The City of Medicine Hat has partnered with Decentralised Energy Canada to host the Energy Innovation Challenge, a tool they are using to navigate energy transition and transform new energy resources such as solar, EVs, batteries and managed loads into assets instead of liabilities.
GreenEnergyFutures.ca CKUA.com Podcast
Medicine Hat & The Energy Innovation Challenge: Navigating Energy Transition
Medicine Hat stands out in Alberta's energy landscape due to its independent, discrete electricity grid. This allows the city to implement innovative energy solutions and set its own rates and policies.
• Quote: "Medicine had, unlike other cities, has its own discrete electricity grid and sets their own rates and policies for residents so they can also implement creative energy transition solutions if it makes sense."
Key Program: Hat Smart
The Hat Smart program incentivizes residential energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption through rebates for devices, rooftop solar arrays, and water conservation measures.
• Impact: The program has provided $6.2 million in rebates since 2008 and led to a 14-16% reduction in water use this summer.
• Popularity: Rebates for rooftop solar arrays are fully subscribed by spring each year, highlighting the high demand for solar energy.
• Innovation: A new PACE-like financing option called the Clean Energy Improvement Program allows residents to invest in clean energy improvements and repay through property taxes.
• Quote: "We've just launched the clean energy improvement program and that it's really a financing option for residents to access top up payments to their property taxes essentially in order to do similar things in order to invest in rooftop solar or other sorts of clean energy improvement options at the household level"
Current Energy Mix & Transition Plans
Medicine Hat currently relies on three gas-fired power plants (300 MW capacity) and a 6 MW wind farm. They are actively exploring new energy transition avenues:
• Utility-scale solar: A 325 MW solar project within city limits is economically viable and under consideration, with a request to the Alberta Utilities Commission to build in stages due to its size.
• Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS): While Medicine Hat holds an exploration permit for a CCS hub, analysis suggests it is less economically viable than solar at present, with success hinging on carbon pricing.
• Energy Innovation Challenge: This initiative with Decentralized Energy Canada aims to generate solutions for managing increasing demand from EVs, heat pumps, and solar projects.
Quote: "We have found that utility scale wind and utility scale solar is economically viable today. So the city is currently looking at a utility scale solar array up to 325 megawatts of generation capacity within the urban limits of Medicine Hat. The city is looking at a whole host of other options including carbon capture and sequestration for hard to abate businesses."
Conclusion:
Medicine Hat demonstrates proactive leadership in transitioning to a cleaner energy future. Through programs like Hatsmart and exploration of large-scale renewables and CCS, the city provides a valuable case study for other municipalities seeking to decarbonize. The Energy Innovation Challenge further highlights their commitment to finding practical solutions for the evolving energy landscape.
#solar #windpower #electricity #energytransition #EV #electricvehicles #decentralizedenergy


385B. Medicine Hat's Energy Transition Journey & The Energy Innovation Challenge

In our podcast, Zoltán Levente Ember, CEO of Hungarian research Compass Institute delves into the pressing challenges facing Hungary’s energy sector. From the rapid expansion of solar power capacity to the political and financial risks foreign investors must navigate, the discussion uncovers the complexities of the country's energy landscape. Listeners will learn about Hungary’s efforts to become a leader in electromobility and battery manufacturing, while struggling with outdated grid infrastructure and rising energy demands. The conversation touches on the role of government incentives, such as the “utility reduction” policy, and the unpredictable nature of policy changes driven by Hungary's ongoing state of emergency. With the European Union's funds out of reach, the country’s future energy development hangs in the balance. Topics like the impact of the Robin Hood tax and MAVIR’s moratorium on solar connections add depth to the narrative. Zoltán highlights the difficulty for foreign investors to thrive under these conditions and points out the significant gap in wind power investment. Additionally, environmental and taxation concerns surrounding solar panels, along with legal challenges, create further uncertainty. As the podcast unfolds, the listener gains insight into both the opportunities and obstacles in Hungary’s renewable energy journey. The episode closes with a reflection on the urgent need for clearer energy policies and improved collaboration between stakeholders.

Ember: Hungary’s Energy Crossroads: ‘Investors Must Navigate a Risky Terrain’

The ballots have been counted and the winners have been announced of the Energy Innovation Challenge hosted by Decentralised Energy Canada and the City of Medicine Hat. 
The winners were announced at the Decentralised Energy Canada Forum in Whistlers, British Columbia. (https://www.deforum.ca/)
The winners solutions will be piloted on the Medicine Hat Grid to help integrate decentralized energy resources such as solar, wind, EVs, batteries and heat pumps. The solutions are a mix of software and hardware designed to use these resources to expand the capacity of the grid, provide cheap energy and better utilize existing underutilized 20th Century grid infrastructure. It's the first step in creating a resilient, affordable and reliable grid of the future.
We talk to the winners from Edgecom Energy and Arcus Power.
GreenEnergyFutures.ca CKUA.com Podcast 
Subscribe today and lean more in our blog and YouTube Channel.

388. Energy Innovation Challenge winners to integrate solar, wind, EVs & batteries into Medicine Hat

The Energy Futures Lab is like a breath of fresh air in today’s polarized world, where meaningful discussions about real-world problems are scarce. Every year, they invite 40 talented individuals from various fields to join their mission and tackle some of the most challenging issues facing us, like how to get Alberta to net-zero emissions. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, we caught up with Maureen Kolla from the Energy Futures Lab and Tristan Walker, an energy consultant who’s part of the 40 fellows in 2024. Tristan is part of the Albertas Electricity Future group which is head up by Maureen Kolla and they recently released a vision for Alberta’s electricity future, and we’re excited to share it with you!
GreenEnergyFutures.ca CKUA.com Podcast
Learn more at GreenEnergyFutures.ca
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

392A. The Energy Futures Lab - Solving for Net-Zero Not Polarization

Nuclear or Renewables: What’s the UK's Future? Should we invest in nuclear power or prioritise renewables? Join the discussion on achieving zero emissions.

The Cost Of Nuclear Power

Jason Dodier is a recognized business leader and global authority on the circular economy, biochar, and decarbonization. As Co-Founder of Grain Ecosystem, he has championed the use of Al and data-driven solutions to revolutionize waste-to-energy projects. His work highlights biochar as a pivotal tool for carbon sequestration and community optimization while improving access to project financing. Driven by a mission to turn cost centers into profit centers and accelerate biodiversity at every step, Jason's approach delivers both environmental and economic benefits.

With a strong foundation in project finance and a distinguished career in commercial leadership at sustainability pioneer Schneider Electric, Jason has worked across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas to advance some of the world's most transformative public-private partnerships and energy transition initiatives. Among his notable achievements are leading the development of the microgrid at JFK Terminal 1 -featuring the largest solar array in New York City and at any airport terminal in the U.S.-and spearheading Schneider Electric's Access to Energy Program, which has brought clean energy solutions to underserved communities worldwide.

With nearly two decades of international experience, Jason is a sought-after thought leader and speaker on sustainability, innovation, and economic models. He serves on the boards of the Amazonia Fund Alliance and Fountain Head Rhode Island in his home state, where he continues to advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
#JasonDodier #iicsr #sustainable #sustainabledevelopment

LICG with Jason Dodier CEO and Co Founder Grain

Gary Holden of Lodestone Energy in New Zealand says making solar energy available to everyone is the secret to building an affordable, resilient, net-zero electricity grid.
The idea is to build solar projects in or near every town and offer the solar to consumers who can't put solar on their homes or businesses the opportunity to go solar.
He also says this distributed energy, when coupled with energy storage will save money on grid infrastructure expansions, provide cheap energy and ultimately be a key link in transforming the electricity grid to net-zero.
GreenEnergyFutures.ca CKUA.com Podcast
Learn more in our blog at GreenEnergyFutures.ca

393. Solar in Every Town - Solar for everyone, the solution to an affordable, net-zero grid

Janna Greir and her partner Ryan always loved the idea of ranching, living in the country, and operating a small farm, but becoming a first-generation farmer is nearly impossible these days.
That is until she discovered the combination of sheep and solar. The family had a dozen sheep until she landed a contract with Capital Power to manage the vegetation on their Strathmore Solar Farm. Janna has become something of an expert in vegetation management since then and the land is now much more productive and her flock has grown to more than 1,000 sheep on this one site alone.
Her story points to a bright future for farmers who want to improve productivity and the economics of their farms. Janna says there is nothing but potential for the expansion of the idea often referred to as Agrivoltaics. 
This is part one in our series.

GreenEnergyFutures CKUA.com Podcast
BLOG at GreenEnergyFutures.ca

394A. Solar and Sheep - First generation farmer builds thriving operation

Janna Greir and her partner Ryan always loved the idea of ranching, living in the country, and operating a small farm, but becoming a first-generation farmer is nearly impossible these days.
That is until she discovered the combination of sheep and solar. The family had a dozen sheep until she landed a contract with Capital Power to manage the vegetation on their Strathmore Solar Farm. Janna has become an expert in vegetation management since then and the land is now much more productive and her flock has grown to more than 1,000 sheep on this one site alone.
Not only has Janna grown her flock significantly, she is also doing consulting work to help others do the same. Her experience points to a bright future for farming and solar.

Part 1 in a 2-part series.
GreenEnergyFutures CKUA.com Video Podcast
BLOG at GreenEnergyFutures.ca

394A. Solar and Sheep - First generation farmer builds thriving operation by combining the two

In this episode of the Energy Connects podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Mandeep Narang, Director of Operations at Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited, about the critical role of sustainability in the hydrocarbon industry and how organisations can balance energy production with environmental responsibility.

As the first private organisation to sign onto the United Nations Environment Programme’s Methane Reporting and Reduction Initiative, Cairn is setting a new standard for responsible energy practices. The episode explores the strategies, innovations, and commitments that are shaping the company’s approach to reducing its hydrocarbon footprint while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Driving sustainability: Cairn’s path to net zero by 2030

Harsha in her podcasts series covers all her interactions with eminent people creating impact on society. The show Live interactions with global changemakers and Youth Questions are interactions with the Corporate Honchos and publicly elected political leaders. It emphasizes strategy to implementation of sustainable development goals and integration of Responsible business practices. The conversations are focussed on understanding the journey to find solutions of complex problems in growing business in tandem with social development.

She is also a poet and in her album universal messages she recites some of her finest words.

Boxergy’s purpose is to make renewables affordable for all and to reduce the carbon emissions from home heating on a national scale.

The CKUA Radio podcast of the GreenEnergyFutures.ca series. The multi-media series is hosted by David Dodge and tells the inspiring stories of Canadians involved in the green energy revolution.

A trusted source delivering fresh perspectives and exclusive insights that shape the future of energy.

Central European Affairs is the digital magazine of our Institute. It provides an analysis of the most distinguished topics related to democracy, rule of law, authoritarianism, human and digital rights in Central Europe. In CEA Talk, the journal’s podcast, international experts give insights into details of international politics and business.

New tracks tagged #energytransition