Addressing electrical constraints significantly increases costs and delays in home retrofit projects that aim to reduce household energy costs, making projects less cost-effective and impractical. Furthermore, there are concerns that new electric loads will place a great strain on our energy infrastructure. To address both household and grid-level issues requires a better understanding of peak power in homes and developing Low Power Electrification strategies and technologies.  

•    Highlighting not just energy efficiently but power efficiency
•    Looking at cost data and other practical examples. 
•    Debating if we are ready for this
•    Assessing stakeholder evolvement 

•    Identifying and leveraging available incentives - identifying and applying for the range of financial incentives available for retrofitting, including grants, rebates, and low-interest loans
•    Optimizing financial resources - strategies for combining and layering financial tools to win upfront costs, improve financial performance during retrofit projects, and ensure overall financial viability
•    Navigating complex grant, loan, eligibility and application processes - navigating the requirements for securing public and private funding and understanding each program’s priorities and meeting them
•    Overview of IRA funding opportunities – uncovering various funding streams provided by the IRA and how they can fit retrofit projects
 

•    Risk assessment strategies - identifying and assessing potential risks, including environmental hazards and building resilience, to develop comprehensive mitigation plans
•    Stakeholder collaboration – aligning with insurers, contractors, and regulatory bodies early in the process to streamline expectations, reduce risks, and ensure that all contingencies are accounted for in project planning and execution
•    Avoiding long-term liabilities - strategies for reducing long-term liabilities
•    Insurance cost projections - how retrofit projects can positively impact insurance rates, including upgraded material choices and exceeding building codes and safety features
 

•    Regulatory framework and drivers
•    Technical & equipment options
•    Economic, Operational, GHG and Implementation Analysis 
 

•    Integrating energy justice frameworks and equity principles into retrofitting project planning to emphasize equitable outcomes.
•    Maximizing the economic benefits by creating local job opportunities, lowering energy costs, and improving living conditions in historically marginalized communities to reduce energy poverty.
•    Coordinating community inclusion in decision-making by engaging local communities in retrofitting project planning.
•    Measuring social impact: techniques for measuring and reporting on the social goals.
 

•    Cross-functional technical collaboration - learn approaches that build effective, cross-functional teams that work together seamlessly and foster long-lasting partnerships for future collaboration
•    Building trust - learn strategies to bolster trust among stakeholders, ensuring that all parties are aligned, responsive, and working toward the same objectives at the same time
•    Effective communication - ensuring regular, transparent communication to strengthen relationships, resolve issues and conflicts, and align different interests toward common goals
•    Data transparency - learn how sharing verified data with stakeholders, including government agencies and investors, can generate trust and confidence in cross-functional teams
 

Compliance in retrofitting is perpetually evolving, requiring careful attention to changes to local, state and federal – and international – codes, standards and mandates. This panel of regulatory experts will discuss the regulatory landscape for retrofitting projects, detail the key changes to codes and standards that govern compliance, and share how the retrofit community can shape future policy decisions.

•    Understanding compliance standards - review of the major standards that retrofitting projects must meet, including energy efficiency, emissions reductions, safety regulations, and social benefits
•    Who sets standards - discussion on the key governmental and non-governmental organizations, including their priorities (and political pressures), that develop and enforce compliance standards in the retrofitting industry, including international energy sustainability mandates
•    Future outlook on technical standards – understand how emerging technologies and design trends are impacting future compliance requirements
•    Influencing policymakers - discover ways the retrofit community can engage with policymakers to advocate for more practical, supportive regulations 
 

1. Achieving 60% Energy Savings: Retrofitting a Historic Headquarters
   •    Thermal Performance Upgrades: Enhancing insulation, windows, and HVAC efficiency to optimize heating.
   •    Geothermal System Integration: Utilizing ground-source heat pumps to replace traditional heating and cooling methods.
   •    Energy & Cost Savings: Projected 60% reduction in natural gas usage, improving sustainability and operational efficiency. 
   
   Matt Zweibruck, Stantec
    
2. Lightning Round #2
3. Lightning Round #3 

Participants can join the round table of their choice. Each roundtable leader will spend the first 15 minutes on a case study, lessons learned, or industry update. This will be followed by a 45-minute open discussion with all participants, moderated by the leader. The final 15 minutes will be used to identify 3-5 industry recommendations resulting from the group discussion. Key recommendations will be shared with the entire audience, and all roundtable recommendations will be included in the post-event report.

1. Government Grants and Incentives
   Exploring available federal, state, and local grants or subsidies for retrofitting projects, such as energy efficiency programs or green building initiatives.
    
2. Private Equity and Venture Capital
   Engaging with investors and private equity firms to secure funding for large-scale retrofitting initiatives, focusing on return on investment and sustainability outcomes.
    
3. Crowdfunding Platforms for Green Retrofitting
   Utilizing online crowdfunding platforms to raise funds from individuals or communities interested in sustainable development projects.
    
4. Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)
   Structuring agreements where the energy savings from retrofitting cover project costs, reducing upfront financial barriers.
    
5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Contributions
   Partnering with corporations to secure funding as part of their CSR strategies, particularly for projects with measurable environmental and social benefits.
    
6. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration Models
   Identifying and involving key stakeholders (e.g., building owners, tenants, contractors) early in the planning process to ensure project buy-in and alignment. - Marlene Plua, Stoic Energy Consulting

Data sharing is the foundation of continuous improvement in retrofitting and is the engine that drives future building performance and regulatory evolution. Everyone benefits. 

•    Understand why precise measurement and reporting are essential for tracking the success of retrofitting projects and influencing compliance improvements
•    Learn best practices for collecting and managing data related to energy usage, emissions reductions, and financial performance to benefit your projects
•    Using accurate, transparent data to verify outcomes through independent audits and third-party evaluations that will inform future projects
•    Discover how digital tools and technologies, such as smart meters and energy monitoring systems, can improve data collection and reporting efforts
 

The Texas State Capital Complex Retrofit Project is a benchmark for successful urban redevelopment achieved through local partnerships and community coordination. In this session, delegates will gain insights into the multifaceted approach taken to update and modernize historic buildings, how local agencies, city planners, and community organizations collaborated to overcome unique challenges, from logistical hurdles to sustainability goals, while ensuring that the retrofits met current environmental standards and the needs of their end-users.
 

•    Building a local talent pipeline - working with local schools and training providers, regional educational institutions and colleges, and accredited technical training centers to sustain a pipeline of skilled workers in the retrofitting sector
•    Upskilling existing workers and providing reskilling opportunities to meet the technical principles of net-zero retrofit projects
•    Workforce sustainability via long-term employment models, including apprenticeships, that create attractive career pathways for local workers
•    Workforce diversity and inclusivity strategies that ensure equitable access to training and employment opportunities and labour stability
 

Property managers who worked onsite before, during and after retrofitting projects share their hands-on experiences and real-time problem-solving strategies for successful project execution.

•    On-site coordination - common challenges faced during retrofitting projects, from tenant concerns and coordination to minimizing disruptions and unforeseen construction issues
•    Partnering with contractors - insights into effective communication and collaboration with contractors that ensure and can accelerate the timeliness of project completion
•    On-the-spot problem-solving – benefitting from practical know-how to handle on-site problems and keep projects on track from on-site expertise
•    Practical functionality: how to integrate property managers’ long-term onsite experience into planning and construction to ensure, even elevate, building performance post-project completion
•    Adding advice from local emergency services in the planning process
 

• Lightning Round #1 
• Lightning Round #2
• Lightning Round #3

Climate change, natural disasters, and the growing challenges associated with urbanization and population density are unprecedented threats that structures must endure. Discover from these complementary perspectives how collaborative approaches can address the ever-increasing need for sustainable buildings capable of withstanding unforeseen stressors. 

•    Understanding resilience as a critical concept in modern architecture, engineering, and design
•    Collaborative approaches to creating structures that can withstand natural disasters and climate challenges for retrofit projects
•    Integrating sustainability and resilience in design choices, materials, and construction methods within budget
•    Case studies showcasing successful resilient retrofit design projects from around the world
•    Future trends in resilient design, including adaptive technologies and innovative engineering solutions.
 

Participants can join the round table of their choice. Each roundtable leader will spend the first 15 minutes on a case study, lessons learned, or industry update. This will be followed by a 45-minute open discussion with all participants, moderated by the leader. The final 15 minutes will be used to identify 3-5 industry recommendations resulting from the group discussion. Key recommendations will be shared with the entire audience, and all roundtable recommendations will be included in the post-event report. 
 

1. Sustainable Retrofit Strategies in Project Management
   Explore methods to integrate sustainability into project management processes for retrofitting existing infrastructure, ensuring eco-friendly outcomes and long-term viability.

2. Training Retrofit Contractors for Home Energy Savings Programs & Implementing Efficiency Standards
   To discuss strategies for training retrofit contractors in alignment with the Home Energy Savings and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and to explore how to implement energy efficiency standards while integrating them into a general project delivery framework. - Adriano Scarano Ferreira, Austin Energy

3. Optimizing Project Delivery for Retrofit Projects
   Discuss streamlined approaches to deliver retrofit projects effectively, including adaptive scheduling, resource allocation, and stakeholder collaboration tailored to existing structures.

4. Service Innovations for Retrofit Solutions
   Examine innovative services like digital twin simulations, IoT-enabled monitoring, and AI-driven project planning that enhance the retrofitting process.

5. Advancing Resilient Residential Retrofits
   Objective: To provide a brief introduction to the Resilient Residential Retrofit initiative launched by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) two years ago and to share an overview of ongoing research and findings. - Marzieh Riahinezhad, National Research Council Canada