Former President and CEO of BC Hydro Chris O’Riley joins host Francis Bradley for a reflection on his 35 years at BC Hydro, from his start as an Engineer in Training at the hydro plant at Campbell River and the redevelopment the John Hart Generating Station, through a number of other transformative projects up to the recently completed Site C dam and generating station. They talk about BC Hydro's evolution, including its increased complexity and focus on customer service. Chris also highlights Hydro’s growing partnerships with First Nations, such as the Northwest Transmission Line project, which involves joint ownership. Chris also reflects on the future of BC Hydro and gives his take on the new leadership at the company. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Links:

BC Hydro

BC Hydro Executive Team

Site C

Chris O’Riley on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, by Rutger Bregman:

Grid Modernization Leader at Capgemini Canada Andrea Nuesser joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion about Capgemini’s role in the electricity sector and in the energy transition. They talk about grid modernization, incorporating new technologies to build a more affordable, resilient, and cleaner grid. They discuss technologies like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for real-time data, and non-wires alternatives. They also unpack challenges, including regulatory uncertainty and cultural resistance, and the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to play a significant role in analyzing vast data and improving decision-making. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Links:

Capgemini Canada

Andrea Nuesser on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, by Brené Brown

Senior Vice President and General Manager of Eaton Canada Chris Fluit joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion about Eaton’s role in the electricity sector and in the energy transition. We talk about the company's evolution from an automotive-focused firm to a global power management company, offering products across the electricity value chain, with a current focus on energy-efficient, sustainable solutions. Chris emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, particularly in the industrial and residential sectors. The talk inevitably turns to the impact of geopolitical tensions on supply chains and the challenges posed by the current international trade and tariff environment. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Links:

Eaton Canada

Chris Fluit on LinkedIn

Book recommendation: Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown

Women in Renewable Energy’s President and CEO Joanna Osawe joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion about WIRE’s growth from a single chapter in Toronto to 39 chapters worldwide. WIRE focuses on advancing women and underrepresented groups in the energy sector through networking events, field trips, podcasts, and awards. They talk about the importance of early engagement with children through the WIRE Junior Ambassadors Program, and Joanna gives her take on achieving net zero by 2050, the importance of international engagement, and the need for continued efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE)

Joanna Osawe on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Bet On Me: Leading and Succeeding in Business and in Life, by Annette Verschuren

The Canadian Steel Producers Association’s President and CEO Catherine Cobden joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion about the upcoming report “Powering Canadian Steel” and the impacts of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian steel sector. They talk about the steel industry’s need for an additional 430% of electricity by 2050. Catherine emphasizes the need for trade measures to combat unfair practices and support domestic markets. They also discuss the importance of addressing permitting delays and leveraging government support like the Strategic Innovation Fund to enhance domestic production. The conversation wraps with Catherine’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club

Links:

Canadian Steel Producers Association: https://canadiansteel.ca

Catherine Cobden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-cobden-53210b23/

Book recommendation:

• Resonant Leadership: Renewing Yourself and Connecting with Others Through Mindfulness, Hope and Compassion, by Richard E. Boyatzis and Annie McKee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224849.Resonant_Leadership

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) Senior Director of Transmission Planning and Operations, Ahmed Rashwan, joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about EPE and his focus on the challenges of integrating renewables and large loads like AI data centers, which can fluctuate rapidly, impacting grid reliability. He emphasizes the need for adaptive plans and regulatory approaches. They close their conversation with a great book recommendation that, while ostensibly about sports, is really all about leadership and culture.

Electric Power Engineers

Ahmed Rashwan on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty

Brattle Group principals Peter Fox-Penner and Tom Chapman join host Francis Bradley to discuss the report "Clean Capital Efficiency," which addresses challenges and solutions in the electric utility sector. They talk about rapid load growth, affordability, decarbonization, the impacts of climate change, as well as the rise of data centres and the additional pressure on demand as a result. Solutions include leveraging existing technologies, integrated distribution planning, and exploring public-private partnerships to address these challenges. They close the conversation with a couple of great book recommendations.

Brattle Group

Clean Capital Efficiency report

Peter Fox-Penner

Tom Chapman

Book recommendations:

• A History of Canada in Ten Maps: Epic Stories of Charting a Mysterious Land by Adam Shoalts
• Infinite Baseball: Notes from a Philosopher at the Ballpark, by Alva Noë

Bracewell LLP’s Andrew Shaw joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion of the evolving Canada-US electricity trade relationship, highlighting the impact of tariffs and trade policies. Pre-2025, the relationship was generally positive, but post-2025, tensions have risen, particularly under President Trump's administration. They discuss the tariffs, which aim to address trade imbalances and support US manufacturing. They also touch on the potential impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, particularly the Revenge Tax and clean energy tax incentives. The conversation wraps with Andrew’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Bracewell LLP

Andrew Shaw at Bracewell

Andrew Shaw on LinkedIn

Book recommendations:

• What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, by Thomas Frank

Part 2 of the Faces of the Industry award winners, reflecting a simple philosophy: the electricity sector isn’t made up of companies—it’s made up of people. In conversation with Francis Bradley, this year’s winners showcase the creativity, innovation, leadership and grace under pressure that make Canada’s electricity system. The winners on this episode are Jennifer Williams, President and CEO Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Dan Irvine, Director of Procurement and Contracts at SaskPower, and Mohamed ElNozahy, Engineering Manager – EMT Studies, from Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator.

Link:

Read the Faces of the Industry press release on the Electricity Canada website.

Part 1 of the Faces of the Industry award winners, reflecting a simple philosophy: the electricity sector isn’t made up of companies—it’s made up of people. In conversation with Francis Bradley, this year’s winners showcase the creativity, innovation, leadership and grace under pressure that make Canada’s electricity system. The winners on this episode are Sandra Haskins, Senior Vice President and CFO at Capital Power, Joy Brake, Senior Technical Advisor, System Planning at Nova Scotia Power, and Jeffrey Laninga, Live Line Engineer and Section Head at Manitoba Hydro.

Link:

Read the Faces of the Industry press release on the Electricity Canada website.