Flux Capacitor

Recorded on Zoom in mid-July 2020, episode 23 is the third podcast in a series on preparation for and response to the challenges of Covid-19, featuring a discussion with Scott Aaronson, Vice President of Security and Preparedness at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington and secretariat to the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC). Scott and I talk about the evolution of the ESCC, how industry came together to tackle pandemic challenges, issue spotting and Tiger Teams, preparing for the next pandemic, and mutual assistance.

Recorded on Zoom in late June 2020, episode 22 is the second podcast in a series on the current challenges and future prospects of supplying electricity in Canada’s North. The featured discussion is with Noel Voykin, the President and CEO of Northwest Territories Power Corporation Our conversation touches on economic development in the north, new renewable technologies, climate change impacts, and leadership.

Recorded by phone for National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10th 2020, episode 21 features a discussion with the founder and Executive Director of Women of Powerline Technicians, Lana Norton. We talk about the typical day for a lineworker, how the changes in the electricity sector are changing (and in some cases, not changing) the work of lineworkers, and the role Women of Powerline Technicians plays in supporting women PLTs and in promoting careers in trades for young women.

Recorded on Zoom in late June 2020, episode 20 is the second podcast in a series on preparation for and response to the challenges of Covid-19, this time from a government perspective. The featured discussion is with Craig Oldham, Director General of the Critical Infrastructure Directorate, in the National and Cyber Security Branch, at Public Safety Canada. We talk about the evolution of the response to Covid-19, how the government coordinates through the Government Operations Centre, the complexity of preparedness and response in the context of the broader threat environment, and the importance of relationships and partnerships.

Recorded on Zoom in June 2020, episode 19 is the first in a series on the current challenges and future prospects of supplying electricity in Canada’s North. The featured discussion is with Andrew Hall, Yukon Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer. We talk about the unique challenges of the electricity sector in the north, how Yukon differs from the other territories, the complexity of managing an islanded grid, integrating new renewables, the criticality of partnerships with indigenous communities, and the Sustainable Electricity program.

Recorded on Zoom in June 2020, episode 18 is our return from hiatus due to the Coronavirus, and the first in a series on electricity sector preparation for and response to the challenges of Covid-19. The featured discussion is with Eóin Cooke, AltaLink’s Vice-President of Security and Information Services. We talk about AltaLink’s preparedness for a pandemic, technology and productivity in the time of Covid-19, and the importance of partnerships in pandemic response. Eóin also shares his views on artificial intelligence and the AI cybersecurity arms race.

Recorded at the Globe 2020 Conference in Vancouver in February 2020, episode 17 features a panel discussion following the release by CEA of the report “State of the Canadian Electricity Industry 2020.” Tim Boston, Vice President Public Policy and Government Relations at ENMAX facilitated the conversation, which featured Jay Grewal, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro, Roger Dall’ Antonia, President and CEO of FortisBC and Kate Chisholm, Q.C., Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer with Capital Power.

Recorded in Toronto in February 2020, episode 16 features a discussion with Tabatha Bull, the Chief Operating Officer with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). We talk about the CCAB’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, which a number of CEA members participate in, and how the pillars of PAR are foundational to reconciliation. Tabatha also shares her views on a range of issues, including some notable examples of best practices of indigenous community engagement.

Recorded at the Globe 2020 Conference in Vancouver in February 2020, episode 15 features a discussion with Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, President and Chief Executive Officer with WaterPower Canada. We talk about the importance of Canadian hydro, future prospects, and what policy makers should be doing to support further development of hydro. From the CEA team, Policy Development VP Channa Perera joins me to share his views on the Globe conference and it’s dialogue on sustainability with stakeholders and government.

Recorded at the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid, episode 14 features a discussion with Roger Dall’Antonia, President and Chief Executive Officer at FortisBC. We talk about the COP25 experience and observations as a first-time attendee at a COP conference, the distinct challenges facing an electricity and natural gas company, and some of the differences in the utility business environments in Canada and the United States. From the CEA team, Policy Development VP Channa Perera joins me to highlight the big issues on the agenda at COP25.

Episode 13 features a discussion with Rodger Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Oracle Utilities. We talk about the challenges facing the electricity industry as value shifts from kilowatts to bits & bytes, and what Rodger sees at winning strategies for the future. From the CEA team, Michael Powell stops by to talk about recent news and GridEx, and Janice Garcia discusses take-aways from CEA’s annual Powering Partnerships Summit.

Episode 12 features a discussion with Tonja Leach, Executive Director of Quest, whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of efficient and integrated community-scale energy systems in Canada by informing, inspiring, and connecting decision-makers. We talk about the evolution of QUEST, how it fulfills its mission, and QUEST’s unique structure. From the CEA team, Michael Powell stops by to talk about recent news and the storm damage, and Joelle Lancaster and Alex Kent, co-authors of a recent article in Renew Canada, the “Infrastructure Magazine,” discuss partnerships.

For Episode 011 of Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Francis is joined by Tim Egan of the Canadian Gas Association for a conversation with the CEO and Chair of the British Columbia Utilities Commission, David Morton. This is part of our collaboration with CAMPUT, the association of Canada’s energy and utility regulators, and was recorded at the Global Grid Forum, in Vancouver BC in September 2019, where both Francis and David were speakers. From the CEA team, Michael Powell stops by to talk about recent news, and Ana Santarem provides an overview of the cross-Canada electrification debate series CEA is presenting.

Episode 10 features a discussion with Cynthia Chaplin, Executive Director of CAMPUT, the association of Canada's energy and utility regulators, on the challenges of economic regulation in a period where the electricity industry is on the cusp of significant change, driven by both technology and customers. Cynthia also talks about how regulators promote regulatory excellence, how to enhance engagement among regulators, industry and stakeholders, and the challenges of the future of ratemaking with the rise of distributed energy resources. From the CEA team, Michael Powell stops by to talk about recent news, and Channa Perera visits to discuss key take-aways from the recent Energy and Mines Ministers Conference.

Episode 9 features a discussion with Mike Marsh, President and CEO of SaskPower, on pioneering carbon capture and the challenges of greening the grid. Mike also talks about other new technologies, partnerships with First Nations, and building a safety culture at SaskPower. From the CEA team, Julia Muggeridge stops by to talk about recent news, and Alex Kent visits to focus on telecommunications issues.

For National Electricity Month (NEM), Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Episode 008, features a discussion with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, recorded live before an audience at CEA’s Town Hall at the National Arts Centre. Interviewed by CEA’s Government Relations Director Michael Powell, the wide-ranging discussion with Minister Sohi touches on innovation, electrification and new technologies. From the CEA team, Francis Bradley and Michael Powell talk about recent news, and Daniella Bidin drops by to talk about the NEM launch and CEA’s future scenarios as fleshed-out by author Kate Heartfield and presented as monologues by four local actors at our Electrifying Night at the Museum.

Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Episode 007, featuring an in-depth conversation with the former CEO and Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission Brien Sheahan that host Francis Bradley recorded at the annual CAMPUT conference. From the CEA team, T&D Director Justin Crewson provides context for the conversation with Brien, and Senior Advisor Megan Falle drops by to talk biodiversity.

Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Episode 006, featuring two discussion that host Francis Bradley recorded with cohost Tim Egan from the Canadian Gas Association, at the annual CAMPUT conference. In cooperation with CAMPUT, the association Canada's Energy and Utility Regulators, Francis and Tim talk energy regulation with the Chair of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, Peter Gurnham, and Manitoba Public Utilities Board Chair Robert Gabor. Transcripts of our conversations will also be posted to the ERQ, the Energy Regulation Quarterly, at http://www.energyregulationquarterly.ca/#sthash.Gp0ncoTI.dpbs

Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Episode 005, featuring a discussion with Cara Clairman, the President and CEO of Plug ‘N Drive. Hosted by Francis Bradley, the discussion with Cara touches on EV dealership awards, the establishment of Plug ‘N Drive, the economics of electric mobility, adoption of EVs abroad, and the prospects for the future for Canadian EV market. From the CEA team, Michael Powell checks in with interesting news from here on earth and in space, and Leah Michalopulos drops by to talk about CEA’s activities in Washington.

Flux Capacitor, the podcast about the future of electricity, Episode 004, featuring a discussion with Gianna Manes, the President and CEO of Calgary-based ENMAX Corporation. Hosted by Francis Bradley, the discussion with Gianna is a challenge to think differently in an era of exponential change, including customer engagement, corporate culture change, diversity, and why maybe we should compare electricity to apples from a pricing perspective. From the CEA team, Michael Powell checks in with interesting news, and Daniel Gent drops by to talk about CEA’s Analytics programs.