British Columbian homes and workplaces will benefit from more made-in-B.C. solutions aimed at reducing building energy costs and pollution.

The CleanBC Building Innovation (CBBI) Fund is supporting 21 state-of-the-art projects that demonstrate innovative low-carbon, energy-efficient building practices and technologies.

The CBBI Fund provides financial support for building projects and programs that accelerate the availability and affordability of low-carbon building solutions. This includes advanced building designs like Passive Houses, new construction methods like the use of low-embodied-carbon mass timber and ultra-efficient building components like heat and energy recovery ventilators. The second intake of the CBBI Fund received $8 million from the Province’s StrongerBC Economic Recovery Plan, launched in September 2020.

“These projects are great examples of how homegrown innovation and technology are putting us on the path to a cleaner, better future,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Through the Building Innovation Fund, we are investing in projects that showcase British Columbian expertise, reduce pollution, increase energy efficiency and stimulate local economies. By using clean energy more efficiently in our buildings, we’re helping people reduce energy costs, mitigate climate impacts and improve air quality.”

One of the 21 building projects funded is being developed on Vancouver Island. Pacifica Housing Advisory Association is receiving $230,000 to fund the deep retrofit of a low-income, multi-unit residential building to reduce at least 80% of building greenhouse gas emissions. The project combines integrated design with fuel switching measures and upgrades to the building envelope.

Approved CBBI Fund projects fall into one of four streams:

• The material, component and system manufacturing stream supports investment in manufacturing facilities to diversify and expand existing product lines or commercialize new product lines.
• The digital technology solutions stream supports technology development for new or improved digital solutions.
• The demonstration projects stream helps to offset the incremental capital or operational costs of projects that demonstrate novel technologies or applications relative to industry standards.
• The open call for innovations stream supports other types of activities not covered by the other funding streams, such as product development, testing and certification.

Depending on the stream, projects could receive up to a maximum of $1 million.

CleanBC commits the Province to achieving ambitious greenhouse gas targets, while simultaneously supporting a vibrant economy for British Columbia. By supporting innovation in B.C.'s building sector, the CBBI Fund helps strengthen B.C.-based industries and innovative ideas, build consumer confidence in high performance buildings and lower the costs of new technologies and building approaches over time.

Quotes:

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy –

“Innovation in B.C.’s clean building sector represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity to support good-paying, clean jobs for people and local communities. Through our CleanBC Building Innovation Fund, we are forging a modern building sector in British Columbia, with new skills that will transition our homes and offices from fossil fuels toward new low-carbon, energy-efficient technologies.”

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation –

“In addition to strengthening economic recovery and job creation in B.C., our StrongerBC plan is promoting the development of new, clean technology for the building sector. We’ve added $8 million to CleanBC’s Building Innovation Fund, helping more people and businesses conserve energy and reduce power bills. Innovation, inclusiveness and sustainability are the pillars of our economic recovery.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill –  

“Environmentally friendly buildings are an important component of overall healthy living, and Pacifica Housing’s plans to reduce 80% of building greenhouse gas emissions will improve quality of life for both the residents and the greater community. Through this fund, as part of our CleanBC plan, our government is making B.C. work for people, the environment and businesses.”

Carolina Ibarra, chief executive officer, Pacifica Housing –

“The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund will help Pacifica Housing retrofit housing units to extend their useful life and minimize our environmental footprint. We’re thrilled to continue to work with the Province to implement our vision of creating equitable housing in pursuit of thriving communities, while contributing to a lower carbon future.”

Quick Facts:

• The application intake for the second round of CBBI funding began on Nov. 12, 2020, and closed on Jan. 10 of this year.
• The Province received 85 applications for a total funding ask of $36.2 million.
• This second round of funding builds on the success of $1.65 million distributed to 13 projects throughout the province in 2019. 

Learn More:

To view the complete list of CBBI Fund recipients, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/CBBI_102694.pdf

CleanBC Building Innovation Fund:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/energy-efficiency-conservation/programs/cleanbc-building-innovation-fund

Learn how CleanBC puts B.C. on the path to a cleaner, better future: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

To learn about other StrongerBC projects, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca