A Call to Collaborate
A prosperous and secure future for Canada requires abundant, affordable and low-emissions energy. Implementing new technology is one part of the solution, but the challenge's urgent and polarized nature demands innovation on another front: our social infrastructure—the trust, relationships, policies, and practices—needed to power Canada’s energy transition.
Social innovation for the energy transition happens where people, technologies, and systems intersect—inside companies, across supply chains, cultures and experiences—rooted in regional and community priorities. It’s about finding new ways of working that unlock value, build trust, and accelerate the shift to the types of energy that will power a brighter future for all.
Who We Are
A platform for collaborative, multi-stakeholder innovation working to shape Canada's energy future.
We are experts in designing collaboration around complex sustainability challenges. We bring together diverse voices from across Canada's energy system to find bold solutions, build uncommon alliances, and create the conditions for long-lasting, systemic change.
Rooted in both insight and action, we take a future-focused, pragmatic approach to accelerate a fair and inclusive transition to an energy system that is truly sustainable and prosperous.
Over 20,000 network members trust us to deliver innovative solutions to Canada’s most complex energy challenges.
What We Do
By uniting diverse voices and forging unlikely partnerships, we turn complex challenges into shared opportunities and lay the people- and systems-focused foundations for a net-zero future.
We work in select innovation areas—areas where collaboration is essential to meaningfully address the most pressing challenges.
Leadership
Addressing Canada’s energy challenges requires broad trust and support. In a fragmented landscape, we don’t need one message—we need thousands, delivered by trusted voices. We deliver this through our diverse, decentralized leadership and advocacy for solutions.
Our Approach
We don't shy away from the complexity of the challenge we were created to address. Instead we embrace multi-solving and solutions that deliberately consider and advance additional principles embedded in all outcomes:
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Diverse Representation
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Depolarization (growing the "Radical Middle")
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Truth and Reconciliation
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Equity and Anti-Racism
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Science-Based Sustainability
Whether it's supporting the emerging critical materials value chain, helping realign Alberta’s electricity sector, or analyzing opportunities to enhance Canada's energy competitiveness, we ensure that every initiative is grounded in regional priorities, supporting the needs and desires of people and communities they exist to serve.
To drive the shift forward, we need unprecedented collaboration, coordination and innovation that unifies people across regions, sectors and divides.
Innovation Areas
Our Impact
As Canada’s longest running single-issue social innovation lab, we have been driving energy systems impact since 2015.
In collaboration with our extensive network, we have supported emerging clean energy industries and decarbonization technologies, and worked directly with communities across Alberta.
View Our Work
The Energy Futures Lab, rooted in Alberta and connected across the country, is dedicated to unlocking both Alberta and Canada’s full potential in this transformation.
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Explore Our Work
Discover how we’re making a difference in Alberta and beyond. From convening leaders and connecting communities to catalyzing innovative solutions, the Energy Futures Lab is at the heart of Canada’s energy transition.
Let’s build the future of energy—together.
Our Network is Our Superpower
A diverse and dynamic community of leaders, innovators, Indigenous community members, artists, scientists, government workers, academics, and advocates are leaning in to tackle the challenge of energy transition.
As Lab Fellows, Ambassadors, Strategic and Indigenous Advisors, and initiative leaders, people like you are driving our understanding of what's needed to maintain momentum in the system now and where we'll focus next.
Engineer - Distribution Improvements
Lauretta Pearse
Vice President, Development
Rory Wheat
Director, Indigenous Relations and Programs
Winona Lafreniere
Indigenous Relations Lead - Mining, Minerals and Metals
Lacy-Brooke
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Managing Director, Strategy and Sustainability
Bill Whitelaw
E4 Solutions
Vice President, Development
Founder and Principal Consultant
Senior Manager, Sustainable Programs
Nic-Raytek
Executive Director
Luisa Da Silva
Independent
Marla Orenstein
From Our Community
Testimonials
“I see the benefits of how the Energy Futures Lab is impacting the regime and the landscape that we operate in so that we can actually do the things we need to do to be able to transition to a better future.”
Geoff Tauvette
Executive Director, Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Join Us
Be part of shaping Canada's energy future —sign up for the latest insights and opportunities from the Lab