ARC ENERGY IDEAS

This week our guest is Doug Hooper, Director of Policy and Regulations at Advanced Biofuels Canada. Advanced Biofuels Canada is a national industry association established to promote the production and use of advanced biofuels In Canada.Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked Doug: Why is there a push to increase the use of biofuels in Canada? What feedstocks and processes are used to produce biofuels? How do biofuels compare with petroleum on the basis of greenhouse gas emissions and cost? Does Canada import biofuels today? Is there an opportunity to increase domestic production? How much could Canada’s emerging Clean Fuel Standard policy increase the demand for biofuels?See the Energyphile vignette on harnessing the energy in food using animal power: https://energyphile.org/vignettes?vid=V0082View the Navius Research report on Biofuels in Canada: https://www.naviusresearch.com/publications/2020-biofuels-in-canada/View a summary on the implications of Canada’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard, as well as a link to the full report by World Agricultural Economics and Environmental Services (WAEES): https://advancedbiofuels.ca/cfsanalysisbackgrounder/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

On this week’s episode, we discuss the Canadian federal government’s plans to legislate net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. What is the reaction from the oil and gas industry?Next up, we consider the importance of energy efficiency for achieving low carbon goals.  History has shown that energy demand growth is difficult to curb. Yet, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a third of the emissions reductions in the Sustainable Development Scenario must come from efficiency. Shell Canada is now offering consumers carbon-neutral driving. People can choose to pay two cents extra per litre at the pump to offset their GHG emissions. What is the reaction? Is driving an electric vehicle (EV) considered to be carbon neutral driving?Finally, we turn to the oil markets.  Where is demand now?  What is the situation with supply and OPEC+ spare capacity? Does the positive vaccine news change the picture?View Peter’s Energyphile Vignette “Old Fashioned Energy Conservation.”Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

This week our guests are Mayor Alanna Hnatiw of Sturgeon County (the home of Alberta's Industrial Heartland) and Mayor Don Iveson from the City of Edmonton. Both Mayors are leaders on the Alberta Industrial Heartland Hydrogen Task Force. The group just released a report on the market potential for hydrogen in the region, titled: “Building a Transition Pathway To A Vibrant Hydrogen Economy In The Alberta Industrial Heartland.”Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked the Mayors: Why is the development of hydrogen an important initiative for your communities? What are the Heartland region’s strengths for producing hydrogen? How can municipalities help to kick start demand? Do you think having a large scale zero-emissions hydrogen production hub in the Edmonton area will attract new investments?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

The US election has been a 'nail-biter' to say the least, with the votes still being counted three days after the election. While still not certain, the odds are now (at time of writing) skewed towards a Biden presidential win with the Republicans keeping control of the Senate.This week our guest is Robert Johnston. RJ leads the energy and natural resources practice at Eurasia Group, a firm with a pulse on geopolitical risks. Assuming a Biden win, we asked RJ:  What Is the path to inauguration from here, considering that Donald Trump is contesting the election results? What happens to the KXL pipeline? Does the US shortage of heavy oil factor in?  Would the US rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, a deal that could increase oil supply? What happens to Biden's clean energy plan, including a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035?  What about the Paris Climate Agreement?Learn more about Eurasia Group and connect with RJ at: https://www.eurasiagroup.net/people/RJohnstonPlease review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

Canada’s largest solar farm is coming to Alberta! This week our guest is Dan Balaban, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Greengate Power. Under Dan’s leadership, Greengate has developed $1 billion or 450 MW of producing renewable energy projects in Alberta. His company is currently developing the large Travers Solar Energy project in southern Alberta.Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked him: How cheap are electrons from solar now? Can costs go even lower? Do renewable projects still require government subsidies or investment? When will battery storage take-off? Are there any other power generation technologies that we should be watching for?See Peter’s Vignette from Machu Picchu “Sustainable Energy on Top of the World.”Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

As we woke up Sunday morning, the news was about Cenovus and Husky’s plan to merge and create a new “resilient intergraded energy leader.”  The consolidation wave has been gaining momentum in Canada’s oil patch for some time, but this is the biggest announcement yet. On this week’s episode, Peter and Jackie analyze the drivers for industry consolidation by reviewing ARC’s Fiscal Pulse of the Canadian Oil and Gas Industry for 2020. Low prices have slowed the fiscal pulse. This, along with pressure to return money to shareholders and liquidity issues, are catalysts for industry consolidation.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

This week’s guest is Daniel Yergin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and authority on everything energy. We discuss Dan’s new book “The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations.”Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked him: How has the US shale revolution changed the global energy order? Is the geopolitics of oil a non-issue now? What is the growing conflict between the United States and China? If Joe Biden were to win the US election, how could this change relations with Iran and the oil supply? Will Saudi Arabia diversify its economy by 2030? How fast will the energy transition occur?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ ‘

On this week’s episode we discuss Alberta’s recently released “Natural Gas Vision and Strategy” that outlines petrochemicals, LNG, hydrogen, and plastic recycling as priorities for the government. We also talk about the province’s announcement around developing geothermal regulation.Next up, we consider the implications to lending and investing now that some banks are targeting net-zero emissions across their customers by 2050. Finally, we debate why companies should consider making net-zero 2050 targets.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

When it comes to energy, Alberta is most known for its large oil and gas industry. However, the province also has emerging new energy potential, including blue hydrogen, geothermal, minerals and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Alberta’s Energy Minister, the Honourable Sonya Savage, joined the podcast this week. Here are some of the questions we asked her: How are companies coping with the oil market crisis? What is your take on the federal government’s throne speech and plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050? Is Joe Biden a risk to the province’s investment in the Keystone XL pipeline? What are the emerging energy technologies to watch for in Alberta?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ 

We start this week’s podcast talking about the Energyphile Vignette “Decarbonization Lessons from Edison.” Thomas Edison’s strategy for electrification provides learnings for today’s energy transition. We also cover recent energy headlines: BP’s prediction that oil demand will peak soon. California’s summer power blackouts and the state's pledge to ban the sale of new combustion vehicles by 2035. Canada also has big targets for the adoption of electric cars, but could Canada also become a leader in producing EVs?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/