Recorded on Zoom for Earth Day 2021, episode 33 shines a light on Maritime Electric, the ninth entity to be designated a Sustainable Electricity™ company. The featured discussion is with Jason Roberts, President & Chief Executive Officer at Maritime Electric in Prince Edward Island. In my conversation with Jason, we discuss the company’s sustainability journey to their designation, challenges of running an island system, Covid-19 from Maritime Electric and Atlantic bubble perspectives, promoting diversity in the trades, and electric vehicles. And like many previous podcasts, we close the conversation with a book recommendation, in this case, with a bit of an East Coast spin.

Recorded on Zoom in mid-March 2021, episode 32 focuses on how contractors work with electricity companies to meet the challenges of building major projects. The featured discussion is with Keith Sones, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development and VP of Ontario operations for Valard. In my conversation with Keith, we discuss project complexity, working with communities and first nations, the challenges of building infrastructure, of building for a net zero future, and making sure we have the people to meet what the future may bring. And like many previous podcasts, we close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Recorded on Zoom in February 2021, Joelle Lancaster, Advisor at CEA guest hosts this special International Women’s Day takeover episode with guest Lyla Garzouzi, Chief Safety Officer at Hydro One. Lyla describes her journey and transition into her current role at Hydro One and provides insight into CEA’s Gender Best Practices Report, released on International Women’s Day. The podcast concludes with the CEA takeover hosts discussing highlights from their conversations.

Recorded on Zoom in February 2021, Daniella Bidin, Communications Officer at CEA guest hosts this special International Women’s Day takeover episode with guests Mackenzie Gillan from Hydro One and Allison Wood from Niagara Peninsula Energy. After originally meeting at a Women in Powerline Technician event, Mackenzie and Allison share their stories on how they grew to love the trades and advice they would give to aspiring powerline technicians (PLTs). They also touch on emphasizing safety and expecting the unexpected when on call. The episode finishes with a mandatory reading recommendation for any PLT – a Hydro One training module.

Recorded on Zoom in February of 2021, Asuka Boehm, Senior Reliability Analyst at CEA guest hosts this International Women’s Day takeover episode with special guest Starlene MacDonald, Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at OPG. Starlene discusses the importance of continuous education and awareness building in the workplace and how we can encourage more diversity in the electricity sector. She explains how recognition of intersectionality plays an important role in building the next generation of employees in the STEM field and how inclusion transforms workplace dynamics. The episode finishes with book recommendations for those looking to learn more about diversity.

Recorded on Zoom in mid-January 2021, episode 28 looks at some of the challenges for an association focused on the intersection of telecommunications and utility infrastructure during a period of rapid change and a global pandemic. The featured discussion is with Sheryl Riggs, the president and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council. In my conversation with Sheryl, we discuss UTC’s evolution and membership, and the evolving communications and technologies underpinning utilities. We also touch on the evolving cyber threat environment, and the challenges of operating an association during a pandemic, and some upside (greater virtual reach). We close the conversation with a recommendation, in this case, Sheryl has a movie suggestion.

Recorded on Zoom in early-October 2020, episode 27 is a continuation of a series of conversations on the technologies that will power Canada in the future. The featured discussion is with Robert Hornung, the President and CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. In my conversation with Robert, we discuss wind and solar power as well as energy storage, and their place in Canada’s energy sector today and in the future. We also touch on regulatory barriers to greater renewable energy, the future customer experience, and the challenges of establishing a new energy association during a global pandemic. We close the conversation with a book recommendation, and Robert becomes the second podcast guest to recommend The Overstory by Richard Powers.

Recorded on Zoom in late-September 2020, episode 26 is a deep-dive conversation with Paula Conboy into the similarities and differences between Canada and Australia’s electricity sectors and how they are regulated, the challenges of integrating intermittent renewables in their system, and regulatory innovation. Paula is Senior Counselor in the Energy and Environment Practice with the Sussex Strategy Group Inc and a part-time Board Member with the Energy Market Authority in Singapore. She has returned to Canada following one of her many stints in Australia. She spent five years as the Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, was previously a Board member of the Ontario Energy Board, and a past Vice-president of Regulatory and Government Affairs at Powerstream, now part of Alectra Utilities.

Like many previous podcasts, we close the conversation with three book recommendations from Paula.

Recorded on Zoom in mid-September 2020, episode 25 is a continuation of a series of conversations on the technologies that will power Canada in the future. The featured discussion is with John Gorman, the President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association. In my conversation with John, we discuss nuclear’s place in Canada’s energy’s mix today and in the future, the imminent arrival of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), nuclear waste, and the production of medical isotopes. And like many previous podcasts, we close the conversation with some book recommendations from John, who is himself an author.

Recorded on Zoom in late-August 2020, episode 24 is the third podcast in a series on the current challenges and future prospects of supplying electricity in Canada’s North. The featured discussion is with George Lidgett, the Executive Vice President & General Manager, Utilities for Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company. The wide-ranging conversation with George touches on engagement with indigenous communities, the logistical challenges of getting supplies to remote communities, electrification, the greening of northern grids and climate change. Like many previous podcasts, we close the conversation with some book recommendations.