Events
Dec 10-11, 2024

EMH 2024 Annual Forum

We are excited to announce the 2024 EMH Annual Forum, co-hosted once again with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on December 10-11 at the National Art Centre in Ottawa. This year, our forum is set to provide a platform for critical insights and forward-thinking discussions over two dynamic days.

Day one is packed with sessions on Modelling Emerging Technologies, Model Comparison, addressing Innovations and Challenges in Distribution Systems, and panels on Data Driven Decision Making, as well as AI and Optimization.

Day two shifts focus to Policymaking and Decision-Making Discussions, featuring topics on Strengthening System Reliability, the Economic Realities of Energy Transitions, and Sustainability Considerations in Energy Transitions. Continuing our tradition, we will spotlight the Energy Modelling Ecosystem Initiative, and we are excited to introduce a new feature this year: a poster pitch competition.

While each day is geared toward specific interests, the forum is structured to be valuable and engaging for all attendees, anticipating 250-300 in-person participants.

Join us for this pivotal event, designed to arm both technical modellers and policy professionals with the latest tools and insights necessary to influence the energy sector’s evolution. Connect with peers, engage in critical debates, and be part of pioneering solutions at the forefront of energy transformation.

 



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EMH 2024 Annual Forum
Dec 10-11, 2024|National Arts Centre|Ottawa
Agenda Forum 2024 ENG
Canada's Path Forward: Leveraging Advanced Modelling to Enhance Energy Resilience and Prosperity
Agenda
Day
1
Dec 10, 2024
Technical & Modelling Discussions
7:45-8:45
Lobby

Registration & Coffee

8:45-9:00
Canada Room

Welcome Remarks & Introduction – »»» Video Recording

Edouard Clement – Executive director – Energy Modelling Hub

André Bernier- Director General, Energy Systems Sector, NRCan 

Larissa P. Pupo Nogueira- Team Lead – Energy Planning and Modelling – IRENA

9:00-10:30

Session 1: Modelling Emerging Technologies – »»» Video Recording

Chair : Drew Leyburne  – Assistant Deputy Minister (NRCan)

This session brings together expert modellers to discuss challenges and innovations in emerging technologies, including Direct Air Capture (DAC), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Hydrogen, and Biofuels to name just a few.

Speakers:

10:30-11:00
Foyer

Networking & Poster Break

11:00-12:30

Session 2: Navigating the Energy Transition: Innovations and Challenges in Distribution Systems

»»» Video Recording

Chair: Julia McNally – Toronto Hydro

Outline & Topics: This panel will concentrate on the energy transition and the distribution system. The discussion will address key challenges facing the distribution system, including how to expand to support new loads like electrification and data centres, understanding the value that distributed resources bring to the grid, and the costs and difficulties of integrating distributed solar and battery storage.

Speakers:

Amara Slaymaker – Dunsky Energy + Climate – Link to presentation
Brian McMillan – NRCan – Link to presentation
Jotham Peters – Navius Research – Link to presentation
Jeremy Keen – NREL – Link to presentation
Michael Swift – Hydro Ottawa

12:30-13:30

Lunch Break

13:30-14:00
Canada Room

Session 3: Poster Pitch Competition – »»» Video Recording

Join us for thePoster Pitch Competition, where you’ll get a quick and engaging overview of the dozen-plus posters on display at this year’s forum. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the latest research and innovative ideas!

  1. PyPSA-USA Sector: An open-source energy system optimization model of the USA – T. Barnes (SFU) *Poster competition winner
  2. Bridging the Gap Between Energy-Economy Modelling and Physical Infrastructure Modelling. – B. Moawad (Deloitte)
  3. Pulp mill demand flexibility modelling for a capacity expansion model – A. Prigent (NRCan)
  4. Modeling and Optimal Operation of a Hangar Thermoelectric Microgrid – P. V. Rivadeneira (U. of Waterloo)
  5. Flexibility Modeling for TSO-DSO Interaction – L. Lopez (Carleton University) *Poster competition winner
  6. Feasibility analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems with a fleet of electric vehicles for a large-scale residential community – A. Mohsenimanesh (CanmetENERGY)
  7. Modeling the Role of Long-Duration Energy Storage in Nova Scotia’s Wind Energy Transition – N. Legge (Dalhousie University)
  8. Modelling clean ammonia production and shipping as a hydrogen carrier in energy and export – X. Wu (U. of Waterloo)
  9. Refuelling Internal Combustion Engines in the Mid Transition – L. Olien (U. of Calgary)
  10. Assessing the system value of emerging technologies in a multi-sector energy model – D. Elder (U. of Toronto) *Poster competition winner
14:00-15:30

Session 4: Model Calibration, Validation and Comparison »»» Video Recording

Chair: Madeleine McPherson – Associate Professor at UVIC & co-director at EMH

This session will highlight key outcomes from the first Multi-Model Comparison Forum, focusing on the purpose, process, and use of tools like CODERS and IDEA. Discussions will cover the alignment on general assumptions and how well teams adhered to specified inputs. High-level comparisons will draw out trends in Clean Electricity Regulation and Net Zero scenarios, including the impact of constrained transmission, and explain why results differ between models, linking variations to differences in model formulation and input alignment.

Speakers:

Pascal Lesage – Environment and Climate Change Canada
Michel Denault– HEC Montréal
Mislav Rogosic – ESMIA
Madeleine Seatle – SESIT – University of Victoria
Cameron Wade – Sutubra Research
Steven Wong – CanmetENERGY – NRCan

*** Access the consolidated presentation deck here ***

 

15:30-16:00

Networking & Poster Break

 

16:00-17:30

Session 5: Energy System Optimization Models and AI Panel – »»» Video Recording

Chair: Kathleen Vaillancourt – ESMIA – Link to presentation

This session will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to improve energy system modeling and inform decision-making. The discussion will feature innovative uses of neural networks and approaches for supporting decisions in complex, uncertain scenarios. The panel will also address AI’s role in forecasting and its transformative impact on energy modeling, emphasizing strategies to build trust and ensure reliability in AI-driven solutions for the energy sector.
Speakers:
Mackenzie Judson- University of Victoria – Link to presentation
Behdad Ehsani – Artelys – HEC Montreal – Chaire de gestion du secteur de l’énergie – Link to presentation
Antoine Lesage-Landry – Polytechnique Montréal – Link to presentation
Sara Seguin – GERAD & Université du Québec à Chicoutimi – Link to presentation

 

17:30-20:00

Welcome Reception & Cocktail

 

Day
2
Dec 11, 2024
Policymaking and Decision-Making Discussion
8:00-9:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00-10:30

Session 6: Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening System Reliability »»» Video Recording

Chair: Scott Barfield-McGinnis – NERC – Link to presentation

This session will address the complexities of system reliability in energy modeling, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The discussion will explore integrating reliability metrics and climate projections into energy models to better manage and predict system stability. Experts will share methodologies for improving model responsiveness to extreme weather and resource shifts, while also discussing how climate data integration enhances future planning and reliability assessments. Case studies and research insights will align model advancements with strategic policy planning.

Dheepak Krishnamurthy – EPRI – Link to presentation
Pierre-Olivier Pineau – HEC Montreal – Link to presentation
Mike Risavy – IESO – Link to presentation
Mashael Yazdanie – EMPA – Link to presentation

10:30-11:00

Networking & Poster Break

11:00-12:30

Session 7: Sustainability Considerations in Energy Transitions »»» Video Recording

Chair: Mark Winfield – York University

This session will explore balancing carbon and non-carbon sustainability factors in energy transitions. It will highlight the importance of life-cycle perspectives and emphasize avoiding ‘carbon tunnel vision.’ By considering environmental, economic, and social dimensions, the session will showcase how comprehensive assessments can guide strategic energy planning while addressing trade-offs and benefits.

Jamie Kneen – MiningWatch Canada – Link to presentation
James (Jim) McKenzie – Office of the Auditor General of Canada – Link to presentation : English, Français
Sudeshna Mohanty – RMI –Link to presentation
M. V. Ramana – UBC – Link to presentation

 

12:30-13:30

Lunch Break

 

13:30-14:45

Session 8: Spotlight on the Energy Modelling Ecosystem Initiatives »»» Video Recording

Chair – Normand Mousseau – Institut de l’énergie Trottier & co-director at EMH

This lightning round session will showcase various energy modeling initiatives and innovations.

Peter Johnston – ECCC –  Link to : Assessing the Landscape of Public Sector GHG Estimation Tools 
Jessica Webster – CanmetENERGY – Link to : The TaNDM Building Energy and Emissions Inventory Method and Results
Mark Chapeskie – EHRC – Link to: Electricity Sector Workforce Projections
Brett Kerrigan – Building Decarbonization Alliance – Link to: Open-Source Model
Da Huo & Sourabh Jain – City of Toronto: Modelling Toronto’s Net Zero Strategy Using LENZ Modelling Suite
Richard Hendriks – University of Toronto – Link to: CODERS: Open-data for Energy Modelling
Muhammad Awais – UVIC – Link to: MESSAGEix- Canada – A new open-source energy systems model for exploring provincial energy transition pathways
Jonas Kraasch & Deven Azavedo – UVIC & EMH – Link to: Open Insights & IDEA – Introducing new open-source energy-economy models & visualization tools

14:45-15:15

Networking & Poster Break

15:15-16:45

Session 9: Economic Efficiency and Political Acceptability »»» Video Recording

Larissa P. Pupo Nogueira- Team Lead – Energy Planning and Modelling – IRENA

This panel will discuss the economic and social implications of the energy transition, focusing on affordability, energy poverty, and consumer impacts. Topics will include how rising energy costs affect public and political acceptance, strategies for mitigating rate increases, and the integration of financial considerations into energy modeling to support robust decision-making. The session will draw on examples from regions implementing rate mitigation and emphasize the ongoing need to evaluate system costs for sustainable energy policies.

James Glynn – ESMA – Link to presentation
Mark Purdon – Université du Québec à Montréal – Link to presentation
Elizaveta Kuznetsova – ESMIA – Link to presentation
Vaios Triantafyllou – Cornell University – Link to presentation

16:45-17:00

Closing Remarks

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