Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Speaker Series: Analysis of the current and future status of the Energy Sector within Alberta
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September 10, 2015:
Once again, Mr. Richard Dixon of the Alberta Energy Regulator was our keynote speaker at the Energy Club's Annual General Meeting. The Energy Club executives had a chance to introduce members to the club and present some of the exciting events planned for the year. Richard Dixon then answered questions posed by UofA students concerning the current status of the energy market. He gave an overview of the importance of 'Strategic Forecasting' and how his position with the AER requires him to make forecasts about global energy market. Richard also shared his knowledge on the state of multiple energy markets including solar, hydro, coal, nuclear, geothermal, oil and gas, and electric/hybrid cars. |
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About the Speaker:
Mr. Dixon is the Chief of Strategic Foresight with the AER. His background includes expertise in energy economics, scenario planning, strategic planning, policy and foresight, particularly as it relates to the energy and environment sectors. Richard Dixon was previously the Executive Director of the Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment’s (CABREE) at the University of Alberta.
PowerPoint presentation to be put up soon...
Mr. Dixon is the Chief of Strategic Foresight with the AER. His background includes expertise in energy economics, scenario planning, strategic planning, policy and foresight, particularly as it relates to the energy and environment sectors. Richard Dixon was previously the Executive Director of the Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment’s (CABREE) at the University of Alberta.
PowerPoint presentation to be put up soon...
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Field Trip: Genesee Coal Power Plant!
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October 13, 2015:
On this one day trip, EC members witnessed coal powered electricity generation at the Genesee Power Plant in Alberta. The tour started off with a presentation on the Genesee Coal Plant and its history by Capital Power employees. Attendees were then taken around the plant to view first hand its daily operations, including - viewing the coal mining area and delivery system from the roof of the Genesee Plant. The 1 hour tour also included sites such as the boiler room, turbines, water systems, and finally the control room. Additionally, members were shown the crushing mills and flue gas systems up close! |
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About the Facility:
Built and operated by Capital Power and jointly owned with TransAlta, the plant is one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally-progressive coal-fired facilities in Canada. For more information on the plant, please visit their website.
Built and operated by Capital Power and jointly owned with TransAlta, the plant is one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally-progressive coal-fired facilities in Canada. For more information on the plant, please visit their website.
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Energy Panel: Coal Fired Electricity - Environment, Regulations, and its Future
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October 19, 2015:
This panel discussion was meant to supplement the trip to the power plant by raising economic, social and environmental awareness with regard to our present power generation techniques and its impact on our community. It's true that when coal is used for the production of electricity it is the leading cause of GHG emissions, but Alberta and the rest of the world have an abundance of coal that not using it may seem like a waste. One solution may be to Improve the technology, rather than dismissing this widely used source of electricity production. Our Environmental Specialist, Brett McMillan, posted to our blog about both the trip to Genesee and the Coal Panel. His post can be found HERE. |
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About the Speakers:
Dr. Rajender Gupta, Professor in Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, University of Alberta - Dr. Gupta has a long history of exceptional research work in the field of coal energy.
Mr. Randy Dobko, Senior Engineer, Air and Climate Change Policy Branch, Policy and Planning Division. Alberta Environment and Parks - Mr. Randy Dobko has worked for Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for over 29 years an is an expert on air quality management and air pollution control.
Dr. Rajender Gupta, Professor in Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, University of Alberta - Dr. Gupta has a long history of exceptional research work in the field of coal energy.
Mr. Randy Dobko, Senior Engineer, Air and Climate Change Policy Branch, Policy and Planning Division. Alberta Environment and Parks - Mr. Randy Dobko has worked for Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for over 29 years an is an expert on air quality management and air pollution control.
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Field Trip: Halkirk Wind Farm
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November 09, 2015:
The one-day field trip to Halkirk Wind Farm organized by U of A Energy Club has created an eye-opening learning experience for participants to gain in-depth understanding on sustainable energy and its impact on the community. Upon arrival to the visiting site, a presentation and Q&A session was taken to brief on the history, development and operation status of the wind farm. Then the participants were given the opportunity to tour around the facility and take a closer examination on the wind turbine to better fulfill the educational purpose of this trip. |
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About the Facility:
The 150MW Halkirk wind farm is located at Alberta, Canada. It is the single largest wind-power project in Alberta and generated its first electricity in November 2012. It became operational in December 2012.
The wind project produces energy required for up to 50,000 homes, based on an average household energy usage of 1,000kWh per month. It is expected to reduce 5.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Capital Power wholly owns and financed the Halkirk project. The project development was initiated by a joint venture of Capital Power and Greengate Power. Greengate Power sold its 50% stake in the project to Capital Power in June 2011.
The 150MW Halkirk wind farm is located at Alberta, Canada. It is the single largest wind-power project in Alberta and generated its first electricity in November 2012. It became operational in December 2012.
The wind project produces energy required for up to 50,000 homes, based on an average household energy usage of 1,000kWh per month. It is expected to reduce 5.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Capital Power wholly owns and financed the Halkirk project. The project development was initiated by a joint venture of Capital Power and Greengate Power. Greengate Power sold its 50% stake in the project to Capital Power in June 2011.
Speaker Series: Chris Lerohl from TEC Edmonton
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February 03, 2016:
Chris Lerohl, as the manager of UA Solve, has brought forth some very interesting perspectives on Tec Edmonton's core business operation. With numerous case support, he presented the audience on how Tec Edmonton help to commercialize technology from private, university and public sources, build successful innovation-based companies, foster and promote innovation and new enterprise development. The was also an Q&A session where 'hot topics' about startups, 'unicorns', and venture capitalism are addressed accordingly. |
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About the Speakers:
In his role as the Manager of UA Solve, Chris Lerohl offers both business and product development support. On the product development side, Chris assesses company needs and helps companies access capabilities at the University of Alberta to find solutions. As a former Business Development Associate at TEC Edmonton, he has a strong business foundation including identifying market opportunities, analyzing the strength of new technologies and helping to determine the best commercialization strategy. Chris also has technical, research, and field experience in oil and gas, power systems, communications, forestry and clean technologies. Chris’ educational background includes a MEng in Electrical Engineering and a MBA from the University of Alberta. For more information, please visit their website.
In his role as the Manager of UA Solve, Chris Lerohl offers both business and product development support. On the product development side, Chris assesses company needs and helps companies access capabilities at the University of Alberta to find solutions. As a former Business Development Associate at TEC Edmonton, he has a strong business foundation including identifying market opportunities, analyzing the strength of new technologies and helping to determine the best commercialization strategy. Chris also has technical, research, and field experience in oil and gas, power systems, communications, forestry and clean technologies. Chris’ educational background includes a MEng in Electrical Engineering and a MBA from the University of Alberta. For more information, please visit their website.
Field Trip: Genesee Coal Power Plant ( Returned Trip!)
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February 16, 2016:
On this returned one-day trip, EC members witnessed coal powered electricity generation at the Genesee Power Plant in Alberta. The tour started off with a presentation on the Genesee Coal Plant and its history by Capital Power employees. Attendees were then taken around the plant to view first hand its daily operations, including - viewing the coal mining area and delivery system from the roof of the Genesee Plant. The 1 hour tour also included sites such as the boiler room, turbines, water systems, and finally the control room. Additionally, members were shown the crushing mills and flue gas systems up close! |
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About the Facility:
Built and operated by Capital Power and jointly owned with TransAlta, the plant is one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally-progressive coal-fired facilities in Canada. For more information on the plant, please visit their website.
Built and operated by Capital Power and jointly owned with TransAlta, the plant is one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally-progressive coal-fired facilities in Canada. For more information on the plant, please visit their website.
Speaker Series: Andrew Leach on CLimate Leadership
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March 30, 2016:
Once again we've decided to combine our TEDx-style Energy Club talks with a speaker series presentation by Dr. AndrewLeach. This EC event will feature two presentations by our own UofA students, Zayed Almansouri and Mabel Smith, followed by our keynote presentation by Andrew Leach. The Climate Change Leadership Report is a high level policy package which focuses on climate change management in different economic subsectors, with a major focus in the industrial sector. The report suggests implementing carbon tax on fossil fuel based energy and placing emission caps on industries which are emission intensive. The report was released on November of 22nd, 2015 by the Climate Change Leadership Panel. Andrew discussed the principle working of carbon tax and its impact on industry and consumers. He also touched on the phasing out of coal and the plan to meet that energy demand with green energy. The attraction for engineers should be understanding how the carbon tax system works and the challenges of implementing it and their roles as engineers in a clean energy future. |
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About the Speakers:
Dr. Andrew Leach recently completed his work for the Government of Alberta as the Chair of the Climate Change Panel.Andrew is an Energy and Environmental Economist with Ph.D in Economics (Queens University), and a M.A. in Economics and B.Sc in Environmental Sciences from University of Guelph.
Dr. Andrew Leach recently completed his work for the Government of Alberta as the Chair of the Climate Change Panel.Andrew is an Energy and Environmental Economist with Ph.D in Economics (Queens University), and a M.A. in Economics and B.Sc in Environmental Sciences from University of Guelph.