10 Annual MEP Supplement April 2026
Ask the Experts: How Are MEP Systems Evolving?
To better understand how MEP systems are evolving, High-Profile gathered insights from industry leaders across the AEC community.
“ As MEP systems advance, Local 103 members and NECA contractors stay ahead through cutting-edge training to ensure a highly skilled, future-ready workforce. Our members are equipped to install and maintain these complex systems safely and efficiently. For building owners, this means using highly trained professionals, better system coordination, higher electrical capacity, and reliable long-term performance as demand grows for EV charging, electrification, and on-site renewables.”
– Lou Antonellis, business manager and financial secretary of IBEW Local 103, and Kristen Gowin, executive manager of NECA Greater Boston
“ Flow Tech is moving way beyond keeping buildings comfortable, and more toward optimization, energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization, and indoor air quality. These shifts in focus, combined with the decreased availability of tradespeople and tighter project timelines, mean we will see more pre / offsite fabrication. Ultimately, owners need to think about how to make their buildings better and faster rather than just comfortable.”
– Michael O. Davis, PE, president, Flow Tech, Inc.
“ Building owners should prioritize commissioning and ongoing optimization. Commissioning and / or retro-commissioning for existing buildings ensures that systems operate as intended and at peak efficiency. Owners should view this not as a one-time exercise at project completion, but as an ongoing process to maintain performance over the building’ s lifecycle.”
– Ken Wieber, PE, LEED AP BD + C, LFA, principal at Altieri
“ At Florence Electric, electrical systems are rapidly evolving from basic power distribution into intelligent, data-driven infrastructure that directly impacts building performance and resiliency. Today’ s systems incorporate advanced load monitoring, smart panels, and real-time analytics, giving building owners full visibility into energy usage and system performance. This allows for smarter decision-making, improved efficiency, and faster response to potential issues before they become costly problems. Resiliency is also a key focus. We’ re seeing increased demand for backup power solutions such as generators, battery storage, and scalable infrastructure that can support future technologies like EV charging and renewable energy integration. For building owners, the priority should be future-proofing and visibility. Investing in flexible, scalable electrical systems and ensuring you have access to real-time data will position your building to adapt, perform, and operate more efficiently long-term.
– Craig Souza, VP of operations, Florence Electric
Building Management System Installation Completed at South Station Tower
Boston – JM Electrical announced the completion of a full Building Management System( BMS) control wiring at South Station Tower in Boston. This milestone marks the culmination of a five-year installation project that began in April 2021.
In collaboration with Automated Logic, JM Electrical completed control wiring for the BMS and mechanical systems across the building’ s diverse components. The scope of work for the 51-level tower, developed by Hines, encompassed three mechanical equipment
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South Station Tower / Photos courtesy of JM Electrical
levels serving commercial office spaces, high-end residential apartment levels, and a nearly one-acre rooftop garden.
JM Electrical’ s team executed the control wiring installations at an elevation of 700 feet, implementing a full heating and cooling system with an integrated energy recovery system to optimize building performance. The work extended beyond the tower itself to include a five-level parking garage featuring exhaust fans, air handling units, generators, and a sophisticated gas-detection system for enhanced safety and air-quality management. A critical component of the project involved MBTA track modifications and upgrades that increased the bus terminal capacity by 50 %.
“ This project has been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I’ ve been a part of to date,” said Connor Harris, project manager at JM Electrical.“ In a building this significant, subcontractor trade coordination daily was crucial for a timely, successful completion. I couldn’ t have asked for a better team and contract partners to bring this project to a close.”
The BMS at South Station Tower provides a centralized platform for monitoring and controlling building operations and efficiency from a single server workstation. This infrastructure enables optimized energy use, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced comfort for both residential and commercial occupants throughout the building’ s varied uses.
Additional project members included Suffolk, NKM Industries, JC Higgins Corp., and New Era Technology.