Energy

In this episode of The Sustainability Agenda, host Tom Heintzman speaks with Kim Lauritsen, Senior Vice President at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), about the transformative potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in meeting Ontario’s growing energy demands and advancing global decarbonization efforts. Kim highlights the benefits of SMRs, including their scalability, modular design, and ability to complement renewables, while also discussing OPG’s plans to deploy GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMRs at Darlington and expand expertise internationally. The conversation underscores the importance of leveraging Ontario’s strong nuclear supply chain, fostering Indigenous partnerships, and driving innovation to position Canada as a leader in clean energy and nuclear technology.

Carbon Markets in Transition: Insights from the Ecosystem Marketplace Report

James Scongack of Bruce Power joins Tom Heintzman, Vice Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss the opportunities for nuclear power innovation and expertise to meet rising electricity demand, including lessons learned from a multi-billion-dollar reactor refurbishment program and from partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders that will help to expand new nuclear capacity for the future.

Which climate policies should be prioritized? In the wake of Canada's recent federal election, the new government under Prime Minister Mark Carney is urged to prioritize four key climate actions in its first 100 days to support Canada’s climate goals.

Gayatri Desai of CIBC Corporate Banking Europe joins Tom Heintzman, Vice Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss key takeaways from CIBC’s 2nd annual Electrification Summit, including observations on global electrification trends in the UK, Europe and the U.S.

Nat Bullard of Business Climate and former Chief Content Officer at BloombergNEF, joins Tom Heintzman, Vice-Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss the latest global trends driving the energy transition, and the progression and trajectory of electrification.

What does China's oil demand slowdown mean for the energy transition? Structural shifts in China’s economy and the rapid deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) are curbing the country’s oil-based fuels growth much earlier than models forecasted and will have a significant impact on energy markets.

Darrel Koo, Director of Analytics at Orennia, joins Luisa Fuentes, Managing Director and Head of Natural Resources and Transition, US Corporate Banking, and James Wright, Managing Director and Head, US Corporate Banking, to explore the transformative impact of AI on energy demand and power infrastructure, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of data centers and renewable energy.

Josh Wong of ThinkLabs AI joins Tom Heintzman, Vice Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss AI-driven approaches to grid management, including how this is helping to overcome traditional challenges to energy distribution, examples of long term and real time applications, and the impact of this automation on energy transition.

Uncertainty of the U.S.- Ukraine deal and implication for critical minerals supply.

Teresa Sarkesian of the Electricity Distributors Association joins Tom Heintzman, Vice Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss electricity distribution, including the ways in which the demands on the distribution grid are changing, how local hydro utilities are navigating these challenges, and where the capital for grid modernization is coming from.

Global sustainable bonds could see green shoots in 2025, despite market headwinds.

Where does global climate leadership stand? As we enter 2025, marking the midpoint of this decade, global progress on climate action remains “uneven” in what is arguably a pivotal time for advancing a sustainable future.