Press Release
March 23, 2007
BC Hydro seeks bright ideas from SFU and UBC
Conservation challenge offers up to $5,000 for innovative solutions
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro is offering up to $5,000 to students, faculty and staff at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia for their energy conservation ideas. Through the Power Smart Innovation Challenge, BC Hydro is encouraging teams from the two universities to develop solutions towards advancing energy efficiency in B.C.
"Conservation will play a key role in meeting B.C.'s growing energy demand," said Lisa Coltart, Director of Power Smart. "We are calling on some of the brightest talent in our province to submit potential solutions to help shape the future of conservation in B.C. – ultimately, contributing to our energy self-sufficiency now and for generations to come."
To enter the challenge, teams of two to four are asked to submit a concept plan before noon on April 17, based on one of the five following questions that address the challenges our province faces in achieving energy self sufficiency.
- How might BC Hydro foster an energy conservation culture in British Columbia?
- What is one idea that BC Hydro should pursue to help meet its target of saving 10,000 GWh of electricity by 2020?
- How might commercial customers achieve a 50 per cent reduction of energy usage from today's consumption level in existing office buildings?
- How might residential customers achieve a 50 per cent reduction of electricity use from today's consumption level in existing homes?
- How can phantom electricity loads be reduced?
Submissions will be judged for innovation and originality, feasibility, impact, cost effectiveness, clarity and approach and cross discipline nature of the teams. First prize is $5,000, second prize is $3,000 and third prize is $1,500. Winning teams will also be presented with a Power Smart Excellence Award at the annual awards banquet honouring achievements in energy-efficiency in B.C., taking place on May 9th in Vancouver.
BC Hydro plans to expand the Power Smart Innovation Challenge to other post-secondary institutions this fall.
Contact:
| Simi Heer |
| Media Relations |
| Phone: 604 623-3963 |
| simi.heer@bchydro.com |
