In this installment of our Global Energy Transition Summit series, the panel will look at the role of AI in enabling a greater number of electric vehicles (EV) in the electricity grid.

The Problem: The surge in the adoption of EVs marks a pivotal shift in the global automotive industry. The incredible growth trajectory of EVs has greatly outpaced initial forecasts. This momentum is largely attributed to the availability of affordably priced long-range EV models, an awareness of their environmental advantages, and proactive governmental policies. Larger numbers of electric vehicles entering the market every year have caused great concern among electric power grid operators. Many operators are worried that the grid will be unable to handle all of the additional power needed for EV charging.

The Solution: Our panel of grid operators, AI experts, and EV market leaders will share our insights into projects that will be launched to enable this transition to wider EV adoption, including the BluWave-ai EV Everywhere software system. This panel will explore the benefits for EV users, utilities, and system operators.

Global Energy Transition Summit:Grid Innovations at the Crossroads of AI and EV (All Women Panel)

Agenda:

• 10:30 AM - Registration and Networking
• 10:50 AM - Welcome Remarks from Sonya Shorey, Interim President and CEO, Invest Ottawa
• 11:00 AM - Panel Discussion featuring:
  • Devashish Paul (Moderator): CEO and Co-Founder, BluWave-ai
  • Laurie Heuff: Director of Distribution Engineering and Asset Management, Hydro Ottawa
  • Jen Hiscock: Director of Electricity, Transportation, and Buildings Innovation, Natural Resources Canada
  • Maral Kassabian: Senior Manager of Partnerships, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
  • Susanna Zagar: CEO, Ontario Energy Board
• 11:45 AM - Audience Q+A
• 12:00 PM - Closing Remarks

• Laurie Heuff: is a seasoned professional in the field of energy distribution, currently serving as the Director of Distribution Engineering and Asset Management at Hydro Ottawa. With a career spanning over several decades, Laurie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for driving innovation in the energy sector.

• Jen Hiscock: is Director of Electricity, Transportation & Buildings Innovation for Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy R&D. She manages R&D and Demonstration Programs, funding innovation projects across Canada, and champions the Innovation & Electricity Regulation Initiative in Canada

• Maral Kassabian: is a Senior Manager at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) – Ontario’s electricity market and system operator. She currently manages multi-million dollar innovation funding programs which evaluate innovative technologies and business models that support electricity sector evolution in Ontario and inform regulatory and policy advancement. This includes pilot projects that demonstrate how distributed energy resources (DER), demand-side management solutions and electric vehicles can support the distribution network and the provincial electricity system. Maral is known for developing and cultivating strategic partnerships across the electricity sector and beyond which support the IESO in preparing for the electricity system of tomorrow. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and holds an MSc. in Mechanical Engineering.

• Susanna Zagar: Susanna Zagar is a new class of energy regulator, with a clear vision for delivering public value through a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework and commitment to adjudicative excellence that advances Ontario’s economic, social and environmental objectives. She believes that an independent economic regulator must protect residential and commercial consumers from risk, not from progress, and she actively champions the position that the regulator can and must be part of Ontario’s clean energy advantage. As Chief Executive Officer since 2020, Ms. Zagar has earned a reputation as a forward thinker, a problem solver and a key player in the success of Ontario’s energy transition. She has brought clarity of purpose to an organization that exists to protect the interests of millions of electricity and natural gas consumers in one of the largest and most complex energy sectors in North America, and her tenure has been marked by true collaboration, ruthless transparency and steadfast independence. Beyond her role in Ontario’s energy sector, Susanna has stepped up to provide leadership at the national level by joining the Executive Committee of the Canadian association of utility regulators (CAMPUT) and working internationally to advance regulatory excellence, most recently at the World Forum on Energy Regulation in Peru and at the United Nations’ Climate Conference, COP28, in Dubai. Named as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network, Susanna is an accomplished executive and engaged citizen whose volunteer commitments include leadership roles with the United Way of Great Toronto, Peel and York, the national Prosperity Project and the International Women’s Forum. She was recently honoured to receive an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of more than 30 years of service across a variety of sectors.

Panelists