The Avalon Seton Townsite is a purpose-built, multi-family rental development demonstrating how Net Zero–aligned performance can be delivered at scale using modular construction. Developed by Avalon Master Builder in partnership with Big Block Modular, the project integrates high-performance building science with factory-built delivery to address housing demand, energy efficiency, and construction labour constraints.

What You Will See

• A fully executed modular multi-family development from site assembly to commissioning
• Integration of factory-built modules with foundations, utilities, and site infrastructure
• Standardized high-performance envelopes and mechanical systems
• Quality control advantages achieved through off-site manufacturing
• Conutruction sequencing that reduces weather exposure and on-site labour requirements

• 41% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions
• 38% reduction in annual energy use

• A behind-the-scenes view of how advanced building materials are manufactured at scale in Alberta
• Insight into how wildfire performance data is informing next-generation material and panel design
• A practical look at panelized construction as a tool for improving on-site efficiency, manufacturing consistency, and long-term durability
• Direct access to the ZS2 team for technical questions and real-world discussion

Kick off the Alberta Energy Efficiency & Innovation Summit with an evening of informal networking at CRAFT Beer Market. Located at 345 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A5, Canada

Speakers: 

• Leanne Kubiseski, Manager, Emerging Customer Solutions, FortisAlberta
• Lee Wood, Director, Energy Transition Programs, CLEAResult Canada
• Mitch Hassett, Sales Manager, Energy Partnerships, ecobee

This session explores the transformative potential of Demand Response (DR) and Demand-Side Management (DSM) in Alberta’s evolving energy landscape. Featuring a utility panel with local distributors, including FortisAlberta, the discussion will cover current and upcoming demonstrations—such as the AEEA Demand Response, Customer Load Flex programs, and non-wires alternatives using distributed generation to support outage management. Attendees will learn how DR and DSM programs enhance grid reliability, reduce costs, and empower customers to contribute to system stability, while exploring practical strategies for implementation, regulatory oversight, and collaboration in Alberta’s electricity system. The panel will also highlight future opportunities, emerging technologies, and policy developments that can unlock greater flexibility, resilience, and value for utilities and consumers alike.

Speakers:

• Tayber Yastremski, President, Sustainable Projects Group
• Adam Travato, Principal, Simplify Energy Consultants
• Dan Martel, Leader, Four Winds & Associates
• Mary Pupo, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Otipemisiwak Metis Government

Across Alberta and Western Canada, shifting incentives and rising net-zero expectations have created no shortage of studies—but too few retrofit projects move from analysis to construction. This session focuses on how to drive real implementation by designing retrofit strategies with delivery in mind from the outset. Featuring perspectives from engineers, builders, energy analysts, and Indigenous sustainability advisors, the panel will share practical lessons from work with more than 20 Indigenous communities on community-led decision-making, right-sized scopes, and aligning studies, incentives, and capital planning with what can realistically be built. Attendees will gain actionable tools to navigate governance and funding constraints, leverage available mechanisms, and develop retrofit and resilience pathways that are approved, funded, and delivered—moving projects off the shelf and into construction.

Speakers:

• Cheryl Perdomo, VP CARMS, Green Sky Sustainability Consulting Inc.
• Shafraaz Kaba, Stok

As climate impacts intensify—extreme heat, flooding, windstorms, and wildfire smoke—municipalities and public infrastructure owners are increasingly prioritizing climate resilience and adaptation in both new construction and retrofit projects. This session explores the intersection of climate risk mitigation and energy efficiency, highlighting practical, risk-informed approaches to future-proof public buildings. Drawing on the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) framework and a streamlined climate risk management methodology, the presentation will examine how climate data and asset-specific vulnerability assessments can be integrated early in the design process to improve performance, extend asset life, and reduce operational risks. Real-world case studies—including fire halls, a public library, and a fish hatchery—will illustrate common design recommendations and resilience measures aligned with energy efficiency objectives, such as HVAC upgrades for extreme heat, enhanced drainage and stormwater management, improved air filtration, and resilient building envelopes. The session will provide municipalities with clear, actionable steps to embed resilience into upcoming retrofit and infrastructure programs, ensuring public assets remain reliable, efficient, and safe in a “future imperfect” climate

Speakers:

• Tanner Bahrend, VP Strategic Growth, Edgecom Energy
• Brent Harris, Founder and COO, Eguana Technologies

As electricity grids face increasing pressure from electrification, extreme weather, and rising peak demand, the need for flexible, responsive load has never been greater. Attendees will gain insights into technologies and business models that help monetize demand flexibility and provide value to both consumers and utilities. The session will also touch on how utilities can design accessible, business-friendly DR programs that align with building operations, while building owners learn how to leverage participation for financial incentives, operational resilience, and sustainability goals. 

Speakers:

• Nick Kendrick, Business Development Manager, Ecopilot AI
• Chris Barry, Senior Energy Manager, Colliers

Retrofitting large commercial buildings is one of the most powerful ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—but success depends as much on people and operations as it does on technology. This session explores a real-world commercial retrofit in Calgary, highlighting how advanced building technologies, including AI-enabled optimization, were successfully implemented in occupied large-scale office buildings. Drawing on case studies from Aspen Properties’ 444 building and Centrium Place, the presentation will walk through the full retrofit lifecycle—from securing leadership, operator, and tenant buy-in, through implementation and commissioning, to verified performance results. Speakers will share lessons learned from upgrading building systems, integrating AI with existing building automation systems, overcoming operational challenges, and achieving measurable improvements in energy use, comfort, resilience, and emissions reduction. Attendees will leave with a practical, scalable playbook for deploying high-impact retrofit strategies across commercial real estate portfolios without disrupting operations or replacing existing infrastructure.

Speakers: 

• Luke Ferdinands, CEO, Catalys 
• Chris Slater, COO, Onward Homes

Affordable housing providers across Canada face mounting pressure to modernize aging buildings, reduce emissions, and improve energy performance—often with limited capital and a complex mix of provincial and federal funding options. This session explores how Onward navigated these constraints to make strategic, data-driven investment decisions across a diverse housing portfolio. Through portfolio-wide data normalization and options analysis, Onward identified the optimal mix of buildings and retrofit measures—ranging from envelope upgrades to electrification pathways—that delivered the greatest carbon and energy reductions per dollar invested. The presentation will also highlight how funding programs were strategically aligned to maximize value at both the building and portfolio level. Centered on tenant comfort, affordability, and long-term asset durability, this approach demonstrates how targeted retrofits can stretch limited budgets while delivering meaningful benefits for residents and communities.

Speakers:

• Sheida Shahi, Founder and CEO, Adaptis
• Alaric Venne, Technical Sales Consultant, BrainBox AI

Buildings are a major contributor to climate change, and with millions of commercial buildings across North America, reducing energy consumption at scale is critical. This session explores how AI is transforming building decarbonization from a static report into a dynamic, data-driven strategy that delivers real-world results. Drawing from diverse building types, speakers will demonstrate how AI-driven energy optimization—particularly across HVAC systems—reduces operating and utility costs, extends equipment life, improves tenant and employee comfort, and supports ESG and carbon reduction goals. Attendees will see how predictive analytics enables teams to evaluate thousands of retrofit and operational pathways, align stakeholders around shared data, and continuously update strategies as technologies and market conditions evolve. By the end of the session, participants will understand how AI is being deployed today to reduce environmental impact, save money, and make decarbonization actionable, practical, and scalable across commercial building portfolios.

Speakers:

• Katarzyna Gajewska, Senior Building Sustainability and Performance Consultant, WSP
• Hailey Walker, Founder & Principal Consultant, Echoroot Growth Consulting
• Michael Driedger, Principal, MCW Consultants
• Mariam Djalili, Architect, Reimagine Architects 

Speakers:

• Amy Spark, AB Ecotrust  
• Shafraaz Kaba, Stok

In March 2026, BILD Alberta, SAIT, and Ecotrust piloted a new training program focused on high-performance building fundamentals, equipping industry professionals across the commercial and residential sectors with the skills needed to meet Alberta’s evolving building codes and advance emissions-neutral building practices. Complementing this work, SAIT commissioned a study examining the training and skills development required to deliver deep energy retrofits, including a jurisdictional scan and job gap analysis. This session will share key outcomes and lessons learned from the pilot program, insights from the research, and opportunities to scale workforce development across Alberta—supporting zero-carbon buildings while strengthening the province’s skilled trades and knowledge-based economy.

Speakers:

• Joe Henke, Program Specialist, AB Ecotrust - ENBIX

This session reviews the results of a comprehensive study examining building performance data in Alberta, including performance path building permits and EnerGuide Rating System data from the Open Government portal. Complementing this research, a January 2026 costing charrette explored the most cost-effective approaches to achieving Net-Zero construction in the province. ENBIX is now developing tools based on these findings to help builders and municipalities plan and deliver high-performance, cost-efficient buildings. The panel will discuss key insights from the data, highlight emerging cost-effective pathways to higher tiers of building performance, and consider future opportunities for scaling these practices across Alberta.

Speakers:

• Ozair Khan, Senior Engineer, Grid Transformation with EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc.
• Alex Hill, Partner, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors
• Michael Roppelt, CEO, GSS Integrated Energy Ltd.

This session will highlight various technologies that support the transition to low carbon grid and buildings with a focus on fast EV charging, thermal microgrids, and power efficienct design of buildings.

Speakers:

• Michelle Hauer, Program Specialist, Retrofit Accelerator Coach, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
• Tayber Yastremski, President, Sustainable Projects Group
• Gabriela Wilson, Director, Sustainability, ATB
• Eduardo Rodriguez, Associate Director, Technology & Data, ATB

Deep Energy Retrofits are achievable in Alberta when organizations pair smart data-driven planning with strategic use of incentives and financing. This session, led by SPG with Alberta Ecotrust and ATB Financial, demonstrates how to move from energy audits to actionable retrofit projects across building portfolios. Using real-world case studies—including ATB’s portfolio and an Edmonton warehouse retrofitted with ground-source heat pumps, solar PV, and efficiency upgrades—speakers will show how archetype-based modelling, targeted funding, and creative business cases help prioritize buildings, maximize impact, and unlock financing. Attendees will learn how to integrate retrofits into capital plans, leverage federal and municipal incentives, and build scalable, investment-ready pipelines that accelerate decarbonization across commercial and multi-unit residential buildings.