Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
@shastingssimon.bsky.social
Currently on partial medical leave and Associate professor, Dept of Earth, Energy, and Environment, University of Calgary; co-director http://NZERI.ca; energy/carbon/innovation policy + bikes.
Pinned
Hi from Alberta where I’m a professor at University of Calgary in the dept of earth energy and environment. I’m a physicist turned mgmt consultant turned think tanker now researching the energy transition. I love e-bikes and etrikes. And I’m currently on med leave fighting breast cancer.
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
Join Energy vs Climate co-hosts Ed Whittingham and @shastingssimon.bsky.social for EvC After Hours in Calgary for Canada Climate Week Xchange — where Canada’s energy and climate crowd unwinds, connects and trades big ideas. #CCWX
www.energyvsclimate.com/evc-calgary-...
www.energyvsclimate.com/evc-calgary-...
EvC After Hours: Calgary x Canada Climate Week Xchange
EvC After Hours hits Calgary for Canada Climate Week Xchange — where Canada’s energy and climate crowd unwinds, connects and trades big ideas.
Join Energy vs Climate co-hosts Ed Whittingham and Sara ...
www.energyvsclimate.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Join Energy vs Climate co-hosts Ed Whittingham and @shastingssimon.bsky.social for EvC After Hours in Calgary for Canada Climate Week Xchange — where Canada’s energy and climate crowd unwinds, connects and trades big ideas. #CCWX
www.energyvsclimate.com/evc-calgary-...
www.energyvsclimate.com/evc-calgary-...
I integrated a QR code to get to a specific @energyvsclimate.bsky.social page into the last slide of my talk to the drs and I feel like a super master level tech/podcaster 😆💪
(And none of them tried to poke or cut me though it was the most nervous I’ve been to give a talk)
(And none of them tried to poke or cut me though it was the most nervous I’ve been to give a talk)
November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I integrated a QR code to get to a specific @energyvsclimate.bsky.social page into the last slide of my talk to the drs and I feel like a super master level tech/podcaster 😆💪
(And none of them tried to poke or cut me though it was the most nervous I’ve been to give a talk)
(And none of them tried to poke or cut me though it was the most nervous I’ve been to give a talk)
Every time I try to do a little more work in a day thinking that surely by now my fatigue must be better I’m too quickly reminded - nope.
Starting to worry that it’s the 5 year med that is causing this (and trying to adjust my long term expectations)
Starting to worry that it’s the 5 year med that is causing this (and trying to adjust my long term expectations)
a female wrestler is laying on the ground in a wrestling ring .
ALT: a female wrestler is laying on the ground in a wrestling ring .
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Every time I try to do a little more work in a day thinking that surely by now my fatigue must be better I’m too quickly reminded - nope.
Starting to worry that it’s the 5 year med that is causing this (and trying to adjust my long term expectations)
Starting to worry that it’s the 5 year med that is causing this (and trying to adjust my long term expectations)
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
@shastingssimon.bsky.social on how the rest of the world is moving away from fossil fuels and potentially Canada's oil and gas exports.
Clip from Real Talk x EvC
Full episode: www.energyvsclimate.com/real-talk-ry...
#oilandgas #energy #climatechange
Clip from Real Talk x EvC
Full episode: www.energyvsclimate.com/real-talk-ry...
#oilandgas #energy #climatechange
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
@shastingssimon.bsky.social on how the rest of the world is moving away from fossil fuels and potentially Canada's oil and gas exports.
Clip from Real Talk x EvC
Full episode: www.energyvsclimate.com/real-talk-ry...
#oilandgas #energy #climatechange
Clip from Real Talk x EvC
Full episode: www.energyvsclimate.com/real-talk-ry...
#oilandgas #energy #climatechange
Does anyone know if an Alberta learners permit can be used to create a registered Alberta.ca account or if you need to have a regular Alberta ID card if you dont yet have a license?
November 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Does anyone know if an Alberta learners permit can be used to create a registered Alberta.ca account or if you need to have a regular Alberta ID card if you dont yet have a license?
Nice piece on ecargo bikes
(note the author specifies "smug" is under the more ambiguous British meaning).
"Convenience, more than, say, environmentalism, is driving the boom. " - this is the key to unlocking it at scale. As well as the option of the second car replacement
(note the author specifies "smug" is under the more ambiguous British meaning).
"Convenience, more than, say, environmentalism, is driving the boom. " - this is the key to unlocking it at scale. As well as the option of the second car replacement
This week I wrote about the rise of the e-bike dad - this piece was originally going to run alongside the story I did in September about the bike boom in general, and we didn't have space in print, but here it is:
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Parents on e-bikes are transforming the school run
They’re smug, snug and often faster than drivers
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Nice piece on ecargo bikes
(note the author specifies "smug" is under the more ambiguous British meaning).
"Convenience, more than, say, environmentalism, is driving the boom. " - this is the key to unlocking it at scale. As well as the option of the second car replacement
(note the author specifies "smug" is under the more ambiguous British meaning).
"Convenience, more than, say, environmentalism, is driving the boom. " - this is the key to unlocking it at scale. As well as the option of the second car replacement
in related news, I regret to inform my fellow Calgarians that I am still riding a regular bike with no winter tires so the 8 months of winter means we need to be prepared for winter to extend into mid July #yycbike
Thankfully noticed that the car wasn't going to yield as it was supposed to and avoided being hit while leaving the cancer hospital.
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
November 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
in related news, I regret to inform my fellow Calgarians that I am still riding a regular bike with no winter tires so the 8 months of winter means we need to be prepared for winter to extend into mid July #yycbike
Thankfully noticed that the car wasn't going to yield as it was supposed to and avoided being hit while leaving the cancer hospital.
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
November 13, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Thankfully noticed that the car wasn't going to yield as it was supposed to and avoided being hit while leaving the cancer hospital.
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
As much as I think about how ironic it would be to be hit by a car going to/from cancer treatment I'm just not that committed to the bit.
*ban right turn on red*
Journalist: say and spell your name and give me your full title and affiliation
Me:
Me:
an elderly woman says it 's been 84 years ...
Alt: an elderly woman says it 's been 84 years ...
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Journalist: say and spell your name and give me your full title and affiliation
Me:
Me:
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
Excellent conference - 100% recommend!
🚨Call for Speakers🚨
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
Electricity Camp — Net Zero Electricity Research Initiative
nzeri.ca
November 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Excellent conference - 100% recommend!
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
🚨Call for Speakers🚨
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
Electricity Camp — Net Zero Electricity Research Initiative
nzeri.ca
November 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
🚨Call for Speakers🚨
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
⚡5th Electricity Camp in the Rockies
🗓️May 20-22, 2026
⛰️Banff, Alberta
👪Academics, policymakers, and practitioners talking about all things electricity (and hiking!)
✉️Email abstracts to: electricity.centre@ucalgary.ca by Dec 15
Past programs here: nzeri.ca/electricity-camp
While it would have been soon enough to stop quoting Larry Summers as an expert after his first comment about women while president of Harvard, perhaps this email will be enough to finally do so.
November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
While it would have been soon enough to stop quoting Larry Summers as an expert after his first comment about women while president of Harvard, perhaps this email will be enough to finally do so.
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
The end of the internal combustion engine?
Sales of petrol and diesel cars in China peaked in 2017 and are now falling rapidly.
The shift to electric and low-carbon transport is well underway—and EV sales are rising fast.
Sales of petrol and diesel cars in China peaked in 2017 and are now falling rapidly.
The shift to electric and low-carbon transport is well underway—and EV sales are rising fast.
November 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The end of the internal combustion engine?
Sales of petrol and diesel cars in China peaked in 2017 and are now falling rapidly.
The shift to electric and low-carbon transport is well underway—and EV sales are rising fast.
Sales of petrol and diesel cars in China peaked in 2017 and are now falling rapidly.
The shift to electric and low-carbon transport is well underway—and EV sales are rising fast.
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
Good thread from Dave about the new IEA "Current Policies Scenario" making a lot of the headlines.
Here is a very quick mock-up I made of what this scenario assumes for solar PV additions through to 2035, with historical context.
I'll let you decide whether this seems likely.
Here is a very quick mock-up I made of what this scenario assumes for solar PV additions through to 2035, with historical context.
I'll let you decide whether this seems likely.
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Good thread from Dave about the new IEA "Current Policies Scenario" making a lot of the headlines.
Here is a very quick mock-up I made of what this scenario assumes for solar PV additions through to 2035, with historical context.
I'll let you decide whether this seems likely.
Here is a very quick mock-up I made of what this scenario assumes for solar PV additions through to 2035, with historical context.
I'll let you decide whether this seems likely.
And if I was given a very narrow set of magic powers it would be that if someone try to say or write the CPS is the "current trajectory" or "BAU" a small air horn would pop up and a voice would say/type "CPS is a frozen world where nothing changes which has never actually happened"
🤡OIL DEMAND WILL KEEP RISING🤡
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
And if I was given a very narrow set of magic powers it would be that if someone try to say or write the CPS is the "current trajectory" or "BAU" a small air horn would pop up and a voice would say/type "CPS is a frozen world where nothing changes which has never actually happened"
For anyone writing or reading stories about the new IEA global outlook today - reminder that the current policies isn’t a BAU scenario
(Sadly I would bet a lot of $$ that it will be referred to as such by politicians and others in Canada)
(Sadly I would bet a lot of $$ that it will be referred to as such by politicians and others in Canada)
In short, much of the media coverage is based on the IEA's "current policies scenario" (CPS), which has been resurrected following pressure from Trump admin
In CPS, govts around world all abandon the things they have said they'll do – their "stated policies"
See pic for what that would take
In CPS, govts around world all abandon the things they have said they'll do – their "stated policies"
See pic for what that would take
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
For anyone writing or reading stories about the new IEA global outlook today - reminder that the current policies isn’t a BAU scenario
(Sadly I would bet a lot of $$ that it will be referred to as such by politicians and others in Canada)
(Sadly I would bet a lot of $$ that it will be referred to as such by politicians and others in Canada)
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
People will literally drive electricity on a train instead of building transmission lines
(I haven't looked into the economics/physics of this at all, but its a great example of how policy matters for energy systems)
(I haven't looked into the economics/physics of this at all, but its a great example of how policy matters for energy systems)
Last week SunTrain announced a project with Xcel Energy to transport electricity stored on railcars into the Cherokee Generating Station in Denver.
🔌💡
Today I published a piece on why "Trainsmission" makes sense from a capital efficiency perspective.
🧵
www.planetarytech.earth/posts/suntra...
🔌💡
Today I published a piece on why "Trainsmission" makes sense from a capital efficiency perspective.
🧵
www.planetarytech.earth/posts/suntra...
Planetary Technologies is an investment fund with the mission to find scalable technologies that can help the world mature beyond fossil fuels at the pace necessary to avoid unsustainable warming. Pla...
Summary SunTrain is developing technology that enables point-to-point electricity distribution as a service using existing Class 1 rail infrastructure, a capability that the company calls Trai...
www.planetarytech.earth
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
People will literally drive electricity on a train instead of building transmission lines
(I haven't looked into the economics/physics of this at all, but its a great example of how policy matters for energy systems)
(I haven't looked into the economics/physics of this at all, but its a great example of how policy matters for energy systems)
I'm going to be in a room full of doctors on Friday morning but this time its to give a talk about energy transition its quite the contrast with having to go for an infusion later that day but it feels like a step in the right direction 💪👏
November 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I'm going to be in a room full of doctors on Friday morning but this time its to give a talk about energy transition its quite the contrast with having to go for an infusion later that day but it feels like a step in the right direction 💪👏
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
When you haven’t given a general “state of the energy transition” talk in a year and you need to update all your slides because of how much things have changed
November 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
When you haven’t given a general “state of the energy transition” talk in a year and you need to update all your slides because of how much things have changed
Reposted by Sara Hastings-Simon 🇨🇦
WE ARE HIRING FOR TWO POSITIONS!
1) A part-time Consumer Protection Lead (job description here: buff.ly/gdMxHQR)
2) A part-time Communications Lead (job description here: buff.ly/dhifVoP)
Email your cover letter and resume to Heather MacKenzie at executive.director@solaralberta.ca.
1) A part-time Consumer Protection Lead (job description here: buff.ly/gdMxHQR)
2) A part-time Communications Lead (job description here: buff.ly/dhifVoP)
Email your cover letter and resume to Heather MacKenzie at executive.director@solaralberta.ca.
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
WE ARE HIRING FOR TWO POSITIONS!
1) A part-time Consumer Protection Lead (job description here: buff.ly/gdMxHQR)
2) A part-time Communications Lead (job description here: buff.ly/dhifVoP)
Email your cover letter and resume to Heather MacKenzie at executive.director@solaralberta.ca.
1) A part-time Consumer Protection Lead (job description here: buff.ly/gdMxHQR)
2) A part-time Communications Lead (job description here: buff.ly/dhifVoP)
Email your cover letter and resume to Heather MacKenzie at executive.director@solaralberta.ca.