By: Kerri Stoakley
Brock University is flipping the switch on smarter lighting.
A sweeping LED lighting upgrade is cutting energy use across the campus, showing that sustainability can be bright, efficient and impactful.
The lighting refresh is part of SPARK (sustainability, performance, adaptation, renewal and knowledge), a three-year clean infrastructure program launched in 2025. SPARK supports Brock’s commitment to delivering on the environmental, social and economic needs of the present while ensuring a resilient future.
Through an innovative partnership with Enbridge Sustain and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, SPARK is modernizing several of Brock’s core systems. Blackstone Energy Services, an energy transition company delivering responsible energy and carbon management solutions, is the developer working on the project. By 2028, this initiative will reduce campus carbon emissions by 83 per cent — exceeding Brock’s initial 2030 target of 75 per cent — and cut energy-use intensity by 60 per cent.
“SPARK is a catalyst for change built on a decade of success and established leadership in energy retrofit projects,” says Scott Johnstone, Vice-President, Administration and Services. “We’re building on our deep commitment to delivering a smarter, sustainable and financially strong future. It’s exciting for the entire Brock community to see the transformation starting to take shape.”
Teams of contractors are currently working their way through Brock’s main campus, installing highly efficient LED bulbs and repurposing fixtures, where possible, to maximize environmental savings. Almost a quarter of the way through the project, gains in both efficiency and lighting satisfaction are already evident.
In Brock’s International Centre, which was originally constructed in 2010 and awarded LEED Silver certification, the project has already delivered immediate and impressive results. Metered data shows a 12.7 per cent decrease in energy use during the six-week transition period as lighting was upgraded. These early results illustrate that Brock is well positioned to realize further energy and cost savings as the lighting project continues.
Drew Cullen, Director of Utilities and Services, notes there are also benefits beyond efficiency.
“The new lighting not only enhances visibility, but also gives our spaces a fresh, renewed look that reflects our evolving campus,” says Cullen. “It’s a meaningful upgrade that improves both the experience and sustainability of our facilities.”
With updates at International Centre and East Academic Building complete, additional work across campus will continue and teams are currently in 573 Glenridge Ave. and the Plaza Building. Lighting refresh activity in other buildings including Scotiabank Hall, Mackenize Chown and Thistle Complex will commence soon.
Mary Quintana, Associate Vice-President, Facilities Management, explains the refresh is just the first step in Brock’s lighting journey.
“We’ll be looking at daylight harvesting next,” says Quintana. “Based on how much natural light is coming in, lighting can be dimmed or turned off entirely to save energy. Wherever we can find savings, we will.”
Some SPARK upgrades will be visible, such as the conversion to energy efficient LED lighting across campus, new air-handling units and the replacement of several fume hoods creating modern labs that support both teaching and research excellence.
Additional SPARK upgrades will happen behind the scenes, such as high-efficiency heat pumps that will quietly improve performance and sustainability. At the heart of SPARK is a major technological advancement: the integration of artificial intelligence into building automation systems. This technology will optimize energy use in real time, making Brock’s campus smarter and more responsive.
