Episode 8: James Pearce and Markham Hislop - Energy Transition - Focus on Canada

Energy transition refers to the global energy sector's shift from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption — including oil, natural gas, and coal — to renewable energy sources like hydrogen, wind, and solar, as well as lithium-ion batteries.

The increasing penetration of renewable energy into the energy supply mix, the onset of electrification, and improvements in energy storage are all key drivers of the energy transition.

Regulation and commitment to decarbonization have been mixed, but the energy transition will continue to increase in importance as investors prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

They answer these and more:

• What are some of the biggest challenges facing the industry right now and what is the outlook near term and long term
• What are some of the biggest fears
• What are some common misperceptions of the industry? [I mean to share that not all are billionaires and rich and many are small players]
• Tell us about Reclamation and what would have been there without it
• Are you seeing equity investments and/or debt to smaller projects or have they dried up and solely to bigger players?
• What are some green initiatives you have seen as the best in the industry and what can be learned from this?
• What would you like to see?

Renewables is only part of the energy transition. Mass introduction of electric transportation infrastructure and energy storage, coupled with greater usage of technologies to improve energy efficiency, are also driving this movement. As the average cost of lithium-ion batteries has fallen drastically on a mixture of manufacturing economies of scale and technology improvements, companies and consumers alike are increasingly turning to electrification for power transportation, making the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) one of the largest potential areas for electrification. The global EV adoption rate could reach 10%-12.5% by 2025.

What are your thoughts on this and what are some initiatives you are working in in Hydrogen?

• What are some of the biggest challenges you are being faced with specifically to getting to meet carbon goals and even expedite them?
• What has went well and what are governments (federal and provincial) doing well and what are some things that can be improved?
• What is exciting you these days and tell us about what is happening specifically in Alberta?

Renewables/financing?

As more investors and companies seek greater clarity and confidence in accounting for long-term climate risks and opportunities, businesses are adapting to the "energy transition" — a transformation of the global energy sector from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption to renewable energy sources. Switching from nonrenewable energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal to renewable energy is made possible by technological advancements and a societal push toward sustainability. Spurred by structural, permanent changes to energy supply, demand, and prices, the energy transition also aims to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through various forms of decarbonization.

What do you think is going well and what isn't and what are some possible solutions?