Wastewater heat recovery moves forward at Cogswell
Halifax Water’s district energy project is advancing the infrastructure needed to heat and cool downtown buildings.
Read article : Wastewater heat recovery moves forward at CogswellRegional news and analysis
Energy management and efficiency in Atlantic Canada
Energy management connects technical analysis with the day-to-day operation of buildings and organizations. This collection covers retrofit projects, efficiency programs, professional development and the changing role of demand-side management.
Explore career guidance and the embedded energy manager model alongside building case studies and policy analysis. Historical work is attributed to the organizations involved, separately from PB Energy engagements.
Articles and updates
75 articles
Heating oil and household exposure to volatile energy prices
Why Atlantic Canada’s heating-oil dependence matters for affordability and energy security.
Read article : Heating oil and household exposure to volatile energy prices
A Maritime grid needs distributed energy
Regional electricity planning should include rooftop solar, batteries, efficiency and flexible demand from the start.
Read article : A Maritime grid needs distributed energy
How DSM could help unlock deep energy retrofits
Three opportunities to connect demand-side management with deeper building retrofits: resource stacking, project support and better data.
Read article : How DSM could help unlock deep energy retrofits
The regulatory barrier holding back strategic electrification
What a cost-effectiveness test counts as valuable helps determine which energy solutions receive support.
Read article : The regulatory barrier holding back strategic electrification
The Maritimes’ energy management advantage
The people working inside businesses and institutions are a regional strength worth building on.
Read article : The Maritimes’ energy management advantage
How a warming climate changes electricity planning
Heating and cooling degree-day trends show how a changing climate is entering utility load forecasts.
Read article : How a warming climate changes electricity planning
Atlantic Canada’s electrification progress
What the 2012–2023 sector comparison shows about the shift from fuels to electricity.
Read article : Atlantic Canada’s electrification progress
Solar and resilient design at Halifax’s new Boat School
A waterfront community building brings energy-conscious design together with boatbuilding and youth programming.
Read article : Solar and resilient design at Halifax’s new Boat School
What will drive the next phase of demand-side emissions reductions?
An illustrative comparison of electricity efficiency, electric vehicles and heat pumps replacing oil heating.
Read article : What will drive the next phase of demand-side emissions reductions?
Why energy efficiency program costs are changing
Diverging costs across residential, small business and large business programs point to opportunities for the next generation of DSM.
Read article : Why energy efficiency program costs are changing
Nova Scotia’s declining dependence on home heating oil
A long-term decline in residential oil consumption connects heating upgrades with energy security and local economic benefits.
Read article : Nova Scotia’s declining dependence on home heating oil
SR&ED: an opportunity for Atlantic Canadian energy innovators
Research and development incentives can help Atlantic Canadian businesses advance storage, microgrids, heat pumps and energy software.
Read article : SR&ED: an opportunity for Atlantic Canadian energy innovators
Electric vehicles and the perception gap
The evolution of the Nissan LEAF illustrates changing EV capability, with important qualifications to a circulated price comparison.
Read article : Electric vehicles and the perception gap
Halifax’s electric buses: the operating-cost opportunity
A comparison of diesel and electricity costs illustrates the operating-cost opportunity from electrifying Halifax’s bus fleet.
Read article : Halifax’s electric buses: the operating-cost opportunity
Small businesses need more than efficiency incentives
Rising program costs point to a need for technical expertise, project coordination and support that helps businesses act.
Read article : Small businesses need more than efficiency incentives
The next chapter of Nova Scotia’s demand-side management plan
The proposed 2027–2031 plan opens a new planning cycle for efficiency, demand response and innovation.
Read article : The next chapter of Nova Scotia’s demand-side management plan
Air sealing: small improvements at a national scale
A memorable David Suzuki advertisement offers a way to explain the cumulative impact of air sealing.
Read article : Air sealing: small improvements at a national scale
Energy-efficiency improvements in Mi’kmaw communities
The Mi’kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project is improving housing comfort and reducing energy costs across Nova Scotia’s First Nations communities.
Read article : Energy-efficiency improvements in Mi’kmaw communities
Inside the Scotiabank Centre energy retrofit
Heat recovery, ice storage, controls and lighting upgrades come together in a Halifax project I had the opportunity to work on.
Read article : Inside the Scotiabank Centre energy retrofit
Why engineers need to understand clean-energy tax incentives
Funding and tax incentives are increasingly important to how energy projects are designed, evaluated and delivered.
Read article : Why engineers need to understand clean-energy tax incentives
Halifax as a meeting place for energy and building innovation
A spring and summer 2026 event calendar illustrates the breadth of the region’s energy conversations.
Read article : Halifax as a meeting place for energy and building innovation
What higher building energy standards mean for Nova Scotia
Higher performance tiers are changing the requirements for building design, mechanical systems and energy modelling.
Read article : What higher building energy standards mean for Nova Scotia
Understanding Nova Scotia’s electricity-efficiency funding
Why electricity demand-side management planning should be distinguished from provincial departmental budgets.
Read article : Understanding Nova Scotia’s electricity-efficiency funding
Nova Scotia’s home-envelope retrofit advantage
Home energy upgrade data highlights Nova Scotia’s progress on insulation and building envelopes, and the region’s strength in energy efficiency.
Read article : Nova Scotia’s home-envelope retrofit advantage
The boom and bust of home energy audits in Canada
EnerGuide data illustrates the waves of activity associated with federal retrofit programs and the case for more stable financing.
Read article : The boom and bust of home energy audits in Canada
Creating pathways into energy management careers
Mentorship and practical experience can help new professionals build careers while strengthening energy management teams.
Read article : Creating pathways into energy management careers
From energy audits to ongoing home energy advice
Could energy advisors support households over time as their decisions expand to solar, batteries, EVs and flexible demand?
Read article : From energy audits to ongoing home energy advice
A bigger role for energy performance contracts
Public buildings offer an opportunity to modernize infrastructure, cut fuel use and put guaranteed energy savings to work.
Read article : A bigger role for energy performance contracts
Sharing experience at the 2025 Decentralized Energy Forum
The Quebec City gathering provided an opportunity to exchange experience across the decentralized energy sector.
Read article : Sharing experience at the 2025 Decentralized Energy Forum
Understanding federal tax support for business heat pumps
How eligible heat-pump investments can benefit from tax credits, and why deductions must be evaluated separately.
Read article : Understanding federal tax support for business heat pumps
Halifax’s next generation of efficient municipal buildings
Two municipal projects illustrate how efficient design, solar and building renewal can support local climate goals.
Read article : Halifax’s next generation of efficient municipal buildings
The next evolution of demand-side management
Embedded energy managers help organizations capture deeper savings and integrate efficiency into everyday investment decisions.
Read article : The next evolution of demand-side management
Lessons from 11 years at EfficiencyOne
Lessons from David’s former role at EfficiencyOne: building trust, developing energy managers and turning technical expertise into lasting organizational change.
Read article : Lessons from 11 years at EfficiencyOne
Making deep energy retrofits easier to deliver at scale
Why building portfolios need coordinated project development, capital planning and implementation support.
Read article : Making deep energy retrofits easier to deliver at scale
Turning waste into resources: Halifax Water’s biosolids facility
Biosolids infrastructure creates opportunities to recover value from materials traditionally treated as waste.
Read article : Turning waste into resources: Halifax Water’s biosolids facility
Cogswell district energy: planning at neighbourhood scale
A historical look at the connection area and planning considerations for Halifax Water’s district energy initiative.
Read article : Cogswell district energy: planning at neighbourhood scale
The EfficiencyOne Energy Manager Team: a Nova Scotia success story
How EfficiencyOne’s embedded Energy Manager model connects technical expertise with client operations, capital planning and sustained energy savings. Program snapshot: November 2025.
Read article : The EfficiencyOne Energy Manager Team: a Nova Scotia success story
Building Nova Scotia’s grid-responsive future
How building design, controls and flexible loads can support electrification while limiting peak demand.
Read article : Building Nova Scotia’s grid-responsive future
BuildGreen Atlantic: connecting the building community
A look back at a gathering focused on the built environment.
Read article : BuildGreen Atlantic: connecting the building community
From brain drain to clean energy opportunity: Nova Scotia’s transformation
A personal reflection on how Nova Scotia’s energy sector has changed since my engineering graduation in 2007, and the opportunities now taking shape at home.
Read article : From brain drain to clean energy opportunity: Nova Scotia’s transformation
Nova Scotia’s early solar innovators
A look back at Solar Nova Scotia, Peter Allen and the region’s solar-thermal heritage.
Read article : Nova Scotia’s early solar innovators
Could smaller heat pumps broaden access to efficient heating?
Portable and window-format equipment raises useful questions about access, installation and winter performance.
Read article : Could smaller heat pumps broaden access to efficient heating?
A heat-pump emissions milestone in Nova Scotia
A historical comparison shows how a cleaner electricity supply changes emissions from electric heating.
Read article : A heat-pump emissions milestone in Nova Scotia
Heat batteries and the opportunity for industrial electrification
Rondo’s thermal storage concept illustrates a different way to match electricity supply with industrial heat demand.
Read article : Heat batteries and the opportunity for industrial electrification
Energy efficiency and solar at Oxford Frozen Foods
Food processing illustrates why efficiency, refrigeration and on-site electricity should be considered together.
Read article : Energy efficiency and solar at Oxford Frozen Foods
Rooftop solar at East Preston Recreation Centre
A municipal recreation facility demonstrates a visible use of public-building rooftops for electricity generation.
Read article : Rooftop solar at East Preston Recreation Centre
Transitioning Nova Scotia: Strategies to Phase Out Heating Oil for a Sustainable Future
Lessons from Halifax’s corporate building roadmap on prioritizing heating conversions, coordinating retrofits and planning equipment replacements.
Read article : Transitioning Nova Scotia: Strategies to Phase Out Heating Oil for a Sustainable Future
Welcoming international visitors at Woodside
A historical photograph records an international group visit at Woodside Ferry Terminal.
Read article : Welcoming international visitors at Woodside
A gathering in Eastern Passage
A waterfront photograph from the original Eastern Passage post.
Read article : A gathering in Eastern Passage
The people behind energy management
A team gathering at the Old Triangle records the professional relationships behind the work.
Read article : The people behind energy management
Nova Scotia’s changing electricity emissions
A historical emissions-intensity chart provides context for the changing impact of electricity use.
Read article : Nova Scotia’s changing electricity emissions
Starting a Career in Energy Management: A Guide for New Grads and Young Professionals
Seven practical starting points, from understanding the local energy system to building relationships, technical skills and financial fluency.
Read article : Starting a Career in Energy Management: A Guide for New Grads and Young Professionals
Putting building energy improvements into practice
A historical municipal-building example connects efficiency, renewable electricity and asset renewal.
Read article : Putting building energy improvements into practice
Demand response: lessons from the Smart Synergy pilot
An archived pilot illustrates how businesses can be compensated for providing short-duration demand flexibility.
Read article : Demand response: lessons from the Smart Synergy pilot
Learning from the Woodside Ferry Terminal retrofit
A municipal building retrofit offers practical lessons in moving from plans to operating improvements.
Read article : Learning from the Woodside Ferry Terminal retrofit
Building renewal at the Halifax Common
A construction-stage view of a public recreation facility.
Read article : Building renewal at the Halifax Common
HalifACT: connecting climate goals with building action
Municipal climate objectives become tangible through decisions about buildings and infrastructure.
Read article : HalifACT: connecting climate goals with building action
Making energy learning hands-on
A historical photograph of an outdoor demonstration with young participants.
Read article : Making energy learning hands-on
An electric ice resurfacer at St. Margaret’s Centre
Specialized equipment offers another practical setting for electrification beyond passenger vehicles.
Read article : An electric ice resurfacer at St. Margaret’s Centre
Learning from district cooling at ASHRAE
An industry visit connects building professionals with district cooling infrastructure.
Read article : Learning from district cooling at ASHRAE
Ragged Lake bus depot: improving a round-the-clock facility
A historical HRM case study in demand-controlled ventilation, LED lighting and energy monitoring.
Read article : Ragged Lake bus depot: improving a round-the-clock facility
How HRM reduced heating-oil use in municipal buildings
A historical look at municipal oil reduction and the difference between achieved savings and future targets.
Read article : How HRM reduced heating-oil use in municipal buildings
Rooftop solar on municipal buildings in Dartmouth
A historical municipal solar layout illustrates the importance of planning around the roof and building.
Read article : Rooftop solar on municipal buildings in Dartmouth
Solar in municipal building design
A public washroom concept illustrates the integration of rooftop solar into a small municipal facility.
Read article : Solar in municipal building design
The power of the people: energy recovery through anaerobic digestion
Wastewater and organic-material treatment can create opportunities to recover useful energy.
Read article : The power of the people: energy recovery through anaerobic digestion
Energy performance at Halifax Central Library
A historical results sheet shows how lighting, controls and ongoing management can improve a prominent public building.
Read article : Energy performance at Halifax Central Library
Municipal fire station renewal
Construction and design images document a Halifax fire station project.
Read article : Municipal fire station renewal
Woodside Ferry Terminal: the scale of a planned retrofit
A historical energy summary compares a 2016 baseline with modelled post-retrofit use.
Read article : Woodside Ferry Terminal: the scale of a planned retrofit
Energy management: exchanging experience across borders
A reflection on professional collaboration, illustrated with a photograph of colleagues.
Read article : Energy management: exchanging experience across borders
Solar thermal: using sunlight as heat
Solar thermal technology serves a different purpose from photovoltaic electricity generation.
Read article : Solar thermal: using sunlight as heat
Courthouse Hill Farm: turning manure into useful energy
A historical farm project illustrates the connection between organic waste, electricity and useful heat.
Read article : Courthouse Hill Farm: turning manure into useful energy
Cape Breton’s mine-water energy opportunity
A Bayplex diagram illustrates an energy connection between a recreation facility and flooded mine workings.
Read article : Cape Breton’s mine-water energy opportunity
Energy management in an arena: Centre 200
A Cape Breton arena provides a practical setting for considering building systems and operating needs together.
Read article : Energy management in an arena: Centre 200
Municipal energy work in Cape Breton
A historical CBRM and Efficiency Nova Scotia partnership provides context for municipal energy management.
Read article : Municipal energy work in Cape Breton