Technical Learning – Wednesday, October 29
Digital Twin Applications for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
This presentation explores the transformative role of Digital Twin technology in enhancing the resilience, performance, and security of critical infrastructure. Attendees will gain insights into how Digital Twins can simulate real-time operations, predict failures, and optimize maintenance strategies. The session will highlight practical case studies, focusing on power systems, transportation networks, buildings, and industrial facilities. Engineers and decision-makers will leave with actionable knowledge on integrating Digital Twins into their infrastructure planning and management processes.
Speakers
Dr. Moein Manbachi, P.Eng.
Dr. Moein Manbachi, P.Eng., SMIEEE, is a project leader, faculty member, and educator with expertise in smart grids, power system resilience, and cybersecurity. He is currently with the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Vancouver, BC, where he has led several innovative smart grid projects. With over 15 years of experience in power systems and critical infrastructure cybersecurity, Dr. Manbachi has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed technical papers in scientific journals and conferences. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and an active member and instructor with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. Dr. Manbachi is also Co-Founder and CEO of ElectroMentors, a platform dedicated to advanced training in power & energy technologies and engineering. Drawing on his extensive background in smart grid technologies, substation automation, digital twin technologies, and the integration of renewable energy solutions, he focuses on developing innovative learning systems to empower the next generation of engineers.
Dr. Vidya Vankayala
Dr. Vidya Vankayala brings more than 30 years of experience in the utility and high-tech sectors. Vidya helped several large utilities in grid modernization, distribution automation, microgrid development, smart energy program management and cyber/physical system security. He has extensive experience in management consulting for electric utility transmission and distribution and worked for two large technology vendors that provide grid modernization technologies to the global utility sector. Dr. Vankayala led innovation at various utilities as a Chief Architect, Solution Director and Industry Specialist. Dr. Vankayala is a senior member of IEEE and a contributor to several smart grid and smart city standards. He has over 30 publications in operations, planning, cyber security and technology enablement of smart infrastructures for industry, community and home.
Minoo Shariat-Zadeh, P.Eng.
Minoo Shariat-Zadeh is a seasoned professional engineer with extensive experience in the energy sector, specializing in electrical engineering, project management, and regulatory compliance. She currently serves as a Project Lead with BCIT’s SMART Microgrid Applied Research Team, where she oversees initiatives focused on sustainable energy, grid modernization, and technology integration. Minoo has held senior roles in both public and private organizations, leading multidisciplinary teams, contributing to strategic infrastructure development, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. She is a Senior Member of IEEE and an active member of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
Lessons Learned from Decarbonization Projects in British Columbia
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Over the past 5 years, awareness has grown in BC regarding the business case, technical feasibility and benefits of decarbonization in buildings. Case studies are available for retrofit projects; however, many are focused on the residential sector. In this presentation, Robert will explore key lessons learned from actual decarbonization projects in commercial and institutional buildings. Through these case studies, he will highlight effective strategies to reduce energy and carbon use, recover waste energy, and maximize electrification opportunities. You will gain insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how to navigate challenges. The presentation will also share a 6-Step Deep Retrofit Approach.
Speakers
Robert Greenwald, P.Eng.
Robert Greenwald is proud to support organizations in applying a holistic approach to energy management and carbon reduction. Over his 35-year career, he has developed Strategic Energy Management Plans, carried out energy audits, determined energy and decarbonization opportunities, designed building upgrades and acted as an Energy Coach to support and sustain Strategic Energy Management programs. Robert is well known as an energetic workshop facilitator and trainer for energy management and decarbonization workshops and courses across Canada. As President of Prism Engineering, Robert helps organizations achieve energy, climate and asset renewal objectives by integrating engineering, energy management and sustainability services.
Improving Climate Risk Assessments using Generative AI
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot are gaining traction in professional services for their broad knowledge and ability to reason towards solutions. In this presentation, we explore how tools like this can support climate risk assessments and sustainability planning in infrastructure. Attendees will learn practical tips on using Generative AI as a technical brainstorming tool, understand limitations such as bias and ethical concerns, and compare AI models to evaluate differences in output and reliability. The session equips engineers with the insight needed to responsibly integrate AI into climate-resilient design, emphasizing both its potential and the possible pitfalls within.
Speakers
Pia Abercromby, P.Eng.
Pia Abercromby, a Leading Specialist in Sustainability at COWI Canada, leverages her background in structural engineering to drive sustainable, cost-effective solutions in the real world. Passionate about improving environmental, social, and economic outcomes, she integrates climate resiliency, carbon accounting, and biodiversity considerations to advance low-carbon, resilient infrastructure solutions.
Dr. Robert Radovanovic, P.Eng. (resigned)
Dr. Robert Radovanovic is an Infrastructure Resilience Professional focusing on how emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence can improve risk assessment and asset planning. Through his Digital Skillet initiative, he helps companies improve employee digital literacy through interactive workshops and webinars on topics such as AI and data analytics.
Systematic Identification of Site Construction Safety Risks
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
This joint presentation by BC Hydro and Critical Systems Labs Inc. describes an approach to identifying potential sources of safety risk for large construction projects that involve multiple construction activities occurring in close proximity, with a particular focus on “system level” hazards that arise from unforeseen interaction between activities. Identifying these system level hazard at an early stage avoids delay and other problems if these interactions and inter-dependencies are only discovered later while site construction is underway. This presentation should be of interest to individuals responsible for planning complex construction projects and managing safety risk.
Speakers
Jonathan Groves, P.Eng.
Jon, P.Eng., has been part of a Vancouver-based engineering consultancy, Critical Systems Labs Inc., with an international reputation for its expertise in critical systems engineering for the past 5 years. He has worked to improve the safety of critical systems over a diverse range of industries including hydro energy, autonomous vehicles, marine navigation, and aerospace.
Melissa Brown, P.Eng.
Melissa, P.Eng., has been with BC Hydro for 20 years. She has been involved in numerous large scale capital projects for generating stations and substations around the province, initially as a mechanical engineer and for the last 12 years as a Project Engineer.
Operational Excellence in Action: Lean Six Sigma Tools for Continuous Improvement
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Across every organization, there is a constant need to evolve, adapt to new challenges, and continuously improve existing systems and processes. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) connects process optimization with tangible business value by providing a strategic, structured, and data-driven framework for driving sustainable continuous improvement initiatives. In this session, we will explore key LSS principles and tools that help organizations identify problems, validate assumptions, generate solutions, and implement initiatives that lead to lasting improvements. We’ll also share real-world examples from various industries, showcasing how these tools are applied and the measurable results they’ve achieved. Join us to uncover practical strategies for achieving operational excellence—no matter the industry or application. Whether you’re leading a transformation or supporting one, this session will offer actionable ideas to drive progress and long-term impact.
Speakers
David Slade, P.Eng.
David Slade is a registered professional engineer and Practice Advisor with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. He is a Manufacturing Engineer with over a decade of experience driving continuous improvement initiatives with organizations ranging from technology start-ups to global manufacturers of high-volume consumer packaged goods in regulated environments such as Labatt Breweries and Pure Sunfarms. A Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt candidate, David is known for a holistic approach to solving complex operational challenges through strategic process optimization, automation, and cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced industrial settings.
Monica Feregrino, P.Eng.
Monica Feregrino is a globally experienced engineering executive with over 30 years of proven leadership across mining, advanced manufacturing, and energy sectors. A Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Green Belt–certified by the University of Michigan, Monica has built her career at the intersection of technical precision and operational excellence. She is known for transforming complex systems into scalable, resilient operations through disciplined engineering, Lean thinking, and strategic supply chain leadership.
From Compliance to Innovation: Engineering the Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Pathway
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Metro Vancouver is exploring the feasibility of recovering ammonia from wastewater and converting it to hydrogen through a pilot. This presentation demonstrates how a regulatory challenge can become a resource recovery opportunity. It introduces the conceptual design of the ammonia-to-hydrogen system, which consists of two modules. The first recovers ammonia from centrate, a byproduct of sludge digestion. The second uses electrolysis to convert the recovered ammonia into hydrogen. The business case is positive when using hydrogen fuel for heavy-duty transportation. The financial analysis considers electricity consumption, carbon intensity, and potential revenues from hydrogen sales and carbon credits.
Speakers
Parisa Chegounian, P.Eng.
Parisa is a solution-driven engineer with a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of British Columbia. She works in the Collaborative Innovation Group at Metro Vancouver’s Liquid Waste Services. She focuses on piloting innovative technologies that maintain regulatory compliance, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote resource recovery, and create new business opportunities in wastewater treatment plants. Parisa is dedicated to driving sustainability and environmental stewardship, contributing to a cleaner and more energy-efficient future for British Columbia.