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Powerful Connections

Powerful Connections

Written by: Dean G. Gatien- DGG5 Advising
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About this listen

 Strategy, Planning, and Risk Review are all vital in getting your project to the finish line. For over 40 years I’ve planned and built many projects. And my new company, DGG5 Advising, is now the “Opportunity Maker” for the energy and construction sectors. Let me help you make a solid plan, bring the right people to the table and help you execute your projects.

My guests and I will share our experiences and show how we have helped many customers, owners, communities and organizations make the plans to succeed.

We’ll also look at the connection between what worked, lessons learned, and the new ways to solve today’s issues in developing, detailing, and building Transmission Lines, Substations, and power projects.

Listen and subscribe to “Powerful Connections” wherever you get your podcasts.
Connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or find me on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien. https://www.linkedin.com/in/deangatien/Dean G. Gatien- DGG5 Advising Economics Management Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Generation - The Beauty of BESS

    Generation - The Beauty of BESS
    Jul 23 2025
    In our season two finale, I spoke with Carl Haeussler, Director of Business Development at Brookfield Renewables (EVOLUGEN), and a good industry associate. We discuss generation at a high level with a focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

    BESS has seen rapid growth in recent years. It is a simple concept for storing excess energy from a high voltage grid or local distribution network, and using it during peak times when energy rates are at their highest.

    BESS systems are complex, even though they are viewed as a stationary storage device. They can provide voltage regulations, frequency droop compensation, as well as functionality to black start grids during large outages.

    The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has been working on their long-term plans to find and allocate resources to meet the demand and needs of the future for Ontario. The IESO views BESS as the most cost-effective solution on the market that will taper electricity rates paid by Ontario residents and hopefully reduce those rates.

    There are no other technologies available on the market that are financially feasible enough, and have as low a public impact as BESS to support growth. It is one of the best solutions for grid stability.

    The need for power in Ontario is greater than it has ever been. BESS is necessary to facilitate the growth objectives set forth by the province.

    Key Takeaways:
    1. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are good as a Peak Time Capacity reserve but are more complex than perceived. They provide voltage regulation, frequency droop compensation, and help to black start grids in times of major outages.
    2. BESS operates at different voltage levels. It can be connected at 500 kV and 230 kV grid voltages as well as Utility scale installations from 34.5 kV to as low as 600 Volts. Find the right solution and design for your needs.
    3. The value of BESS is revolutionary and is not optional in Ontario. IESO predicts energy demand in Ontario to grow by 75% by 2050. We need BESS as part of the energy solution.
    4. From a grid stability standpoint, it is one of the best solutions. Find the opportunity to bring this solution to your system, customer, or project.
    Please subscribe to this podcast and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien.

    Powerful Connections is produced by Story Studio Network.
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    27 mins
  • The Next 25 Years

    The Next 25 Years
    Jul 9 2025
    In this episode, I had the pleasure of continuing the discussion from last episode with Brendon Fenton (VP, PowerNorth Utility Contractors Inc.) and his partner Nick Gatien (President, PowerNorth). We discuss the future of the high voltage industry and the next 25 years.

    Maintaining current customer as well as finding new opportunities to provide high level services. Being engaged early with long-time customers with constructability and details for planning to perform permitting, design, procurement, or construction planning.

    Building the organization is critical. Developing the talent in the office to make sure there are new key people in the business to take on more activities. Managing the capacity to service today’s responsibilities but see the long-term work to be able to respond to you client when they need you. The apprenticeship program in the company is a core investment being done.

    The importance of Business Development for the long-term is critical to your success. That includes understanding the Indigenous communities, leaders, and businesses. Find out what the stakeholders, landowners, and rights holders need.

    Getting engaged with customers at many levels including development, planning, risk review and deliver great services with high quality and safety. The enthusiasm with which the leadership and key supervision can time and time again interact with customers creates trust.

    Once the customer finds their service provider is an extension of them, the integration into ECI process, collaborative approach, and integrated project management helps de-risk a project and lead to successful outcomes. This leads to service agreements or review services for planning.

    Stay focused on what you do and what you are good at. Manage the specialty items you need to provide a complete project solution. Develop good relations with vendors, engineering, subcontractors to create teams with similar focus, values, and great performance.

    Develop the right team in the business to deliver a unique solution and compete at the highest level.

    Key Takeaways:
    1. Maintaining current customer as well as finding new opportunities to provide high level services.
    2. Managing the capacity to service today’s responsibilities but see the long-term work to be able to respond to you client when they need you. The importance of Business Development for the long term is critical to your success.
    3. Getting engaged with customers at many levels including development, planning, risk review and deliver great services with high quality and safety. The enthusiasm with which the leadership and key supervision can time and time again interact with customers creates trust.
    4. Once the customer finds their service provider is an extension of them, the integration into ECI process, collaborative approach, and integrated project management helps de-risk a project and lead to successful outcomes.
    5. Stay focused on what you do and what you are good at. Manage the specialty items you need to provide a complete project solution.
    6. Develop the right team in the business to deliver a unique solution and compete at the highest level.
    Please subscribe to this podcast and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien.
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    43 mins
  • Resources

    Resources
    Jun 25 2025
    In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brendon Fenton (VP, PowerNorth Utility Contractors Inc.) and his partner Nick Gatien (President, PowerNorth). We discuss today’s issues with People, Equipment, Materials, and Resources in the high voltage business realm.

    Maintaining good working relationships with equipment vendors. The standard of equipment is important because the investment in the high voltage business is big. This is a difficult business to enter, let alone maintain.

    Planning with customers for procurement of items is critical. Leveraging the relationship with the customer for procurement of items is critical.

    It is a busy marketplace. Subcontractor onboarding is very key to finding organizations that share and align with the same values. Trust and relationship are the key to success. The conflict-free operations on a job are vital to delivering the outcome required.

    Successfully delivering results, project after project, especially in complex projects, is why we are successful.

    Building a strong team to join and grow the organization in a professional manner. Investing in our apprenticeship program resources to continue to get better to provide clients with well-rounded services.

    Key Takeaways:
    1. Maintain good relationships with equipment vendors.
    2. Establishing a standard of equipment is important because the to investment in your business is big.
    3. Planning with Customers for procurement items is critical to the outcome, risk mitigation, and maintaining a schedule.
    4. Find the subcontractors and service providers that meet your values and create the trust for a good working relationship.
    5. Successfully deliver results especially in complex projects to meet your customer’s requirements, establish a long-term relationship, and create repeat business.
    6. Invest in your apprenticeship program to build the resources to build a strong team to grow the organization in a professional manner. The goals and objectives are to provide your customer with well rounded list of services.
    Please subscribe to this podcast and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien.
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    32 mins
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