Our Speakers Sound Off: Insights into Alberta’s Power Landscape

In the lead up to the Alberta Power Symposium 2024, we asked some of the leading voices in the industry, to share insights on critical issues. For the 2024 event, we’ve brought together expert speakers who are not only shaping the future of Alberta’s power sector but are also eager to help you navigate these changes and capitalize on new opportunities, while sharing their perspectives on emerging trends, policy changes, ESG considerations, and more.

Featuring Insights from These Alberta Power Symposium Speakers:

Robert (Rob) Baker

Director, Alternative & Renewable Energy

Alberta Innovates
LinkedIn

Shane Fraser

Manager, Grid Transformation

EPCOR
LinkedIn

Trina Innes

Executive Director, Sustainability Services, Alberta Municipalities

Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
LinkedIn

Jason Switzer

CEO

Equitable Origin
LinkedIn

Robert Tremblay

Policy Manager

Energy Storage Canada
LinkedIn

Q: What emerging trends in the power industry are you most excited about, and why?

Robert Baker: 
"A number of emerging trends are occurring, including the role of AI, big data, and renewables. These are not just incremental changes but are fundamentally reshaping the energy landscape in Alberta and beyond."

Shane Fraser: 
"I am excited to see how the development of smart grids and distributed energy resources (DERs) is transforming the way we manage energy. These innovations will lead to more efficient energy use and greater reliability for consumers."

Jason Switzer: 
"The power sector in North America is faced by 3 major trends: 1) the boom in demand driven by effort to electrify major demand centres including transportation, residential heat and heavy industry, along with AI and data centres; 2) the transformation in supply driven by renewables, the 2030 global goal, the remarkable drop in cost for wind, and the phaseout of baseload coal; and 3) the increased instability of the grid due to integration of larger and larger sources of correlated intermittent sources (like wind and solar), phase out of baseload coal, and growing risk of extreme weather-related disruptions of transmission infrastructure."

Robert Tremblay:
"The use of energy storage to provide fast ramping power and balance the grid is a game-changer for the industry. This technology not only stabilizes the grid but also facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources, making it a cornerstone of the future power industry."

Q: What recent policy changes do you believe will have the most impact on the power sector in Alberta?

Robert Tremblay: 
"The continuing evolution of Ancillary Services and their role in supporting the stability and reliability of the grid is significant. These changes will play a critical role in how the power sector adapts to new challenges."

Q: How is ESG influencing financing decisions in the power industry?

Robert Baker: 
"The longer-term financial effects of ESG affect not just the bottom line but also the attractiveness of a company to investors. It’s becoming a key factor in determining where capital flows in the power sector."

Trina Innes: 
"Financers are increasingly interested in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Municipalities must align their projects with ESG principles to attract investment."

Jason Switzer: 
"ESG is influencing the flow of capital in two ways: driving increased focus on environmental and social performance from an investment due diligence perspective and rewarding higher performance with lower-cost access to capital through sustainability-liked financial instruments and government subsidies and incentives."

Robert Tremblay: 
"ESG is influencing financing decisions through increased scrutiny on sustainability practices and long-term financial viability. Companies are now required to align their operations with ESG standards to secure funding and remain competitive."

Q: What are you hoping attendees will learn from your presentation or panel discussion?

Robert Baker: 
"My hope after any conversation, discussion, or presentation is that attendees will gain actionable insights that they can apply in their roles to drive innovation and sustainability."

Shane Fraser: 
"Attendees will discover that Alberta utilities are at the forefront of smart grid and DER developments and understand the opportunities these technologies present."

Trina Innes: 
"Attendees will learn about how municipalities are adapting to ESG requirements and the practical steps they can take to implement these changes in their communities."

Jason Switzer: 
"I hope that attendees learn what role rigorous third-party certification to international benchmarks for high-integrity ESG performance can play in meeting the investor due diligence challenge and also in accessing additional sources of capital."

Robert Tremblay: 
"I hope that attendees will come away with a better understanding of the role energy storage plays in creating a resilient and sustainable energy grid."

The Alberta Power Symposium is always a pivotal event for industry professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve. Register now at https://www.canadianinstitute.com/alberta-power-symposium to gain access to more expert power industry insights.