From an energy perspective, Canada is very fortunate. It has a large land mass, small population and one of the largest and most diverse supplies of energy in the world. Canada rivers discharge close to 7% of the world’s renewable water – a tremendous source of hydroelectric power. Canada has the fourth-largest proven oil reserves and third-largest reserves of uranium; so, its energy resources are a source of strength that continues to shape the economy and society.

Canada is at the forefront of innovative technologies for how produce and use energy. For example, low- or non-emitting forms of energy are growing in significance as part of its evolving electricity mix. In fact, wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy are the fastest-growing sources of electricity generation in Canada. In addition, technological advancements, such as co-generation, have resulted in an increase in energy-efficient practices and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in areas such as the oil sands. Ongoing developments in areas such as grid-scale electricity storage, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and electric and alternative fuel vehicles have the potential to further transform the energy system.

In this talk, I discuss the current status and future trends of electricity in Canada. Also, I will discuss about decarbonization efforts in electricity and transportation systems. I am going to discuss about Hydro Quebec strategic innovation plans towards the energy transition. Next, I will talk about Hydro-Québec’s research institute (IREQ) and some of its commercialized “products/co-products” such as HYPERSIM simulator, Simscape Electrical (formerly SimPowerSystems-SPS and SimElectronics) and EMTP-RV. Finally, I am going to have a look on Canada’s job opportunities in the field of energy. In summary, this talk will provide a broad overview of the electricity situation in Canada.

Speaker: Seyed Masoud Mohseni-Bonab (Member, IEEE), received the B.Sc. degree from Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran, in 2010, the M.Sc. degree from University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran, in 2014, and the Ph.D. degree from Université Laval, Québec, Canada in 2020 – all in electrical engineering.