Michael Wolinetz, Partner

With his background in physical sciences, energy modelling and economics, Michael is a natural fit with Navius Research. He is instinctively critical and academic in his work, applying quantitative methods to better understand the interaction between policy, economics, technology and the environment. His areas of expertise include:

Forecasting the energy and emissions impact of policies, energy markets and technological change in all sectors of the economy including transportation, buildings, industry and energy supply
Modelling the energy-economy system at local provincial, national and international scale
Analyzing the hourly and long-term interaction of emerging energy demand technologies and intermittent renewable electricity generation
Quantifying the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles as a consequence of human behavior, policies and market barriers

Michael is also an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University where he supervises graduate students and participates in research. When he isn’t bothering his family and friends with “important” back-of-the-envelope calculations and spreadsheet models, he likes to be out in the Coast Mountains with those same people. He holds a Masters of Resource Management from Simon Fraser University and a bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Queen’s University.

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Recent Work

Research Brief: Hitting Canada’s Climate Targets with Biogas & RNG

Michael Wolinetz

March 2022

Biogas & Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a proven climate solution, with 279 projects across Canada already preventing more than 8 Mt CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions from reaching the atmosphere every year. But how much greater a role can biogas & RNG play in supporting Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals?

To determine this, the Canadian Biogas Association commissioned Navius Research to model the impact of a number of potential government policies on the GHG reductions happening through biogas & RNG. This report presents and interprets the key findings of that modelling.

Learn More.

Our Team

Jotham PetersSenior Partner

Managing partner and primary model developer at Navius, with experience advising governments and organizations about energy and climate policy since 2006.

Michael WolinetzPartner

Lead techno-economic modeller for Navius Research since 2008, responsible for designing and executing energy and climate policy forecasting analyses using several quantitative models.

Noel MeltonPartner

Consultant and published researcher providing insights to governments and other clients about the impact of energy and climate policies since 2008.

Brianne RiehlManaging Director

Climate and energy policy researcher and advisor since 2015, responsible for translating Navius’ complex modeling results into real-world insights.

Aurora MarstokkSenior Manager

Aurora has a background in environmental economics, climate change, environmental policy, spatial analysis, and econometrics. She also has experience as a research assistant at the University of British Columbia.

Sam PallasSenior Analyst

Sam joins Navius from Auckland, New Zealand, bringing with him a diverse background of quantitative, analytical and modeling experience in both the private and public sectors. Sam has a conjoint Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Science, Economics and Finance from the University of Auckland. His Engineering studies focused on mathematical modeling, optimization and data science.

Isaac Kwok Hei YeungAnalyst II

Isaac is an engineering professional
in the energy sector. He holds a Bachelors of Engineering in Electrical Engineering with a focus on power system analysis, and a
minor in Sustaining Cities, Cultures, and the Earth from the University of Hong Kong.

Lucas MehlingAnalyst II

Lucas is an economist with a focus on development and the environment. He joined Navius after completing a Bachelor of International Economics at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Nima AlizadehAnalyst I

Nima is an energy-economic modeler interested in using integrated frameworks to evaluate policies and their wider impacts. Prior to his current role, he conducted energy modeling at Iran’s Ministry of Power to support the development of national transition roadmaps.

Doina RusuAnalyst I

Doina is an economist interested in using quantitative tools to disentangle questions pertaining to climate and energy policy. Prior to joining Navius, she contributed to research at the Bank of Canada and analyzed the North American energy market in commodity trading departments of major firms.

Rosalyn ShepherdAnalyst I

Rosalyn has a diverse research background, with experience in energy-economy-emissions modelling for climate policy, industrial decarbonization, and ecological restoration. She has conducted engaged, interdisciplinary research with a range of stakeholders, including governments, non-profit organizations, community councils, and private companies.

Carolina GilOffice Manager

Carolina Gil is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in marketing, finance, and client support.