Harnessing clean energy to power an innovative future
In our first session in this series, we examined barriers to our clean energy transition. Now we’re spotlighting progressive projects that demonstrate how to overcome these challenges. From equity-based energy programs to low-carbon community energy systems, we’ll showcase initiatives driving positive change in our communities. A panel of UBC researchers and alumni experts will discuss how their work — and the shift towards decarbonization — affects us and what we can expect in the future. Why do these projects matter? Find out by attending this session to learn how close we are to reaching net-zero emissions!
This webinar is the second part of a two-part series — the first webinar, Finding our way to a clean economy, was on December 5, 2024 and the replay can be found here.
Speakers
Dr. Naoko Ellis, PhD’03 (she/her/hers) — Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, UBC Faculty of Applied Science
Dr. Kasun Hewage (he/him/his) — Professor, School of Engineering, UBC’s Okanagan campus
Diego Mandelbaum, BASc’11 (he/him) — Senior Vice President, Development, Creative Energy
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
12:00pm–1:15pm PT
Online
Open to everyone. Registration is required.
REGISTER NOW
Questions? Please contact alumni.events@ubc.ca
Speaker Biographies
Dr. Naoko Ellis, PhD’03
Dr. Naoko Ellis is a professor in the UBC Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; a Faculty Associate at the UBC Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability; and an Associate Director at the UBC Clean Energy Research Centre. Her research spans technical solutions for clean energy, such as biomass utilization and carbon management, and extends to addressing global challenges through collaborative and sustainability education. She is a co-principal investigator for Accelerating Community Energy Transformation who supports place-based clean energy transitions in rural and Indigenous communities.
Dr. Kasun Hewage
Dr. Kasun Hewage is a professor in the School of Engineering at UBC’s Okanagan campus, FortisBC Smart Energy Chair, and Associate Director of the UBC Clean Energy Research Centre. In Canada and internationally, he leads several collaborative industrial projects in life cycle management of built assets, green construction, and smart energy options. He directs the UBC Okanagan’s Life Cycle Management Laboratory, the only such facility in Canada, where his research team assists municipalities and neighbourhood developers in improving energy efficiency in existing and planned buildings and neighbourhoods by identifying economically and environmentally feasible waste-to-energy options, smart technologies, and optimal energy sources.
Diego Mandelbaum, BASc’11
Diego Mandelbaum is a leader with an unwavering commitment to fostering a zero-carbon future. As the Senior Vice President of Development at Creative Energy, he is at the forefront of creating innovative low-carbon community energy solutions that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a unique blend of business acumen and engineering expertise, he leverages his technical knowledge and commercial insights to forge meaningful, long-term partnerships aimed at developing renewable district energy infrastructure throughout North America. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from UBC and a Certificate in Alternative Investments from Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the Board of alumni UBC.
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PRESENTING PARTNERS OF FORWARD: THE CAMPAIGN FOR UBC
