This is a special feature that I now run every term with my University of Alberta Economics (ECON 366: Energy Economics) students. I’ve modeled their last assignment off Jason Kirby’s Economists’ Charts Week special issues in Maclean’s and the Globe and Mail. Students have submitted a chart that is particularly important to them and, where they felt comfortable doing so, have provided LinkedIn information and a little bit about themselves too. Unlike past terms, this year Charts Week is not an optional assignment, although some students may choose not to have their final chart published or to have it published anonymously.

If you’re looking to hire an economics student, make sure to reach out to some of the students via links posted here, to me, or to the University of Alberta Faculty of Arts careers office! If you like their charts, connect with the authors on LinkedIn and tell them so! But, please keep the comments civil and constructive.

Who is most exposed to the closed Strait of Hormuz?

Chase Sattler

The recent outbreak of conflict in the Persian Gulf has thrown the global supply of crude into uncertainty, exposing majorly consequential choke points in the existing infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz closure has cinched off roughly 95% of traffic through the strait, traffic which typically carries 20% of the global supply.Among the most globally inflicting are the impacts felt by the major Asian economies, including India, China, South Korea, and Japan, each of which are large global economic drivers. This graph represents the exposure each of these economies has to closure, representing imports through the Strait of Hormuz as a portion of each country’s respective total consumption.

My name is Chase Sattler, I am in my final year of my BA at the University of Alberta, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics as well as a certificate in Globalization and Governance. Next year I will be returning to the University of Alberta to pursue a Masters of Agriculture in Resource Economics. My personal fields of interest include political economy, resource markets, trade policy, energy policy and security. Having worked within Alberta’s heavy industries I have familiarized myself with the operational requirements of responsible policy change and Canadian energy transition.

Proposed In-Situ Bitumen Projects Relative to Production

Maddux Shipton

This chart tracks the status of proposed in-situ crude bitumen projects in Alberta presented as a benchmark for assessing the recent claim made by the Alberta government that overall oil production could rise to eight million barrels per day by 2035. In-situ bitumen offers a useful proxy for evaluating broader production ambitions because it constitutes a major share (~80%) of Alberta’s oil sands output, of which the oil sands consist of around half (52%) of total oil production within the province.

I found this question interesting as the main challenge in considering the doubling of oil production is whether growth will increase at the scale envisioned by the provincial government. The recent federal-provincial MOU presents a policy framework to complete this goal through tangible, production-centric policies, such as the scrapping of the production cap, but the Alberta Energy Regulator’s own data forecasts in-situ bitumen production growth at only 22.1% over the same time frame as Premier Smith seeks to double production. This forecast, along with the fact that administratively approved projects account for 70.4% of proposed in-situ capacity, a number derived from my graph, indicates that government is definitely on the right track to double production, but there is still a long road ahead to actually achieve these desired goals.

My name is Maddux Shipton, and I am a third-year honours student in Economics and History, specializing in the effects of nationalism on European political economy in the 20th century. I have previous experience with the Government of Alberta within the Ministry of Forestry and Parks and will soon be joining the Office of the Premier of Alberta. Most recently, I have worked for the Hoover Institution studying U.S. monetary policy, specifically the idea of monetary non-neutrality in an American context. If you’d like to connect, feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or email () — I’d love to chat.

Political Stability of Oil Producers

Jacob Bayat

I graphed this because it highlights one of the many factors to consider when investing in oil projects. Political stability is a critical component of investment risk because higher levels of violence or terrorism can significantly reduce a country’s stability, making projects more uncertain and potentially more costly. By visualizing these stability trends over time, we can better understand an aspect investors might incorporate into their decision-making process. This insight can help identify countries where additional risk may occur and in-turn inform more strategic allocation of resources in oil investments.

Data source: World Bank PV.PER.RNK.

I am a third-year Economics student at the University of Alberta, minoring in Computer Science, interested in understanding the financial world from both technological and economic perspectives. In my free time, I enjoy puzzles and strategy-based activities like chess and video games.

CO2 Emissions per Capita by Region and Sector

Isabelle Harris

Climate change is a prevailing issue in resource, economic, and policy discussions. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas accounting for climate change, a byproduct of many industrial processes. This graph visualizes per-capita CO₂ emissions over the last century, showing how carbon-intensive life is across different regions. Recent declines in some regions suggest progress in reducing per capita emissions, though global trends remain uneven. Separating emissions by industry informs us on what processes are declining in emissions and which are not (whether it be due to efficiency, reduction in usage, etc). For example, Asia has been steadily increasing its coal emissions, whereas North America has seen a decline in this industry. Tracking these patterns helps identify where additional policy or technological interventions may be needed (or are working), which is important to slow down climate change! Data for this graph was collected from Our World In Data.

I am completing my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Economics at the end of April 2026. I chose to minor in Economics after my second year of university, because I’ve always been interested in consumer behaviour. Psychology and Economics have much in common, which actually surprises some people! A bit about myself, I love anything related to health and fitness, enjoy drawing, and dream of visiting 30 countries before I turn 30. I actually plan to backpack around Europe for a couple months this summer! In any case, I hope you all enjoyed my graph.

Saskatchewan Orphan Well Status

Ainsley Hummel

Orphan wells are often left on rural land without compensating landowners or protecting the health and safety of landowners and the environment. The issue was brought up at the most recent Rural Municipalities of Alberta convention. The media tends to focus on Alberta, so I looked at Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan also has many orphan wells, primarily gas wells, that have not been abandoned or reclaimed. However, there are also signs of some progress. Saskatchewan made better use of money from the federal government to clean up their orphan wells than Alberta did. I will be keeping up with the status of orphan wells in Alberta and Saskatchewan, as it reflects the government’s respect for rural people, the environment, and property rights.

My name is Ainsley Hummel, and this semester I am graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, with a major in Environmental Economics and Policy. I currently work for the Edmonton Public Library and I have volunteered with the Edmonton and Area Land Trust and the Campus Food Bank. I am passionate about the intersection of environmental health and human well-being, and I hope to eventually pursue a career in public policy so that I can contribute to positive changes in how companies are regulated.

Provincial Wind Electricity (30 chars)

Anonymous

After a brief read through the CER, I was intrigued by how distinctly wind power was featured across all of their future energy scenarios, seen as a driving factor in renewable energy’s role in meeting Canada’s energy demand. I took a closer look at the actual wind generation data over the last ten years for Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Beyond the expected seasonal increase in winter month, we see Alberta’s steady growth in the last decade, going from a portion of to almost matching Ontario’s output. If we already have the capacity, the CER’s optimism about wind turbines’ role is something to keep in mind for the future.

Who Pays Most at the Pump?

Diya Arora

This chart tracks retail gasoline prices in Canada, Europe, and the United States alongside WTI crude oil prices from 2006 to 2026, all expressed in CAD per litre. I chose this chart because it highlights the volatility of the global oil market and how directly it affects consumers. Sharp price swings, particularly around 2008 and the post-2020 period, reflect global shocks driven by geopolitical tensions, wars, and supply disruptions.

While gasoline prices in all regions move with crude oil, the level differences are largely policy-driven. Europe consistently has the highest prices, not because of higher oil costs, but due to significantly higher fuel taxes and climate policies. In contrast, the United States remains the lowest-cost market, with Canada in between.

This chart is useful going forward because it helps distinguish between global oil-driven volatility and domestic policy effects, especially as geopolitical uncertainty and the energy transition continue to shape fuel prices and consumer costs.

Hi, I am Diya Arora, a 4th-year Economics Honours student with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Alberta. I am an incoming Master’s student in Economics at the University of British Columbia. My primary interests lie in Health Economics, followed by Labor Economics. I plan to pursue a PhD in Economics and, ultimately, a career as a professor. In my free time, you can find me rewatching The Big Bang Theory or listening to Taylor Swift. Hope you like my graph!

Canada’s Energy Future: Projected Electricity Capacity by Technology

Ken Duan

This chart shows how Canada’s electricity system may change under the Canada Net-zero scenario from 2025 to 2050. Hydro remains a major part of Canada’s electricity system, while solar power and battery storage are expected to grow slightly in the future, and wind is expected to grow significantly, which reflects Canada’s move toward cleaner energy. In the future, people should focus on the pace of development in wind, solar, and battery storage technologies, since these technologies are key to Canada’s transition to a cleaner electricity system.

I am a fourth year student majoring in Economics at the University of Albert, and I have a strong interest in environmental and energy economics. As for myself, I personally enjoy sports and video games, especially basketball and football.

The Closing Gap: Solar vs. Nuclear in Canada

Hanson Kuang

As Canada continues to evolve, the energy system will follow. For years now, nuclear has dominated as a low-carbon power source. But as the chart shows, nuclear generation has hit its lowest since 2016 at 81.6 million MWh, while solar reached a record of 6.0 million MWh, growing nearly 14% in just a single year.

The dashed trend line tells the story. The gap is closing. Nuclear is flat or declining due to aging infrastructure and refurbishments, while solar is rising fast as costs drop and adoption accelerates.

Why bother watching this? Because the choices we make today—policy decisions, project approvals—will determine whether solar’s momentum continues and whether nuclear recovers or is completely overtaken. This isn’t just an energy debate. It’s about how Canada powers its future.

My name is Hanson Kuang, and I am an Economics major with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society. I am passionate about understanding how financial markets work, as well as the environmental aspects of economics. In my free time, I enjoy various sports, particularly rugby, golf, and basketball.

The Future of Battery Storage

Jacky La

This chart depicts how battery storage and solar is projected to grow in Canada into 2050. It is interesting to see the rapid rate of growth that is projected to occur as we shift towards cleaner sources of electricity. Solar cannot generate electricity during the day, and in areas with large installations such as in California, we witness a “duck curve” during peak generation. With future innovations and expansions in battery storage, it will exciting to see if one day, we will be able to utilise batteries to a greater extent, as opposed to relying on fossil fuels during times of low solar output.

My name is Jacky, and I’m a third year Computing Science student minoring in Economics. I’ve appreciated being able to improve my skills in R and data visualisation throughout this course. Feel free to check out my personal website and my LinkedIn for more information about me.

US Imports of Canadian Heavy & Light Crude

Chloe Lee

I chose to visualize US Imports of Canadian Heavy vs. Light Crude because it illustrates the fundamental economic engine of Western Canada. Living in Edmonton, I am surrounded by the industry that drives this data, with vast oil fields nearby providing the resources that power North America. This chart is impactful because it demonstrates Alberta’s critical role in energy security, with Canada now providing roughly 60% of all US crude imports. The data clearly shows how heavy crude has become the primary export driver, displacing imports from international producers like Mexico and Venezuela.

In future versions of this chart, observers should watch for the impact of the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX), which is expected to diversify heavy crude shipments toward the US West Coast and international markets. As US domestic shale production grows, the stability of Canadian exports will remain a key indicator of market resilience.

I am an Economics major with a minor in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, graduating in December 2026. Since moving to Edmonton, I have developed a strong interest in the oil industry, as this city serves as the primary hub for Canada’s major oil fields. Being surrounded by this energy sector firsthand has motivated me to learn more about the economic impact of these resources. Moving forward, I am eager to deepen my understanding of how this industry shapes both our local economy and international trade.

GHG Emissions vs Climate Targets

Aayush Mehta

Canada’s Energy Future 2026, released by the Canada Energy Regulator in March 2026, offers the long-term view of where Canadian greenhouse gas emissions are headed. The report projects Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions till 2050 across the following scenarios : Higher, Current Measures, Lower, and Canada Net-zero. I chose this dataset as it was published most recently, in March 2026.

Canada committed to cutting emission to 440Mt CO2e by 2030, but the chart clearly shows how far off Canada really is. Even the lower scenarios miss the target by over 50Mt. We also notice a large gap from the Canada net zero scenario, which reaches 0 by 2050, but that also requires drastic measures to be undertaken beyond anything currently legislated. In April 2025, Canada also repealed the consumer carbon price which could possibly show up as a kink in the chart’s future trajectory.

My name is Aayush and I am in my 4th year at University of Alberta with a strong interest in data analysis and economics of developing countries. Outside of academics, I regularly box as a hobby and hope to compete soon. I am also a massive tech and automobile geek.

Alberta’s Oil Production Hits Record Heights

Krish Mehta

Alberta’s oil production reached a record 4.1 million barrels per day in 2025, a 4.2% increase over the previous year. This chart breaks down monthly production into conventional and non-conventional (oil sands) output since 2007. What stands out is how dramatically oil sands production has grown, more than doubling over this period, while conventional output has slowly declined. A key driver of recent growth was the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline in 2024, which added roughly 590,000 barrels per day of export capacity and opened up Asian markets for Alberta crude. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp but temporary dip in 2020. Looking ahead, pipeline capacity could again become a constraint on growth as early as 2028 without new infrastructure, making this chart one worth watching closely.

Crude Oil Futures Prices

Devon Kuzik

After the Iran war sent oil prices soaring, I noticed that 12-month crude futures were trading significantly lower than current crude prices. I know backwardation is not uncommon in crude markets so I thought it would be interesting to see how the current difference compares to differences that occurred over the last 15 years. The following graph shows that the current backwardation in the 12-month futures spot spread is not overly abnormal, but it is the largest we have seen in the past 15 years. I also found it interesting that the bars do not show a dramatic convergence of futures prices to spot prices as futures approached a month till settlement. This along with the volatility of the bars show crude futures spreads are largely driven by short-term market conditions.

I am a 4th year finance and accounting student and have passed Level I of the CFA Program. I have a strong interest in macro financial markets including FX, fixed income and commodities. If you have any opportunities that you think would interest me feel free to reach out via email.

WCS vs WTI over time

Evemarie Mkongwa

WTI (West Texas Intermediate) is a major global oil benchmark, while WCS (West Canadian Select) is specifically important for Alberta because it reflects the price received for the province’s heavy oil. I choose this chart because it compares these two oil price benchmarks, and it’s useful to understand Alberta’s energy market and global oil market trends. The difference between the two benchmarks can reveal whether Alberta oil is selling at a normal discount or facing a loss, but also the gap in the chart can affect oil company revenues and investment within the province. If the gap becomes too big, Alberta receives less benefit from higher oil prices, while a small gap reflects high benefit returns. Under current market conditions, this is something worth noticing because geopolitical conflicts can affect global oil prices, which may also influence the gap between WCS and WTI.

Source: Government of Alberta, Alberta Economic Dashboard, WCS/WTI oil prices.

Source: Government of Alberta, Alberta Economic Dashboard, WCS/WTI oil prices.

My main academic interest is oil and gas economics, particularly how prices and market conditions affect the energy market and the economy. I hope to continue studying this area in postgraduate studies, which is why I chose a chart that highlights an issue that is important for Alberta oil producers.

The Energy Security of the UK

Olivia Paoli

These charts examine the UK’s supply of natural gas, with both a broader overview and a closer look at the sources of our LNG imports. Following current disruptions to the global supply chain, fears about the security of the UK’s gas supply have taken the media by storm. These graphs aim to shed a little light on this. As our domestic production has collapsed by more than half since 2008, we have become increasingly import dependent. While pipeline gas from Norway remains the single largest source, the growing share of LNG has introduced another layer of exposure to the global market. As imports from Qatar have declined, and the Russian imports were cut off entirely, the US has become the UK’s primary source of LNG, and thus a key player in our energy supply. It is important to note that these graphs do not capture price changes, which are crucial to the UK’s energy security.

My name is Olivia, I’m an exchange student from the University of Sheffield, where I study Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE). I’ve previously written on the UK electricity market and renewables transition, so it has been so interesting to see the energy transition framed from the Canadian perspective - shaped by a completely different set of economic, geographical, and political factors. Coming to Canada has been so much fun, albeit a bit cold. I love outdoor sports, so my favourite part of living here has been the opportunity to rock climb, ski, and ice climb during my breaks! If you’re interested in these graphs, you can reach me through my LinkedIn.

China’s Solar PV Exports

Kalathmi Pathiraja

The global solar supply chain revolution has been driven almost entirely through the singular lens of Chinese exports. I chose this two graph display because it transforms Ember’s granular trade figures into a country-based narrative. While traditional European hubs like the Netherlands continue to maintain their standing as critical re-exporting gateways, the map reveals a striking shift toward “frontier” markets. Specifically, in Asia where India emerged as a major importer, underscoring how decentralized power is reshaping the new energy equation. Solar power is no longer just a “green” alternative, but also a competitive and disruptive market force, transforming merit orders and forcing a transition toward flexible, battery-backed grid solutions. This data matters because it highlights a critical pivot in decarbonization efforts, as detailed by the IEA. The chart aims to bridge the gap between high-level regional trends and the local impacts of a world moving rapidly away from traditional generation (hover & zoom to see country data!).

I’m a third-year Econ and CS student with a passion for turning “messy” datasets into clear, compelling narratives. My background ranges from consulting and research to sales; notably, during my last macro-econ research internship, I experimented with unconventional GIS data, using nightlight intensity as a proxy to map shifting consumer patterns and economic geographies for investors. I’m excited to keep sharpening these skills as an analyst at Hugessen Consulting this summer. If you’re interested in data storytelling or the intersection of economics and tech, I’d love to connect!

Alberta’s Coal-Free Grid

Chirayu Shah

Alberta completed its coal phase-out in 2024, eliminating 6,289 MW of coal capacity that had anchored the grid in 2015. Natural gas capacity nearly doubled over the same period—from 7,257 MW in 2015 to over 14,000 MW by 2024—cementing gas as the backbone of a grid now relying heavily on intermittent sources. Wind grew from 1,459 MW to 5,684 MW, solar started from zero and now sits at 1,850 MW, and battery storage appeared as an entirely new category. Yet natural gas dominance raises a pointed question: Alberta has solved the coal problem but deferred the gas problem. As renewable capacity continues to grow, will storage, interties, and demand response eventually erode the need for gas, or will it remain structurally necessary to Alberta’s grid for decades to come?

Data used for this graph was taken and modified from the AESO Tableau Public Dashboard.

Hi!, my name is Chirayu Shah. I’m in my 4th year of Bachelors degree majoring in Computing Science. My interest in energy economics grew from living in Alberta, a province whose economy is deeply tied to oil, gas, and an electricity sector in rapid transition. I am drawn to how markets and policy intersect during energy transitions—particularly how grid operators balance reliability and decarbonization. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Top 10 African Countries by Electricity Access Deficit 2000-2023

Ciel Tusiime

This chart tracks the 10 African countries with the largest un-electrified populations from 2000 to 2023, selected by their 2022 deficit ranking. Despite progress in access rates, the total number of people living in the dark across these countries has barely shifted, hovering near 550 million. Nigeria and the DRC alone account for roughly 170 million. Uganda, my home country, sits mid-table and has actually improved, but still leaves tens of millions behind. What to watch for in future charts is whether countries like Niger and Burkina Faso, whose bands are visibly widening, can bend their curves and improve electricity access before population growth overtakes any electrification gains entirely.

As a Ugandan and third year Economics student, my interests lie in Development Economics and Policy Analysis, where electricity access is a primary concern. Taking this Energy Economics class has built my passion for working with data to visualize trends and identify where we can improve not only as a nation but also as a continent.Seeing where my home country lies in this chart is a vivid reminder of why this work matters.

Canada’s Renewable Fuel Balance

Alexander Schneider

Renewable fuel refers to fuels created from biological or waste based resources, that fulfill the same role as traditional Hydrocarbon chain fuel sources such as oil. Canada’s renewable fuel sector has grown rapidly since Statistics Canada began tracking monthly supply and disposition data in late 2020. This chart tracks monthly production and shipments of renewable fuels measured in cubic metres, offering a window into how Canada’s biofuel industry is scaling over the past five and a half years. Throughout the graph, production and shipping exhibit strong covariance, as renewable Fuels exhibit high demand due to their role asan oil replacement with less ecological impact. The notable spike in demand of renewable fuels during the tail end of 2023 is due to the enactment of the Compliance with the Clean Fuel Regulations act being introduced, creating a monetary incentive to reduce ecological footprint due to a credit system, followed by a sharp correction in the latter end of 2024. Within 2025, the graph shows a notable production spike within mid-2025, followed by a smaller production decrease. This increase and subsequent decrease can be explained by Imperial Oil opening a renewable diesel facility in Strathcona county, the subsequent decrease is explained by Braya Renewable Fuels Refinery temporarily shutting down, due to a change in US Tax Credit policy disincentivizing the creation of renewable fuels over traditional oil.

Advanced Biofuels Canada. (2024, November 25). Biofuels in Canada 2024: Biofuel consumption surges following implementation of Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations. https://advancedbiofuels.ca/biofuels-in-canada-2024/ Imperial Oil Limited & ExxonMobil. (n.d.). Fueling the future: Renewable diesel production begins at Strathcona Refinery. ExxonMobil. https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/locations/canada/renewable-diesel-production-at-strathcona-refinery

Alexander Schneider is an Honours Economics student at the University of Alberta. His interests include energy policy, strategic behaviour, environmental and antitrust law. You can reach him at .

The Cost of Alberta’s 1987 Policy Shift: A Sovereign Wealth Fund Comparison

Harmandeep Singh

Both Norway and Alberta created sovereign wealth funds in the late 20th century. Norway’s wealth fund has a total of $2.05 trillion USD. Alberta’s Heritage Fund has about $22.8 billion USD, a mere 1% of Norway’s total wealth. Even the best-case counterfactual reaches only $400–500 billion, roughly one quarter of Norway’s total. Norway deposits net petroleum revenues and spends no more than 3% of its wealth annually. Alberta received 30% of resource revenues from 1976 onwards, but contributions decreased during the 1980s and were suspended altogether in 1987. The money was not squandered but was well spent on providing services and lowering taxes. However, adhering to the 30% rule would have meant cutting spending, raising taxes, or running up provincial debt during the same period of low oil prices. Watch whether Alberta’s pledge of $250 billion by 2050 holds up during the next oil slump.

I am a last-year student at the University of Alberta studying Economics with a minor in Business. My areas of academic interest include environmental economics, public policy, and finance. I have experience using Excel and R for data analysis and visualization. I am also interested in financial markets and investing and would like to know more about economic policies. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to apply economic theories to real-world issues and decisions. I am interested in pursuing a career in the financial sector or related fields.

Iran War, Geopolitical Events and Oil Price Shocks

Manpreet Singh

The 2026 Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure have triggered the most severe energy supply shock since the 1973 oil embargo. This chart tracks Brent and WTI crude prices from 2020 to early 2026, highlighting major geopolitical events that drove each price movement: the COVID-19 demand collapse and 2020 Russia-Saudi oil price war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis with threats to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait. These two chokepoints handle roughly one‑third of global seaborne oil trade, with Hormuz alone handling around 20-25%.

For Canada, the crisis presents a paradox - surging oil prices boost royalty revenues and export competitiveness, while fuel inflation erodes household purchasing power. As the crisis evolves, the key question for Canada is whether this geopolitical premium on oil will accelerate investment in pipeline capacity and energy exports, or whether the delays and recessionary pressures(fall in demand may lead to recession) will offset these gains before they materialize.

Data Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Europe Brent & WTI Cushing daily spot prices

My name is Manpreet Singh, and I am in my second year of a BS in Mathematics and Economics. I’m from a small village in Punjab, India, and I moved to Edmonton in 2024 to pursue my undergraduate degree. I hope to pursue a master’s and then a PhD in economics. I have keen interest in geopolitics, political philosophy, mathematical modelling, and several branches of economics, especially developmental, environmental, agricultural and energy economics. I really enjoy meeting and learning from people with different academic and cultural backgrounds. Outside the classroom, I enjoy playing chess, and watching Formula 1 & Football.

EV Adoption and Global Oil Consumption

Noel York

This chart compares global oil consumption with the share of new car sales that are electric, using data from Our World in Data and IEA EV data. I chose this topic because electric vehicles are often discussed as a key solution for reducing fossil fuel demand, yet the relationship between EV adoption and oil consumption is not always clear. The chart shows that while EV adoption has accelerated rapidly, global oil consumption has remained near record levels. The sharp dip in 2020 reflects the COVID-19 shock, but demand quickly recovered even as EV market share continued to grow. This suggests that rising EV adoption has not yet translated into a meaningful reduction in total oil use. This matters because it highlights the scale of global energy demand and the challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

I am an undergraduate economics student at the University of Alberta with an interest in energy markets and data analysis. Through my coursework, I have developed experience working with real-world datasets and using R to visualize economic trends. I am particularly interested in how data can be used to better understand complex issues such as the global energy transition and market dynamics.

WTI-WCS Price Analysis

Jesica Thakur

This chart compares the prices of WCS and WTI across two timelines. The first being a big-picture overview from 2005-2026 and the second being a modern overview from the past decade from 2015-2026. I chose to make a graph about this because the WCS-WTI differential is quite important for Alberta in the oil market and also to highlight how its significance has changed when comparing the two timelines. The first timeline showcases demand shocks while the second focuses on the structural changes of pipeline bottlenecks. For the future I would watch for this differential to stabilize at narrower levels following the 2024 Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX). If the lines remain closely correlated in the future, it will signal that Alberta has successfully achieved permanent, diversified global market access.

Hi, I’m Jesica Thakur, a third year student majoring in Economics Honors and minoring in Business. My interests are in international economics, microeconomics and game theory. I plan on getting my masters in economics in the coming years. This class has taught me how global markets for commodities work and of course given me an opportunity to learn and code in R. I love to watch movies, go on runs and travel!

The Rise of Alberta Solar

Ilya Sukhanov

This chart shows the massive potential for solar energy in Alberta, showing how the province is projected to become Canada’s solar leader. For decades and even up until now, Alberta’s energy has remained very dependent on coal and gas. However, based on the CER Energy Future 2026 data, Alberta is projected to push the hardest for solar energy among the provinces and by 2030 will surpass the solar generation of all the other provinces combined. I chose this data to show that Alberta is making the hardest push for solar in the country. While these renewables aren’t replacing our industrial foundations like oil and gas, they are still a major milestone that highlights the province’s potential and push to modernize its grid.

Data source: CER Energy Futures (2026)

Hey, I’m Ilya a 3rd year Computer Science student at the University of Alberta. I’m curious about the physical side of technology and how our power grid supports everything we do online. When I’m not in class, I spend most of my time on the creative side of coding, like building my own games and apps.

EPL Match Statistics

Ty Glowach

My graph compares total goals, shots, and shots on target during the current English Premier League season, while also separating performance by home and away teams. I chose this chart because soccer is a sport I have followed closely for years, and the idea of “home advantage” is something that is often discussed with my family and friends. I have always believed that playing at home gives an advantage, and this chart helps visualize whether that advantage appears in the attacking half. What makes this chart impactful is that it connects a common sports debate to measurable outcomes on the field. Looking ahead, I think people should watch whether home advantage begins to weaken over time as the business side of soccer continues to grow. Rising ticket prices may change the atmosphere in stadiums, which could reduce the energy created by passionate home supporters and potentially affect team performance.

Hello my name is Ty Glowach, a third year accounting student, minoring in Economics, at the University of Alberta. I one day hope to be working at a public accounting firm helping out the different organizations of the world. Outside of perusing my academics, I love to play soccer, reason for the chart!

Contact Information

Sign up to receive our updates via Substack



Brought to you by Andrew Leach and the FES Grids and Storage Research Team.
Thanks to NRGStream for data access!