April 10 and 11, 2024 Hyatt Regency Calgary Calgary, Alberta
Photo: Nearly 300 people attended CanREA’s Operations Summit in Calgary on April 10-11, 2024, a unique conference devoted to the operation of renewable energy and energy storage sites across Canada.
Canada’s Operators community gathered to talk shop, network and discover the latest innovations in the industry at CanREA’s Ops Summit.
The fourth annual edition of CanREA’s Operations Summit, the largest conference and exhibition was devoted to the operations and maintenance of renewable energy and energy storage sites in Canada.
In response to the extreme weather issues facing Canadian Operators in 2023, such as forest fires, air quality, flooding and hurricanes, the theme of the 2024 event was “Operating in a changing climate.” Operators learned best practices in dealing with difficult conditions, shared lessons learned from past experiences, and discussed the various ways in which they are planning for the future, to continue successfully operating renewable energy and energy-storage sites in Canada’s changing climate.
The program offered unmatched learning opportunities, including well balanced wind and solar technical tracks with specialized and highly technical concurrent sessions, as well as H&S, workforce development and, of course, operations-focused sessions relevant to every operator and across all technologies.
A particular highlight was the National Solar Operators Roundtable and the National Wind Operators Roundtable, where Operators from coast to coast shared their experiences, gave advice, brainstormed solutions to common problems, and forged valuable connections. These important sessions built on the excellent work done by CanREA’s Regional Operators groups throughout the year.
The two-day event included great networking opportunities for connecting face-to-face with others in Canada’s Operators community, as well as an exciting exhibition floor showcasing innovative products and interesting services for this industry.
Photo: CanREA’s Mathieu Côté and Mary MacLean welcomed attendees for the CanREA Operations Summit 2024 in Calgary, Alberta.Photo:The Operations Summit opened with an important panel discussion on “Operating in a changing climate,” which discussed tools and strategies operators can use to adjust to changing wind and solar regimes while maximizing climatic resiliency for their assets, infrastructure and the grid. Moderated by CanREA Board member Jackie Forrest (Arc Energy), the panel included Charles Godreau (Nergica), David Smith (Wood PLC), George Fan (Marsh Canada) and Anna Lafoyiannis (Electric Power Research Institute). Photo:The Operations Summit always pays special attention to workforce development for the renewable energy industry. This year, CanREA’s Mary MacLean moderated a plenary on “CanREA’s National Workforce Strategy in Action.” This session showcased of all the work CanREA’s Operations program has done over the past two years with the goal of supporting people across their employment journey and allowing both industry and non-profits to support people’s career paths. Thank you to panelists Kathryn Wagner (Inside Education), Brodie Yyelland (Emerging Leaders for Clean Energy), Patty Charlton (Nova Scotia Community College), and Nketti Johnston-Taylor (Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council). Photo: A great time was had by all at the networking reception concluding day one of CanREA’s Operations Summit in Calgary. Operators from across Canada gathered to learn, listen and share experiences at the conference, and to talk shop and connect at the networking reception, held in the conference’s bustling Exhibition Hall.Photo:CanREA’s Operations Summit 2024 featured not one, but two National Operators Roundtables, one for wind operators and one for solar operators. Mathieu Côté led the discussion as attendees compared experiences from across the country, shared best practices, near misses and ‘good to know’ elements, brainstormed solutions to common problems, and provided feedback that will shape the future of CanREA’s Operators program. Photo: The day two plenary session focused on “Natural Disasters from a Health and Safety Perspective,” with a presentation of lessons learned, followed by a broader discussion regarding what tools or strategies could be used to prepare for such events, and what tactics to employ when recovering from them. Thank you to moderator Jen Aitchison (Renewable Risk Consulting) and panelists Jordan Heavenor (Capital Power), Patrick Norris (Irth Solutions) and Luz Mendez (Northland Power).Photo: CanREA’s Operations Summit 2024 wrapped up with a special kind of Closing Remarks: “Ask us Anything about the Alberta Market.” Thanks to CanREA’s resident Alberta policy experts, Vittoria Bellissimo (President & CEO) and Evan Wilson (Vice President of Policy—Western Canada and National Affairs), for giving attendees a real-time look at the changes affecting the Alberta market and how they could affect existing projects on the ground. Moderated by Matt Côté, Director of CanREA’s Operators Program.
Thank you to our Sponsors
CanREA wishes to thank all attendees, exhibitors and event sponsors for helping to make this year’s Operations Summit a success. A special thank you to:
Health and Safety Sponsor Liberty PowerLunch Sponsor PandellLunch Sponsor GoldwindMobile App Sponsor Energy Safety CanadaHospitality Sponsor EDF RenewablesHospitality Sponsor SparkPowerSession Sponsor Irth
Don’t miss the Operations Summit 2025! To stay informed, subscribe to Watt’s On, CanREA’s events newsletter.
CanREA’s Electricity Transition Hub Summit 2023
January 24 to 25, 2023 Toronto, Ontario
The first annual Hub Summit, exclusively for Canadian utilities and system operators, was part of CanREA’s recently launched Electricity Transition Hub. This was a unique, two-day event focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by innovative renewable-energy technologies.
Topics stemmed from CanREA’s work with Electricity Transition Hub participants throughout the year to provide the most relevant conversations for Canadian electricity utilities and system operators.
Large group sessions leveraged the Hub’s network of international experts, adapting leading-edge knowledge and experiences for relevance to the Canadian grid.
Guest speakers hosted small group sessions, placing a priority on dialogue and the efficient exchange of information.
Using a workshop format, the Hub Summit provided ample time for discussion and collaboration on specially selected themes.
The Hub Summit was an exclusive event for CanREA’s Electricity Transition Hub. Tickets were free for Hub participants, granting access to all the sessions and workshops, as well as meals for the full two days of the Summit.
The CanREA Electricity Transition Hub (“the Hub”) is a new entity bringing together electricity utilities and system operators for capacity-building activities related to renewable energy and grid modernization projects in Canada. It aims to share relevant knowledge and skills through a curated resource library known as the Electricity Transition Hub Electronic Resource (ETHER) Library, as well as reporting resources, quarterly meetings and an annual Hub Summit. The Hub is led by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) and funded by the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program.
Webinar-NRCan Update: IEA’s Photovoltaic Power System Program
November 23, 2022, 1 to 2 p.m.
CanREA was pleased to host a Natural Resources Canada webinar on November 23, in which NRCan’s Yves Poissant highlighted the recent activities and accomplishments of the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power System Technology Collaboration Program (IEA PVPS).
Preliminary market data shows that, despite a second year of COVID-19 pandemic, the global PV market grew significantly again in 2021. In fact, according to the IEA PVPS, at least 175 GW of PV systems were installed and commissioned around the world last year, bringing the total global cumulative installed capacity for PV to more than 942 GW at the end of 2021.
For almost three decades, the IEA PVPS programme has brought together experts aiming to accelerate the integration, operation and ultimately the acceptability of solar photovoltaics in a wide range of applications. This global network of researchers and policy experts shares the latest technology research findings and best practices to advance Solar PV energy deployment, as solar energy becomes one of the cornerstones of the ecological transition required to face the climate emergency.
Speaker:
Yves Poissant is a PV Technology Specialist and Research Manager at Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY and Canada’s delegate to the executive committee of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Program.
A recording of this webinar is available on CanREA’s member-only website.
CanREA Networking Reception – Atlantic Canada
November 9, 2022, 5 p.m. The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thank you to everyone who came out on November 9 for our in-person networking reception in Halifax, which brought together energy sector innovators, business leaders and influencers with an interest in the wind energy, solar and energy-storage sectors in Nova Scotia.
Sixty movers and shakers of the renewable-energy industry were on site for this exciting networking opportunity, part of a series of CanREA networking events happening in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Alberta this fall.
The Atlantic Canada networking reception was an excellent occasion to position your company as a leader in the wind, solar and energy storage industry, make new connections and engage with other organizations while supporting CanREA’s efforts to expand the market in Atlantic Canada and across the country.
Thank you to our sponsors:
CanREA Networking Reception – Quebec
November 17, 2022, 5 p.m. Sir Winston Churchill Pub Complex Montreal, Quebec
This is an exciting time for wind, solar and storage in Quebec, and CanREA is working hard to expand opportunities in in this market. In fact, CanREA aims to unlock 30+ new GW across Canada by 2030, representing a $50+ Billion investment opportunity for wind, solar and storage industries.
Thank you to everyone who joined Canadian Renewable Energy Association for a special, in-person networking reception in Montreal on November 17. The event brought together energy sector innovators, business leaders and influencers with an interest in Quebec’s wind, solar and energy-storage industries.
It was an excellent occasion to position your company as an industry leader, make new connections and engage with other organizations while supporting CanREA’s efforts to expand the market in Quebec and across Canada.
This reception was part of a series of exciting CanREA networking events that took place in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Alberta this fall.
Sponsorship opportunities – stand out from the crowd
For future Sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie Mair, CanREA’s Membership and Business Development Manager, to discuss how you can stand out from the crowd as a sponsor and showcase your company as a leader in the industry.
Health and safety
CanREA places the highest importance on health and safety. CanREA events follow, at a minimum, the relevant COVID-19 public health guidelines determined by the jurisdiction where the event is being held. CanREA is committed to taking the precautions necessary to ensure our in-person events provide a safe environment for all, including attendees, participants, vendors and employees.
CanREA Networking Reception – Alberta
November 29, 2022, 5 p.m. The Derrick Gin Mill and Kitchen Calgary, Alberta
When it comes to renewable energy, the Alberta advantage is clear to see.
Wind and solar energy continue to expand at an unprecedented rate across the province, while CanREA is working hard to keep growing new opportunities in Alberta. In fact, CanREA aims to unlock 30+ new GW across Canada by 2030, representing a $50+ Billion investment opportunity for the wind, solar and storage industries.
Thank you to everyone that joined the Canadian Renewable Energy Association in Calgary for a special, in-person networking reception on November 29. The event brought together 145 attendees, including energy sector innovators, business leaders and influencers with an interest in Alberta’s wind, solar and energy-storage sectors.
It was an excellent occasion to position your company as an industry leader, make new connections and engage with other organizations while supporting CanREA’s efforts to expand the market across Canada.
This reception was part of a series of exciting CanREA networking events that took place in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Alberta this fall.
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Sponsorship opportunities – stand out from the crowd
For future Sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie Mair, CanREA’s Membership and Business Development Manager, to discuss how you can stand out from the crowd as a sponsor and showcase your company as a leader in the industry.
Health and safety
CanREA places the highest importance on health and safety. CanREA events follow, at a minimum, the relevant COVID-19 public health guidelines determined by the jurisdiction where the event is being held. CanREA is committed to taking the precautions necessary to ensure our in-person events provide a safe environment for all, including attendees, participants, vendors and employees.
CanREA Annual General Meeting 2022 (virtual)
October 21, 2022, 1 to 2 p.m. (ET)
CanREA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 will be held virtually on October 21, 2022, from 1 to 2 p.m. (ET). The AGM will provide members with a summary of CanREA’s key activities, the results of the 2022 CanREA Board Elections, and the next steps for the association.
Speakers:
Robert Hornung, CanREA President & CEO
Jason Chee-Aloy, CanREA Board Chair; Managing Director, Power Advisory LLC
2022 CanREA AGM Agenda:
Agenda Review / Motion to Approve the Agenda
Motion to Approve the Minutes of the 2021 CanREA AGM
Report on CanREA’s Audited Financial Statements for July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Motion to Approve the Auditor for CanREA’s Audited Financial Statements for 2022- 2023
President’s Report on CanREA Highlights in 2021-2022 and Strategic Priorities for 2022-2023
Any other business
Announcement of the results of the CanREA Board Elections
Motion to Adjourn
To register and access the AGM agenda and other materials, please log into the Members-Only side of the CanREA website and select the Board and Governance/Annual General Meeting section.
Webinar — Build transfer agreements: Technical risk management for Canadian utilities
October 5, 2022, 1 pm (ET)
There is new interest in different ownership models for renewables assets in Canada, as evidenced by utilities taking ownership stakes in, or full ownership of, wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities under development. Several variants of Build-Transfer Agreements (BTAs) are currently being deployed in Canada.
DNV and CanREA joined on October 5 for an educational webinar and to learn more about this topic!
DNV shared information on technical risk management with existing and emerging utility players in the marketplace. DNV also highlighted key elements to consider in the negotiations of the BTA agreements. Specifically, DNV described how to best manage risk when negotiating the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) or Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract (EPC), and its recommendations for what constitutes best practice.
Speakers:
Reem Bashatly, Director, Engineering
Michael Cookson, Senior Project Manager, Engineering
Hadis Moradi, Senior Project Manager, Engineering
Adam Morrill, Field Engineer, Engineering
Usgal Zandanbal, Team Lead, Utility Scale Solar Energy Assessment
A CanREA member webinar: Grow your business: How CanREA members can enable and capitalize on a $50B opportunity
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 1 p.m. (ET)
This decade represents a potential $50+ Billion investment opportunity for Canada’s renewable energy industry, and CanREA aims to unlock it. CanREA is advocating for the deployment of 30+ GW of new wind and solar energy, by 2030, as the best way to meet Canada’s net-zero climate change targets.
Join this exclusive, free, CanREA member webinar to hear directly from our CEO about this opportunity. You will receive critical market intelligence and learn about CanREA’s advocacy plans, focusing on the priority policy, regulatory, and market changes that will procure this opportunity for our members.
Find out how you can capitalize on this opportunity to benefit your company and engage with our policy team to help shape Canada’s energy future.
Speakers:
Robert Hornung CanREA’s President and CEO
Brandy Giannetta CanREA’s Vice President, Policy, Regulatory and Government Affairs
Wesley Johnston CanREA’s Vice President, Business Development, Finance and Operations
Registration is free and reserved for CanREA members. You will be redirected to the members-only website.
If you are not a member and wish to learn more about membership benefits and opportunities, contact our team today!
CanREA Summer Solstice — Ontario
June 21, 2022, 5 to 7 p.m. Fairmont Royal York Hotel 100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
More than 150 renewable energy industry leaders from across Ontario and Canada attended the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s Summer Solstice networking event on June 21 in downtown Toronto.
It was incredible to reconnect with executives, professionals and stakeholders from across the wind energy, solar energy and energy storage sectors at this face-to-face reception!
Thank you to everyone who came out to mingle with colleagues and make new connections. CanREA would like to give a special thank you to our Networking Sponsors: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and EDF Renewables; and our Event Supporters: Goldwind and Pattern Canada.
