Innovation Summer 2025

UBCO DISTRICT ENERGY DECARBONIZATION The University of BC Okanagan (UBCO) decarbonized its low-temperature district energy system (LDES). Previously reliant on gas boilers for heating, UBCO implemented a Vitalis Coolshift 1.5 MW reversible air-source heat pump (ASHP) using R744 (CO2), a natural refrigerant with ultra low global warming potential (GWP) and no PFAS toxicity. This project will help the campus meet its 2030 targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions by displacing 430,000 m³ of natural gas annually. The innovative system, currently the largest reversible CO2 ASHP in North America, is designed to primarily operate in subcritical mode, delivering an anticipated 98% of the LDES’ total heating demand and GHG emission reductions of 815 tonnes per year. The system also acts as an auxiliary source of cooling for the LDES in the summer. Company: UBCO; Vitalis Participants: Vitalis: James Seabrook, P.Eng.; Andrew Gosling, P.Eng.; Parham Eslami Nejad, PhD; Maxwell Shaw; Sean Demers; Jonas Linnemann; Chelsea Walker, EIT. P hoto : D arren H ull

bus information displays, and a new commercial retail unit. Pedestrian and bicycle access was improved with new multi-use pathways and secure bicycle parking. The landscaped rain garden system detains on-site stormwater and contributes to the urban design features. Public art is also included by artists from the Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) to honour the Indigenous history of the land. Company: TransLink Participants: TransLink: Basil Aljanaby, P.Eng.; Graeme Wilson, P.Geo.; Darin Savage, P.Eng.; Jon Navarra, P.Eng. Ministry of Transportation and Transit: Shelby Snow; Ashleigh DeSoto; Dickson Chung; Kathy Taheri. McElhanney: Shelly Gurtata. Conwest Developments Ltd. Binnie. P hoto : S ubmitted by T rans L ink

• Marine Drilling Capabilities • Sonic Track & Truck Drill Rigs • Instrumentation Installations • Soil and Groundwater Investigations • Anchor, Piling and Grouting Services Geotechnical Drilling Solutions

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Innovation Summer 2025

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