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The 4th Annual
 Electrical Power Symposium 2004
"Ontario's Tough Electricity Choices"
 

Ottawa IEEE Power Engineering Society Chapter and Ottawa IEEE Reliability Society Chapter in joint venture with the IEE Ottawa Chapter organizing and sponsoring in the National Capital of Canada on Friday, October 29, 2004:

The 4th Annual
Electrical Power Symposium 2004
”Ontario's Tough Electricity Choices”

Also, as part of the Symposium, there is a Tutorial at the Algonquin College and a Free Field Visit for EPS2004 Symposium and or Tutorial Attendees to the Chats Falls Hydro Generating Plant at Fitzroy Harbour on Thursday, October 28, 2004.

       

Electricity is a cornerstone of modern life. Ontarians have for decades enjoyed reliable supplies at some of the cheapest prices in the world. However, the centralized supply-side model which has provided that power is being undermined by sea of debt at a time when Ontario is facing an imminent disparity between the available electricity supplied by an aging generation base and relentlessly increasing demand. An attempt to address this situation through the introduction of a market with time-of-day pricing was abandoned as electricity prices soared in response to market conditions.

Recognizing the severity of the energy situation, the Ontario Government commissioned the Electricity Conservation & Supply Task Force in Summer 2003. This noted the demise of merchant generation, the increase in gas prices, and the government’s commitments to phase out coal and retain public ownership of generation. It concluded that tough decisions were required and promoted a rainbow of measures that included cost-reflective pricing, retail competition, conservation, central planning, renewable energy, distributed generation and a diverse supply mix. The ministry also initiated the Renewable Energy Supply RFP targeted to achieve 10% (2,700 MW) renewable capacity by 2010. In early 2004, the OPG Review Committee commented that Ontario did not have many choices and recommended nuclear power to fill the growing energy gap. In mid-2004, the creation of the Ontario Power Authority was announced, virtually undoing the unbundling that facilitated the deregulated market of 2001.

Ontario is at a crossroads. Can it afford a new capital-intensive nuclear power program? Can distributed generation with load displacement fill the generation-supply gap and ensure a stable power grid? Can technology extend the life of coal-fired generation in an environmental sound manner? Can smart metering economically provide cost-reflective tariff structures, energy use information displays, and price-sensitive control of load and generation.

The challenge now facing Ontario is how best to address the looming electrical energy shortfall in a timely manner, while balancing the goals of sustainability, minimal environmental impact and a sound pricing regime. Improved resource management involving proper consideration of all available options from price strategies to a creative portfolio of supply and demand solutions is required. The way forward will likely involve a combination of large and small-scale supply projects, alternative fuel sources, improved energy efficiency, energy conservation, demand-side management and enhanced metering and monitoring.

The key objectives of the symposium are to:

• raise awareness and understanding of the electrical energy situation facing Ontario

• promote discussion on potential solutions to the electrical energy gap

• offer an opportunity for organizations to promote/exhibit their contributions to addressing the electrical energy gap

• offer an opportunity for education on electrical energy

• offer an opportunity for networking

Come and learn what is the electrical energy situation facing Ontario. The IEEE/IEE Ottawa Electrical Power Symposium, organized each fall since 2001, is now recognized as one of the premier electrical power events in Ontario, serving consumers, industry, government, academia and other professionals.

                                              
Click here to see the Program 
 
Further information may be obtained from the Organizing Committee 

Register early and in groups to take advantage of discounts. Discounts also apply to IEEE/IEE members, students, retired and job seekers. Click here for the Registration (Register NOW).
The one-day symposium will take place on 29 October 2004 at Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa. Click here for direction map. On the previous day, registrants will be offered a visit/tutorial of educational/specialist interest.
The target audience is professionals from the consumer, business, government, academic and engineering communities. Expected attendance: 200-250.
The event to be self-financing, with registration fees affordable to all, including job-seekers and students.