A dynamic forum where experts, practitioners, and innovators explore energy modelling tools, policy insights, and real-world applications.
Now in its 5th Edition, the EMH Annual Forum 2026 is where Canada's energy modelling, policy, economic, and industry communities come together to address how analytical insights translate into real-world choices and infrastructure. This year's theme, Where Models Meet Reality, reflects the central challenge of moving ambitious visions for electrification, decarbonisation, and grid expansion from paper to implementation, and of knowing where current models give clear guidance and where critical analytical and practical gaps remain.
Over two days, attendees will examine seven core thematic areas:
- Evaluating Transition Strategies: Assessing federal and provincial electricity strategies to determine if proposed build-outs are deliverable, least-cost, and aligned with long-term energy security.
- Identifying Model Blind Spots: Surfacing systemic gaps in how models capture market dynamics, consumer behaviour, and unexpected demand shocks.
- Interprovincial Transmission: Examining the political economy, governance, and cost-allocation mechanisms needed to turn "optimal" interties into built infrastructure.
- Industrial Capacity & Supply Chains: Exploring plant-floor realities, heavy industry decarbonisation, and value chain constraints across critical sectors.
- Grid Reliability & Demand-Side Management: Balancing affordability and reliability while accounting for rapid load growth from data centres and AI.
- AI in Energy Modelling: Evaluating how artificial intelligence can streamline data processing and model workflows without compromising transparency or trust.
- Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Developing robust, adaptive frameworks for long-term policy decisions when different models yield diverging results.
Participants can expect structured panel discussions, keynote addresses, poster pitch competitions, and dedicated exhibition spaces. Designed to foster candid dialogue rather than standard presentations, the forum pairs modellers and social scientists directly with policymakers, regulators, and industry operators to confront the practical realities of Canada’s energy transition.
Registration Note: : This is the first year the EMH Annual Forum 2026 has included a modest registration fee. Given the Forum's funding structure, the fee covers food and catering for the event. If cost is a barrier to your attendance, please contact vanessa.smikle@cme-emh.ca to discuss options.
Preferred Rate at the Delta Hotel
We have negotiated a preferred rate for Forum attendees at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre. Book through this link by 19 November 2026 to secure the rate.
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 day 6 hours
- In person
- Paid parking
- Doors at 8:15 AM
Refund Policy
Location
Richcraft Hall
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
How do you want to get there?
Agenda
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Arrival & Registration
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Opening Remarks + Keynote - The Stakes
An outward-looking opening that frames energy as a question of competitiveness, security, and economic sovereignty, and sets the scale of the challenge the next two days respond to.
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What models tell us about the transition vision
Governments across Canada are putting forward competing visions for the electricity transition, from the federal Powering Canada Strong strategy to provincial plans. This session asks what our models actually tell us about those paths, whether they are the right ones, and where analysis can and cannot yet speak to them.