Opening remarks

The New Energy Equation: Balancing Security, Affordability, and Sustainability for a Tech-Driven Future at Web Summit Vancouver 2026

Derrick Emsley opened the New Energy Summit at Web Summit Vancouver 2026, welcoming attendees to a crucial discussion. As co-founder of 10 Tree, an outdoor apparel business, and a technology company that audits global reforestation efforts, Mr. Emsley set the stage for exploring the foundational energy challenges facing the ongoing technological revolution.

He highlighted that the current technological advancements, including AI, quantum computing, and fusion, all rely on power. Every system and agent deployed in companies today runs on software, which in turn runs on servers requiring significant power. This power is drawn from an existing grid, built over centuries, which is ill-equipped to meet these escalating demands.

Mr. Emsley emphasized that this “power gap” is the central topic of the summit. The discussion would not only cover the sources of power but also delve into the different types of energy and their inherent sustainability. This critical examination aims to address the underlying infrastructure necessary for future technological growth.

Drawing on his experience building companies focused on making nature investable, Mr. Emsley noted a parallel between the hype trajectory of nature-based solutions and the current state of AI. Both have moved from being seen as a panacea to requiring rigorous verification, auditing, and a focus on tangible impact.

He explained that just as the sustainability sector matured to demand real, verifiable results, the AI revolution is reaching a similar point. The focus is shifting from initial excitement to the “nuts and bolts” that will truly drive change. This stage at the summit is dedicated to exploring the energy that powers this technological transformation.

The summit promises an incredible panel of speakers discussing various aspects of energy, from the energy grid itself to the potential of fusion technology. Mr. Emsley expressed his excitement to bring together these individuals who are making significant contributions in the field of new energy.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Emsley described humanity as standing at a critical crossroads. For decades, the energy conversation was binary: security versus sustainability. However, this narrative is now evolving, moving towards a more integrated approach that seeks to balance energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability.

He then introduced the first speaker, Mr. Joe Paluska, Chief Marketing Officer of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Mr. Paluska was set to discuss how fusion, long considered 30 years away, is now potentially just 24 months from becoming an industrial milestone.

Mr. Paluska’s presentation would focus on the marketing blueprint required to transition a century-long dream into a tangible reality. Attendees were invited to welcome Mr. Paluska to the stage to explore how scientific possibility can be transformed into marketing certainty in the realm of fusion energy.