Canada’s energy transition: we’re done talking about why we need it, we’re focusing on how to make it happen

How the Energy Futures Lab is working to advance and scale solutions to our energy system challenges

Whether we’re driving our electric car to work, heating our home, or frying an egg for breakfast—we’re all consuming energy around the clock, day in and day out. 

And with our energy consumption on the rise, the way we choose to meet this demand will have huge implications for our climate, our economy, our health, and our well-being. 

So how do we navigate an ever-changing political climate and bring the right players together to transition to an energy system that benefits the economy, people, and nature? Enter the Energy Futures Lab (EFL). 

EFL, or the Lab, is our longest standing Solution Space. Founded in 2015, it was created in response to widespread polarization on the subject of energy transition in Alberta and Canada. Since its inception, the Lab, along with its network of partners, fellows, ambassadors, and advisors, has achieved collaborative action and broad impact on many fronts critical to the energy transition: battery metals value chain alignment, sustainable aviation fuels, digital innovation solutions, transition finance policy, engaging rural communities, and Indigenous economic reconciliation

After ten years of building relationships and laying the groundwork for change, in January 2024, EFL made a strategic pivot to best advance solutions to Alberta’s, and Canada’s, energy system challenges in the face of changing system needs. They decided to focus less on the fundamental question of “why do we need an energy transition?” and instead focus more on “what are the top priorities and how do we get there at the pace and scale required?”. 

This pivot has freed the EFL team to deepen their exploration of solutions for select energy transition pathways that have the potential to unlock more widespread acceptance of, and urgency toward, net-zero aligned action. It has also allowed them to cultivate relationships with key actors who can benefit most from the Lab’s collaborative approach to developing actionable solutions.

Almost a year into this new strategic direction, let’s take a look at some of the areas the Lab has honed in on to move Alberta’s energy transition forward. 

Grid modernization 

To thrive in a net-zero world, Alberta needs a grid upgrade. In order to overcome the complex system-level challenges facing Alberta’s electricity system, EFL launched Alberta’s Electricity Future—an initiative that brings leaders and changemakers across sectors, fields, and communities together to build a unified vision for the future state of Alberta’s electricity system

This unified vision–developed by the Lab in collaboration with Alberta’s Electricity Future Coalition–combined the diverse perspectives, insights, and aspirations of numerous contributors, and was supported by both members and external groups alike. Building on the vision, the Lab worked to identify key systemic barriers standing in the way of large-scale transformation of Alberta’s energy system and is now beginning the process of creating and testing solutions that move the vision into action. 

Building a vision for a Western Canadian Battery Hub

Batteries, and the critical minerals and materials that they are made of, will play a crucial role in the energy transition. While Canada can play an important role in the critical minerals and battery value chain, it’s an industry that is still developing. This presents an incredible opportunity to establish a full value chain, from mines to mobility, that will play an essential role in Canada’s energy transition, while also building good relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities and business, ensuring effective engagement and economic inclusion. 

In 2024, in partnership with the Battery Metals Association of Canada (BMAC), EFL brought together Indigenous and industry leaders to bridge perspectives and envision what collective success looks like. The Lab also endeavored to conceptualize how Western Canada can contribute beyond its abundance of natural resources and leverage its expertise in refining and processing through to recycling as part of a Western Canadian Battery Hub. The vision outlines an inclusive hub model with the potential to impact not only the Canadian economy, but the North American Economy. 

A series of workshops designed to conceptualize and design the Hub and to build a coalition of stakeholders, Rights holders, and Title holders that will help make it a reality has already kicked off with additional workshops planned for early 2025, so stay tuned for the evolution of this work. 

Learning how to identify and work with energy companies who are authentically committed to decarbonizing their business models

Many energy companies in Alberta have made net-zero commitments, but not all commitments are created equal. Some companies feel politically motivated to appear sustainable or do so simply from a risk management perspective. 

This past year, EFL convened a multi-disciplinary team to develop an assessment framework  for identifying energy companies taking transformative steps towards a low-carbon future versus those simply talking the talk.

Through this initiative, a shortlist of Alberta-based companies were identified as ‘bright spots’ leading the way through strategic transformation. The EFL team is now engaging with these companies to learn more about their journey as they actively commit to transition to a lower emissions future. 

This year’s work will continue to fuel the future

The Lab’s approach over the past year has also included bringing community and industry leaders together through their new hybrid Fellow/Ambassador Program that saw past and present fellows team up for the year. In 2025, the program will evolve again to a 2-year cycle, open to previous, current, and new fellows. 

The Lab also focused on Indigenous engagement and reconciliation through their Reconciliation Action Plan, as well as their work in and with rural communities to contextualize and localize opportunities through initiatives like their Community Roadshows

As The Lab moves forward in its work to scale energy solutions over the next year, the team remains committed to convening diverse groups to tackle these challenges and will continue to place focus on how its work can include and benefit Indigenous people and communities. 

Sign up for Lab Notes (EFL’s newsletter) to follow along with their progress as they continue to empower innovators and influencers across divides to create the energy system of tomorrow, together. 

 

Get updates straight to your inbox

Tired of only hearing about wicked problems? Here’s your chance to get a healthy dose of solutions.  No rainbows and unicorns. Just real people doing real work on tough challenges and making an impact. You’ll receive stories, news, event invites and other opportunities to dig deeper into the Solution Space.

Get Updates