Ian H. Rowlands, 16 December 2014

As the holiday season moves into high gear, we see the new year getting larger and larger on the horizon.  Its arrival - in just over two weeks' time - will inevitably bring opportunity for celebrations, resolutions and predictions.  To prepare, now seems as good a time as any to look ahead - to get a sense of what the year 2015 may bring for energy researchers, analysts and practitioners.  Below are some highlights, selected by month.

January - The 'new' IESO will open for business this month, bringing together the  'old' IESO and the former Ontario Power Authority.  This entity will be a critical player in Ontario's electricity landscape, and it will be interesting (and instructive) to see how the two merging organizations' mandates and cultures merge.

February - This might be the month in which a United States decision about the  Keystone XL pipeline is made.  Central to Canada-United States energy discussions (and, in fact, discussions of any kind), it is one of a number of binational energy infrastructure projects - including, as well, transmission lines - currently under consideration.

March - 'Earth Hour' will be celebrated on Saturday, 28 March.   The annual 'lights out' action - taking place around the world - provides an opportunity for communities to reflect upon their energy needs and ambitions.

April - Those local (electric) distribution companies in Ontario that have yet to submit their conservation and demand management plans to the IESO will be working fervently to finalise them before the 1 May deadline.  It will be instructive to examine, collectively, these 75 (or so) plans to see the extent to which local innovation complements provincial leadership in efforts to develop a culture of conservation in Ontario.

May - For the United Nations, 'Sustainable Energy for All' is a priority.  Building upon commitments made at the 'Rio+20' conference in 2012, 2014-2024 is  the 'United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All', and 18-22 May will see the  Second United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum held at UN headquarters in New York City.

June - Wind power in Ontario is set to  surpass 10% by this month - in terms of share of the province's installed generation capacity.

July - Canada's energy and mines ministers will meet in Halifax, NS from 19-21 July for their annual conference. 

August - The first of Tesla's brand new  'Model X' - a seven-passenger crossover vehicle - could well roll off the production line this month.  With it, any stigma about having to drive a 'family-friendly ride' will certainly disappear, for the coolness that has characterized Tesla's offerings to date looks set to continue in this, its third, all-electric offering.

September - Many budding energy researchers will be starting their academic studies, entering universities across Ontario.  Here at the University of Waterloo, excitement will be high as newcomers and veterans alike re-engage in their classrooms, laboratories and communities to explore ways in which sustainable energy can become a reality.

October - The Canadian federal election is tentatively scheduled for  Monday, 19 October.  And while it may be the case that any political discussion about a 'national energy "strategy"' remains taboo, there will be no escaping discussion of some energy issues that have national dimensions - energy transportation, by rail, road or pipe, is a prime example.

November - Like every first day in November (and, for that matter, every first day in May), the Ontario Energy Board will introduce new prices for those electricity customers on  time-of-use rates.  Analysts will, as always, watch not only for the amount of the increase (assuming that it is an increase), but also for how the differentials across the three periods (off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak) change (if at all).  A public discussion about electricity pricing will inevitably follow.

December - The eyes of the world will be upon Paris, France, as thousands of delegates gather for the  21^st session of Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (30 November - 11 December).  The conference objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, which would thus have large ramifications for energy.

At WISE, we are looking forward to 2015 with much enthusiasm - excited about our planned activities and about the continued opportunities for collaboration, both within the University of Waterloo and beyond.  The new year will also bring change:  my time as Acting Executive Director of WISE will end, and the baton will be passed to my friend and colleague   Prof. Claudio Cañizares.  The Institute will thus be in excellent hands!

Consequently, as I sign off, let me pass on my appreciation to those who have helped to make my term so enjoyable - partners in the community, colleagues at the University of Waterloo and, in particular, staff at WISE.

I, of course, will continue to do energy research and analysis while  based at the University of Waterloo (and while a member of WISE!).  Therefore, I look forward to keeping in touch.

Happy holidays and all the best for 2015!,

Ian

Ian H. Rowlands is Professor and Acting Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) at the University of Waterloo.