Harnessing Wind Energy

Canada West Forum is excited to present an event that examines the benefits and challenges of using wind to add electricity to the grid. Moderated by filmmaker and environmental journalist Damien Gillis, the expert panel includes:

Forum Resources:

Getting to YES on wind and transmission projects – Dr. Louise Comeau

Denmark’s green transition and renewable energy system – Dr. Jeppe Johansen

Participating Panelists

Dr. Louise Comeau

Dr. Louise Comeau is a Senior Advisor at Re.Climate, Carleton University’s centre for climate change communications and public engagement. Louise is passionate about advancing evidence-based solutions to climate change. She specializes in mixed-method research, with a focus on social acceptance of climate change policies and the energy transition, especially electrification. Louise has more than 30 years’ experience in climate change policy, communications, and solutions-related advocacy and programming. Louise holds a doctorate in environmental management, focused on environmental ethics and behaviour change from the University of New Brunswick.

Dr. Jeppe Johansen

Dr. Johansen can begin by explaining how Denmark uses an intermittent power source for almost 60% of its power supply. He can talk about domestic and European grid stability, price volatility, and citizen acceptance or resistance in areas where wind turbines operate. He might talk about expanding the production of wind energy, about energy islands, and about converting surplus wind energy into green hydrogen and other fuels.

Prasanna (Pras) Krishnan

Prasanna (Pras) Krishnan is a solar energy engineer who has served in the renewables industry for nearly 20 years. He has worked on 25+ GW of primarily solar + storage projects in technical leadership roles at independent power producers, engineering & construction providers, and consultancies. His expertise is in the intersection of developing and operating renewable projects, clean technology commercialization, and operational efficiency. He is the principal of Surya Energy Consulting, an established boutique consultancy which helps investors, insurers and asset owners de-risk technical aspects of their projects and optimize the deployment of capital for the energy transition. He is also associated with the Clean Energy Research Group at SFU.

Patricia Lightburn

Patricia Lightburn is a Member of the BC Climate Solutions Council and Director of Policy for British Columbia for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Ms. Lightburn has worked in the private sector for Innergex and Dunsky Energy but has also worked in government and for the David Suzuki Foundation. Perhaps she will talk about ways to convince citizens of the need for zero-carbon economies, in Canada and elsewhere. Ms. Lightburn may discuss senior governments talking about carbon emission reductions, while promoting major increases in fossil fuel production.