SE: Seminar Series – Leonard Kula

• In-person event
• 4020, Nicol, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6

Title: Progress of the Energy Transition: approaches, turbulence and successes

About 12-18 months ago, the notion of an ‘Energy Transition’ was growing. Electricity systems across North America were forecasting a doubling in size over the next 20 years – as industries, transportation, space heating converted from burning fossil fuels to electricity; while the electricity system itself transformed to using much greater concentrations of non-emitting sources of electricity generation. Today, a review of the landscape across Canada reveals a broad mix of approaches, opportunities and challenges. Each jurisdiction is trying to balance the triple goals/challenges of affordable, reliable and clean/sustainable.

While energy policy in Canada is largely the domain of provincial governments, the federal government has increasingly become engaged through incentives (investment tax credits) and regulation (in particular, the Clean Energy Regulations) – to mixed reactions. Within the provinces themselves, there is a mix of activity. Some provinces like Quebec and Ontario have announced very ambitious plans for building out electricity generation and transmission. Other provinces – like Alberta – have significantly pulled back on frameworks to encourage electricity system growth. What’s instructive to understand is that each province is unique – with the opportunities it has for building new sources of electricity supply, governance, level of interconnectedness with neighbouring systems – and even political philosophy. As a result, it’s not surprising that activity varies across the country. The talk will focus upon the current state of the energy transition across the country, focusing on policy in Ontario and federally – and implications for public policy.

Bio of Speaker:

Leonard Kula is the VP-Policy for Eastern Canada at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association – Canada’s national voice for wind generation, solar generation and energy storage. He joined CanREA mid-2023, after retiring from a lengthy career at Ontario Hydro/Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

At Ontario Hydro, Leonard worked on the design and operation of nuclear and coal-fired generating stations. With the dissolution of Ontario Hydro in 1999, Leonard began working at the IESO. Leonard worked in about 10 different roles over 23 years. His final role at the IESO was Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for real-time operation of the Ontario electricity system and wholesale electricity markets, long-term planning of generation resources and transmission, resource procurement, power system engineering and wholesale market design. Leonard was also an active participant in continent-wide forums for reliability and market design.