ARC ENERGY IDEAS

Energy markets are undergoing major changes.  Demand for electricity is increasing and at the same time supply from intermittent renewables is gaining market share. Artificial intelligence (AI) is another source of disruption for electricity markets.  To help us understand the changing market dynamics from an electricity trader perspective, our guest Cory Paddock, President and Co-Founder of GBE Energy joins the podcast. Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter ask Cory: How is electricity traded? As renewables gain a larger percentage of total supply, how will electricity markets be impacted? Are market reforms, such as capacity payments, needed to ensure power reliability as the share of renewables grows? What is a “duck curve”? How could AI change electricity markets? Is AI already being used? Could AI replace human electricity traders?  Content referenced in this episode: Small Vermont utility quietly builds a fleet of 4,000 Tesla Powerwalls (Electrek, Aug 22, 2022)   Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/   Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

The United Conservative Party (UCP) and its leader, Danielle Smith won a majority in the Alberta election on May 29, 2023.  Jackie and Peter start the podcast by reviewing the election results and the outlook for energy policy. Next, the conversation moves to Texas.  The Lone Star State has witnessed big growth in wind and solar energy, but now Republican lawmakers in Texas are trying to impede renewables growth.  Peter and Jackie talk about the shift in sentiment, and if it could spread beyond Texas. Finally, Jackie and Peter review some recent listener feedback, including Tesla, small modular reactors (SMR), and residential solar economics. Content referenced in this episode: ARC is hiring a Senior Energy Research Analyst, check out the posting Peter’s art exhibit is running June 10 to 30, 2023 at Elevation Gallery. The opening reception is on June 10. Learn more here Chris Varcoe from the Calgary Herald: “Q&A: As Alberta Energy Sector Transforms, Danielle Smith Weighs in on Industry’s Future” (May 25, 2023) CTV Article with Danielle Smith Comments on Wind and Solar: “We Are a Natural Gas Province: Smith Says Alberta Needs Power Plants, Not Wind and Solar” (March 22, 2023) Wall Street Journal: “Texas, a Clean-Energy Pioneer, Turns Against Renewables” (May 26, 2023)  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

This week on the podcast our special guest is John Dillon, former Senior Vice President, Policy and Corporate Counsel at Business Council of Canada.  First, John joins Jackie and Peter in a discussion about the Alberta Election that is being held on May 29, 2023.  What can we learn from the past record of the two leading parties, the United Conservative Party (UCP) and the New Democratic Party (NDP)? What do we know about their plans for the future of Alberta’s energy industry?  Next, we ask John to reflect on his 32 years at the forefront of climate change policy in Canada.  How have corporate attitudes towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions changed over that time? What policy changes are needed for Canada to make big reductions in GHG emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050?  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

This week on the podcast Peter and Jackie discuss the results of a recent survey they conducted with a group of investors to understand their perspectives on investing in clean energy.  Do investors see an opportunity to generate strong returns in clean energy? Are they actively investing in clean energy? What do investors view as the most significant risks or uncertainties? Next, Peter and Jackie discuss why policy risk was one of the top concern areas for investors.  Why does policy risk rate high on the list of concerns?  What are the factors of policy risk that should be evaluated? Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

This episode marks the 200th ARC Energy Ideas podcast!  Peter and Jackie start the podcast commemorating this milestone. Next, Richard Masson, Chair of the World Petroleum Council Canada joins the podcast. Richard tells us about the 24th World Petroleum Congress that will be held in Calgary from September 17 to 21, 2023. The conference is held once every three years and has been described as the world’s leading assembly for the petroleum industry. The organizers are expecting 15,000 visitors and 5,000 delegates from over 100 countries.  Finally, we wrap up the podcast with an update on Jackie’s solar panels, and how the economic return looks now with the first full year of actual operating data.  Content referenced in this podcast: The World Petroleum Congress website: https://www.24wpc.com/ Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/      Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

This week John Dalton, President of Power Advisory joins the podcast to provide an overview of the electricity markets in Atlantic Canada, including the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.  We also cover Quebec’s role in supplying electricity to the region.  Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked John:  Is the Muskrat Falls hydro project operating yet? What is the final cost of Muskrat Falls?  Considering the high cost, do you expect other large hydro projects to be built in Eastern Canada?  What is the latest on the Atlantic Loop and Quebec to US transmission projects? Are the incentives and financing in Canada’s Budget 2023 enough to get transmission projects started? What was the historical agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec for supplying electricity from Churchill Falls and how has that shaped the relationship between the two provinces on electricity?  Will Atlantic Canada have small modular reactors (SMRs) operating by 2035? Is renewable power generation (wind or solar) expected to grow in Atlantic Canada? Do you think Atlantic Canada will reach net zero electricity by 2035? Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page):Atlantic Canada: Is Net Zero Electricity by 2035 Possible? (arcenergyinstitute.com)Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYou Tube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

This week Michael (Mike) Rose, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Tourmaline joins us as our guest. Tourmaline made some exciting announcements last week. First, they announced a partnership on a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station network across Western Canada to enable heavy-haul trucks to get off diesel.  The company also announced that they plan to double the amount of gas they ship as LNG by 2026. Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Mike: How have Western Canadian gas producers survived low gas prices? Why is Tourmaline investing in natural gas stations for heavy-haul trucking now, considering it still has GHG emissions? Has Tourmaline reduced its environmental footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions? How challenging is it to achieve the federal government’s goal of reducing oil and gas emissions in the range of 40 to 45 percent by 2030? Are you exporting LNG to international markets today? Can Canada compete with the U.S. to supply gas to LNG export terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast? How much WCSB gas could ultimately be shipped off Canada’s West Coast?  Other information referenced in this podcast:  Alberta Government’s aspirational plan to reach net zero by 2050 “Alberta emissions reduction and energy development plan.” Global News (April 18, 2023) “Tourmaline, Clean Energy Fuels to partner on natural gas fueling station network.” Bloomberg (April 18, 2023) “Tourmaline Aims to Double Portion of Gas Shipped as LNG by 2026.” Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page):Canadian Natural Gas Has Gone Global: An Interview with Mike Rose from Tourmaline (arcenergyinstitute.com)Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYou Tube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

Listen to Peter and Jackie speak in front of a live audience with world-renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky at the office of GBE Energy in Calgary (recorded on April 14, 2023). Edward is regarded as one of the world's most accomplished contemporary photographers, known for his large-format images of natural environments altered by industry. His collections are included in over 80 major museums around the world.  Peter and Jackie talk about how Edward’s industrial pictures show the impact of human consumption on the Earth, including (among other things) oil and gas, farming, mining, and waste. Edward shares his views on energy, environmental sustainability, energy transition, climate change, and the growing footprint of humankind. Content referenced in this episode:  Edward Burtynsky’s website https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/ Edward talks about a popular picture he took of a nickel mine tailings pond in Ontario. https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/projects/photographs/tailings  The Paul Kuhn Gallery is hosting an Edward Burtynsky exhibition from April 15 to May 27, 2023 http://www.paulkuhngallery.com/  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): Photographer Edward Burtynsky: A Picture is Worth 1000 Spreadsheets (arcenergyinstitute.com)Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify

On April 2, OPEC surprised the markets by announcing a large production cut. Oil prices jumped about $5 a barrel on the news.  On March 28, the 2023 Canadian Federal Budget was released which included additional details on investment tax credits (ITCs) and other incentives to support clean energy investment. This week on the podcast, Peter and Jackie discuss both the OPEC cuts and the 2023 Budget. Content referenced: Canada Budget 2023 Jackie Forrest’s Globe and Mail Article from November 2022 “We built the railway in five years. So why are so many megaprojects now stalled?” Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page):OPEC Surprise Cut and Canada’s Budget 2023 (arcenergyinstitute.com) Check us out on social media:Twitter: @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYou Tube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple Podcasts Google podcasts Amazon musicSpotify 

Albert Cheung, Deputy CEO, of BloombergNEF joins us as our guest this week.  BloombergNEF provides its clients with research on global commodity markets and the technologies driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy. Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Albert:  How has the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) changed your outlook for energy transition investment in the U.S.? How much did investment in energy transition increase in 2022 and what was the total level of investment?  What are the hot areas for investment?  Is current investing in clean energy deployments enough to be on track for achieving net zero by 2050? BloombergNEF data shows that in Q4 2022, 19% of new vehicle sales globally were electric, is that ahead of your expectations? What are your thoughts on Canadian clean energy investing?  Do you anticipate that the current market volatility, including bank failures, high-interest rates, and SPACs could reduce investors’ appetite for investing in clean energy? Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/