Active innovation demonstrations

Murbly offers resources and tools to help implement electric vehicle (EV) charging in Multi Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs). 

Pilot Site

We’re partnering with stratas located in the lower mainland, who are or have recently completed an EV ready plan and need support choosing the right EV charging approach.

What we’re measuring

We want to see how Murbly’s support improves your outcomes. We’re looking at how well they: 

• Add value throughout the MURB journey of implementing EV charging to their site (from start to finish). 
• Include other electric loads into electrification plans, like hot water, heating, and cooling. 
• Support demand response programs and time of day rates, into their process. 
• Recommend products without bias. 
• Guide contractor selection and capacity study results. 
• Understand their own challenges and costs with scaling to a larger participation pool. 

Recruitment status

We’re looking for three more stratas. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page. 

Electric resistance hot water heaters are effectively 100% efficient, and they place significant power demands on the electrical system. Heat pump systems are more efficient, but they typically require an energy storage tank and can take up a lot of space. This new technology provides a promising option, as it can be set up to meet hot water demand without the need for storage. 

What we’re piloting

We’re testing the performance and suitability of on demand heat pump hot water heaters.   

What we’re measuring

We’ll measure the hot water heating output, assess how the system copes with demand, track power consumption, system controllability and hot water quality. 

Recruitment status

We’re looking for small commercial sites or small MURBs interested in testing on-demand hot water heater systems. Ideal locations will have hot water heating loads equivalent to 3-5 single family homes. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page. 

We’re testing FUTURi smart panels with digital twin modeling to see how behind-the-meter load coordination can reduce grid stress and avoid costly upgrades for you or your building.

What we’re piloting

Smart panels will be installed in homes and MURBs across B.C. We’ll test their performance and capability. Digital twins will simulate “virtual homes, multiplexes and grid components” using real field data, allowing the project team to model how smart coordination can prevent the need for transformers, feeders, and substation upgrades. 

What we’re measuring

We’re measuring the panel’s ability to manage peak power consumption without impacting customer usability or convenience.

Recruitment status

We’re looking for homes to with electric hot water or space heating and EVs. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page.

We’re testing passive cooling technologies like internal solar blinds and radiative paints. These measures can reduce electricity use and improve comfort without relying on energy-intensive air conditioning.

Pilot site: Richmond city hall – internal solar blinds

In spring 2026, we’ll implement and monitor these measures to see how they perform in a commercial context, particularly during peak cooling periods. 

What we’re measuring

We’ll track electricity use, indoor temperatures, and occupant comfort before and after implementing the measures. Feedback from staff and visitors will help assess effectiveness and usability.  

Recruitment status

We’re looking for more sites to join our demonstration for internal solar blinds and radiative paints. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page and see passive cooling in action. 

We aim to demonstrate how upgrading HVAC filtration systems can improve indoor air quality, enhance airflow, and reduce maintenance and operating costs in schools.

Using electromagnetic filtration to clean air and cut energy use 

The Blade Air Pro filters use electromagnetic fields to capture particles 40 times smaller than traditional filters with the same Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating, outperforming HEPA filters in filtering viral particles. These filters also reduce airflow resistance, allowing fans to operate at lower speeds and save energy. Powered by just 2W from a 24 volts AC source, they promise significant energy and maintenance savings.  

We plan to install these filters in one school in School District 43, with a possible second site to be determined. Airflow measurements will be taken before and after installation to quantify fan speed reductions and energy savings. Replacement media costs will be compared against historical schedules to estimate maintenance savings.

Recruitment status

We’re looking for more sites to join our demonstration. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page. 

This project explores how phase change materials (PCMs) can store energy more efficiently to support the electrification of domestic space and water heating while reducing peak electricity demand.

Storing heat to shift energy use and reduce peak demand

Electrifying space and water heating often triggers the need for costly electrical service upgrades and increases peak grid loads. PCMs store latent heat energy more densely than conventional materials, enabling energy use to shift to off-peak hours. Coordinating heating schedules across suites in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) can optimize site-wide energy peaks.

Testing thermal batteries and advanced heat pumps in real homes

We'll test two types of packaged PCM thermal batteries in single-family dwellings within a MURB, shifting space and water heating electricity use entirely to overnight periods. The project also showcases novel air-to-water heat pumps and refrigerants that deliver the necessary temperature profiles for combined heating loads.

Recruitment status

We’re looking for more sites to join our demonstration. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page. 

This pilot project tests window-mounted heat pumps as a practical retrofit solution for MURBs with limited outdoor space.

Adapting window-mounted heat pumps for B.C.’s buildings and climate

Window-mounted heat pumps fit into existing vertical sliding window openings, eliminating the need for external balconies or wall mounts. Originally tested on the East Coast, this project assesses their performance in B.C.’s climate and building stock.

Recruitment status

We’re looking for more sites to join our demonstration. Sign up today on our Partnership Opportunities page. 

We’re testing how much energy can be saved by sealing leaky HVAC ducts using AeroSeal, an innovative, non-toxic sealant that’s sprayed inside the ductwork to close gaps from the inside. Many older buildings lose heated or cooled air through tiny leaks, making systems work harder. Sealing those leaks can boost efficiency, lower electricity use, and improve comfort.

Pilot site: Fulford School, Salt Spring Island

In summer 2025, we’ll treat Fulford School’s HVAC system ahead of a major upgrade planned for 2026. With known duct leaks, it’s a great candidate to test AeroSeal’s impact on energy use and indoor comfort. We may also add a second pilot site, depending on vendor availability.

What we're measuring

We’ll track electricity use before and after the treatment, assess changes in indoor comfort and air quality, and gather feedback from staff and students.

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.

We’re testing the Oso Saga2 Express, a smart electric water heater that learns your household’s hot water habits and shifts heating to off-peak times. It’s designed to save you money, reduce pressure on the grid, and respond directly to utility signals. 

This demonstration will help us understand how the technology performs in real homes and whether it’s a good fit for our Peak Saver program. 

Built-in intelligence that learns your hot water habits

The Oso Saga2 has a built-in smart controller with machine learning. It tracks your daily hot water use and adjusts heating times, ideally when demand is lower. It also supports three control modes:

• Manual – You set the times to avoid heating.
• Automatic – It follows rate schedules.
• Direct control – It responds to our signals to reduce peak demand.

These features allow the system to shift electricity use without affecting comfort.

Testing performance in real homes

We’ll install the smart heater in six homes and test it across all three control modes. We’ll measure how well it shifts energy use, responds to demand response signals, and whether it affects comfort or hot water availability. 

We’ll also look at how easy it is to install in typical homes, since the tank is slightly larger than standard models. 

Potential to lower bills and manage demand

If successful, this water heater could help you lower your bills and give us new ways to manage electricity demand. It could also support broader energy management strategies by linking to our Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) platform. DERMS helps us manage, conserve, and deploy energy resources.

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project. 

We’re exploring how smart panels can help defer costly electrical service and panel upgrades triggered by increasing energy demands in homes shifting to sustainable heating and transportation options.

Smarter load management for growing demand

As households electrify, existing electrical infrastructure often needs upgrades, not only at the home but sometimes upstream in the distribution system. Smart panels act as advanced energy management systems (EMS) at the circuit level, providing detailed load control to avoid or delay these expensive upgrades by making it more efficient for the electrical grid.

 Testing smart panels load management in a six-unit building

This six-unit building converted their gas, hot water and space heating to electricity. Our project tests multiple smart panels managing all electrified loads, demonstrating how load management can avoid upgrades and reduce grid strain.

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited participants for this project.

We’re testing how networked lighting and HVAC controls can deliver energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising on comfort. The case study will show how this technology works in commercial buildings, what it costs, and highlight potential barriers where our support could accelerate market adoption.

Turning occupancy data into smarter HVAC and lighting control

The 333 Dunsmuir Street building already had NLC and BAS hardware installed, with four floors featuring varied occupancy models (hybrid, hoteling, flex). We’ll integrate lighting occupancy sensors with HVAC controls to enable occupancy-based lighting and temperature setbacks. 

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project. 

We’ll be demonstrating vertical solar panels developed by Over Easy. Their design is wind resistant, eliminating the need for roof penetration, significant ballasting, and expensive structural engineering. We’ll assess their performance in snowy conditions in the northern regions of B.C. These panels should prevent snow from blocking the suns rays and can operate in low sun locations.  

What we’re piloting

We’ll install 76 vertical solar modules at Science World by March 2026.  At this site we can compare the performance of vertical solar modules to the traditional solar panels already installed there.

By spring of 2026, we’ll also install vertical solar modules on the roof of a building further north, where we expect snow accumulation to have a greater impact.  

What we’re measuring

We’ll measure electrical generation from the vertical modules and compare to traditional panels and expect to see better output during winter months. 

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.

Solar PVT is a new technology that harnesses the sun’s energy to generate both electricity and heat.  The technology utilises the waste heat generated by solar PV to improve solar efficiency while generating usable heat.

Naked Energy has developed a combined photovoltaic and thermal (PVT) solar collector called VirtuPVT.  Each collector can output 74W electrical power and 275W of thermal power.  These systems are well suited for sites with high hot water demand and may be attractive for pools, hospitality, or food and beverage.

What we’re piloting 

We’ll install 120 VirtuPVT tubes, replacing old solar thermal tubes on the roof of the Taylor Manor in Vancouver by March 2026. This system will offset gas usage for hot water and heating and electrical use. 

We’re also exploring other possible sites for 2026 that will involve complete new solar PVT systems.

What we’re measuring 

We ‘ll measure the electrical and thermal generation of the solar PVT tubes, to assess possible energy savings. 

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.

EcoPilot uses real-time indoor data, weather forecasts and building thermal mass to automatically adjust set points for heating, cooling and ventilation.

Pilot site: BCIT

We’re partnering with BCIT to demonstrate EcoPilot at two of their campus buildings. 

What we’re measuring 

We’re measuring the impact of systems such as Eco Pilot and whether they can add savings beyond our continuous optimization program.

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.

Brainbox uses AI and real-time data to learn a building’s thermal behaviors and predict the future state of each zone in a building. It also looks at information like weather forecasts, utility tariffs, occupancy rates and pollution data. Then uses it to continuously optimize the building’s comfort and performance. 

Pilot site: BCIT and Warrington

We’re partnering with Warrington PCI Management to demonstrate Brainbox at their downtown Vancouver location.

What we’re measuring 

We’re measuring the impact of advanced building management systems and whether they can offer incremental savings for the continuous optimization program.    

Recruitment status

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.

We’re testing whether super capacitors (super caps) can reduce short-duration peak loads in homes and MURBs. Paired with a smart panel, super caps may prevent load curtailments, called “clicks”, by providing brief power bursts during demand spikes. 

This lab demo will show if super caps can improve comfort and reduce interruptions, especially when load management is needed to avoid costly service upgrades. 

Reducing “clicks” with short-term power boosts 

Smart panels manage electricity by temporarily shutting off or delaying appliances when demand exceeds limits. While effective, these “clicks” can disrupt use of devices like EV chargers, water heaters, dryers, or ovens. Super caps supply short bursts of power during peaks, potentially avoiding these interruptions and keeping demand within limits.

Testing in a controlled lab environment 

At Powertech Labs, we’ll simulate a single-family home to test how super caps work with smart panels. Though aimed at MURBs, this controlled setup lets us monitor performance realistically.

Recruitment status 

We’ve successfully recruited the participants needed for this project.