As Canada advances toward a more sustainable energy future, the Energy Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) is playing a pivotal role in bridging academia, industry, and government. CIC sat down with members of the division to learn more about its purpose, achievements, and aspirations for the future.
Chemical Institute of Canada: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. To begin, we would like to know when the Energy Division was established.
The division started up again in March 2019, and we presented ourselves at the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers conference (CSChE 2019) in Halifax. Prior to this, the division was officially established in 2017.
CIC: What is the division’s main purpose?
Energy Division: To raise all energy-related issues in a professional atmosphere with members of academia and industry.
To meet this, we have a set of missions including but not limited to monthly Energy webinars, guidelines for professional development, and publishing peer-reviewed journals, among other activities.
CIC: What type of professionals make up the Division’s membership?
Energy Division: There are various members from academia, especially students and young talent who are very motivated by sustainable development and alternative, greener sources of energy. Industry and government members also participate in the division.
CIC: How often are seminars hosted by the division? Who are they intended for?
Energy Division: The webinar series spanned one year, with seminars held biweekly. This initiative took place two years ago.
We are considering relaunching the webinar series with a reduced frequency. The aim is to resume in Fall 2025, with one webinar scheduled every one to two months.
CIC: If you were to propose a topic for the next energy webinar, what would it be and why?
Energy Division: We would like to propose the following topics, each of which reflects impactful areas within the evolving energy landscape:
- Energy and Artificial Intelligence – Exploring how AI and machine learning are transforming energy forecasting, grid optimization, and energy efficiency in both conventional and renewable systems.
- Solar and Wind Energy Innovations – Highlighting recent technological advancements and integration strategies that are accelerating the deployment of these key renewable sources.
- Hydrogen Fuels – Examining the role of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, including its production, storage, and application in heavy industry and transportation.
- Bioenergy – Discussing the potential and challenges of converting biomass into heat, electricity, or fuel, and its role in decarbonizing sectors like agriculture and waste management.
- Smart Grids – Investigating the development of intelligent electricity systems that enhance reliability, enable demand response, and support distributed energy resources.
These topics are relevant to current global energy transitions and align well with interdisciplinary interests, making them valuable for a broad academic and professional audience.
These topics would build on the foundation established by previous seminars, which have included discussions on:
- Carbon zero emissions and pathways to decarbonization
- New guidelines and regulations issued by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and other engineering boards
- Municipal energy upgrade initiatives, such as projects in water and wastewater systems led by local governments
Together, these areas reflect both continuity and innovation in energy discourse and would engage a wide range of professionals, academics, and policy stakeholders.
CIC: How can individuals get involved within the division?
Energy Division: Join from our website: https://www.cheminst.ca/energy-division/ and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cic-energy-division/about/.
CIC: What are the plans for the division in the upcoming future?
Energy Division: We have a wide variety of items in the works. Those include the following:
- Relaunch the Webinar Series – Resume the Energy-Virtual seminar series with a revised schedule, offering high-impact presentations on emerging topics at a reduced frequency.
- Explore the Possibility of a Job Fair – Assess the feasibility of organizing a virtual or in-person job fair to connect students and young professionals with industry representatives in the energy sector.
- Active Presence at Conferences – Maintain a strong presence at relevant conferences by organizing a poster award session to recognize outstanding student research contributions.
- Enhance Student Engagement Nationwide – Develop initiatives to increase student involvement and outreach across all provinces in Canada, expanding beyond the current concentration in Ontario and Quebec to achieve broader geographic representation.
With year-round activities like webinars, student engagement initiatives, and conference programming, the CIC Energy Division offers valuable opportunities for professionals and students alike to connect and contribute to Canada’s energy future. Visit cheminst.ca/energy-division and follow them on LinkedIn to learn more and stay up to date on upcoming events and initiatives.
For any outstanding questions concerning the division, please send an email to farbod.farzi@usherbrooke.ca.