Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO at NRStor Inc.

NRStor

Jul 2

WiRE Spotlight written by Alexandra Gellé, PhD

Watt’s in Store with Annette Verschuren?

In the realm of renewable energy, Annette Verschuren stands as a trailblazer of innovation and purpose-driven leadership. As Chair and CEO of NRStor Inc., Annette powers up the energy transition by advancing energy storage solutions, driving sustainable change, and fostering societal progress.

Sparking her Energy Storage Business

Annette’s professional experience is diverse, and her business acumen is undeniable. Recognizing the urgency of addressing global energy challenges, she seized an opportunity to merge her business expertise with her interest for clean energy. By harnessing the potential of energy storage, Annette envisions a society that is both resilient and equitable, with clean energy fuelling economic growth and combating climate change.

As Annette insightfully remarked “We're pretty good at storing food, pretty good at storing water. But we have to get better at storing energy.”

NRStor has introduced a range of energy storage technologies into the Canadian market, establishing itself as an industry-leading developer. The company provides innovative solutions, leveraging its deep expertise in energy storage technologies, their costs, and the benefits they offer across the supply chain. Creating market opportunities for storage working with electricity operators and government regulators was a handful.

Walking the Talk on Diversity

Annette's leadership philosophy centers on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Drawing from her own experiences of discrimination and adversity, she emphasizes creating opportunities for all individuals to thrive. At NRStor, she has cultivated a culture of openness, collaboration, and purpose, empowering employees to drive meaningful change in the renewable energy landscape.

NRStor partners with progressive stakeholders and leading technology providers to develop, own, and operate energy storage projects. Annette’s genuine enthusiasm and pride in the company's Indigenous partnerships shine through as she enthusiastically shares recent project updates. It is clear that Annette believes in creating an environment where people can have fun, work hard, and pursue a common purpose.

"Working in clean energy is an extremely rewarding industry – we are at the forefront of advancing the dialogue on climate action as well as equitable ownership of infrastructure” adds Shivani Chotalia, an active clean energy leader who has worked closely with Annette for years. “In my experience, seeing women lead in this industry is essential to elevating diverse perspectives that result in broader social, environmental and economic benefits for the many stakeholders that touch our projects."

While Annette recognizes progress in government with more women in leadership roles, she stresses the need for greater female representation in the private sector. “I am encouraged that women are getting into leadership positions,” she says. “This industry desperately needs women who bring different perspectives to their jobs. I see change, and I’m encouraged by it. For us to grow faster, we need diversity of thought, perspectives, and technology.” NRStor’s CEO underscores the importance of different perspectives at the decision-making table. “People here feel like they own the company, which they do because they are shareholders,” she notes. By fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace, NRStor is paving the way for a more innovative and sustainable future in the energy sector.

Powering the Future

"We're at the age of significant change, and I see nothing but opportunity ahead of us," claims Annette, who is convinced that the energy and electricity industry is undergoing a major transition.

Annette is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead, but she is not blind to the challenges society must tackle. With a focus on grid modernization and clean energy adoption, she envisions a future where renewable energy technologies play a central role in driving economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. By embracing diversity, innovation, and collaboration, she believes we can build a brighter, more resilient world for generations to come.

The market's evolution has been remarkable, and Annette highlights the increasing awareness and advancements in energy storage. "There has been significant marketing effort and capacity buildup," she explains. "In 2012, people didn't understand what energy storage was. Now, it's a vital part of our energy landscape."