Future Pathways: A Look at Four Scenarios

July 29, 2019

The electrification topic is vast and covers a wide range of possibilities. Industry partners came together at the Electri-fyi Summit for an exploratory discussion about four distinctly different paths for the future of electrification in Canada, developed by the Canadian Electricity Association’s National Emerging Issues Committee. The scenarios are not predictions; rather, they are situations that are designed to explore a wide range of potential outcomes and opportunities — and may be used as a framework for members to evaluate their strategic priorities in light of future electricity requirements.

Electrification scenarios

1. Off the grid: consumers self-generate energy in a safe, reliable, costeffective manner with distributed energy technologies.

2. Closer to home: distributed energy technologies are advancing and transforming consumers’ electricity systems, which are part of a value proposition offered by new market entrants and utilities.

3. Green electricity system with largescale renewables: a low-cost, green electricity system emerges based on large-scale renewables and storage, along with innovations in advanced information technology.

4. Power to the nation: the federal government introduces a Canadian energy strategy that emphasizes electrification and the creation of an integrated national electricity grid.
The group discussions of these scenarios led to compelling insights on the key considerations, obstacles and enablers of electrification in Canada.

You are encouraged to review the scenarios and map out how your organization might be impacted and seek opportunities from the plausible scenarios. The mapping of Canada’s electricity system is taking shape — we have an opportunity to reimagine our energy infrastructure and to pave a path for our industry to be a more significant player in this space.

Download the report here.