Thursday 27 September 2012
Ottawa, CANADA
This IEA-RETD renewable energy workshop provided an overview of how different countries aim to capitalize on renewable energy. In the morning session, different policy cases were presented, illustrating the different approaches to meet policy objectives, including securing energy supply, industrial and economic development, climate change mitigation, et cetera.
The afternoon session concentrated on the employment and economic benefits of renewable energy technology deployment. The results of the EMPLOY project were formally launched at this workshop. Commissioned by IEA-RETD, the EMPLOY project has reviewed the methodological aspects of quantifying employment effects, has proposed methodological guidelines, and has presented some country case studies, including one on Canada. Will the – sometimes fierce – debate on net employment impacts of renewable energy deployment finally be settled?
Overview of the day
Opening
Hans Jørgen Koch, IEA-RETD chair, Denmark
Introduction to the morning session Preparing for a renewable future
David de Jager, Ecofys, Netherlands
Renewable energy deployment in the context of an heated energy debate – status and prospects
Preparing for a renewable future – country cases:
- Marine Renewable Energy: Global and Canadian Overview
Michael Paunescu, National Resources Canada - Energy policy status in the USA and its States
Lucy Abbott, Counselor for Energy and Environment, US Embassy Ottawa - Recent developments inJapan’s energy policies
Akihiro Iwata, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan - Offshore wind energy policies in France
Georgina Grenon, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy, France
Introduction to afternoon session Employment and economic benefits
Zitouni Ould-Dada, DECC, UK
Quantifying employment and economic impacts – Results of the EMPLOY project
Barbara Breitschopf, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)
Renewing Futures in Canada
Diane Obam Dallaire, Electricity Sector Council Canada and Bill Empey, Prism Economics, Canada
Case studies for Europe and Germany
Barbara Breitschopf, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)
Panel discussion
Moderated by Zitouni Ould-Dada, DECC, UK
Conclusions and wrap up
David de Jager, Operating Agent IEA-RETD