2024 BRC-Canada Buyers' Bootcamp

This two-day in-depth, interactive learning experience for energy buyers will cover the fundamentals of the utility-scale, off-site transaction process. The limited number of attendees provides an opportunity to learn from fellow buyers and industry experts about the nuances of each stage, in order to accelerate the process and avoid common pitfalls.

This bootcamp will take place June 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Please note that the Eventbrite registration will quote a $500 cost per ticket if you are not a BRC-Canada participant. If you are a BRC-Canada community participant, please email BRC-Canada analyst Margret Nellissery to receive the promo code and complete your complimentary registration. She can be reached at margretn@pembina.org.

BOOTCAMP FACULTY

Mark Porter

Vice President of Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association

Mark Porter is the Clean Energy Buyers Association Vice-President of Programs. He supports all CEBA programs that are working to accelerate corporate transactions of renewable energy, for companies’ own load and in supply chains worldwide. In 2007, Mark began working for Ernst & Young’s transaction-focused renewable energy group where supported projects across the technology spectrum in Europe, Canada and North America. He joined Rocky Mountain Institute’s Business Renewables Center program in 2016, working to accelerate offsite non-utility procured renewable energy transactions. Mark has developed a growing number of resources and delivered numerous programs to help buyers and sellers and accelerate the renewables market. 

Benjamin Thibault

Senior Strategy Advisor, Prairie Sky Strategy

Benjamin Thibault is a policy and regulatory expert with over a decade of strategy, advocacy and implementation experience related to climate, electricity, and renewable energy policy. He served as the senior policy advisor on electricity and climate change to the former premier of Alberta and her cabinet, managing the 2016-2019 implementation of the Climate Leadership Plan. He currently acts as a consultant and advisor on a variety of renewable energy and cleantech policy and market intelligence initiatives. 

Jorden Dye

Director, BRC-Canada

Jorden is a strategic manager focused on accelerating the energy transition. Before joining BRC-Canada, Jorden worked at Mount Royal University's Institute for Environmental Sustainability. His work focused on industrial environmental disclosure, industry response to the energy transition, and scaling a Parks Canada initiative.

BOOTCAMP AGENDA

Day 1: June 4, 2024

Introduction and check-in 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.    

Jorden Dye, Director, BRC-Canada 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association   

Fundamentals: Electricity Systems, Regulatory Environments and Canadian Market Basics   9:30 – 10:30 a.m.     

Never get confused by the difference between wholesale and retail markets again! This session is the 101 every buyer needs to master the basics – from markets to merit order.  

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 
Benjamin Thibault, Senior Strategy Advisor, Prairie Sky Strategy  

BREAK  10:30 – 11:00 a.m.       

Renewable Energy Procurement Options  11:00 – 12:00 p.m.       

From rooftop solar to vPPA’s, there are plenty of options when it comes to renewable energy. But what are the trade-offs? Which option meets your unique needs? This session breaks it all down to help you make the best match.  

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 
Benjamin Thibault, Senior Strategy Advisor, Prairie Sky Strategy

LUNCH BREAK 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.        

Scenario Discussion – Round 1  1:00 – 1:30 p.m.        

Diving into the details of PPA deals, our scenario discussions will help you prioritize the aspects of a deal that matter most to your organization.  

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 
Benjamin Thibault, Senior Strategy Advisor, Prairie Sky Strategy

Renewable Energy Project Finance 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.          

Let’s talk bankability! Renewable energy projects have unique financial considerations. But don’t worry, we have the experts on hand to answer all your questions. 

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

Off-Site PPA Risk Overview 2:15 – 2:40 p.m.       

Let’s talk about risk! From price to credit risk, we have you covered. This session focuses on walking you though the key aspects and risks involved in PPAs. 

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

BREAK  2:40 – 3:00 p.m.        

Off-Site PPA Risks – Continued  3:00 – 3:45 p.m.        

Let’s talk about risk! From price to credit risk, we have you covered. This session continues walking you though the key aspects and risks involved in PPAs. 

Faculty:
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

Scenario Discussion – Round 2  3:45 – 4:15 p.m.        

Building on scenario one, we start to add more complexity to the discussion and participants are pushed to engage with the variables that drive PPAs. 

All faculty, including expert buyers 

Wrap-up Day 1 4:15 – 4:30 p.m.        
 

* * *

DAY 2: June 5, 2024

Welcome and Recap from Day 1 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.    

Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association   

Moving from Goal to Contract 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.     

Gain real-world insights into the PPA process, from setting your goals to securing a contract. 

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

Story of a Renewable Energy Project 10:15 – 10:40 a.m.       

Let's follow along from start to finish as a renewable energy project is taken from conception to execution. 

Faculty: 
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

BREAK 10:40 – 11:00 a.m.       

International Financial Reporting Standards Accounting Considerations 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.        

Building on the finance discussions from day one, we dig into the weeds to help you understand the accounting implications of renewable energy projects. 

Faculty discussion

LUNCH BREAK 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.      

Working with Counsel 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.          

When the lawyers enter the conversation! Don’t worry they are here to bring you the inside perspective on the legal considerations during a PPA.  

Faculty discussion

Thinking through Policy 1:45 – 2:15 p.m.        

Using the scenarios developed on day one, we will pair up to engage in mock negotiations and practice walking through the most contentious parts of a PPA. 

Faculty: 
Benjamin Thibault, Senior Strategy Advisor, Prairie Sky Strategy

Scenario Discussion – Round 3 2:15 – 2:30 p.m.         

Building on scenario two, we add the legal and financial aspects to the discussion and participants are pushed to engage with the complexities of PPAs. 

All Faculty 

BREAK 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.         

Post-Close and Post-Commercial Operation Date (COD) Best Practices 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.        

Defining renewable energy credits, managing accounting responsibilities and pitching to CFOs. This session wraps up the best practices needed to bring home a PPA. 

Faculty:
Mark Porter, VP, Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association 

Takeaways: Close out and exist survey 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.