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The 5th Annual
 Electrical Power Symposium 2005
"Convergence of Power and High Technologies"
Building Intelligent & Responsive Systems
October 13 - 14, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 

 Symposium

Official Opening by Dr. Robert Crawhall, President, National Capital Institute of Telecommunications (NCIT), Ottawa, Canada

Robert Crawhall’s Biography
Dr. Robert Crawhall is President and CEO of the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications (www.ncit.ca), a fourth pillar organization that specializes in multi-party collaborative research in the ICT sector working with the private sector, federal labs and academia.  Prior to joining NCIT, Dr. Robert Crawhall was Director, Disruptive Network Technologies for Nortel Networks, and previously was their Director, Advanced Technology Strategic Planning.
Dr. Crawhall is the Executive Director of the Ontario Research Network in Electronic Commerce (www.ornec.ca), Vice Chair of the Canadian Standards Association Strategic Committee on Power Engineering and Electromagnetic Compatibility, Director of the Ottawa Wireless Research Alliance and a member of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation Research Management Board.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Crawhall has successfully identified and developed numerous advanced technologies that have provided key competitive advantage to a wide range of leading products. Through his role at NCIT, he has fostered academic/industry partnerships in Ottawa with a goal of driving research into product development. His latest initiative Critical Infrastructure Systems Information Services (CrISIS) is helping to shape several important research programs aimed at bringing advanced ICT capabilities to infrastructure management including the energy sector.
Dr. Crawhall began his career as a mechanical engineer and worked in several aspects of the energy sector: renewable energy technologies at the Brace Research Institute, McGill; on an energy conservation project for a petroleum refinery in Montreal with SNC; in the transformer plant at CGE’s Davenport facility in Toronto, on the production of hydroelectric turbines at Dominion Engineering and on the design and construction of heavy water upgraders for the Bruce ‘B’ Nuclear Generating Station.
He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree and a Master’s of Electrical Engineering degree from McGill University and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ottawa.

Convergence of Power and High Technologies by Garner Mitchell, Vice-President, Power Production Business Unit, SaskPower

Abstract
SaskPower, an electric utility owned by the Province of Saskatchewan, which generates electricity from coal, hydro, combined-cycle natural gas and wind and operates a transmission and distribution system to serve 439,000 customers in Saskatchewan; will present an overview of the technologies in use and current studies and research considering environmental and future generation supply issues and options.  SaskPower has been very active in studies to address Kyoto, emissions and the future of clean electricity generation from coal as an energy feedstock.  “Convergence of Power and High Technologies” is very much in SaskPower’s current business and decision-making process.

.Garner Mitchell’s Biography
Mr. Mitchell was appointed Vice-President, Power Production on November 1, 2001.  His long-term career with SaskPower has involved serving in many positions and locations with power station operations, maintenance, construction, engineering, including management and business responsibilities.  Mr. Mitchell served as Vice-President, Project Development and Operations with SaskPower International, a subsidiary of SaskPower from 1999 to 2001. Power Production is the SaskPower generation division, which generates electricity in Saskatchewan for use by SaskPower customers.  Electricity is generated from large coal-fired stations, large and small hydro stations, natural gas fired thermal stations and combustion gas turbine units including repowered combined cycle units.  Power Production is starting to develop wind generation as well. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.  He has participated in provincial committees and panels and has served on a local school board and minor sports organizations.
Mr. Mitchell's education includes stationary steam engineering.  He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and from the Banff School of Advanced Management in 1994. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Saskatchewan. Mr. Mitchell is married with four children.  His farm background, sports and outdoor activities are some of his many personal interests.

Visions of High Technology and Power Convergence by

Michael Caughey, BSc(EE), PhD, Caughey & Company, Past Chair of IEEE Ottawa Section; and Carl Kropp, Adjunct Professor, Carleton University and Vice Chair of IEEE PES Ottawa Chapter

Abstract
Electrical engineering is often divided in high current (power) and low current (high technology) applications. With the advances in power electronics and the need for improved electricity management, these applications are converging on a number of fronts. We look at this convergence from both the power and high technology viewpoints.

Michael Caughey’s Biography
Michael Caughey began his career with the microelectronics division of Bell-Northern Research (now Nortel) where he served for 14 years. He next worked with Mitel Corporation, holding a number of senior executive positions, including Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Research and Design Resources. For ten years, spanning his BNR and Mitel employment, he was a sessional lecture in postgraduate-level courses in semiconductor electronics in the faculties of engineering of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. He also served for six years on the University of Waterloo co-op industrial advisory board - and for several years on the NSERC grants panel on information technology. He has authored more than 30 technical papers and presentations, and has served on numerous international conference committees. Beginning in 1983, he served a nine-month term as founding president of OCRI. In 1984 he conceived Cadence Computer Corporation (now webplan Corp.), serving as its president until 1991 and thereafter on its Board of Directors for another four years. In 1991 he was appointed president of the Information Technology Research Centre, an Ontario Centre of Excellence based in Toronto, where, he managed development of the centre's second five-year business plan, resulting in a further $35 Million of provincial funding in 1992. In 1992 he rejoined OCRI and serving as "entrepreneur in residence". At OCRI, one of his initiatives was the monthly Technology Executive Breakfast. Within three years the TEB grew to be one of Canada's largest technology industry experience-sharing events. Early in 1996 he left OCRI to form Caughey & Company, which provides executive guidance and business advice to a select group of emerging companies in the Ottawa technology sector.  Concurrently, he launched and continues to coordinate the Technology Venture Dinner (TVD), an invitational networking event for technology CEOs and their peers in the financial sector. In mid-1998 he joined West End Systems Corporation, Arprior ON, as Vice President of Research and Development, in order to assist in refocussing and restructuring their product development team. Currently he is a director of Triacta Power Technologies, Inc.  He also serves on the Editorial Board of the Ottawa Business Journal.  Recently, he completed a two-year appointment as a member of The Ottawa Partnership -TOP.  Earlier he served two years on the Board of the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation.  He has also served on the boards of Espial Corp. and LINMOR Technologies.  In 2000, the Ottawa Citizen named him one of the "top 25 players" in the Ottawa technology community. Dr. Caughey received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Ph.D. and D.I.C. in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, University of London, England.  In 1993 he delivered the Dineen Memorial Lectures at UNB.
 

Carl Kropp’s Biography
Carl has an academic background in electrical engineering and mathematics as well as 42 years of experience in the electrical utility industry.  Before retirement, he served for 16 years as General Manager and Chief Engineer of Ottawa Hydro. While in industry, he undertook a major role in both the Canadian Electricity Association and the Municipal Electric Association (Ontario) Research and Development Programs. He also served as Chair/President of both organizations and received their Distinguished Service Awards. His primary interest is in electric power distribution and utilization but he has also worked in transmission and generation.  Currently he is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electronics at Carleton University. Carl is member of  IEEE Power Engineering Society-PES Ottawa.

Real Time Applications in Power Systems by Dr.Virgilio Centeno, Professor, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA  

Abstract
“Real time” application in power systems generate exciting possibilities to invent new configurations and organizations of power, communication and computer networks in such a way that they would be more robust in the face of catastrophes, could be controlled and protected for optimum security, economy, and performance. But before such possibilities are considered we must recognize and address our limited knowledge of the limitations and interdependencies of the communication, power, and computer infrastructures that would make “real time” applications a feasible option for modern power systems.

Dr.Virgilio Centeno's Biography
Dr. Centeno is a member of the faculty at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. He has 19 years of experience on the development, implementation, testing and applications of phasor measurement units, PMUs. He has been consultant for Macrodyne, Inc., ABB, Inc. TVA, CEF, and KEMA T&D Consulting, on wide area measurement devices and applications. He is an active member of the Performance and Requirements Task Team for the Eastern Interconnection Phasor Project, EIPP. He is also a member of the IEEE, ASEE, and SHPE.

Communications in Power Networks and International Standards by George Schimmel, Tamarack Consulting, Inc., USA; Karlheinz Schwarz, NettedAutomation, Germany; and Christoph Brunner, ABB, Switzerland

Abstract
Development of communication technologies in the past two decades has had a profound impact on electric power systems. The communication technologies have greatly advanced since the eighties. Many (perhaps too many) special-purpose networks have been installed since then.  Today, users are faced with an abundance of solutions, most of which are proprietary. That represents a problem from the standpoint of long-term use and maintenance. The costs of information integration and management are very high. Device and application interoperability is a key factor for the success of future stable electric power systems – at all levels: generation, transmission, distribution, control center, and planning. Various organizations like IEC, IEEE, and user organizations have defined standards to promote uniformity. An overview of two most important international standards will be presented:
    IEC 60870-6 TASE.2 Inter control-center communication protocol,
    IEC 61850 Basic communications structure for substation and feeder equipment
These standards represent some new trends in utility communications that will be described.

George Schimmel's Biography
George Schimmel has been active in utility communications since 1991. Throughout that time George has participated in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and was the editor of IEC 61870-6 (TASE.2) for communications between control centers. George was also convener of IEC Technical Committee 57 Working Group 11, which was one of the working groups which together developed IEC 61850 for substation communications. George is president of Tamarack, which supplies portable IEC 61850 software for substation devices.

Advanced Broadband Communications Technologies by Zlatko Krstulich, Chief Technology Officer, Alcatel Canada

Abstract
Canada's Broadband ecosystem is rapidly moving towards ubiquitous coverage, triple play service bundle offerings, and deployment of raw facility speeds approaching 100mb/s per home. Different solutions and approaches will be required when considering rural/remote vs. urban markets. Within this dynamic and competitive environment, are there opportunities for Utilities to participate in the value chain?.
Convergence of carrier core networks to MPLS based VPNs  holds promise for utilities in revamping the operation of their own extensive WAN infrastructures. Explore the key technology enablers which that map most directly to the operational concerns of power generation and distribution utilities.

Zlatko Krstulich's Biography
As chief technology officer for Alcatel Canada, Zlatko Krstulich takes a lead role in adapting Alcatels’ corporate strategy to the Canadian market context, and is also responsible for government and regulatory affairs for Alcatel Canada. In his 15 years of experience within Alcatel(& Newbridge), Mr. Krstulich’s career has spanned from leading product management teams, to combined product management/engineering teams targeted at opening and developing new markets. In 2001 he was named Director of Alcatel’s Ottawa research & innovation centre, one of six global sites engaged in long-term research for Alcatel at a corporate level. As Assistant vice President of the Leased Line datacoms business, he was responsible for product development and product management teams related to access, transmission, and data switching product lines. Mr. Krstulich holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and serves on the board of the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications

Building Automation For Today's Electricity Market by Rob Rousseau, P. Eng., Energy Manager, Energy Ottawa

Abstract
The high costs of constructing new electricity generation facilities has the IESO and regulatory agencies in other electricity markets looking at the cost-effectiveness of “Negawatts” – a twist on the electricity market where participants bid in the amount of load they can shed or displace – to compete in the market alongside generators bidding in Megawatts. Energy Ottawa currently has three pilot sites participating in a pilot capacity market program called TDRP (Transitional Demand Response Program) that shed load based on the HOEP.  Energy Ottawa has developed an innovative high-tech solution for linking building operation directly to the competitive electricity market using a number of communications technologies.  This solution allows a building to automatically shut down or scale back mechanical and electrical systems based on the hourly price for electricity.  This system not only benefits the Province’s electrical grid by providing a cheap alternative to new generation but provides a unique utility cost management opportunity to the building owner that is willing to participate in the electricity market.

Rob Rousseau's Biography
Rob Rousseau is a professional engineer and certified energy manager at Energy Ottawa with over 10 years experience in energy engineering and management.  Rob has extensive field experience in conducting energy audits, identifying and implementing cost-effective energy reduction opportunities in all building sectors for a variety of building systems including HVAC, lighting, and building automation.  Rob is also deeply involved in Energy Ottawa’s development of new renewable power generation facilities and participation in a pilot demand response program currently being offered by the IESO.

Wide Area Protection in Power Systems by Prof. Dr. Miroslav Begovic, Georgia Institute of Technology; IEEE Fellow

Abstract
System-wide disturbances in power systems are a challenging problem for the utility industry because of the large scale and the complexity of the power system. When a major power system disturbance occurs, protection and control actions are required to stop the power system degradation, restore the system to a normal state, and minimize the impact of the disturbance. The present control actions are not necessarily designed for a fast-developing disturbance and thus may prove ineffective. Ever increasing availability and implementation of sophisticated computer, communication, control and measurement technologies in power systems are bringing new quality to operations and maintenance (O&M), and are also improving the overall system emergency response. Wide area protection is a concept of using system-wide information together with distributed local intelligence and communicating selected information among separate locations to counteract propagation of the major disturbances in the power system. A great potential exists for advanced wide area protection and control systems, based on powerful, flexible and reliable system protection terminals, high speed communication, and GPS synchronization in conjunction with careful and skilled engineering by power system analysts and protection engineers in co-operation.

Miroslav Begovic’s Biography
Dr. Begovic (S‘87, M’89, SM’92, F’04) is a faculty member at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. His research interests are in the general area of computer applications in power system monitoring, protection and control, as well as design and analysis of renewable energy sources. Dr. Begovic was a Chair of the Working Group “Wide Area Protection and Emergency Control” and Vice-Chair of the Working Group “Voltage Collapse Mitigation” of the IEEE PES Power System Relaying Committee. He authored a section "System Protection" for the monograph "The Electric Power Engineering Handbook", CRC Press LLC, 2000. Dr. Begovic was a contributing member of the IEEE PES PSRC Working Group “Protective Aids to Voltage Stability”, which received the IEEE Working Group Recognition Award in 1997. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Emerging Technologies Coordinating Committee of the IEEE PES. Dr. Begovic is a Fellow of IEEE and member of Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Phi Kappa Phi.

Smart Metering Technologies by Robb Flegg, Director of Project Management, Triacta Power Technologies

Abstract
Meters represent another area where traditional electro-mechanical equipment is being replaced by software-based devices equipped with a range of new facilities such as interval recording, individual circuit analysis and energy-usage displays. This technology creates significantly more data than their earlier electro-mechanical counterparts, which raises new challenges for data transfer, data display, billing and data security.

Robb Flegg’s Biography
Robb Flegg is Director of Product Management and Applications at Triacta Power Technologies.  Triacta is an Ontario company that develops networked smart meters, demand side management and demand response technologies for businesses and utility companies. Robb has spent the past 20 years of his career developing technology to make customer communication networks work.  Prior to joining Triacta, Robb was Principal Engineer at Marconi Communications, where he led the design and implementation of Sprint’s NorthEast US telecommunications backbone – one of the most reliable communications networks in the world.  He also has extensive experience in the semiconductor, optical fibre and wireless industries.  Robb is an engineering graduate from the University of Saskatchewan.

Smart Energy Management for Consumers by Bill Smith, Vice-President, Siemens Canada

Abstract
In the past, consumers were generally regarded as passive elements of the power system. Advances in real-time monitoring, intelligent controls and improvement in storage and conversion is enabling consumers to be much more active in controlling their consumption, including the potential for selling of surplus self-generation back to the power system.

Bill Smith’s Biography
As Vice President, Power Generation, Mr. William Smith is responsible for all sales of new equipment and service sales in Canada.
The Power Generation portfolio encompasses all aspects of the Power Generation field including wind, aero derivative service, controls, equipment service and large and small new unit offerings. In addition, through Siemens partnership with the Turbocare Company, Siemens service capabilities have been enhanced to address older competitor equipment. Prior to joining Siemens, Mr. Smith worked for twenty-one years at Ontario Hydro and Ontario Power Generation, initially as a Project Engineer at the Bruce and Darlington nuclear plants, and was promoted to the role of Vice President-Supply Chain. Mr. Smith is a Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering degree (with distinction) from Carleton University and an MBA from York University. Since 1874, no other company in Canada has provided a wider range of solutions, products and services in health care, information & communications, energy & power, industry & automation, transportation and lighting, than Siemens. For more than 130 years, Siemens has had an extensive involvement in the building of Canada's infrastructure and leading Canada's industrial development. In Canada, Siemens is a multibillion dollar company headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with more than 6,600 employees located in 73 offices and 9 manufacturing facilities. Mr. William Smith is a member of Professional Engineers of Ontario.

 Tutorial

Welcome Statement by Morris Uremovich, P.Eng., M.B.A., Executive Dean, Faculty of Technology and Trade, Algonquin College

Morris Uremovich's Biography
Morris Uremovich is the Executive Dean, Faculty of Technology and Trades at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, appointed in July 2001.He has been a member of the Ontario College system for over 24 years acting in the capacities of Professor, Chair and Dean and has served as Lecturer to the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University in the area of Industrial Engineering. Morris holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Lakehead University, a Master of Business Administration degree and an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management from Athabasca University.  He is a professional engineer with standing in the Province of Ontario. Prior to entering academia, Morris was engaged in business and industry in engineering and project management with the railway, pulp and paper, and construction sectors. He is actively involved in national, provincial and local committees and organizations focused on meeting the combined needs of the academic and business and industry sectors.

Official Opening by Steve Finnagan, M.B.A., Academic Chair of Electronics and Electro-Mechanical Studies Department, Faculty of Trade and Technology, Algonquin College

Steve Finnagan's Biography
Since 1991 to present, Steve Finnagan is the Academic Chair of the Electronics and Electro-Mechanical Studies Department at Algonquin College. Steve also served as the Contract Manager of the Electro-Mechanical Studies Department from 1990 to 1991. He is a member of the Canadian Electrical Code technical subcommittee, Canadian Standards Association, for Section 56, Fiber Optics and Section 60, Electrical Communications Systems. He is a Committee member of the Board of Directors Ottawa Photonics Cluster. Steve was also in the Past Board of Directors, Ontario Electrical League as well in the Past Board of Directors, Canadian Fire Alarm Association. Steve is leading the Algonquin College International projects in Philippines, Thailand, South Africa, and India (campus opened 2003). In 1996, Steve served as the Chairman of Provincial Network Cabling Specialist Curriculum Advisory Committee. In 1995, he developed the first provincial curriculum for Network Cabling Specialist program. From 1994 to1995, Steve served as the Chairman of Provincial Electrical Curriculum Advisory Committee, and he was a member of the Provincial Electrical Curriculum Advisory Committee from 1990 to 1997. He developed and coordinated Electrical Engineering Technician Program in 1993. From 1990 to 1997, Steve was the Coordinator of Construction and Maintenance Electrician Program, from 1988 to 2000 a Professor of Electricity, Construction and Maintenance Program at Algonquin College. He was an Electrical Contractor from 1985 to 1988.
Steve obtained his Executive Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Queen’s University, Ontario in 2005. He has Extensive Industry training in Fiber Optics and CAT 5 installation and certification 1992, 1995. He obtained his Industrial Electrician in 1989, Master Electrician in 1988, Interprovincial Construction and Maintenance Electrician in 1983, Government Theory Award Recipient-Construction and Maintenance Electrician in 1983, and Mechanical Systems Technician in 1982.

Tutorial: Application of information and communications  Technology (ICT) Ontario's Electricity System by Nicholas Ingman, Team Lead, Customer Information Management Technology & Infrastructure, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

Abstract
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) manages the province's power system so that Ontarians receive power when and where they need it. Ontario's IESO balances demand for electricity against available supply through the wholesale market and directs the flow of electricity across the transmission system. This tutorial will provide an overview of Ontario’s power system and electricity markets and the key role of the IESO’s Information Technology and Infrastructure Division.  Nicholas will discuss areas such as real and non-teal time systems, information publishing systems, application architecture and the technolgies used to support these systems.  He will also discuss upcoming initiatives in the IESO’s IT environment, such as central alarm management system, web portal and active messaging. IESO systems and technologies operate at the highest operational standards and practices.  This tutorial is sure to be informative.

Nicholas Ingman's Biograph
Nicholas Ingman is a Team Lead in the Customer Information Management section of the Information Technology & Infrastructure Division at the Independent Electricity System Operator. Nicholas has worked in various aspects of the electricity industry and in various roles during his 14 years in Canada. Prior to working with the IESO, Nicholas worked in the Hydro Electric Stations Department at Ontario Hydro and later joined Stone & Webster Canada Limited where he worked on numerous new and refurbishment generation station engineering projects in a number of project engineering and project management roles.
Born in Leigh, Lancashire, United Kingdom, Nicholas is a Civil Engineering graduate from Sheffield City Polytechnic in the UK.

Introduction to Use of RETScreen by Gregory J. Leng, Head, RETScreen International, Natural Resources Canada

Abstract
Learn how to use RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software, a free international innovative and unique energy awareness, decision support and capacity building tool supported by NRCan, NASA, UNEP, CIDA and many others. The core of the tool consists of a standardized and integrated project analysis software which can be used world-wide to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emission reductions for various types of proposed energy efficient and renewable energy technologies compared to conventional energy projects. In addition to the software, the tool includes product, cost and international weather databases; an online manual; a case study based college/university-level training course and electronic textbook; and an Internet-based Marketplace.

Gregory Leng's Biography
Greg Leng is Head of the RETScreen International Clean Energy Decision Support Centre located at the CANMET Energy Technology Centre in Varennes, Quebec, Canada. Greg is the principal author and co-creator of the RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software tool. He specializes in the clean energy market, technology and finance interface.
To-date, stakeholders have saved an estimated $600 million worldwide through the use of the RETScreen software, databases and related training material. More than 65,000 people in 207 countries now use RETScreen, and the number of people benefiting from this decision-support and capacity-building tool is growing at more than 300 new users every week.
He has been working in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields for the past 18 years. Prior to joining CETC-Varennes, Greg was based in Hyderabad, India as the India Country Manager for the International Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Prior to that, he was Vice President Marketing of a USA based manufacturer of solariums and Director of a leading library software company. While at University, Greg worked for the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Photovoltaic Program and McGill University’s Brace Research Institute.
Greg obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Energy Engineering (Solar Energy Engineering Option) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Marketing and International Business Option) from McGill University.

HR Outlook and Activity in the Electrical Industry: Results of the CEA Study and Suggested Action Items by Catherine Cottingham, Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)

Abstract
Any lapse in the reliable supply of electricity has devastating consequences for the entire Canadian economy. Considering the central role played by the electricity sector in the Canadian economy — supplying Canadians with electricity and fuelling other industries — risks posed due to projected retirement in the industry need to be addressed on an industry-wide basis. Ensuring an adequate skilled workforce is imperative. The CEA, in partnership with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), commissioned a comprehensive human resources study in 2004 to provide a thorough overview of human resources challenges and opportunities for the Canadian electricity sector. The findings will assist in the development of a forward-looking human resource strategy. The resulting report “Keeping the Future Bright” was published in 2005.

Catherine Cottingham’s Biography
Catherine Cottingham is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) with the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.  In her current role as a Human Resources Project Manager for the Canadian Electricity Association, she has provided oversight to a national project, sponsored by the Government of Canada, to survey the human resources within the electricity sector in Canada and to engage stakeholders from industry, government, education and labour in the development of a collective human resource strategy for the industry.  She currently supports a national committee, comprised of the senior HR leaders in Canada’s electricity utilities, which works to develop national human resources strategies for the electricity industry and is leading an initiative to create the Electricity Sector Council, a corporation devoted to workforce planning for the electricity sector in Canada. In her previous role as a global workforce planning prime for Nortel Networks she provided reporting and analysis of the workforce plan for sectors with over 5000 employees worldwide and over $1 billion dollars in revenue generation.  As a recruiting project manager she developed an innovative recruitment-branding program, managing recruitment strategies to meet workforce-planning needs.  Her team aggressively staffed in a competitive talent environment, hiring 600 in 6 months, meeting target on schedule.  Her recruitment marketing strategies included development of marketing vision and brand for the units in her responsibility, together with event strategies, surgical recruiting, agency and university program development. At Dalhousie University, Catherine taught career development to science students in the cooperative education program and, initiated an innovative industry/university partnership to provide employment for students in financial need.  She was responsible for the student employment centre which posted over 2000 positions yearly and served clients worldwide.  Catherine’s perspectives on human resource management have been featured in HR Today magazine, the Canadian HR Reporter and CBC Newsworld.

Lunch Discussion:  Power and High Technology Market Outlook by Eric R. Dormer, Ottawa Talent Initiative

Eric R. Dormer's Biography
Eric is a twenty year veteran of the High Tech Sales and Business Development Trenches.  He has worked in DND, Radio Broadcasting, telecommunications, systems integration and professional services organizations, including running his own business.
Based on his years of experience with teams of people, Eric is working with the Ottawa Talent Initiative (OTI) to help under employed and unemployed high tech workers get back to work.  Eric also works with company managers, showing them how to get more productivity from their teams.

 Note: Any revision to the above abstracts will be promptly displayed.