Decommissioning of BCIT’s Energy OASIS Microgrid

A Living Labs Lecture

Wednesday October 15^th, 2025

Energy OASIS was launched in 2014 by BCIT’s Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) and partners, as a pioneering campus microgrid.

In the last decade it has been a dynamic platform for research in solar renewable energy, battery energy storage, and electric vehicles charging infrastructure. The Energy OASIS charging site has also been one of the most recognisable landmarks on the south side of campus.

With the end of the research project, Energy OASIS was decommissioned earlier this year as part of the South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project.

This special lecture will focus on the history and legacy of this unique project and the process of decommissioning the physical infrastructure of the solar arrays in a sustainable way.

Janet So Research Associate, with SMART will provide an overview of the OASIS project from initial design and deployment to decommissioning.  Janet has been involved in the project for 15 years, so is uniquely placed to look at OASIS’s daily operations, research successes, and what’s next for the SMART team.

Adam Plumley and Ryan Ferreira from PCL will complete the story of OASIS by discussing the project to decommission the site. This will include the project background, sequencing and safety, and the recycling or reuse of many of the materials including the PV panels, EV chargers, steel structures and concrete.

Finally, Janusz Menezla Associate Principal with OMB will look forward to the future development of the site as the South Campus Infrastructure renewal project takes shape in the coming years.

Presenters

Janet So: Research Associate, BCIT Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team

Janet has been a core member of SMART for over 15 years. She played a key role in the initial design and deployment of Energy OASIS and was involved in its commissioning and testing. As the system’s primary operator, she managed daily operations, diagnostics, and troubleshooting. Janet also led over 100 tours for local, national, and international visitors, sharing insights into the microgrid’s technologies and impact.

Adam Plumley: Project Manager: PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.

Adam has over 15 years of construction management experience and an additional 4 years of onsite construction work experience. He has been a project manager in the Special Projects division for over 9 years and has managed multiple projects simultaneously from design concept to project completion. These multiple projects had Adam dealing with customized building solutions for clients which have included new builds, interior and exterior upgrades, renovations, replacements, and renewals. He brings extensive experience to the team with his years of work on post-secondary campuses and, specifically, BCIT.

Ryan Ferreira: Project Superintendent: PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.

Ryan’s construction experience is based on a diverse background of projects. During his 19 years in construction, Ryan has been involved with projects from their intricate planning stages to final completion. His strong field related experience gives him the ability to manage and supervise a variety of construction projects. Ryan works to achieve a positive working relationship between owners, designers, contractors, and employees.

Janusz Menezla: Associate Principal: office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers

Originally from Germany, Janusz studied architecture at Bauhaus University in Weimar, with formative stints in Madrid and Washington, D.C. After a friend convinced him to move to London for a lark, he wound up staying for seven years, honing his leadership and project management skills as well as becoming a registered architect and firm associate. For the past decade at omb, Janusz has led and successfully delivered complex, large-scale transportation, educational, commercial, and residential projects.

Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART)

The Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) has established a reputation for their unique expertise in the strategic research area of the Smart Microgrid. The Smart Microgrid Program at BCIT advances the state of the electric power Smart Grid at national and international levels.

PCL
Established in 1906, PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of $9 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

OMB

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers (omb) is an award-winning, full-service design firm based in Vancouver and Victoria. The practice focuses on architecture and interior design, informed by deep interests in responsive urban design, thoughtful master-planning, and meaningful place-making.

omb’s studio culture harnesses the creative energy of over 50 multi-disciplinary design professionals under the guidance of a seasoned leadership team. Our collective curiosity and wide-ranging interests enrich collaborative design exploration, and form the foundation of memorable and enduring built environments delivered with sensitivity and technical prowess.