This site requires Javascript.

Please enable Javascript before proceeding:

Firefox

  1. In the FireFox address bar, type about:config.
  2. Look for the javascript.enabled setting.
  3. Set it to true by right-clicking and pressing toggle.

Internet Explorer

  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, then click the Security tab.
  2. Click the Internet Zone.
  3. If you do not have to customize your Internet security settings, click Default Level. Then do step 4.
  4. If you have to customize your Internet security settings, follow these steps:
    a. Click Custom Level.
    b. In the Security Settings - Internet Zone dialog box, click Enable for Active Scripting in the Scripting section.
  5. Click the Back button to return to the previous page, and then click the Refresh button to run scripts.

Chrome

  1. In the Chrome address bar, type chrome://settings/content/javascript.
  2. Adjust the toggle so that javascript is allowed.
  3. Close the Settings tab and Refresh the page.

 

Agenda


7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

  1. Light Breakfast

    Wednesday, February 11 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
    Summary
8:00 AM - 8:20 AM

  1. Welcome and opening remarks

    Wednesday, February 11 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM
    Summary


8:20 AM - 9:15 AM

  1. Coming of Age

    Wednesday, February 11 8:20 AM - 9:15 AM
    Summary

    Canada's renewable energy sector is no longer the "new kid on the block." Having completed a full development cycle, renewables operations have reached a new level of maturity. This panel will examine how far the industry has come, reflect on today's great operation efficiencies, and highlight how wind, solar and storage have become indispensable tools in the grid operator's toolbox.

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM

  1. Networking break

    Wednesday, February 11 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
    Summary


9:45 AM - 10:15 AM

  1. Showroom Floor Demos

    Wednesday, February 11 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
    Summary

    Step onto the showroom floor and discover cutting-edge solutions through interactive, hands-on demos from our exhibitors.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

  1. Lessons Learned #1

    Wednesday, February 11 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Summary

    New this year: CanREA's Operators Summit will feature a "lessons learned" track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studiers and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

  1. Agrivoltaics in Alberta (and elsewhere)

    Wednesday, February 11 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
    Summary

    Regulatory changes in Alberta now require solar operators to demonstrate compatibility with agricultural zones. This panel will unpack the new regulations and explore practical strategies for meeting these requirements-not only in Alberta, but across Canada's farming landscape.

  2. Blade monitoring, prevention, maintenance and repairs

    Wednesday, February 11 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
    Summary

    As blades account for an ever-growing share of wind farm operating costs, effective management has never been more critical. This panel will highlight the latest in blade monitoring technologies, damage prevention strategies, maintenance scheduling practices and advanced repair techniques-helping operators extend asset life while controlling costs.

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

  1. Lessons Learned #2

    Wednesday, February 11 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

  1. Lunch

    Wednesday, February 11 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
    Summary
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

  1. Showroom Floor Demos

    Wednesday, February 11 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
    Summary

    Step onto the showroom floor and discover cutting-edge solutions through interactive, hands-on demos from our exhibitors.

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM

  1. Lessons Learned #3

    Wednesday, February 11 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

  1. How much life is left in your machine?

    Wednesday, February 11 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
    Summary

    Understanding turbine wear and tear is critical for health and safety, repowering decisions and determining when to repair or replace components. This technical panel will dive into methods for assessing remaining turbine life, structural and foundation integrity, and the condition of auxiliary equipment such as lifts, ladders and winches-equipping operators with the data they need to make informed, cost-effective decisions.

  2. Solar farm maintenance: DIY or ISP (do-it-yourself vs. independent service provider)?

    Wednesday, February 11 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
    Summary

    To subcontract or not to subcontract? That is the question!

    Should solar farm maintenance be managed in-house or outsourced to a third party? This panel will weigh the benefits and challenges of each approach, featuring a case study of a full transition between models. Discussion will cover factors such as monitoring software (Maximo 7 vs. MAS 9), operational scale, risk tolerance and more.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

  1. Lessons Learned #4

    Wednesday, February 11 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

  1. Poster Spotlight & Networking break

    Wednesday, February 11 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
    Summary

    Take a walk around and connect with Canadian researchers conducting renewable energy projects across Canada. Ask questions, make connections and learn something new!

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

  1. Lessons Learned #5

    Wednesday, February 11 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

  1. Showroom Floor Demos

    Wednesday, February 11 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
    Summary

    Step onto the showroom floor and discover cutting-edge solutions through interactive, hands-on demos from our exhibitors.

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

  1. Jumping on the artificial intelligence bandwagon

    Wednesday, February 11 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
    Summary

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life-but what role can tools like Claude or ChatGPT play in a wind operator's toolkit? This panel will examine how AI is reshaping renewable operations, from potentially predicting failures to uncovering inefficiencies, while also mapping the practical steps needed to move toward an AI-enable future.

  2. Solar operations in adverse conditions

    Wednesday, February 11 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
    Summary

    Canada's landscape presents unique challenges for solar operators-from wildfire smoke and snow loading to frost heave and wind-induced vibration. This panel will explore tools for calculating losses from wildfire smoke, common tracker failure modes over time, and best practices to ensure long-term equipment reliability with bifacial modules and larger-format panels.

  3. Lessons Learned #6

    Wednesday, February 11 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

  1. Lessons Learned #7

    Wednesday, February 11 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

  1. Networking reception

    Wednesday, February 11 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    Summary

    Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with other operators from a wide cross-section of Canada’s renewable energy and energy storage industries in a fun and casual setting.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

  1. Light Breakfast

    Thursday, February 12 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
    Summary


8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

  1. Day two opening remarks

    Thursday, February 12 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
    Summary


8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

  1. Organizational health and safety culture – From theory to practice

    Thursday, February 12 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
    Summary

    Strong organizational health is the foundation of worker well-being-but how does theory translate into daily practice? This session will examine the impacts of burnout, stress and operational change on the workforce, while sharing practical strategies to strengthen organizational health and foster a resilient safety culture.

9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

  1. Networking break

    Thursday, February 12 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM
    Summary


  2. Showroom Floor Demos

    Thursday, February 12 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM
    Summary

    Step onto the showroom floor and discover cutting-edge solutions through interactive, hands-on demos from our exhibitors.

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

  1. Lessons Learned #8

    Thursday, February 12 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

9:45 AM - 11:30 AM

  1. Troubleshooting Complex Electrical Systems with Deductive Reasoning

    Thursday, February 12 9:45 AM - 11:30 AM
    Summary

    More information coming soon!

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

  1. Lessons Learned #9

    Thursday, February 12 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
    Summary

    Paragraph to use as placeholder until speaker confirms:

    New this year: CanREA’s Operators Summit will feature a “lessons learned” track dedicated to real-world insights. Through root cause analyses, case studies and research presentations, this stream will spotlight health and safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation, workforce development and leadership. Speakers will share practical applications, proven strategies and key lessons learned to help operators drive continuous improvement.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

  1. Lunch

    Thursday, February 12 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
    Summary


12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

  1. Asset aging and repowering

    Thursday, February 12 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
    Summary

    As renewable assets age, owners face critical decisions: invest in repowering or extend operations? This closing plenary will explore the financial and technical factors that drive these choices, while also addressing what happens to retired equipment-from reusing components to donation and recycling.

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

  1. Closing remarks

    Thursday, February 12 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
    Summary