Flux Capacitor Francis Bradley

RBC Senior Vice-President, John Stackhouse and Senior Manager, Clean Technology, Vivan Sorab, principal author of the report “Think Small: How Canada can make small modular reactors a priority,” in conversation with host Francis Bradley about the principal findings and recommendations of their report. The conversation includes an overview of SMR technology, the state of progress in their deployment, and likely applications in Canada. They also discuss the path ahead, including the needed investments, Indigenous partnerships and social license, as well as an indication of issues the Institute is currently addressing. They close the conversation with Vivan and John’s recommendations for additions to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:
RBC report “Think Small:: How Canada can make small modular nuclear reactors a priority”: https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/wp-content/uploads/Think-Small-SMR-Report-EN-1.pdf

RBC Climate Action 2024 report, “Double or Trouble”: https://www.rbc.com/climate-action-institute/climate-action-24/index.html

Johns Stackhouse at RBC: https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/people/john-stackhouse
on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stackhouse-a113419/

Vivan Sorab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivan-sorab-4a503623/
Book recommendations:
The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations, by Daniel Yergin: https://www.danielyergin.com/books/thenewmap

Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization, by Ed Conway: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125937631-material-world

Altalink President and CEO Gary Hart in conversation with host Francis Bradley about the energy transition from the perspective of a transmission company. The conversation includes a bit of a deep dive into the impact of wildfires, and what is being done to prevent and/or limit their impact. Gary also talks about the energy transition, the challenges of decarbonization, the future energy mix in Alberta, affordability for customers, and how supply chain challenges are not likely to disappear anytime soon. They close the conversation with Gary’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Altalink: https://www.altalink.ca/

Altalink’s management Team: https://www.altalink.ca/governance/leadership/

Gary Hart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garylhart/

Book recommendations:
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, by Bill Gates: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52908942-how-to-avoid-a-climate-disaster

GE Vernova Canada President and President of Global Growth Markets at GE Vernova Heather Chalmers is in conversation with host Francis Bradley about this new company, her role in Canada and in global growth markets, technology ambition, the need for governments and stakeholders to align in order to meet sustainability goals, and her take on the Government of Canada’s draft Clean Electricity Regulations. Heather also talks about the criticality of Indigenous reconciliation, the challenges of supply chains and ensuring we have the people to build our energy future. They close the conversation with two timely recommendations for additions to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

GE Vernova: https://www.gevernova.com/

Heather Chalmers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-chalmers/?originalSubdomain=ca

Book recommendations:
How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between, by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61327449-how-big-things-get-done

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38620150-21-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-indian-act

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator President and CEO, Lesley Gallinger, is in conversation with host Francis Bradley about the challenges the system faces in the transition to a decarbonized future. They discuss the role of the IESO, rising electricity demand, resource adequacy, and the importance of engagement with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Lesley shares some perspectives on the work of the Canadian Electricity Advisory Council and some of the factors that will impact the timing of Ontario meeting its decarbonization ambitions. The conversation closes with two excellent recommendations for additions to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO): https://ieso.ca/

Lesley Gallinger at the IESO: https://ieso.ca/Corporate-IESO/Leadership/Executive-Team

Lesley Gallinger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-gallinger-784a194/?originalSubdomain=ca

IESO’s Pathways to Decarbonization report: https://www.ieso.ca/en/Learn/The-Evolving-Grid/Pathways-to-Decarbonization

The Canadian Electricity Advisory Council: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/electricity-infrastructure/the-canada-electricity-advisory-council/25297

Book recommendations:
My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future,by Indra Nooyi: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57499853-my-life-in-full

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples, by Bob Joseph and Cynthia F. Joseph:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36988156-working-effectively-with-indigenous-peoples?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=ngI9EMHqcd&rank=1

Canadian Renewable Energy Association President & CEO, Vittoria Bellissimo in conversation with host Francis Bradley on the state of wind, solar and energy storage in Canada, and the prospects for the future. They discuss the role of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, recent growth in the sector, the recent pause on approvals in Alberta, barriers to growth and investment, the importance of grid diversity, and the federal investment tax credit regime as a response to the Inflation Reduction Act in the US. They talk about the Electricity Transition Hub, and close the conversation with reflections on Indigenous reconciliation.
 
Links:
 
Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): https://renewablesassociation.ca/
 
Vittoria Bellissimo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vittoria-bellissimo-9298473a/?originalSubdomain=ca
 
Electricity Transition Hub: https://renewablesassociation.ca/electricity-transition-hub/

Toyota Canada Inc’s Vice-President, Corporate, Stephen Beatty, in conversation with host Francis Bradley. They discuss Toyota’s view of multiple pathways to decarbonizing transportation and other policy options to zero emission vehicle mandates. They talk about the best technologies for different transportation applications, touch on the future of hydrogen, and how e-fuels may be part of our future. They close the conversation with a recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club
 
Links:
Stephen Beatty at Toyota Canada Inc.: https://media.toyota.ca/en/bios/2014/stephen-beatty.html
Background on e-fuels: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrofuel 
Book recommendation:
Who Ate the First Oyster?: The Extraordinary People Behind the Greatest Firsts in History, by Cody Cassidy: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52508868-who-ate-the-first-oyster