Events
Dec 11-12, 2025

EMH Annual Forum 2025

The EMH Annual Forum 2025 will bring together Canada’s leading energy modellers, policymakers, and system experts for two days of strategic dialogue, collaborative learning, and actionable insights. Held in Ottawa on December 11–12, this flagship event explores the role of modelling in navigating Canada’s complex energy and economic transitions—linking electricity planning, climate policy, industrial strategy, and macroeconomic impacts. With high-level panels, model showcases, and hands-on sessions, the Forum equips decision-makers with the tools and evidence to shape a net-zero future.

Visit this page again soon for this year’s program.

Last year’s report is available here.

 

Quotes from Past Participants

“One of the best conferences I have attended—an excellent mix of academics, policymakers, and industry professionals!”

“The forum successfully brought together the modelling community, offering strong buy-in from the Canadian government and generalizable lessons for broader applications.”

“The poster lightning presentations were a great addition this year, providing a dynamic platform for sharing new ideas.”

“A fantastic balance between technical discussions, modelling advancements, and policymaking insights—well-structured and engaging.”

“Great networking opportunities, excellent speakers, and well-moderated discussions—this event keeps getting better each year!”

“The venue, the people, the presentations—everything was well organized and created an engaging environment for collaboration.”

“A valuable opportunity to connect with federal policymakers, gain insights into their challenges, and showcase new modelling approaches.”

 

 

 

 

EMH Annual Forum 2025
Dec 11-12, 2025|Carleton University|Ottawa
Navigating Uncertainties, Powering a Stronger Canada

The Energy Modelling Hub (EMH), in partnership with IRENA, will host the 2025 Annual Forum, Canada’s flagship event for energy system modelling and policy analysis. This year’s theme, Navigating Uncertainties, Powering a Stronger Canada, reflects the central challenge of making sound energy and economic decisions amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain fragility, and technological disruption.

The program will feature Canadian and international perspectives on how modelling can strengthen resilience, guide Projects of National Interest, and align short-term actions with long-term goals. Sessions will highlight advances in macroeconomic, electricity system, and distribution-level modelling, explore approaches to stress-testing transition pathways, and showcase how independent, transparent analysis can support both provincial relevance and national planning. The Forum will close with a high-level international panel on the evolving role of modelling communities worldwide.



Agenda
Day
1
Dec 11, 2025
7:30-8:30
Registration

Richcraft Hall

8:30-9:00
Welcome remarks and Introduction
9:00-10:30
Session 1: Net Zero Meets Trade Disruption: Canada’s Economic and Energy Futures

This session examines how shifting trade patterns, supply chain vulnerabilities, and competitiveness challenges are reshaping Canada’s path to net zero—and how modelling can help navigate these disruptive forces. Discussions will explore trade and friendshoring scenarios, demand shocks, supply chain frictions, cascading risks, behavioural dynamics, and competitiveness in an electrifying economy, with a focus on turning analytical insights into actionable strategies.

  • 1. Bentley Allen
    , (MODERATOR) - Professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University || Principal, Transition Accelerator
  • 2. Bruno Arcand
    , PhD Candidate, Carleton University
  • 3. Dheepak Krishnamurthy
    , Technical Leader | Energy and Climate Systems Analysis - EPRI Canada
  • 4. Michael Wolinetz
    , Partner at Navius Research
10:30-11:00
Networking Break
11:00-12:30
Session 2: Why Canada Needs National Electricity System Planning

This session makes the case for a coordinated national planning framework built on scenario-based approaches and shared assumptions. It will explore pathways to strengthen cross-provincial coordination, enable cross-border transmission, and integrate cost-benefit and stakeholder co-design processes—drawing lessons from planning practices in Australia and Europe.

  • 1. Dr. Madeleine McPherson
    , (MODERATOR) Associate Professor, UVIC-SESIT
  • 2. Saad Malik
    , Manager Transmission Assessments at NERC
  • 3. Cole Sayers
    , Executive Director of Clean Energy BC
12:30-13:30
Lunch
13:30-15:30
Session 3 – Modelling Canada’s Transformational Projects: Electricity and Industry

This session explores how integrated electricity and energy-economy modelling can support planning and implementation of Canada’s key infrastructure and industrial decarbonization projects, including PNIs. It will feature comparative results from the Multi-Model Comparison Forum (MMCF) on transmission, electrification, and industrial decarbonization, alongside perspectives on implementation challenges, economic impacts, and institutional constraints.

  • 1. Moe Kabbara
    , (MODERATOR) President at The Transition Accelerator
  • 2. Madeleine Seatle
    , Research Analyst, UVIC-SESIT
  • 3. Aaron Hoyle
    , Director of Research and Modelling, EMH
  • 4. Tyler Markowsky
    , Senior Advisor, NRCan
  • 5. Louise Comeau
    , Senior Advisor, Re.Climate, Carleton University
  • 6. Pierre-Marie Manach
    , Commercial Manager Energy, Artelys Canada
15:30-16:00
Networking Break
16:00-17:15
Session 4 – Emerging Research and Tools: Lightning Round

A fast-paced showcase of new research, models, and tools driving innovation across Canada’s energy modelling ecosystem. Short presentations will spotlight emerging ideas, collaborative projects, and breakthrough solutions shaping the next generation of energy analysis.

  • 1. Normand Mousseau
    , (MODERATOR) Professor Université de Montréal, Scientific Director IET & EMH
  • 2. José Morán
    , Senior Researcher at macrocosm
  • 3. Stéphane Crête & Christian Massicotte
    , Statistics Canada
  • 4. Michel Denault
    , Professor, HEC Montreal
17:15-20:00
Networking Reception
Day
2
Dec 12, 2025
8:00-8:45
Registration

Richcraft Hall

8:45-10:15
Session 5: Enhancing Provincial Resilience: Reliability and Regional Planning in Focus

This session highlights how provinces and utilities can leverage independent modelling to tackle regional asymmetries, enhance system reliability, and improve planning accountability. Discussions will feature provincial case studies, resilience metrics, CBCA frameworks, and approaches to overcome regulatory barriers.

  • 1. Pierre-Olivier Pineau
    , (MODERATOR), Professor, HEC Montreal
  • 2. Dave Richardson
    , Supervisor, Planning Models, IESO
  • 3. Madeleine Seatlle
    , Research Analyst, UVIC-SESIT
  • 4. Benoit Delcroix
    , Researcher, Hydro-Québec
  • 5. Elizaveta Kuznetsova
    , Head of Energy Value Chains Division, ESMIA
10:15-10:45
Networking Break
10:45-12:15
Session 6: Distribution System Modelling & Local Energy Futures

This session highlights advances in modelling at the distribution and municipal levels to support DER integration, local energy planning, and better alignment with regional and national frameworks.

  • 1. Julia McNally
    , (MODERATOR) Director, Climate Action, Toronto Hydro
  • 2. Luis Víctor Gallardo
    , PhD Candidate, Simon Fraser University
  • 3. Charles Marois
    , Senior Software Engineer, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors
  • 4. Stefan Pauer
    , Manager at Clean Energy Canada
  • 5. Kun Xiong
    , Supervisor of Transmission Planning, IESO
12:15-13:15
Lunch
13:15-14:00
Poster Pitch Competition
14:00-15:30
Session 7 - Planning in an Uncertain World: The Evolving Role of Energy Modelling

As global tensions, uneven climate ambition, and short-term pressures grow, modellers face the challenge of staying relevant while guiding long-term decisions. This closing session brings international voices to explore how modelling can build trust, align short- and long-term goals, and engage policymakers and the public. It will spotlight global responses, highlight equity and transparency, and open the door to future discussions on governance and collaboration.

  • 1. Daniel Rosenbloom
    , (MODERATOR) Ivey Research Chair, Assistant Professor, Carleton University
  • 2. Martha Frysztacki
    , Co-founder & Head of Energy System Modelling, Open Energy Transition
  • 3. Chris Russill
    , Associate Professor, Carleton University
  • 4. Kate Koplovich
    , Senior Policy Analyst, Energy - C.D. Howe Institute
15:30-15:35
Final Remarks