Decarbonizing Heat: Are Air-Source Heat Pumps the Solution for Canada?

This week on the podcast, Peter and Jackie reflect on the six years since the podcast started. With over 250 episodes and counting, they have commented on a range of topics and events shaping the energy industry in Canada and beyond.In this episode, Peter and Jackie reflect on the podcasts and events that have stayed with them over the past six years and the topics that keep arising, including divestment and energy security. They also discuss their philosophy of interviewing guests.Special thanks to the loyal ARC Energy Ideas podcast listeners and to Beau Shiminsky at Ear Candy, our sound engineer since day one.Content referenced in this podcast:Energyphile stories on Apple (Audio only)Energyphile stories on the website (written and audio) Ear Candy StudioPlease review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

This week, our guest is Andrew Miller, the Chief Operating Officer of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, which was established in 2014. The firm provides market prices, supply chain data, forecasting, and strategic advisory for energy transition technologies, including focused coverage on battery supply chains. Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Andrew: How did the market for battery minerals flip so quickly from being undersupplied to oversupplied? How much lithium-ion battery demand comes from grid-scale storage versus EVs? Are you optimistic that the policies and subsidies introduced by the US and Canada will eventually create an EV supply chain comparable to China? Were you surprised by how fast battery chemistries changed when mineral prices were high? Are lithium-ion batteries below the $100/kWh level yet? With improved mineral availability, are automakers continuing to pursue vertical integration? Is it possible that deep-sea battery minerals could add more supply than expected?Other content referenced on the podcast:Benchmark Mineral Intelligence website: https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

This week, Peter and Jackie discuss recent news headlines. Here is what they explored:Canadian Federal Politics. Last week was not the time for an election as the NDP and the Bloc Québécois did not support the Conservative Party of Canada’s motion for a carbon tax election. But when will the election be held, and what does a faster election mean for advancing new energy legislation and regulations? Climate Week NYC is an annual event that focuses on addressing climate change. Peter and Jackie discuss the news that caught their attention while watching headlines from the week, including a nuclear energy renaissance. There is also a growing recognition that greenhouse gas emission reduction goals are not being achieved and that oil demand continues to grow.Canadian Electricity Markets. Ottawa opened a consultation to consider adding a surtax on Chinese modules, semiconductors, batteries, and battery parts imported into Canada, similar to the 100% surtax on EVs introduced in the summer.Electricity demand in Canada is growing. As a result, several provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, have recently made calls to build new electricity generation plants. Alberta, however, is in the middle of an electricity market redesign that is, for now, making new investment in the province uncertain.Oil Markets. While WTI oil price stayed in the $US75-85/B range for most of 2024, it fell to $US65/B on September 10th and recovered to $US68/B at the podcast recording time. Jackie and Peter discuss factors contributing to the weakness in oil prices.Other content referenced in this podcast:World Nuclear News: Constellation to restart Three Mile Island unit, powering Microsoft (September 2024)DCD: Oracle to build nuclear SMR-powered gigawatt data center (September 2024)Canada consults on measures to protect Canadian workers in critical manufacturing sectors from unfair Chinese trade practices (September 2024)Alberta AESO stakeholder feedback on potential strategic reserves Financial Times:  Saudi Arabia ready to abandon $100 crude target to take back market share (September 2024)Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

So far this year, electric vehicle (EV) sales have been less than expected in the United States and Europe, but growth remains strong in China. Why is EV adoption slowing in North America, and what is different in China?We examine the latest sales numbers and the factors that could be contributing to slower growth in North America. Factors include a lack of charging infrastructure, the high cost of fast charging, high depreciation, and a current shortage of plug-in hybrid options. EV competitiveness with gasoline cars, especially in the compact car segments, remains an issue.To help us with the conversation, our guest this week is Lawrence Romanosky, a Calgary-based 'car guy' with 20 years of experience as a luxury car sales manager. Lawrence was responsible for the first rollout of the Porsche Taycan all-electric car at the dealership in Calgary in 2019. Check out his auto blog and website here.Content referenced in this podcast:LUGNUTZ self-service facility for automotive enthusiasts Wall Street Journal “What Scared Ford’s CEO in China,” Sept 14, 2024 Article from Spectrum News on a study from iSeeCars.com  “EVs depreciate more than any other vehicle type, study says,” November 2023 AAA Newsroom “Your Driving Costs: The Price of a New Car Ownership Continues to Climb,” September 2024, includes a special analysis comparing the cost of EV and hybrid ownership to gas-poweredElectrek “BYD $10,000 Seagull EV was the top-selling car in China last month,” September 2024 Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

This week, our guest is the Honourable Christy Clark, the 35th Premier of British Columbia and Canada’s longest-serving female Premier. Christy Clark is currently a Senior Advisor for Bennett Jones LLP.Politics is top of mind for energy decision-makers with the upcoming US election, Canadian federal by-elections, the possibility of an early federal election in Canada, and a provincial election next month in Christy Clark’s home province of British Columbia.Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Christy Clark:Are you surprised that the NDP has been slipping in the polls in BC? Explain the BC United Party (former BC Liberal Party) recently folding into the Conservative Party of BC. Is there potential for the provincial Conservative Party to win in BC next month? Is climate change still an important issue for BC voters? You worked to get BC’s LNG industry started, with over 15 potential projects expected at one point; what is your view on the industry now? Is more electrical generation capacity needed to meet future demand, besides the Site C hydro dam? Now that it has started, how do people feel about the Trans Mountain expansion oil pipeline? With the federal NDP ripping up their agreement to cooperate with the Liberals, do you expect the federal election will occur sooner than October 2025? What are the chances that Justin Trudeau will withdraw from the federal Liberal leadership before the election? Do you have any federal political aspirations?Content referenced in this podcast:Current polling of BC provincial election at 388canada.com Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

This week, our guest is Rob West, founder and CEO of Thunder Said Energy. Founded in 2019, the research firm aims to help decision-makers find economic opportunities in the energy transition. Rob lives nine time zones away in Estonia and is an uber-productive energy expert who covers a wide range of topics in his consultancy. Rob explains why he hates S-curves, since they are often used to assume future growth rates for new energy technologies instead of properly analyzing what is realistic.  Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked Rob: What do you think of the recent sell-off of clean energy stocks and the reasons behind some company failures? How much do you think the electricity demand will grow due to AI? Will there be investment in new natural gas-fired generation to meet this demand growth, despite the concerns about carbon emissions?  Why do you think solar is the most important energy source in the world? Why do you see power grids as the biggest bottleneck in the energy transition? Do you think naturally found hydrogen in the earth’s subsurface, also called “gold hydrogen,” could be the next “gold rush”? Other content referenced in this podcast:  Thunder Said Energy website, see past research notes and sign up for daily email: https://thundersaidenergy.com/ FT article “More cleantech companies fail as fundraising challenges emerge (ft.com),” September 2, 2024 Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify 

So long summer!  Peter and Jackie are back in the studio and are discussing the energy news from the past few months. They kick off the podcast by discussing political developments in the United States and Canada. Then, they examine the drop in clean energy stocks over the summer and the weaker market sentiment, including the rapid decline in BC's low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) credit price. Lastly, they discuss the low prices for natural gas in Alberta, which averaged only $C 0.60/GJ in August. Content referenced on this podcast:  McKinsey and Company “The Energy Transition: Where are we, really” (August 27, 2024) Canary Media “US Clean Energy Investment is Soaring Thanks to Climate Law” (August 16 2024) and Clean Investment Monitor: Q2 Update  BC Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) price history, scroll to the Credit Market Data Section to download. ExxonMobil Global Outlook: Our view to 2050 (August 2024) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts  Amazon Music Spotify 

This week, we are joined by Nancy Southern, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd., and Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO Company. ATCO is a publicly traded company that offers innovative and sustainable solutions to customers in various sectors, such as housing, real estate, energy, water, transportation, and agriculture. Under Nancy's leadership, ATCO is growing the EnPower division, which focuses on energy transition and includes hydrogen, CCS, water, energy storage, solar, wind, and hydro. Peter and Jackie asked Nancy: How did ATCO start and what are the business lines today? How do you continue your father's legacy and the corporate culture he established? Tell us about your Alberta hydrogen project and the potential for exporting hydrogen to Asia. Update us on ATCO’s recent final investment decision (FID) on the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub in partnership with Shell. What are your views on the federal government's proposed Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) to achieve net zero electricity by 2035? What is your perspective on Alberta's proposed changes to renewable power development, electricity markets, and transmission costs? Content referenced in this podcast: Canadian Government’s Clean Fuel Regulations Credit Market Report (June 2024) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify 

This week, on our Calgary Stampede podcast edition, our guest is Avik Dey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Power. Capital Power is a publicly traded North American power producer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. Capital Power owns renewable and thermal power generation facilities, totaling over 9 GW of power generation capacity across 32 facilities. Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked Avik: Is it possible to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity? Does Capital Power currently generate any electricity from coal? Do you expect small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built in Alberta in the future? Texas generates a greater share of its electricity from renewables than Alberta, yet Alberta is hitting the brakes on renewable development – how is Texas managing the increase in renewables, and what can Alberta learn? Are you concerned by the potential for rapid growth in electricity demand to fuel AI data centers in Alberta? Why did Capital Power recently cancel its proposed $2.4 billion Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Genesee project in Alberta? Considering the draft Clean Electricity Regulations, would you still invest in new natural gas generation in Canada? Any comments on Quebec’s plan to build and operate large-scale renewable projects in the province versus procuring the power from independent power producers?  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify 

On June 20, 2024, Bill C-59 received Royal Assent and officially became law, implementing its provisions into Canadian legislation. The Bill, along with Bill C-69, which was passed on the same day, introduced new subsidies to encourage investment in clean energy in Canada. Bill C-59 established the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Tax Credit. Bill C-69 created the Federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee, the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, and the Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit. However, the positive impact of these new subsidies was overshadowed by the greenwashing regulations added late in the process for Bill C-59. The new greenwashing rules amend the Competition Act to require that claims made by companies about environmental, ecological, or climate change benefits can be verified. Because of the ambiguity of what is needed to comply with the rules, many energy companies have deleted all GHG emissions and other sustainability content from their websites, including annual sustainability reports and commitments to improve environmental performance in the future. This week on the podcast, our guest, Kaeleigh Kuzma, a Partner at Osler in the Competition, Trade, and Foreign Investment Group, explained the new greenwashing rules. Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked Kaeleigh: Why is greenwashing included in the Competition Act? Can you explain the provisions? What does “proper substantiation in accordance with internationally recognized methodology” mean? Why are the rules so vague, and what is the process for clarity? Do these rules only affect oil and gas and other heavy-emitting companies, or do they also apply to clean energy companies? What is the process for filing a complaint against a company to the Competition Bureau? What are the methods of enforcement? Other content referenced in this podcast:   Osler’s detailed multi-part guide on the Competition Act amendments, with a specific section on deceptive marketing practices and greenwashing, here. Text of Bill C-59, see 74.01 (1), including (b.1) and (b.2) Form to provide feedback to the Competition Bureau on the amendments to the Act Kevin  Krausert opinion “Ottawa’s anti-greenwashing bill will cripple cleantech innovation” (June 20, 2024)Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts  Amazon Music Spotify