The R&D of Energy : Resilience & Diversity

Presenter: Matthew Klippenstein P.Eng.

Principal, Electron Consulting

Matthew Klippenstein's engineering career has spanned hydrogen, wind energy, EVs and EV infrastructure. He has worked in the private sector and at non-profits, on both the cost dimension and the consent dimension of technology. Most recently he was with the Canadian Hydrogen Association. He has written for National Observer and provided commentary for local and nationally syndicated radio, CBC and Radio-Canada, NPR and BBC.

Topic: “The R&D of Energy: Resilience and Diversity"

The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared" -- not "Be Efficient". It holds much wisdom. In complex systems, including energy, resilience is more important than mere efficiency. Examples from the natural world (the boreal forest), the business world (Toyota), and civil society will lead us to a resilience-rooted discussion of our energy system, and implications for us to consider going forward.

The separate worlds of commodity goods and consumer goods will launch a discussion of the diversity dimension in our energy system. Like resilience, diversity also works against efficiency. And like resilience, diversity has a core role in the healthy energy system we will want.