Special Edition Podcast Series: Accelerating Cleantech Innovation
This four-part CRINcast special edition celebrates the launch of the Accelerating Cleantech Innovation Competition, highlighting how collaboration fuels Canada’s energy transformation. The series features an in-depth conversation with MaRS Discovery District, the competition coordinator, two inspiring success stories from companies funded in CRIN’s previous technology competitions, and insights from CRIN’s Director of Operations on how these initiatives spark new partnerships, accelerate commercialization, and create real-world impact across sectors. Together, these episodes showcase the people, ideas, and innovations driving Canada’s clean energy future — and why this competition is a launchpad for the next generation of solutions.
#cleantech #climatechange #cleanresourceinnovationnetwork #collaboration #innovation #canada #canadatechnology #technology
Glen McCrimmon discusses the Accelerating Cleantech Innovation Competition and its impact on Canada's oil and gas innovation ecosystem with host Bill Whitelaw in this interview.
2 Dec 2025
CRINcast | Cleantech Competition Conversations | VL Energy
Ling Bai, CEO of VL Energy, discusses with host Bill Whitelaw how the CRIN competition propelled their methane intelligence technology from concept to commercial growth through funding and advisory support; this is an interview.
Dr. Jacqueline Peterson of Kathairos discusses with host Bill Whitelaw how their liquid nitrogen technology eliminates methane venting at well sites, creating reliable and commercially viable results in this interview.
12 Nov 2025
CRINcast | Cleantech Competition Conversations | MaRS
Tyler Hamilton discusses the Accelerating Cleantech Innovation Competition with host Bill Whitelaw, highlighting pan-Canadian collaboration and MaRS' role in connecting startups to drive clean technology solutions; this is an interview.
14 Nov 2024
Episode 6: Marc Godin, Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada
In Episode 6, host Bill Whitelaw sits down with Mark Godin, Director of Technology at the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC), to discuss Canada's approach to climate innovation at COP29. As Mark attends his first COP, he shares insights on PTAC’s role in advancing collaborative climate solutions. Highlighting PTAC's Alberta Upstream Petroleum Research Fund (OPERF), he explains how this unique program addresses environmental challenges across air, water, and land—proving how Canada’s industry-led efforts make a global impact. From technology development to partnerships, Mark emphasizes PTAC’s commitment to promoting Canadian cleantech solutions on the international stage. As COP29 focuses on “enhancing ambition and enabling action,” PTAC’s presence brings attention to the progress Canada has made in sustainable energy practices. Tune in for a deeper look at the innovative initiatives shaping Canada’s climate leadership.
In this episode, Bill Whitelaw hosts Nanette Ho-Covernton to discuss Canada's role at COP29 in Baku. They explore CRIN’s collaborative model, uniting industry, government, and academia to advance clean technologies. Reflecting on COP28, Nanette emphasizes showcasing Alberta’s climate innovation efforts and highlights CRIN’s $80 million investment in impactful projects. Through partnerships and the Alberta TIER program, CRIN fosters sustainable growth and technology deployment. She views CRIN as a replicable model for global networks, aligning with COP29's theme of "enhancing ambition and enabling action" for climate solutions.
11 Nov 2024
Episode 4: Dagmar Knutson, Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance
In this episode, we’re joined by Dagmar Knudsen, founder and chairman of the Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance, for an insightful conversation on transgenerational impact in climate action. Together, host Bill Whitelaw and Dagmar explore how fostering knowledge, training, and encouragement for younger generations is essential in tackling climate challenges. They discuss Canada’s unique approach to empowering future leaders and share inspiring stories set to be highlighted in Baku, illustrating how Canadians are working to drive long-term, sustainable change.
8 Nov 2024
Episode 3: Ian Gates, University of Calgary
In episode 3 of the CRIN@COP29 Podcast, we delve into the transformative role of universities as conveners of meaningful dialogue. Our guest, Dr. Ian Gates of the University of Calgary shares that the true power of a university lies in its ability to bring people together—both within its walls and beyond—creating spaces for understanding and innovation. With two decades of commitment to this mission, Ian shares his passion for continuous conversations that seek solutions to pressing challenges. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about the importance of dialogue in driving progress and how education institutions can lead the way in addressing societal issues. Don’t miss this insightful exploration of partnership and shared vision!
8 Nov 2024
Episode 2: Scott Volk, Tourmaline Oil Corp
In Episode 2 of the CRIN@COP29 Podcast, our guest, Scott Volk of Tourmaline Oil, discusses the collaborative potential between Canada and the global community in tackling environmental and resource-related challenges. He emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and solutions, highlighting how Canadian technologies can be applied to international issues and, conversely, how successful strategies from around the world can be adopted to enhance sustainability efforts in Canada. This exchange fosters innovation and supports emissions reduction initiatives at home and abroad. Scott’s insights shed light on the benefits of global partnerships in driving progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
1 Nov 2024
Episode 1: Justin Riemer, Emissions Reduction Alberta
Join us as Bill Whitelaw speaks with Justin Riemer, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), ahead of #COP29 in Baku. Justin shares insights on Alberta's progressive approach to emission reduction and the impact of ERA’s competitive funding model on cleantech innovation. From geothermal to smart electrification, ERA invests in later-stage tech projects with real emissions reduction results. Alberta is setting a global example, balancing economic growth with sustainability.
Episode 7: Beth (Hardy) Valiaho, International CCS Knowledge Centre
On this episode of CRIN @ COP28, hosted by Bill Whitelaw, we sit down with Beth (Hardy) Valiaho, Vice President of Policy, Regulatory and Stakeholder Relations at the International CCS Knowledge Centre (and a CRIN board member) to discuss why this particular Conference of the Parties is of peak importance in the energy transition timeline. This insightful conversation offers a taste of Canada's story as a leader in CCS and why COP28 is an important opportunity to share our knowledge globally to help build the critical partnerships that will pave the way for CCS to take big bites out of the world's emissions.
Covered in this episode:
Why COP28 is a global stocktake year and an opportunity for us to evaluate how far we have come (or haven't come) in reducing emissions on a large scale
How CCS has changed the landscape and conversation at COP now that the technology has been proven, making it more and more relevant to how we can achieve our net zero goals
Why CCS just makes sense now
The price of carbon being both a carrot and a stick to drive change
The unique history of the International CCS Knowledge Centre and how it has evolved since its roots at the Paris COP
What knowledge-sharing opportunities have emerged as a result of the learnings from the Boundary Dam and the work of the International CCS Knowledge Centre
As a COP veteran, what Beth sees as the opportunities to share and listen for as CRIN and its members attend COP28
The exciting events Beth will be a part of at COP28 and why you won't want to miss them
30 Nov 2023
Episode 6: Kevin Krausart, Avatar Innovations
On this episode of CRIN @ COP28, hosted by Bill Whitelaw, we sit down with Kevin Krausert, CEO and co-founder of Avatar Innovations, for a fascinating look at the work Avatar Innovations does to advance the effective deployment of technology to help the industry improve its emissions reductions. How will we actually make a difference in solving our emissions challenges? According to Kevin, the path forward is not in regulation but in innovation.
Covered in this episode:
The changes Kevin has seen throughout his career in the oil and gas industry and how those changes and challenges inspired him to start working with the University of Calgary to develop the Avatar program
The goals of Avatar Innovations to build technical competencies and collaboration within the oil and gas process chain to deploy technology and innovation more effectively in the field, while also bringing emissions reduction technologies to market faster
How Avatar Innovations' unique corporate ventures studio leads bright, emerging young leaders through its program to tackle some of the biggest challenges in different technology streams to unlock innovation faster
How transformation may be the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to get to a net zero future
What Kevin hopes to achieve as he leads a couple of different multi-stakeholder panel discussions and a showcase of 18 exciting Alberta clean tech start-ups, all taking place as part of the CRIN Pavilion at COP28
For those who can't attend, what to watch for beyond the headlines of COP28 as the conversation unfolds.
27 Nov 2023
Episode 5: Lesley Coldham, International Gas Union (ICU) / CRIN Official Side Event
On this episode of CRIN @ COP28, hosted by Bill Whitelaw, we sit down with Glen McCrimmon, CRIN's Director of Operations, and Lesley Coldham, Director of Public Affairs with the International Gas Union (IGU). This exciting conversation will delve into how these two powerful organizations have come together to develop a panel examining the Global Methane Pledge to be presented when the world comes together for COP28. What does a net zero future beyond 2050 look like? Through the conversations that will take place at COP28, the answer might just be found in the art of the possible and one that IGU and CRIN could jointly deliver.
Covered in this episode:
The global reach and impact the IGU has and why COP28 is an important opportunity for the organization
How CRIN and IGU are similar as connectors and conveners of their areas of interest
The message IGU will bring to COP28 about the role gas will play in the world's energy future and what intelligence they are looking gather from the different countries and companies that will be attending COP28
Why COP28 is a great two-way street for organizations like CRIN and IGU
How the interlocked diversity of this panel, with speakers representing the value chain of the energy industry, gives us the opportunity to work on the problem of methane emissions in a way that hasn't been done before
A look at what the Global Methane Pledge is and what it is trying to achieve
How this is just a start to the marriage made in heaven between CRIN and IGU and what both organizations hope will come after COP28 to keep the conversation and progress moving forward
23 Nov 2023
Episode 4: Stephen Buffalo, Indian Resource Council
On this episode of CRIN @ COP28, hosted by Bill Whitelaw, we sit down with Stephen Buffalo, CEO of the Indian Resource Council (IRC), to discuss the forward-thinking new partnerships being developed with Indigenous communities related to resource development. Because of these incredibly important partnerships, we are accelerating a very inclusive energy transition by combining traditional knowledge, innovation, technology and collaboration from which we will all benefit.
Covered in this episode:
The IRC model and the inception of the organization and the Indian Oil and Gas Act to provide a means for First Nations to advocate the oil and gas industry and address regulatory concerns
How the IRC's National Energy Business Centre of Excellence is building capacity and how traditional knowledge can be used to address reclamation and environmental progress
The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation and it's purpose to provide First Nations that had no investment capital the ability to participate in resource projects
How equity ownership in projects is a game changer for First Nations communities who are trying to stand up on their own
What message on behalf of Alberta and Canada Stephen would like to leave for the world at COP28
How Indigenous communities can be an agent of change, creating a balance for energy progress while preserving traditional lifestyles
17 Nov 2023
Episode 3: Aminah Robinson Fayek, University of Alberta
On this episode of CRIN @ COP28, hosted by Bill Whitelaw, Dr. Aminah Robinson Fayek, VP of Research and Innovation at the University of Alberta, joins us to talk about the interdisciplinary innovation ecosystem that has emerged at the University and the great learning opportunities she is excited about while attending COP28 as part of the CRIN Delegation. Covered in this episode:
How Aminah thinks about Canada's clean technology environment and how organizations like CRIN create a rich environment for stakeholders to be a part of the process
The role the University is playing in creating the human capital curriculum for students who will take us into the next 50 to 60 years of energy innovation
The nexus of collaboration between multi-disciplinary stakeholders to advance technology and overcome barriers
The diverse clean technologies the University is currently working on
How the energy industry isn't in isolation when tackling the big environmental and social challenges the world is facing
What conversations Aminah hopes to advance through the panel she will be moderating at COP28 featuring speakers from the University of Alberta, Alberta Innovates, Cenovus and others.
Post-Production Change: Rhona DelFrari (Cenovus) is no longer able to participate in the panel that is discussed in this episode. Arlene Strom (Suncor) will be participating in her place.
10 Nov 2023
Episode 1: Who is CRIN and What is COP?
In our first episode of the CRIN @ COP28 podcast we introduce you to the network of networks and what CRIN aims to accomplish by hosting a pavilion in the UN Blue Zone at COP28.
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Glen McCrimmon
Ling Bai
Dr Jacqueline Peterson
Tyler Hamilton
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