Industry debates
What kind of energy is needed for space exploration?
2 April 2024 – from 10:55 to 12:30 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Michel Viso
Space exploration calls on multiple sources of energy, for example to power probes, satellites and manned space flights, not to mention the numerous pieces of equipment that also require energy. From solar panels and thermoelectric generators to batteries, nuclear reactors and chemical fuels, each source of energy comes into play, and the choice of one or other depends on the specific requirements of each mission. It would be inconceivable to talk about the energy required for a space mission without mentioning that of its crew. How do you train, organize yourself, manage your periods of activity and rest; how do you organize yourself as a team, cooperate and make decisions? Human and machine move forward together.
Julie Payette
Astronaut
Terry Virts
Astronaut
Michel Viso
Exobiologist
What are the challenges involved in decarbonizing the agri-food sector?
2 April 2024 – from 13:30 to 15:05 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Jean Lacroix
As we face up to the realities and urgency of climate change, we all need to take action, including the agri-food sector. This exercise must integrate the entire sector – from production to the plate – in a dynamic of maximum circularity. The logical outcome is to apply the 3 RVEs (Reduction at Source, Reuse, Recycling and Recovery) for a low-carbon economy, with the aim of making the sector carbon neutral. This goal requires the mobilization of the public, and in particular of all players in the supply chain. It is important to remember that one of the industry’s priorities is to offer decarbonized products with the lowest carbon footprint. Signals from investors, the general public and export markets favor this trend. We are seeing a number of trends gathering pace, including the need to look at and apply a cocktail of different protein choices (animal, vegetable, proteins and alternatives), which are inescapable and intimately linked. The way things are done will have to be reviewed and rethought, in terms of financial models, business models, governance and new technological trends. Strengthening supply chains, short circuits, local purchasing, low-carbon farms, green fertilizers, new technologies and AI, are all major themes. Building bridges and seeking out best practices from around the world are key to meeting these challenges. Action must be taken both globally and locally, through rapid, concrete achievements.
Sabin Boily
Doctor of Energy Sciences
Mario De Tilly
General Manager
Sébastien Gariépy
CEO
Jean Lacroix
Chairman and CEO
Nancy Rossi
Researcher
How do you finance business development?
3 April 2024 – from 10:55 to 12:30 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Jérémy Nestel
Financing start-ups is relatively complex. Generally speaking, funds are available for research and development. There are also traditional venture capitalists willing to support companies as they grow or expand. What happens in between? Where marketing is often regarded as the Valley of Death? It’s a time-consuming period for generating the first productions, organizing promotion and seeking out contracts. It’s also a time when you have to deal with all the red tape involved in certification and homologation, as well as the many and varied facets of sales and after-sales service. How can we support our start-ups through this Valley?
Donald Angers
CEO
A. Champagne-Gélinas
Director of strategy
Jennifer McDonald
Senior Vice President
Jérémie Nestel
Business Developement
Christelle Rousseau
General Manager
What are the keys to startup growth and the challenges to be overcome?
3 April 2024 – from 13:30 to 15:05 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Dan Boucher
Every year, a large number of companies are born. Unfortunately, in the short term, around 90% of startups fail completely. Of those that survive, around 15% make it into the top eight U.S. startup ecosystems. Similar statistics are found in France. In addition to startups, many companies that have passed the five-year mark are not reaching their full potential. In this debate, we look at the challenges that need to be overcome, and the keys to ensuring optimal, sustainable growth. The main challenges include strategic positioning of companies in relation to market needs and competing offerings, capital and human resource requirements, technological development of the offering, and the business model and its development.
Donald Angers
Chairman
Dan Boucher
Sales manager
Claude Lambert
Project manager
Lionel Lux
Sales manager
Pierre Marquis
VP Business
Denys Turcotte
Chairman
Are municipalities key partners in the energy transition?
4 April 2024 – from 10:55 to 12:30 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Simon Barnabé
Quebec municipalities are key players in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. They play a crucial role in decarbonization, renewable energy production and energy efficiency, contributing to revenue diversification and local economic development. By raising awareness of the need for more efficient electricity consumption, promoting the social acceptability of energy projects and accelerating energy production, municipalities are becoming key partners in Quebec’s energy transition. By collaborating with governments and energy players, municipalities can enhance the energy resilience of communities and actively contribute to meeting today’s climate and energy challenges.
Simon Barnabé
Biochemistry researcher
Martin Damphousse
Mayor of the City of Varennes
Simon Deschênes
Mayor
Jean-Pierre Naud
President
Jean Nolet
General manager
Innovation Challenges: a tool for Quebec’s energy transition?
4 April 2024 – from 09:00 to 10:35 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Déborah Cherenfant
In the midst of the energy transition, industries and municipal organizations are looking to move away from fossil fuels and towards green energy. Is it possible to set up partnerships between these two sectors, with a view to sustainable development? Can the Innovation Challenges, led by Alliance Métal Québec for the Industrial Metal Fabrication (IMF) sector, enable them to accelerate this transition and break down the barriers? Innovation Challenges, initiated by Alliance Métal Québec, receives a grant from the MEIE as part of the Défis innovation Québec measure. Find out how local SMEs are rising to the challenge of developing products that currently don’t exist to meet the needs of municipal organizations. Join this essential discussion that will build bridges between these different realities.
Philippe Blais
General Manager
Sabin Boily
Doctor of Energy Sciences
Olivier Brault
CEO
Déborah Cherenfant
Presenter
Michel de Laplante
Fire and Public Safety Department
Jonathan Lesage
President
Raoul Pascal
Department Manager
Energy sobriety imposed or not?
4 April 2024 – from 13:30 to 15:05 – Amphi 4 – Moderation by Théophile Richard
Do you want to dive into the heart of the debate on energy sobriety? Should it be imposed or left to free adoption? Join five graduate students, representing diverse disciplines, for an in-depth exploration of issues related to the energy transition. What are the arguments in favor of imposing energy sobriety? How do they justify the urgency of acting in the face of the climate crisis? Conversely, what are the arguments in favor of individual freedom in this area? How do they highlight the possibilities offered by technological innovation? Expect passionate discussions and innovative ideas that will enrich your understanding of contemporary energy challenges. How will this diversity of disciplines will influence the discussion? What social, economic and environmental aspects of energy sobriety will be addressed? What actions can be considered to respond to these challenges effectively and equitably? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore these crucial questions and participate in an essential debate for the future of energy and our society.
Maria Albornoz
Engineer
Jolyane Damphousse
PhD student
Charles Fort
PhD Student
Violaine Gascuel
PhD student
Reyhaneh Nazmabadi
PhD Student
