Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 25 Electrical & Communication Systems P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y M AC ' S I I AG EN C I E S Cooper Lighting, now part of Signify – the largest lighting manufacturer and 3D printer globally – is at the forefront of this exciting development." The potential of 3D printing in lighting design is vast. It allows for unprecedented flexibility and creativity, enabling the creation of everything from small decorative pendants to high bay shades. Unique designs, like 3D-printed jellyfish or pickle- ball fixtures, showcase the technology's versatility. "The only limitation is the size of the printer, which can handle anything within a 22-inch cube, and of course your imagination. But within that space, the possibilities are virtually endless," says Brams. Sustainability is a key advantage of 3D printed luminaires. "Cooper Lighting is exploring the use of recycled materials, such as single-use water bottles, to create their products. This innovative approach reduces waste and supports environmental sus- tainability. The company's Parental X line has even received a Declare label, making it one of the few lighting products with such certification, beneficial for clients pursuing LEED certification or other sus- tainability goals," explains Brams. EMBR ACING AUTOMATION The past year has marked significant transforma- tions in the electrical and communication systems industry, something SMS excels in. "The electrical and technology design world is a challenging place, but SMS Engineering loves challenges! Whether we're working on fast-paced complex projects or ser- vicing an ever-growing portfolio of projects, there is never a dull moment," says Chris Hewitt, senior elec- trical engineer and president of SMS Engineering. Hewitt adds, "We recognize that if we are to keep growing, we need to embrace change, driven pri- marily by the push towards automation of processes." SMS Engineering, a consulting and engineer- ing firm based in Winnipeg, says they face a unique challenge: a small labour market serving a grow- ing economy. To address this, SMS Engineering has been at the forefront of integrating advanced automation into its design projects and corporate support to enhance efficiency and quality. This initiative includes building an automation foun- dation from an AI policy, developing a list of tasks to automate, and implementing them into design and support tasks. SMS is particularly proud of its in-house training program, SMS University, which leverages AI tools like its training avatar, "Polly Process," to streamline knowledge dissemination. Recently, SMS Engineering has undertaken a number of significant projects, particularly in health care. Their involvement in six major hos- pital expansions (at Portage, Boundary Trails, Selkirk, Neepawa, Bethesda, and Brandon Hospitals) showcases their ability to manage large-scale proj- ects efficiently, even amidst challenges like long equipment lead times post-COVID. These projects highlight SMS Engineering's capability to deliver complex solutions while maintaining seamless operations for their clients. AI & SMART TECHNOLOGY INTEGR ATION Les Koss, VP of technology at Houle, has observed several significant trends shaping the electrical and communications industry over the past 12 months. One notable trend is the rapid adoption of AI tools. "There are increasing concerns around data privacy and cybersecurity when it comes to the adoption of AI tools," he says. This has led Houle to restrict access to private AI systems and leverage reputable partners offering AI tools to ensure security. Additionally, the industry is seeing a continuing trend toward cloud- hosted services, which present similar data privacy and cyber risk concerns. To mitigate these risks, Houle is partnering with mature service provid- ers that have a strong focus on cyber hardening and hosting environments within Canada. Koss highlights the biggest challenges facing the electrical and communications sector today: the rapid development of technology and innovation, often driven by startup organizations with limited historical success or attention to cyber vulnerabili- ties, which poses significant risks. The market must carefully weigh the risks and rewards of these inno- vations. Furthermore, technological advancements are outpacing the market and end-users' ability to adopt them. Customers' internal processes and compliance reviews often lag behind the emer- gence of new technology. To address this, Houle is committed to partnering closely with all areas in construction – general contractors, consultants, architects, end-users, manufacturers, and software providers – to educate and drive innovation into the construction channel. PIONEERING GHG REDUCTION INITIATIVES Highlighting the vital role of the electrical systems industry in today's world and its future, earlier this year MCW Custom Energy Solutions announced it has become a delivery partner for the University of Toronto's Project Leap. This landmark initiative aims to achieve Climate Positive operations on the St. George Campus by 2050. Project Leap focuses on transitioning the cam- pus's central steam plant from natural gas to electricity and implementing deep energy retro- fits in the most energy-intensive buildings. The $138-million project, supported by the Canada Infrastructure Bank's Building Retrofits Initiative, will be executed by MCW CES and its partners under a Performance-based model. This initiative is projected to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions on the St. George Campus by over 50 percent through strategic heating electri - fication, thermal energy recovery and redistribution, and extensive conservation retrofits. Additionally, 35 buildings will have their lighting upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs. Overall, these measures are expected to cut the campus's greenhouse gas emis- sions by more than half by the end of 2027. SHOWCASING CUT TING-EDGE PROJECTS Bridge Electric, with over three decades of expe- rience in electrical construction, showcases its prowess with the completion of Vancouver Centre II, a landmark 34-storey office tower in downtown Vancouver. Serving as a design-assist subcontractor, Bridge Electric played a pivotal role in integrat- ing this modern icon with the existing Vancouver Centre complex through a striking grand atrium featuring a suspended salmon sculpture. The project boasts state-of-the-art electrical sys- tems including DALI and DMX lighting controls, custom luminaires meeting LEED and WELL stan- dards, and a sophisticated Giacomini radiant ceiling heating/cooling system. Innovatively designed, the tower incorporates a Smart Building app for tenant convenience and features amenities like expansive T V walls, a rooftop deck with panoramic views, and a fully equipped fitness centre. Despite challenges such as demolishing a parkade and navigating construction within an occupied environment, Bridge Electric success- fully delivered on complex requirements, including a dual-ended 2.5MVA unit substation, two 800kW generators, and Level 2 EV chargers. Notably, the exterior lighting, including a captivating "heart- beat" feature, exemplifies the project's commitment to excellence and sustainability. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY As a testament to the surging interest in renew- able energy, OZZ Electric launched its new division, Enlightened Clean Energy, last year. This innova- tive branch focuses on design-build projects and renewable energy infrastructure, including solar photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electric vehicle charging (EV) facilities. Formerly known as OZZ Solar Canada and OZZ Solar USA, Enlightened Clean Energy now part- ners exclusively with OZZ Group Inc., a key player in the Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle markets. Steven Muzzo, CEO of OZZ Clean Energy, highlighted the urgent need for an energy transition, stating, "Energy transition has become one of the world's greatest collective challenges. We have launched Enlightened Clean Energy [ECE] with the sole pur- pose of addressing these opportunities." Led by Chris Buligan, with over a decade of renewable energy experience, ECE aims to provide innovative solutions across North America and the Caribbean. A 3D printed luminaires from Cooper Lighting.

• Cover