Hydrogen has been widely promoted as a potential substitute for fossil gas in the decarbonization of energy systems. The repurposing of fossil gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen has been proposed as part of these strategies. Other argue that the use of hydrogen as a replacement for fossil gas faces intractable financial, physical, and technical barriers, […]
News
Eliminating the Need for Mining EV Battery Minerals by 2050: Data-driven Insights on Enabling an Efficient, Responsible EV Battery Supply Chain
The rapid electrification of transportation is an essential component of climate change mitigation strategies. However, the growing fleets of Electric Vehicles will require supplies of specialized materials, particularly for advanced battery manufacturing. Projections of the need for what are termed “critical” minerals in this context suggest large growth in future demand. At the same time, […]
Join the discussion on October 10th: More Nuclear in Canada's Energy Future?
The Government of Canada and the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta see nuclear power as central to their ‘clean’ electricity strategies. The renewed interest in nuclear energy raises economic, environmental, justice, security, legacy and weapons proliferation issues. Does more nuclear energy make sense to decarbonize Canada’s electricity systems? Join us on October […]
Webinar - Québec’s Energy Modernization Legislation (Bill 69): Implications for Québec and its Neighbours
On June 6, 2024, the Government of Québec tabled Bill 69 intended to advance Québec’s energy transition and carbon neutrality objectives by 2050. The bill is seen as the most significant energy legislation in Québec in a generation. Bill 69 introduces the concept of an Integrated Energy Resource Management Plan, and lays the groundwork for […]
Webinar - Post-Consumer Management of EV Batteries: Regulatory Regimes in Canada, the US and The European Union
The rapid electrification of transportation is an essential component of climate change mitigation strategies. However, the growing fleets of EV will eventually translate into large numbers of EV batteries that have reached their end of life. Questions are also being raised about the sustainability of EV battery supply chains, particularly the increased extraction of “critical” […]
ONSEP 2024 Annual Workshop- Call for Papers
Donald Gordon Centre - Queen's University May 6-7, 2023 The Ontario Network for Sustainable Energy Policy’s (ONSEP) 12th annual workshop will be bringing scholars together from a variety of disciplinary and methodological perspectives focused on energy policy. ONSEP is particularly interested in developing greater understanding of the policies, technologies and strategies needed to sustainably decarbonize […]
The State of Energy in Quebec and its Implications for Canada Webinar - June 28th, 12:30 PM
The Sustainable Energy Initiative at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change Presents: The State of Energy in Quebec and its Implications for Canada Webinar on Wednesday June 28, 12:30-2PM Many studies on potential pathways to decarbonization and net-zero for Ontario and Canada assume the availability of hydro-electric and other renewable energy resources from Quebec […]
Ontario’s risky play on nuke power
Mark Winfield | Nov 2022 Published in the Hamilton Spectator "Last week, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced its intention to proceed with a proposed new 300MW nuclear power reactor at the provincially owned utility’s Darlington site. The announcement raises far more questions than it answers, particularly about the future path for the province’s electricity system. […]
What is clean electricity?
"Ontario’s nuclear plan raises questions about what is “clean” energy and the need for open, evidence-based decision-making around net-zero pathways. In December, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced it will work with GE Hitachi to develop a new 300MW nuclear power reactor at the provincially owned utility’s Darlington site. The news was presented as an endorsement of a […]
Ontario on track to see major increases in greenhouse gas emissions
The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Annual Planning Outlook report released last week contains some very bad news for Ontarians in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air quality, and future electricity costs. The directions laid out in the report also present major challenges to the federal’s government’s plans to move the electricity sector […]
