Recorded at Globe Forum 2022 late March 2022, episode 59 features a conversation with Jason Dion, Mitigation Research Director, at the Canadian Climate Institute. We discuss the Canadian Climate Institute, its role in fostering practical solutions and researching pathways to meet climate targets, the centrality of electricity to the energy transition, the challenges of intergovernmental coordination, carbon tax and revenue recycling, and the potential future for “wild-cards” like direct air capture. We close our conversation with his recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded at Globe Forum 2022 late March 2022, episode 58 features a conversation with Dr. Bruce Lourie, Board Chair, The Transition Accelerator and President, Ivey Foundation. We discuss the Transition Accelerator, its role in promoting pathways for the energy transition, the coal phase-out in Ontario (the single largest contributor to GHG reductions in Canada), the urgent need for collaboration between levels of government, the future role of hydrogen, and the challenges of meeting the short timelines of the 2030 GHG reduction targets. And we close with his recommendation for an addition to the Flux capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom in mid March 2022, episode 57 features a conversation with Timothy Egan, President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association, representing companies in gas distribution. Tim joined me to chat about natural gas and Canada’s Net Zero 2050 commitments. We also discuss technologies, innovation, the future of energy service companies, and what the energy marketplace may look like beyond 2050. We close our conversation with Tim’s on-point recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Canadian Gas Association (CGA): https://www.cga.ca/

CGA’s Net Zero Hub: https://www.cga.ca/netzero/

Recorded on Zoom in early March 2022, episode 56 features a conversation with Indy Butany-DeSouza, recently named President and CEO of Elexicon Energy following a distinguished career as one of the foremost regulatory affairs practitioners in the Canadian electricity sector. Indy joined me for a discussion about transitioning from regulatory affairs to the corner office, what government commitments for a net zero electricity grid by 2035 will mean for her company, the role of distribution companies and customers will have to play to meet GHG reduction targets, and the need for regulatory frameworks to be updated to meet the new realities of a net zero world. And we close our conversation with Indy’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom to coincide with the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022, episode 55 features an IWD takeover of the podcast. Vanna Willerton from the team here at Electricity Canada is in the driver’s seat, and this episode features a conversation Vanna had with the new Chief Financial Officer at Ontario Power Generation, Aida Cipolla. Aida joined Vanna for a conversation about her journey to become OPG’s CFO, the steady increase in the number of women in senior management and around Board tables, and the leadership by some in the sector to move towards greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, especially at the most senior levels. Vanna and Aida touch on a range of other topics, from the importance of mentoring, to overcoming doubt. And Aida shares a very timely recommendation for addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom to coincide with the March 1st launch of Electricity Canada, episode 54 features a conversation with Julia Muggeridge, Vice-president of Communications and Marketing here at Electricity Canada (previously the Canadian Electricity Association), about the challenges of communicating about electricity and electricity issues. Julia and I also talk about the name change to Electricity Canada, what it means for the association, what it says about change and the future of the electricity sector, and some of the details of design and seeking to visually stand-out. She also shares some observations about future communications priorities, drawing upon recent opinion polling and focus groups. And we end the podcast with Julia’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club

Recorded on Zoom in January 2022, episode 53 features a conversation with Monica Gattinger, the Chair of Positive Energy at the University of Ottawa. I am a member of the Advisory Council of Positive Energy, and CEA has been supporting the Positive Energy research and engagement program since the initiative was launched six years ago. On this episode, we discuss Positive Energy’s mandate to identify how to strengthen public confidence in energy decision-making, and how this has evolved with a greater focus on climate change and net zero aspirations. We also talk about the need to innovate our institutions, and the challenges of energy federalism. And Monica’s book recommendation for addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club is right on topic.

Links:

Positive Energy: https://www.uottawa.ca/positive-energy/

Book: https://www.omarelakkad.com/american-war

Recorded on Zoom in January 2022, episode 52 features a conversation with Harry Hirz, Global Product Manager for Overhead Technologies, at G&W Electric. We discuss innovation in distribution automation, his company’s experience building their own micro-grid, supply chain challenges, and the criticality of reliability. Harry’s recommended addition to the Flux Capacitor Book rounds out our conversation.

Recorded on Zoom in January 2022, episode 51 features a conversation with Serge Abergel, Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Québec Energy Services , a Hydro-Québec division responsible for energy export. We talk about the Canada-Us electricity relationship, the role Quebec hydropower plays in meeting current and future energy needs in the Northeast, GHG emissions reductions, and the challenges of building infrastructure in New England and New York. We also talk about engagement with indigenous communities, including the partnership HQ has struck with the Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke on a cross-border transmission project. We close the conversation with Serge’s recommended addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom in early December 2021, episode 50 features a conversation with Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Ottawa, the local distribution company in Canada’s capital, and a number of other lines of business, including as a cross-border electricity generator. Bryce and I talk about Hydro’s sustainability practices, its recent designation as a Sustainable Electricity CompanyTM (the 11th in Canada), how sustainability helps in recruiting top talent, and customer-centricity. We also talk about climate change, net-zero targets, and the impacts of extreme weather, something Hydro Ottawa has seen a lot of recently, including floods and tornadoes. We close the conversation with some book banter, and Bryce’s two recommendations to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.