Lille, Brussels & The Hague [Feb 17, 18 & 19]

LILLE, France  & BRUSSELS, Belgium

Wednesday [February 18]… we were well received by EDHEC business school in Lille, France, where we presented topics including Alberta’s perspective on Energy and Environment, Alberta’s latest initiative on “Land Reclamation Incentives” and Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).  EDHEC students, professors and coordinators at the business school gave a treat to a fantastic dinner and shared their opinions and the Europeans Union’s (EU) position on Energy, Environment and Emissions Trading issues.    Travel to Brussels, Belgium was easy and under one hour on the fast train from Lille.

 

BRUSSELS, Belgium  &  The HAGUE, Netherlands

Thursday [February 19]…  we had a great and exciting time at the European Commission (BEAULIEU) in the morning discussing issues on 1) International climate negotiations & policy 2) EU’s domestic climate policy 3) Carbon markets, and the review of the EU electronic trading system (ETS) legislation.   Later in the afternoon we were hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Brussels to talk about how Canadian trade interests are promoted in Belgium and Luxembourg, and how the Canadian government is working with European institutions on Energy and Environment issues.  Travel to The Hague, Netherlands was pleasant and lasted two hours on the fast train from Brussels.

Paris, Sunday Feb. 15 & Monday Feb 16

The week has almost come to an end and our European Energy Tour has been, so far, very interesting enlightening successful.

Sunday February 15, 2009 was particularly uniquely interesting for me!  I arrived in Paris, from London, and took a taxi to my hotel.  After check-in I realized that I had “forgotten” my wallet in the taxiL  I turned “red” and was unable to think for about half a minute.  When I “returned” from my “coma,” I decided to give VISA and Mastercard (MC) quick calls to report my situation and to request that all credit transactions on them should be declined until further notice.   After 70 minutes, since I entered my room, I was still on the phone waiting for a MC agent when I heard a pleasant hard bang on my door… behold it was the receptionist… and the cabbie had returned my wallet and its contents intactJ   I felt like I just won a big lottery prize!  And subsequently, I felt my pulse and body temperature returning to normal levels. 

This experience, including the expression of love and honesty demonstrated by the cabbie has really changed my perception and impression of France and the French.

 

PARIS, France

On Monday, the group of eleven visited and discussed with senior staff at Electricite de France Research & Development in CLAMART and the International Energy Agency (IEA) near the Eiffel Tower.  We talked about analysis and electricity market structure in Europe versus the US, including economic and energy strategies.

PARIS & LILLE, France

Tuesday [February 17]… we visited AREVA’s HQ in central Paris.  AREVA, world’s #1 in the entire nuclear cycle and #3 in electricity transmission and distribution domain did a superb job in hosting us and in sharing its strategy “to set the standard in CO2-free generation and electric transmission and distribution.”   Traveled to Lille, France [1hr on the fast train (RAILEUROPE)].

EDF and IEA

The group was fortunate enough today to visit 2 key energy organizations in Paris today, EDF and IEA.  EDF is an international electricity company with operations in the UK, Germany, China and France.  We spoke to folks from the R & D area who showed us what they do and what they are currently working on.  In the afternoon, we went to the IEA which is associated with the OECD.  Two analysts spoke to the students about how the reference scenario derived.  The process is quite involved with many variables to consider.  Energy demand will increase toward 2030.  The challenge for the world and world governments is how to meet supply and meet climate change goals.  This is the trillion dollar question.

To get to our visits today, we used the public transportation.  i think that this is the best way to enjoy any city as you get to mingle with the locals.

Dinner tonight was crepes and for dessert - crepes.  Crepes are pretty yummy.  We haven't lost anyone yet.  We visit AREVA on Tuesday and leave for Lille in the afternoon.

first couple of days

After a 10 hour flight through Montreal, the student's, Prof Doucet and myself landed in Paris.  Local time 9:20 am.  Tired and groggy, we made it to our hotel in the 12th district.  The MBA students on this trip are Chun, Chris, Charlene, Jessica, Raj, Sujatha, Pankaj and Tao. Adesiji Rabiu, a MBA NR&E (2008) has also joined us on this study tour.

First task of the day, stay up until the night to get bodies adjusted to local time.  sure sounded easy but my body is smarter than my brain. 

After we checked in, we went down to the Latin quarter for lunch.  We ended up at an Italian restaurant.  Tao ordered the local specialty, pizza with egg.  Ok, i like eggs for breakfast in an omelet, or scrambled or in a sandwich and i've even drank egg whites when i am looking for protein but on a pizza???  Tao seemed to like it so i shouldn't knock it until i try it.  after lunch the group split up, one group went to the Sacre-cour, one went for a boat ride down the Seine where i and Prof Doucet went for a walk toward the Lourve. This is my second time in Paris with the first time being along time ago.  I don't remember much from that first visit so this time is like rediscovering the city again.  Hello Eiffel tower, hello Arc de Triomphe hello Notre Dame.  i've missed you.  i like big being in big cities and Paris is a big city.  big cities have style. big cities have culture and big cities have a good metro.  Who needs a car when you can get to anywhere in the city in 20 minutes or less by metro?  Paris is also very clean.  Parisians - i would take great pride in how clean the city is.  Well done.

On Monday, we are off to EdF which is the national electricity company and the International Energy Agency.