2026 Clean Energy EXPO: The Rise of Flexible Energy and Intelligent Grid Systems
The Centre for Urban Energy has recently hosted its Clean Energy EXPO with over 70 participants including industry representatives, marking a record-breaking turnout.
74 Total Attendees
2 Guest Speakers
6 Clean Energy
Zone Companies
Powering Tomorrow: Get to know the TMU Students Hosting the 2026 EXPO
The event began with a welcome greeting from the TMU students, Alesia Pulti, an Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Student and Shirley Uddin, an MASc Student in Electrical Engineering.
An Inspiring Start: A Sustainable Vision from Dean Sri Krishnan
Sri Krishnan, the Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science at TMU, officially opened the Clean Energy EXPO highlighting the importance of clean energy innovation and collaboration.
Enabling Growth: The Future of Ontario鈥檚 Electricity System
Theodore Lyberogiannis is the Director of Integration, Reliability & Emergency Management at Hydro One and an instructor of the Professional Master鈥檚 Diploma Program in Energy and Innovation at TMU. He has worked on projects at Hydro One including the infrastructure near the BMO field that will help power the FIFA World Cup matches in Toronto.
For Lyberogiannis, the energy sector is no longer the quiet, predictable industry it once was. This period of transition presents strong opportunities for students entering the industry. 鈥淢aybe it [the electricity industry] wasn鈥檛 that great 22 years ago,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only going to get more exciting as we move forward.鈥�
Lyberogiannis says that one of the biggest challenges in Ontario is finding the right balance between reliable, clean, and affordable electricity. The growing electricity demand driven by population growth, electric vehicles (EV), and Artificial Intelligent (AI) data centres demonstrate that the province must continue expanding and modernizing its energy grid. This rapid growth also means significant opportunities for the next generation.
He also made an interesting point about emerging energy trends such as smart meters, customer-controlled energy programs, and better backup systems highlighting how the industry is rapidly evolving.
Charging Ahead: The Future Potential of Electric Vehicles
Tom Chapman, an energy economist, former Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) expert, and currently a principal of The Brattle Group has worked on energy policy design and electricity wholesale markets and planning.
Ontario is a leader in electricity innovation including advancement in power generation and large-scale deployment of smart grid technology and smart meters. Building on this progress, Chapman emphasizes that EVs are more than a form of transportation. They can function as 鈥渕obile power plants.鈥� Recent studies by The Brattle Group show that EVs can be a major source of grid capacity in Ontario if their batteries are strategically used. The key idea is that EV batteries can serve as flexible energy resources, generating billions of dollars in economic value. These mobile power plants can help reduce electricity costs, improve grid reliability, provide emergency backup power, and limit the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Chapman also places importance on value stacking, creating benefits from consumers and the electricity market.
Student Testimonials
鈥淚 found the EXPO incredibly informative, especially due to rising power bills and is considering buying an EV. The guest speakers were engaging and aligned well with my academic and professional interests. The event was a great opportunity to network with industry professionals.鈥�
鈥淢y experience at the Clean Energy EXPO was very valuable, especially as a student. The guest speakers were informative and provided useful insights into the clean energy sector. I also had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals.鈥�
鈥淭he EXPO covered topics that were exciting, cutting-edge, and strongly mission-driven to build a greener planet. I had the opportunity to interact with a few founders who were presenting their work through poster sessions, and it was incredibly encouraging to see the innovative work being done in the clean energy space.鈥�
Highlights from the EXPO
Presentations
Trends in the Electricity System
Thank you to everyone who joined us and staff whose hard work made this year's EXPO a success. Your support and participation helped create an inspiring day of innovation, collaboration, and learning. We look forward to seeing you again next year!