cars stationary for upwards of eight hours. "As more and more cars become electrified, each car could carry upwards of 100 kilowatts of power on board." When electric cars drive into a parking lot, they begin charging and stay fully charged for as long as they are parked. But the cars could instead be managing power taken in by solar panels, discharging to feed power to the

22

Fall 2024

Innovation

Dr. Walter Mérida, P.Eng. Photo: Martin Dee/UBC Applied Science

Increasing hydrogen’s role These fluctuations in supply and demand present a strong case for backup solutions, primarily fuels like hydrogen. For Mérida, increasing hydrogen's role in the global energy stack is critical for some industries. "There are some services you cannot deliver with electricity alone," he said. Engineers have struggled to create industrial battery-powered freight trucks, for example, because of the challenge of developing batteries with a reasonable range and weight.

Hydrogen shines in this respect for its low density. "Hydrogen is very light, and that opens up a different design space," said Mérida. To further research various components of hydrogen production and industrial-use cases, the SHED includes an electrolyzer powered by its dynamic solar management system, combined with BC Hydro's supplied hydroelectricity. Once the supplied electricity successfully splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, the resulting hydrogen feeds a hydrogen refueling

station. Vehicles like the hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai and Hyundai's pilot XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck will be able to charge at the station. SHED's microgrid controller, installed to coordinate between the facility's solar panels, EV parking lot, and electrolyzer, will be tested as the facility is commissioned this autumn. Samuel Arulnathan, P.Eng., project manager for SHED, explained, "If we're producing a lot of solar energy, and we need it for the electrolyzer, our energy management system

Innovation Fall 2024

23

storage supply without requiring substantial outside investment in stand-alone batteries. Implementing clean energy solutions Ultimately, Mérida aims to encourage practical, stable developments by using testbed experiments to work through technical challenges and regulatory hurdles, clearing the path for more widespread adoption as technology advances. "If no one takes that risk to develop a novel application, the solutions will not develop,” said Mérida. “Once it's proven that these solutions work, and you have a business case, then other applications can emerge. "So, we're trying to come up with open standards, ways of connecting these pieces of infrastructure, and policies that will make sense on a large scale."

UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon gets assistance from Jake Grant, P.Eng., HTEC, fueling up at the SHED at the official opening in June. Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Applied Science hydropower begins to point toward

will intelligently control that. If we produce energy and want to sell it back to the grid, the microgrid would also handle that. So, any pathway for energy to flow is being controlled internally."

infrastructures that can make renewable energy sources as reliable as status quo solutions. The system has the added benefit of allowing independent energy production using an off-grid solar power system with an abundant

The SHED's integration of hydrogen, solar power, and

TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT’S PACKEDAND READY. Engineers & Geoscientists BC members can travel with up to $5 million in medical coverage. Travel TR T

Services:

SR&ED

Grants

ITB

Contact Johnson today. 1.855.473.8029 or visit Johnson.ca/MEDOC

Johnson Insurance is a tradename of Johnson Inc. ("JI"), a licensed insurance intermediary, and operates as Johnson Insurance Services in British Columbia and Johnson Inc. in Manitoba. MEDOC® is a Registered Trademark of JI. MEDOC® Travel Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada ("RSA") and administered by JI. Valid provincial or territorial health plan coverage required. Travel Assistance provided by Global Excel Management Inc. JI and RSA share common ownership.

www.stratesol.com

info@stratesol.com

+1 (604) 506-6617

24

Fall 2024

Innovation

them," said Mérida. "Impact happens in the real world, so we want to move our ideas out as soon as possible." The challenge to design low-carbon fuel infrastructure, primarily through hydrogen, continues to motivate Mérida Labs' research. Added Arulnathan, "Water electrolysis is still very energy intensive and costly. So, there's still a lot of innovation there to increase the supply of hydrogen and reduce cost, to further increase adoption." For Mérida, the shift to meaningfully decarbonizing the energy system is inevitable, but active exploration is needed to accelerate that change. "If you look at the history of the energy system, moving from wood to coal and oil, at every transition, you have been decreasing the relative amount of carbon. The energy system, of its own accord, has been decarbonizing itself," he said. "The challenge is that with climate change, we don't have 100 years to make this transition; we have decades. And that's what makes this work meaningful. We don't have much time, and there's a lot of work to be done.”

The SHED's research focuses on various topics related to its facilities, from producing and using clean hydrogen to deploying energy-management systems and analyzing the economic or socio-political factors involved. Said Arulnathan, "It's not just about the physical assets but also all the data that's being produced. We want to provide a low-risk platform for research and industry to develop these technologies." Education is another cornerstone of the lab's work and a part of SHED's role as it begins operations. "Every morning, many people walk to work to UBC on our path so that they will walk right through the project,” said Mérida. “We spent time making it a very open project, and we want to create a systematic, professional program for everyone, from politicians to children, to see the project. We want to understand the questions and concerns and feed all that back into the research processes so that our solutions have outside input from the beginning." The team seeks to clarify the technology and safety standards involved in working with hydrogen in the current BC environment. "As a society, we now have decades of experience handling hydrogen at high pressures and high temperatures," said Arulnathan. “There are definitely challenges and costs associated with designing such a facility and implementing all of the mitigations, but our focus is on ensuring that we operate the facility safely." Determining hydrogen’s feasibility The Mérida Lab's research into hydrogen production has already produced several spinoff startups, including VulcanX, which focuses on extracting hydrogen from heating natural gas in an oxygen-deprived environment. "We started doing some of the assessments into how we can make hydrogen economically feasible and with as low emissions as possible," said Dr. Omar Herrera, a former program manager at SHED who co-founded the spinoff company with Mérida and fellow Mérida Labs researcher Dr. Amir Sharafian, P.Eng. "We found that reaching targets for hydrogen would be difficult without free electricity. So, we started looking into other source fuels that could share infrastructure with 'green' hydrogen.’" The team hopes to commercialize many of its technologies across research fields. "We're going to ramp up the speed of our spinoffs, and we want to repeat

Our IP lawyers are here to help you build the future.

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP patentable.com

PROTECTING INNOVATION

Innovation Fall 2024

25