Alberta Power Symposium

Alberta’s energy market structure has remained the same for over two decades. However, the AESO Restructured Energy Market (REM) initiative will provide notable change from Alberta’s current electricity market structure by adding newer energy sources including solar and utility-scale solar (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the market. What will the expanded market mean for consumers, and how will Alberta’s energy market evolve as a result?

Topics of discussion will include:

• Assessing how the AESO Restructured Energy Market (REM) initiative may allow for greater participation in energy storage, loads, and renewables
• Reviewing the consolidated stakeholder feedback from the REM High-Level Design and how it will be implemented
• Expanding the day-ahead market for reliability products
• Minimizing system costs through more efficient use of grid resources

Artificial intelligence data centre development presents a tremendous economic opportunity for Alberta’s future. However, due to AI’s energy intensive nature, managing grid reliability and lowering emissions will be key to the long-term success of AI data centres.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Assessing the role of Alberta’s deregulated electricity market to provide off-grid power generation for natural gas, geothermal energy, and battery storage
• Discussing Alberta’s plans for securing power capacity, promoting sustainable cooling methods, and driving economic growth
• Debating how open-source software models like DeepSeek may impact future development plans
• Examining how data centres will use power and provide power to consumers

The Tilley Project, a 24 mega-watt solar project partnership between Alexander First Nation, First Nation Power Development (FNpower), and Concord Green Energy, is a true model of economic reconciliation. Located in Newell, Alberta, the project will utilize 70,000 solar voltaic panels and is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta by approximately 14,200 tonnes annually. The project is expected to create more than 150 full-time jobs at its peak, and indications are that this exciting project will be completed by November 2025.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining the unique partnership strategies that led to the creation of the Tilley Project
• Reviewing the successes and lessons learned from this unique project
• Building capacity and creating economic opportunities for members of Alexander First Nation
• Reviewing the financing strategies and structures required for this project to commence

Navigating the many sustainable funding options for clean energy projects can be challenging due to the numerous options available. As Canada’s resource economy expands and projects become more complex, finding the right funding programs will be essential to establish a competitive advantage.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining funding opportunities for Indigenous-led projects
• Reviewing the important requirements for financing Power-Purchasing Agreements
• Discussing the future of funding clean energy projects in Canada

According to the Pembina Institute, renewable energy projects in Alberta represent $33 billion in investment and Alberta accounted for more than 92 per cent of Canada’s overall growth in renewable energy and storage capacity in 2023. However, the new rules and regulations for renewable energy projects that were issued by Alberta’s government in early 2024 have left many proponents frustrated with the ambiguity around the implementation details.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Insights from other provinces who are embracing renewable energy
• Analyzing how the required 30% security upfront cost for future cleanup may be deterring investment
• Discussing the importance of regulatory certainty and a stable regulatory environment
• Successes from Alberta solar and wind companies who have scaled up production

Canada has become a clean energy leader and small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a viable alternative to help decarbonize energy systems and provide reliable base-load power in remote communities. Already ranking in sixth place in the world for nuclear energy generation, advanced knowledge and resources exist for Canada to be a global leader in SMR technology.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Determining how quickly demand can scale for faster adoption
• Reviewing success and lessons learned from the first SMR at the Darlington Nuclear Site
• Advanced strategies for incorporate SMRs into existing energy structure
• Addressing safety concerns through nuclear waste plans
• Exploring the regulatory framework needed to advance nuclear technology

Virtual power plants are the next generation of power plants and may help ease some of the burden caused by operating traditional power plants. Utilizing a centralized network with multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems, VPPs are becoming a viable solution for municipalities seeking to lower their capital costs and emissions.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Utilizing artificial intelligence and predictive analysis to make preemptive adjustments to optimize energy utilization and reduce costs
• Enhancing grid stability by reducing peak load and integrating renewable energy
• Addressing cyber-physical security concerns that may arise
• Incentivizing consumers by revising regulatory frameworks and market structures

Celebrating its sixth year of delivery renewable energy to community residents, and with an ambitious vision to be a 100% Renewable, Carbon-Neutral neighbourhood, the community of Blatchford in northern Edmonton is an exemplary model of district energy sharing. Anticipated to be one of the largest ambient systems in Canada, this case study will examine:

• Harnessing geothermal energy and high efficiency heat pumps for hot water, heating, and cooling
• Providing homes with year-round temperatures to reduce strain on the electricity grid
• Discussing plans to design and build a Sewer Heat Exchange Energy Centre to add sewer heat as a second source of renewable energy to the system
• Discussing the lessons learned from development
• Reviewing the energy savings vs. Cost of ownership

Leaders from Alberta’s largest power producers and utility providers will share their insights on the state of Alberta’s energy market, the Restructured Energy Market Initiative, transmission reform and more during this insightful and engaging session.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Debating the advantages of a Day-Ahead Market (DAC) vs. A Real-Time Market
• Managing power prices and consumer expectations
• Assessing the role of renewable energy in Alberta’s energy market
• Reviewing policy and regulatory frameworks for opportunities to streamline efficiency

Extreme temperature swings, climate change, and rapid population growth have caused additional strain on Alberta’s electricity grid and power infrastructure. Reducing energy consumption during peak demand times can help reduce grid stress, but what other options exist to manage grid load and capacity?

Topics of discussion will include:

• Implementing Vehicle-to-Grid systems to enable electric vehicles to discharge stored energy back to the grid during peak demand periods
• Upgrading energy infrastructure and transformers to improve energy efficiency
• Evaluation next-generation energy storage solutions to reduce grid strain
• Assessing how data centres can help power the grid while producing energy

Canada’s provinces and territories have their own unique energy policies and regulations but what can municipalities do to achieve their net zero energy goals?

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining what municipalities are doing to manage their energy usage and reduce emissions
• Integrating multiple sectors to identify opportunities for shared energy infrastructure and resource utilization
• Implementing demand forecasting to meet future demand while reducing costs and environmental impacts