BY APEx
ON December 1, 2019
Originally published in APEx Newsletter Volume XII – December 2019.
The 2019 edition of the Association of Power Exchanges (APEx) annual conference welcomed more than 100 delegates from over 45 international organizations to Toronto. The conference ran from October 9 to 11 and was held at the St. Regis Hotel, in the centre of Toronto’s financial and cultural district.
This year’s conference saw market and system operator participants come from all parts of the world, including from one of the newest APEx members, the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange.
“The APEx conference provides a unique opportunity for market and system operators from around the world to gather in one place to collaborate, and share ideas, perspectives and solutions to the many common challenges we are facing,” said Stu Bresler, Senior Vice President, Market Services at PJM Interconnection and APEx Board Chair.
“For the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), as the hosting organization, this was a chance to showcase our own experiences and accomplishments in running one of the largest and most complex power exchanges in the world,” adds Len Kula, IESO Vice President, Planning, Acquisition and Operations, Chief Operating Officer and APEx Board member.
Themes from the conference included challenges and opportunities in the energy markets in the future, the integration of renewables, regulation and the value of financial markets, among others.
The APEx Bright Sparks Program, a cornerstone of the conference since 2015, this year awarded four young aspiring energy professionals from around the world with the opportunity to attend the proceedings, meet with international thought leaders, and take a tour of the IESO’s control room and other facilities.
Winners are nominated by their member organization and selected based on accomplishment and contributions to their respective organizations.
The conference also offered a taste of Canadian culture and heritage, with the opening reception at the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Gala Dinner at the Art Gallery of Ontario, which also featured a contemporary Indigenous performance.